After a good output of 10:inch releases Russ Disciples (producer and label owner of Backyard Movements) has found his way back to the 7:inch formate with these two fresh 7:inches that is soon to hit the streets. This time around he has linked up with foundation artist Bunny Lie Lie for a remake of his anthemic "Babylonian" and singjay Ras Mac Bean on "The Race". Both riding the same rhythm provided by Russ D himself. The rhythm is slightly similar to the original "Babylonian" output from the early eighties which was originally produced by Linval Thompson. Russ D has kept the same steady bass line and chords though put in a additional saxophone playing sweet melodies and given the original rub a dub rocker rhythm a modern touch.

Bunny Lie Lie is somewhat unknown to me except for the odd tune from the early eighties. I don't know if he put out any album but a few 12:inch vinyls have past my eyes over the years. Last time I say his name was on a Heartical 7:inch named "Give Me A Dub" which came some years back. The voice of Bunny Lie Lie is gruff and somewhat rugged but than again that's his style or what one would call it. On "Babylonian" he rides a steady one drop singing of his dislike of being around "babylonians" (which one can interpret as either bad company, bad minded people or police). It works well although after listening to his cut over and over again for the last half hour I tend to find his vocal quite flat.

Soundclip - Bunny Lie Lie - Babylonian

The second cut on the rhythm, "The Race", is done by the talented singjay artist Ras Mac Bean. Ras Mac Bean, originally hailiing from Guyana (in South America) but now residing in France, has put out a string of good tunes ever since he burst into the scene some years ago. This release is his second for Russ Disciples and like the first, "Selassie I Vision", he rides the rhythm as a professional with intensity, flow and good lyrical content. Ras Mac Bean brings up the story of the turtle and the hare and reasons that the race is not for the swift but for he who endure it to the end as he takes us through this classic childbook story with its moral lectures and pionters. It's actually rarely Ras Mac Bean delivers a weak tune and this one is far from being a first.

Soundclip - Ras Mac Bean - The Race

On the B-side of each 7-inch features a dub piece with Russ Disciples twisting and turning the knobs and sticks of his mixing board so the most of the rhythm potential is squeezed out. Vocals and saxophone along the rest of the instruments gets their treatment in the echo chamber. All to all a interesting release coming from Russ Disciples Backyard Movements label. Since this is Russ D's second rhythm release in a short time using a one drop it will be interesting to see what he will treat us with next. Another dazzling rocker with Christine Miller or Anthony Que maybe?

/Roosty Collins - 7/3-06