As a producer Craig Bratley is perhaps best known for delivering dark, often acidic, “druggy chuggers”. Slick, sleazy, slo-mo house numbers, such as Obsession and 99.9%, that continue to rock, for example, Sean Johnston’s A Love From Outer Space dancefloor. In 2021, by way of experiment, Craig took a dubwise diversion, and together with Brooklyn-based diva, Amy Douglas, created the cult hit, No In Between, a bleep-y bit of Mad Professor-influenced Balearic soul. Since then Craig has immersed himself in dub, and in particular the playlists of the legendary Jah Shaka. I know this because he’s been kind enough to forward me a few. It should come as no surprise then that Craig’s new single also has a reggae rub. This time, however, the direction’s more dancehall than steamy lovers.

Rockers is steady, easy skanking. The rhythm kinda Carly Simon’s Why? – so there’s plenty of “Balearic” crossover appeal – but the bass is a serious synthetic squelch. Plus, everything is showered in arcade game effects a la Disrupt and Jahtari. Vocals come care of veteran Brixton-based DJ Brother Culture. Beginning his career with local soundsystems back in 1982, Culture’s vast recorded catalogue includes collaborations with plenty of big, big names on the the UK scene, such as Joe Ariwa, Bush Chemists, The Disciples, Manasseh,  Mungo’s Hi-Fi, On-U Sound, Adam Prescott, and Zion Train. Further afield he’s formed tight associations with Twilight Circus, in The Netherlands, and Switzerland’s Evidence Music. He’s also MC-ed for Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy’s Wild Rumpus, The Prodigy, T-Woc, Youth, The Orb, and Mr. Scruff. So rest assured, be in no doubt, that the chat is totally authentic. Strictly “roots and culture, no slack.”

Brother Culture’s Rockers is out now on Ashigaru Sounds.

Congratulations to Craig and Claire on their wedding!