Jah Wobble And Julie Campbell
Album: Psychic Life
Label: Cherry Red
Tracks: 9
Website: www.psychiclife.org.uk

This delicious pairing of musical adventurer Wobble and punk poetess Campbell is being seen as the natural successor to what PiL started more than 30 years ago. This is broad scope stuff, music made without barriers, a challenge. It's also pretty good to dance to.

The sublime coupling of Bare Square and Isaura that closes out the album in particular harnesses the joyful euphoria of proto-house tracks mixing snake-hipped percussion and blissfully creative use of space with a post-punk rumble and sparse electronics. Julie Campbell's voice more than copes with the more soulful interludes as well as managing a menacing undertone in darker moments.

The opening salvo, Tightrope is a whip-smart dance tune; while Ruinlust stakes its melodic intent with great big happy-sad synth riffs, but the ace up this album's sleeve surfaces on the title track and the following Phantasms Rise - ladies and gentlemen, please show your appreciation for Mr Keith Levene.

That's right, the man Wobble long ago dismissed as a washed up junkie and whose reliance on narcotics precipitated his departure from PiL is back on board and ably displaying all the things that once made him great. Razor sharp guitar figures slash through the lyrics with minimal effort as Levene fences with Campbell - makes you wonder what he could have achieved if he'd laid off the gear.

But that's as may be, what exists here is a treat. I suggest you seek it out.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk