Steve Mason & Dennis Bovell

Ghosts Outside Double Six***

On paper, a dub take on Steve Mason's pop music is a peculiar proposition. But think back to the Beta Band's lazy rhythms and lucky-dip influences and it's clear the paths Mason and reggae icon Dennis Bovell took have more in common than you'd imagine. The trigger for the LP was fortuitous; Massive Attack's Daddy G prompted Mason to call Bovell, and their meeting resulted in the pair booking studio time, before stripping the tracks from Mason's excellent Boys Outsideback to their individual elements and giving them the "dub mix". Not all of the originals lend themselves to Bovell's old-school ideas, but when the ex-Matumbi member hits the target, the added bass, beats and brass, make Mason's voice and lyrics even more haunting. Not essential listening but enough to appease the many Mason and Bovell fans out there. See dominorecordco.com

Download tracks: Yesterday Dub, Dub Outside