CHARLIE P Vinilo y CD

Review: The Plymouth soundsystem and collective known as No Ice Cream Sound take their namesake after the historic Johnny Osbourne song 'No Ice Cream Sound', which hears one of the many most popular faces and voices of reggae decry "ice cream sound", his shorthand for tunes and soundboys who'd dare soften the original intended rawness of roots music. Here the boys take a thousand-watt megabulb to a gelato the size of a glacier with 'This & That', which hears residents Charlie P and Jman go back to back, trading verses and rhythms in a soundsystemic pattern. Fusing influences of both rubadub and roots, the two versions featured here are truly twin whirlwinds, not for slackened belts by any stretch.

Review: Caribbean contributions to British arts and culture are immense, particularly through the music brought by the Windrush generation. When the first Caribbean settlers arrived, Brits were introduced to roots music and sound system culture. In the 1970s, along Southend-On-Sea's coast, the P brothers became immersed in reggae, influenced by Jah Tubbys, Channel One, and Jah Shaka. This passion was passed down to their young prodigy, Charlie P. Charlie grew up surrounded by the sounds of Dennis Brown, Hugh Mundell, and Ranking Dread, eventually honing his talent with Goldmasters Allstars. Now, after over a decade as a 'dub controller', he reconnects with his roots through an album that honours pure, introspective reggae. Produced with Rico O.B.F and recorded with a full live band, the album features regular Prince Fatty collaborator Horseman on drums and Megahbass on bass, offering a raw, new take on traditional reggae.