The On-U Sound label has been doing things right for decades. Anything on that imprint is worth picking up, and the breadth of the reggae and dub released by Adrian Sherwood and co. is impressive. The new compilation, Pay It All Back Vol. 8 collects numbers from some of the best artists in the On-U house, and offers up a sampling of some superb music.
Familiar names here include Lee "Scratch" Perry (pictured above), whose "Many Names of God" is a highlight of the release, as is "Rulers & Foolers" by pioneers Tackhead. "Watch Over Them" by Horace Andy brings the heartfelt skank, while legends Creation Rebel gift us with "Stonebridge Warrior", a typically space-y CR offering. Elsewhere, there are surprises by Denise Sherwood (Adrian's daughter), with "This Road", a haunting gem, and "What Does a Man Do All Day?" by Jeb Loy Nichols. The folky makes genuine ska here and that cut reveals the typical On-U Sound instincts are smartly at work in seeking out artists to bring into the fold. Still, it's things like "Deranged Man" by the late Andy Fairley (Dub Syndicate collaborator) that reaffirm the power of this label's roster.
The vinyl of Pay It All Back Vol. 8 will be out very soon, but other formats, including digital, are available now.