Dreadsquad – Voices From The Desert – new album

Following the success of his instrumental album “Reggae From The Desert”, Marek “Dreadsquad” Bogdański returns to his musical desert – but this time, he is not travelling through it alone. “Voices From The Desert” offers a new perspective on a world already familiar to listeners: expanded, enriched with vocals and taking a slightly different path from its instrumental predecessor. Where dubby spaces, ethno-jazz influences and a wealth of live instrumentation once took centre stage, voices, stories and the distinct personalities of the featured artists now bring an entirely new dimension to these sounds.

However, Dreadsquad does not take the easy route. “Voices From The Desert” has a life of its own, with musical threads from the previous journey meeting new arrangements, fresh ideas and an impressive cast of vocalists.

“Misirlou,” which opens this musical journey, is a traditional melody known today almost all over the world. Here, it takes on a new, hypnotic form, where flute and saxophone are joined by the kaval and oud – an Arabic lute – opening the door to a world where reggae, jazz and Middle Eastern music meet without ever needing to show their passports.

From there, the album delights with its diversity of voices and personalities – moving from roots depth and classic rub-a-dub (Lasai, Trinity and Marcus I), through romantic lightness (Dub Princess, Marky Lyrical), melancholy and meditative calm (Cian Finn, Tom Spirals), to uncompromising, socially conscious statements (Dr. Ring Ding). Each of the featured vocalists brings their own personality to this journey, making “Voices From The Desert” a musically cohesive album that still manages to surprise at every turn.

Behind these voices stands a true musical collective. Dreadsquad, once again the heart and mastermind behind the entire project, plays a wide range of instruments, joined by acclaimed musicians whose skill brings remarkable colour, depth and an organic feel to the album. Everything was then brought into focus at his own Superfly Studio, where even the most elaborate arrangements retain both their dub weight and their sense of space.

“Voices From The Desert” is an album that proves a musical journey does not have to end where the final note of the previous record fades away. Sometimes, all it takes is returning to the same place with different people, new ideas and open ears to discover an entirely new landscape.

Dreadsquad’s desert comes alive once again. And this time, it speaks with many voices.

Dreadsquad, Don Fe, Craig Crofton, FootPrint System – Misirlou
Dreadsquad, Lasai – A Wah Do Dem?
Dreadsquad, Marcus I, Fat Frog – Ram Down
Dreadsquad, Dub Princess – Fool for Love
Dreadsquad, Trinity – Power To The People
Dreadsquad, Cian Finn – Fire In Your Hands Hands
Dreadsquad, Tom Spirals – Watch The Clouds Go By
Dreadsquad, Dr. Ring Ding – Racist Attack
Dreadsquad, Marky Lyrical – Good To Me
Dreadsquad, Lasai – Rock It Non Stop
Dreadsquad, Ras Jahshua, Fat Frog – Trouble
Dreadsquad, Lij Uka – Vaya Donde Vaya
Dreadsquad, Marcus I – Wise Man
Dreadsquad, King Konsul – Caution
Dreadsquad, Lasai – Loving You Baby

Black and orange vinyl LP, limited edition, 180 gram available here