Album Review: Lord Echo Melodies

Lord Echo (real name Mike Fabulous). Photo / Supplied

Rating: 4/5
Verdict: Black Seeds man reveals his diverse musical nous

Under the guise of Lord Echo, Mike Fabulous of the Black Seeds breaks out and shows he is made of much more than just head nodding, catchy reggae. And while there is the echo and shudder of pure dub emanating from this classy solo album, Melodies also encompasses everything from chinking loungey grooves, reggae house, wild and joyous Latin and Afro-jazz influences, and moments of stomping heaviness, while still maintaining a solid uniform
sound all of its own.

That's Right is a marvel with its smooth Black Science Orchestra/Ashley Beedle saunter and groove to it, Wang East is similar, only more pulsing, psychedelic and soulful, and The Book Keeper is a sleepy reggae gem while six-minute skanker Sword Cane is sweet, yet oddly surreal. The Latin and Afro moments come through on the cosmic, sax-driven Miracle Dance, and the percussive and brassy funk of Terabu. And while the electronic bird cheeps during Honest I Do ruffle the ears a little they are inspired.

With many guests from the capital city, including Fat Freddys Drop member Toby Laing and Phoenix Foundation's Will Ricketts, Melodies doesn't do much to dispel the idea that there is no such thing as the Wellington sound because it's Wellington through and through. It has that same soothing, friendly, and warming Fat Freddy's Drop and Black Seeds vibe, only with more variety - and it's fabulous stuff.

-TimeOut