Watch the full Review by ‘The Mole’

Album Review By: Daryl Habraken

Artist/Band Name: Salmonella Dub

Album Name: Soul Love Trippa

Label: Blackout Music Management

RATING: 4 Stars

Taking everything we know and improving on it. 

Its clear the crew from Salmonella Dub haven’t stopped immersing themselves in Kiwi audio culture despite their long absence as a fully formed entity. 

As I drop the needle onto the 12” Ep and sit back to loss myself in to what I can only assume will be a trip down memory lane I’m absolutely not disappointed. Its all there, the drums, the base, the horns and the haunting etherial synth that we come to expect but one thing is clear, they’ve allowed themselves to be influenced by the recent crop of kiwi touring acts. Audio homages to the likes of Fat Freddys drop, Kora, Trinity Roots and shapeshifter can all be heard in each track, more depending on which mix you invest yourself in. 

I guess the hunter has become the hunted as ALL of the mentioned groups were heavily influenced by Salmonella Dub, the group that some say started the Pacifica style of Reggae/Dub that has infected the musical landscape of new Zealand like Covid through a Sydney anti lockdown rally. 

Question is, is this a negative… well… no. 

If anything it feels it brings back all the elements we love about kiwi gig culture and ties it all together by swinging us back to the beginning. It should transcend generations and no mater what gig you attend over the next 12 months you will hear tracks from this album. Its what PA systems in this country where made to play

And if you in the car on the open road or trapped in Auckland traffic it has the same effect as jazz, it allows you to detach from life for a while. It’ll pick you up if your down or calm you down when your anxious. Leaving you in a state of euphoria 

On the album are 5 tunes:

“Sprang it” is a funky drive down the 70s inspired soul groove that had me wanting to walk down K road with purple top hat and holding a cain with pure pimp panache  

“Andys Jam” is a 10 minute ride. Its like microdosing on willy wonkas psychedelic express. A good set of fully encompassing headphones will have you forgetting all of life’s ills in this meditative little ditty 

“Searching for Sungle” is a classic jungle riff with some dub thrown in for good measure. If Andys Jam was microdosing, this will give you all your daily macros.

“Molesworth” Is a spiritual journey, featuring a deep etherial calling to the land. With its heartbeat steady rhythm and haunting conch you are transported to greener mistier mountains than even Tolken could imagine.

Finally we have the title track “Soul Trippa” a song of two halves first theres a smooth groove that exploits the classic Salmonella of old that builds into the final act when the Rpms get cranked up and my shoulders start to rock my entire body to a loose state of subconscious happiness 

In the end its a 36 minute journey that’s both old and new. The group haven’t tried to reinvent the wheel, and why should they, it most certainly isn’t broken. I just can’t wait to loose myself to the fully live experience this spring. 

PURCHASE LINKS HERE: www.salmonelladub.com/dubstopstore

Produced by: Harry Bretherton

Mastered by: David Harrow