Empire Of The Sun
Ice On The Dune
The big beat explosion seems a very long time ago now.
London's Dub Pistols were notable players in that particular late 90s dance scene, alongside similarly lairy, breakbeat-heavy artists such as the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada.
The media glare has since moved on but ex-club promoter Barry Ashworth's shifting cast of musicians has hung in there, turning out an album every three years or so and enjoying respected cult status. This fifth offering is likely to continue that trend.
Dub Pistols – the clue is in the name – were always more dub- and reggae-inclined than their post-acid-house contemporaries and Worshipping The Dollar's Caribbean leanings are evident in chilled tracks such as Rub A Dub, New Skank and Rock Steady.
They have always had a political edge and guest vocalist Akala – Ms Dynamite's brother – bemoans American imperialism on the lithe West End Story, but primarily Dub Pistols are a party band, and Worshipping The Dollar's stand-out track by far is the hilarious single Mucky Weekend, which finds rapper Rodney P spinning a winning yarn of pills, thrills and hedonistic oblivion.
Like aging ravers, Dub Pistols are still out there doing it for the kids. We should be quietly grateful.
