Dennis Bovell - cLOUD mUsIc *Pre-Order

2025 first time vinyl issue of this incredible funk-forward library dub record from the Dubmaster himself. 140g
vinyl. Limited to just 1000 worldwide. Non-Returnable.
A heavyweight library record delivered straight from the Gods; truly, we are all blessed: Dubmaster Dennis
Bovell presents cLOUD mUsIc. A miraculous set of loose limbed, slinky funk-forward dub on the A-Side with
totally blunted, spaced out trippiness on the grooving versions gracing the flipside.
A pioneer of dub and progenitor of lovers rock, genius producer-arranger Dennis 'Blackbeard' Bovell's prolific
and eclectic career encompasses a huge range of music: from dub poetry to lovers rock, afro-beat to post-
punk, disco to pop and beyond.
His production work encompasses such diverse figures as Ryuichi Sakamoto, The Slits, Fela Kuti, Linton
Kwesi Johnson, The Pop Group, Janet Kay, Saada Bonaire, Orange Juice, Golden Teacher, I Roy,
Maximum Joy, Steel Pulse and more.
cLOUD mUsIc features 8 new, deep, never-heard heaters, initially created for upstart UK library label FOLD.
Dennis had written some music under the influence of Cloud-watching and presented it to FOLD with a view
to them presenting it as Library Music to be utilised by anyone interested in having music for incidentals,
films, TV and advertising etc.
cLOUD mUsIc represents Dennis expressing himself freely and inviting others to join and express
themselves. As Dennis explains: "Library music is what makes the difference between creating for specific
reasons and creating for your own individual enjoyment. cLOUD mUsIc was created whenever I felt the urge
to create music that I wanted to, with no pressure. It was recorded at various times and in various studios
around the world with various musicians’ assistance. Much sonic indulgence with many different recording
devices."
Who doesn't like the sound of that?
Thrilling disco-flecked opener "Rebel Funk" comes bustling out the gate with deeply soulful, driving funk
rhythms, a ponderous thumping bass combining brilliantly with a full band and chanting choral vocals.
Spirited, joyful and dynamic, it's a true treat from the reggae maestro. The lush, deeply danceable "Raw
Soul" combines funk and soul via bass, drums, electric guitar, sax and trumpet. It's smooth, silky and
confident.
The chilled, serene "Callaloo" presents a sunny, calypso-style reggae with dub rhythms, with steel drums

and keyboards providing the sweet melody of deep bass and percussive rhythms. "Too Funky To Be True" is
just that: slow bass and brass-led funk with melodies from strings and organ. It's sleazy, warm and refined.
To close out the side, "Wind Up, Dub Down" is bright and breezy dub reggae with a bouncy rhythm and
reflective, contented feel. The B-Side features jaw-dropping dubbed-out, strung-out, spaced-out versions of
each of the first 5 tracks. Don't ever say we short change you.
The vinyl features artwork utilising a unique photo by Dennis himself. We picked it from a selection of photos
taken by Dennis during his study of cloud formations and how they morph. We think it's pretty striking. As for
the title, Dennis explained: "the ‘Clouds’ are where things are being Digitally stored and, that the word Loud
was part of their spelling, I thought to invite the listener to play it loudly."
Meticulously mastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, cLOUD mUsIc has
been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. Without question, it deserves to
be blasting from a soundsystem to truly appreciate the reverb, echo and rhythm section on each of the ten
tracks.
Tracklist: A1 Rebel Funk A2 Raw Soul A3 Callaloo A4 Too Funky To Be True A5 Wind Up, Dub Down B1
Rebel Funk (Dub Lion Version) B2 Raw Soul (Dub Version) B3 Callaloo (Dub Version) B4 Too Funky To Be
True (Dub Flute Version) B5 Wind Up, Dub Down (Dub Down Version)