​Jah Wobble & Family (from the album Guanyin

​Jah Wobble & Family (from the album Guanyin available on Jah Wobble Records) (by Chris Wheatley)
A bassist's bassist Jah Wobble has come a long way since his early days with post-punk innovators Public Image Limited. Even then, Wobble's broadness of interests and imaginative, fluid technique set him apart from his peers. Since then, he's grown enormously, both spiritually and professionally. This is an artist with eclectic tastes, from social history to Zen Buddhism, and a truly global outlook. In the 1980s, Jah Wobble pioneered 'world music' before the term existed. Since then, he has collaborated with wonderful musicians from across the globe, touring with Chinese mask-changers, traditional molam players from Laos, and a host of other interesting characters far too numerous to recount here. His output has covered everything from dub to English Folk, Jazz, and beyond. On his latest, Guanyin, Jah Wobble is joined by his family, wife Zi-Lan on Chinese harp, flute, and vocals, eldest son John on drums, percussion, and keyboards, and younger son, Charlie, on Chinese violin and vocals.  It could be seen as a segue to the 2008 release Chinese Dub.
The opener and title-track starts things off in great style, a slowly evolving, ocean-deep tapestry. Chiming percussion and thudding drums open up a world of space for Zi-Lan's captivating Chinese harp to explore. There's so much invention and emotion here that it will take your breath away. Wobble's bass, low-down in the mix, guides rather than forces, weaving a melodic and mercurial spell. The counterpoint of violin sweeps and soars. Together, the family Wobble conjure a magical atmosphere.
“Dim Sum” cranks things up to a higher pace, racing joyfully out of the blocks, a mid-tempo Chinese-dub Hip Hop affair. Charlie raps with aplomb, riding effortlessly over a bass-fueled landscape. Once again, the seemingly disparate elements combine to great effect. There's a distinctly modern edge, brought by the younger players, which invigorates this music and makes it soar. “Wushu Demon” pushes even harder. Taken at a furious tempo, this tight, yet free-wheeling dub masterclass pushes Wobble's bass front and center, and what a thrill it is to hear! Reminiscent of Wobble's seminal Mu album, Guanyin is sure to whip up long-term fans into a justifiable frenzy.
The slower, meditative “Long Road” highlights Wobble's versatility. This is a musician capable of glacially-slow, almost ambient, affairs as much as fast-forward work-outs. For further proof, revisit his collaboration with Brian Eno, on the fantastic Spinner album. “Guangzhou Funk” is a standout, a sparkling, ultra-modern Funk-dub delight, with wah-wah guitar, pulsing bass, and, as ever, world elements organically present in the mix. That Jah Wobble and co. can move so convincingly from one extreme to the other speaks volumes concerning their talent. Explains Wobble himself, ‘Guanyin is the Great Female bodhisattva. The Goddess of Mercy. This album has a unique mix of Chinese and Western styles. I am back playing a Fender Precision, which is the type of bass that I first played when I started in the 70’s’. Perhaps there lies the secret behind Guanyin. Wobble has always been brimming over with invention. Here, he summons the energy and verve of his youth, and balances that perfectly against his present, more thoughtful self. Combined with the Chinese twist, it makes for a wholly engaging listen. This is another strong entry into the ever-growing Jah Wobble discography. (by Chris Wheatley)
Listen and buy the music of Jah Wobble & Family from AMAZON
Please visit the Jah Wobble website for more information

---