Creation Rebel are about to release their 7th album, Hostile Environment, their first in over 40 years. The record’s title refers to the “Hostile Environment” policies put in place in 2012 by then UK Home Secretary, later Prime Minister, Theresa May, allegedly to address illegal immigration. These polices resulted in the 2018 Windrush Scandal, where 1000s of British citizens were denied their basic rights – to work, to benefits, to medical care – and deported. They also, arguably, paved the way for the Conservative Party’s increasingly rightwing stance and rhetoric. 

The LP’s 11 tracks are split between songs and instrumentals, including, of course, heavy doses of dub. Of the instrumentals, the brass blasts on the “Far-East” melodica-led Stonebridge Warrior recall Aswad’s mighty Warrior Charge, while the stoned, psychedelic, That’s More Like It, mixes squelchy studio trickery with wild wah-wah guitar, like Tubby’s taking on Hendrix. Jubilee Clock is similarly treated, twisted, filtered, and phased. Its rhythm radically de- and re- constructed. The sonics close to the On U Sound imprint’s early `80s experimental origins. Salutation Gardens has sinister, movie mad scientist, Sci-Fi sequences, modulations, snake about its manipulated, metallic rimshots, and funky, jazzy, organ runs. Crown Hill Road is lighter, lilting, but its melody still synthetic, space age. Off The Spectrum’s slow, but steady beats – moody and Massive Attack-esque – convey a feeling of near exhaustion, but also a dogged determination. A refusal to quit. 

Two of the tunes feature the “voice of thunder”, the late, great Prince Far I, whose murder in 1983 brought Creation Rebel – who came together initially as his backing band – to a tragic end. The fact that these tracks, Swiftly and This Thinking Feeling, are standouts serves to spotlight how important he was, and the huge hole his loss has left. The former is a dark, dread skank, punctuated by high pitched synths and the Prince’s gruff, pitched down growl. The latter, a posthumous duet with Daddy Freddy, chastises “Mr. Chatterbox”, those who indulge in idle gossip. A rocking reminder that loose lips sink ships. 

Elsewhere, vocal duties are handled by 2 of Creation Rebel’s 3 remaining founding members, percussionist Mr. Magoo and drummer Charlie “Eskimo” Fox. Crucial Tony is also still here, taking care of lead and rhythm guitars. The People’s Sound – a tribute to West London Sound System operator, Daddy Vego – fuses a grounation groove with acid axe licks, while its words sing of defiant struggle. Under Pressure and Whatever It Takes toe a more regular reggae line than many might expect of an Adrian Maxwell Sherwood production. They could seem a little tame compared to the big man’s ground-breaking back catalogue, and perhaps they are shot at a crossover, an attempt to reach a wider audience. Don’t they deserve to shift a few million units to the folks who, for example, have just bought Buju Banton’s Born For Greatness. On-U’s sound, though, sorta stands alone. With a richness in tone, and a separation that’s unique, entirely their own. Never retro. Even on tunes like those mentioned, where it’s subtle, close to subliminal, they’re always pushing the envelope. Stripped back, yet densely detailed deals that reveal more with each listen. They also never, ever, pander to any passing vogue. 

Creation Rebel’s Hostile Environment is available to pre-order via On U Sound.