VA - Pay It All Back Vol.1 - Vol. 8 [1985-2022] (8 x CDs)

U SOUND LABEL

VA - Pay It All Back Vol.1 - Vol. 8 [1985-2022] (8 x CDs)

The “Pay It All Back” series is an extraordinary set of compilation CDs brought to life by the trailblazing On-U Sound label. Established by Adrian Sherwood, On-U Sound has been at the forefront of dub, reggae, and experimental music since the early 1980s. The “Pay It All Back” series, which debuted in 1984, epitomizes the label’s innovative ethos and dedication to expanding musical horizons.

Each installment in the series presents a rich tapestry of artists and tracks, reflecting the label’s diverse lineup and its knack for seamlessly merging various genres. These compilations feature a mix of recent releases, unreleased gems, alternate mixes, and previews of upcoming albums. This strategy not only celebrates the label’s past successes but also provides a sneak peek into its future endeavors.

A notable feature of the “Pay It All Back” series is its talent for spotlighting lesser-known artists and tracks that might otherwise remain under the radar. For example, the seventh volume, released in 2019, boasts contributions from artists like Roots Manuva, Horace Andy, and Lee “Scratch” Perry, alongside newer talents such as Denise Sherwood and Nisennenmondai. This blend of seasoned and emerging artists ensures that each compilation remains vibrant and engaging.

The series also showcases Adrian Sherwood’s exceptional production skills and his ability to craft immersive soundscapes. Tracks like “Spit Bits” by Roots Manuva & Doug Wimbish and “African Starship” by Lee “Scratch” Perry highlight the label’s distinctive sound, characterized by deep basslines, intricate rhythms, and a spirit of sonic exploration.

In summary, the “Pay It All Back” series is a celebration of On-U Sound’s legacy and its enduring impact on the music industry. For enthusiasts of dub, reggae, and experimental music, these compilations offer a wealth of auditory treasures, making them a must-listen for anyone eager to delve into the rich and varied world of contemporary music. (B)

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Track lists

Vol. 1

01 Singers & Players Feat. Prince Far I - Bedward The Flying Preacher 5:13

02 Maffia - Hallelujah 2:51

03 Dub Syndicate - Must Be Dreaming 4:21

04 Circuit - Loudspeaker 2:57

05 Mark Stewart And The Maffia - Jerusalem 3:41

06 Voice Of Authority - Fuh Fuh 0:46

07 Missing Brazilians - Ace Of Wands 3:39

08 Akabu - Akabu Theme 4:27

09 New Age Steppers - Some Love 5:45

10 African Head Charge - Timbuktu Express 4:28

Vol. 2

01 Lee "Scratch" Perry & Dub Syndicate - Train To Doomsville 5:01

02 Barmy Army - Billy Bonds M.B.E. 3:48

03 Forehead Bros - Circular Motion 6:00

04 African Head Charge - What A Wonderful Day 4:47

05 Dub Syndicate Featuring Doctor Pablo - No Alternative (But To Fight) 5:19

06 Bim Sherman; Singers & Players - Run Them Away 3:40

07 Prince Far I; Singers & Players - Water The Garden 5:11

08 African Head Charge - Throw It Away 3:03

09 Eskimo Fox - Digital (Theme From On The Wire) 4:22

Vol. 3

01 Strange Parcels - Disconnection 5:20

02 Strange Parcels - Hearts Desire 4:09

03 Lee Perry & Dub Syndicate - You Thought I Was Dead (Remix) 6:00

04 Dub Syndicate - Stoned Immaculate 4:34

05 Little Annie - I Think Of You 4:49

06 Andy Fairley - Jack The Biscuit 2:27

07 Dub Syndicate - Hey Ho 4:13

08 Mark Stewart - These Things Happen (Remix) 3:57

09 Martin Frederix - Ennio 3:52

10 Strange Parcels - To Be Free 5:37

11 African Head Charge - My God 4:13

12 Alan Pillay - Spirit Soul 5:07

13 Gary Clail - False Leader 6:09

14 Jesse Rae - Jacob's Pillow 4:55

15 Barmy Army - Devo (Remix) 6:01

16 Barmy Army - Blue Moon 4:09

17 Bim Sherman - Nightmare 4:11

Vol. 4

01 Dub Syndicate - Chapter 4 4:26

02 Dub Syndicate - Echomania 2:42

03 Strange Parcels & Bernard Fowler - High Ideals & Crazy Dreams 3:35

04 Strange Parcels & Bim Sherman - More Is Insane 5:11

05 Strange Parcels & Jesse Rae - Victory Horns 6:41

06 Skip Mcdonald - Hammerhead 4:36

07 Jalal - Mankind 5:32

08 Little Annie - Bless Those 3:24

09 Andy Fairley - Segue 1:21

10 Twinkle Brothers & The Trebunia Family Band - Don't Betray Me (On-U Sound Remix) 6:56

11 Strange Parcels & Basil - Never Despair 5:10

12 Andy Fairley & Barmy Army - Bobby Moores' Legs 3:04

13 Wimbish & Mcdonald - Stop The Clock Part 2 5:06

14 Strange Parcels & Basil - Danger 5:39

Vol. 5

01 Audio Active - Happy Shopper 5:30

02 Doug Wimbish - Life In Arena (Version 1) 4:19

03 Mark Stewart - Digital Justice (Dub) 3:34

04 Two Badcard - Weed Specialist 4:43

05 Little Axe - Out In The Cold And Rain (Remix) 4:47

06 Bim Sherman - Can I Be Free (From Crying) 4:21

07 Dub Syndicate - Roots Commandment (Remix) 4:15

08 Gary Clail & Hari Haran - One Flesh And Blood 4:41

09 Revolutionary Dub Warriors - Mystic (Remix) 5:13

10 Strange Parcels - Outsiders (Remix) 4:05

11 Akabu - Africans United 5:06

12 Little Annie - I Drop Your Name 4:23

13 African Headcharge - Animal Law (Remix) 7:16

Vol. 6

01 2 Badcard - Pure Illusion [Remix] 3:57

02 Little Roy - All Day Long 3:42

03 Doug Wimbish - Glorification Chant 5:49

04 Little Axe - Return [Remix] 5:24

05 Dub Syndicate - Japanese Record [Remix] 4:03

06 Audio Active - Paint Your Face Red 6:32

07 Mark Stewart - Scorpio 4:56

08 Jalal - Mortal Passage 5:40

09 Bim Sherman - It Must Be A Dream [Remix] 5:41

10 Dub Syndicate - 2003 Struggle [Remix] 4:34

11 Akabu - No Crack 4:57

12 Revolutionary Dub Warriors - Irie Warrior 4:48

Vol. 7

01 Roots Manuva; Doug Wimbish - Spit Bits 3:34

02 Sherwood & Pinch; Daddy Freddy; Dubiterian - One Law For The Rich 4:07

03 Horace Andy - Mr Bassie (Play Rub A Dub) 4:16

04 Neysatu; Likkle Mai - War 4:28

05 Lee “scratch” Perry - African Starship 4:07

06 Denise Sherwood - Ghost Heart 2:58

07 Sherwood & Pinch; Lsk - Fake Days 3:27

08 Congo Natty - Uk All Stars In Dub 4:46

09 Lee “scratch” Perry - A Word From The Upsetter 0:25

10 Mark Stewart - Favour 3:19

11 Lsk; Adrian Sherwood - The Way Of The World 2:39

12 Gary Lucas; Arkell & Hargreaves - Toby’s Place 5:10

13 Nisennenmondai - A’ (Live In Dub Edit) 4:48

14 African Head Charge - Flim 2:43

15 Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto - Fuego De Cumbia / Dub De Sangre Pura (Dub Mix) 5:45

16 Little Axe - Deep River (The Payback Mix) 3:46

17 Ghetto Priest; Junior Delgado; 2 Bad Card - Slave State 3:48

18 Coldcut; Roots Manuva - Beat Your Chest 3:23

Vol. 8

01 Mad 45 - You'll Own Nothing 1:22

02 Lee "Scratch" Perry - Many Names Of God (Feat. Lsk) 3:49

03 Tackhead - Rulers & Foolers (Feat. Lsk) 3:50

04 African Head Charge - Asalatua 3:47

05 Horace Andy - Watch Over Them 3:31

06 Creation Rebel - Stonebridge Warrior 4:01

07 Jeb Loy Nichols - What Does A Man Do All Day? 2:52

08 Denise Sherwood - This Road 2:54

09 Adrian Sherwood - We No Normal  (Feat. Daddy Freddy & Ghetto Priest & Jen Jen) (Anger Management) 2:21

10 Andy Fairley - Your Best Tune 2:04

11 Hebden’s Hifi - Segue 8 0:13

12 Tackhead - I Don't Wanna Work A Fake Job (Feat. Mad 45) 3:07

13 Sherwood & Pinch - Excessive Drinking 2:27

14 Ital Horns - Metropolis 4:01

15 Lsk - Money Masters 2:29

16 Andy Fairley - Deranged Man 2:30

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