Producing The Future: Adrian Sherwood & his On-U Sound label

 Adrian Sherwood

 On-U artists circa 1993 [photo from skysaw site]

 Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound is one of the most influential labels in the field where the mixing and producing technologies meet music. Sherwood's productions, marked by the heavy use of dub techniques (echo sounding, samples, effects) have created since 1981 (and especially for the first 10-15 years) a unique space of pioneering flavours backgrounded in post-punk, reggae, industrial, funk, dance, spoken word, experimental music. The huge influence of On-U can be detected in many music scenes and movements in previous decades, even in contemporary genres ranging from ambient, hip hop, house and dubstep to electronic jazz and world music.

Joining the celebration for the 30th Anniversary of On-U Sound label (1981-2011), LaFolieDuJour selects essential On-U productions:

01 African Head Charge Free chant (1990)
02 Noah House Of Dread Wicked Kingdom (1982)
03 New Age Steppers Animal space (1981)
04 Judy Nylon Room without a view (1982)
05 Mothmen factory/teapoint/factory (1981)
06 Revolutionary Dub Warriors creation (1996)
07 Annie Anxiety sad shadows (1984, corpus christi)
08 African Head Charge healing father (1990)
09 London Underground Animosity (1983)
10 Headley Bennett little dove (1982)
11 Dub Syndicate haunting ground (1986)
12 2 Badcard rock to sleep (1995)
13 Little Annie le manger hereux (1994)
14 Bim Sherman can i be free from crying (1996)
15 Singers and Players revolution (1982)
16 Creation Rebel space movement section 2 (orig.1980, 1981 on-u)


On-U Sound

compiled by semilunio + paramo

DEADLY HEADLEY "35 Years From Alpha" (UK, 1982)

This On-U Sound release is an Adrian Sherwood's  tribute to Jamaican understated saxophonist Headley Bennett -a.k.a. Deadly Headly- who although had been involved since 50's in  the making of a great number of important reggae, ska, etc. recordings, had always remained a 'tiny-letter' session musician with nearly no records at all credited to him. In early eighties when Headley was touring in England with Prince Far I's band and also involving with UK reggae acts Creation Rebel, Adrian Sherwood got the opportunity to make this "35 Years From Alpha" album which is based on Headley's material recorded in England and Jamaica, and also includes Bim Sherman's songs and contributions from Creation Rebel members and other constant On-U Sound associates. Album title refers to Alpha School in Kingston, Jamaica, where Headley had been studying up to the age of fifteen.

Headley Bennett - Two From Alpha