12 September 2024

Sound Systember 12

Zion Train & Universal Egg
 
 



Universal Egg was initially begun by Zion Train to promote their music & productions. This expanded into the release & promotion of labels like Studio One, Blue Note, Real World, ECM, Deep Root, & Sun Ra's Saturn imprint.

Zion Train are a British Dub ensemble that formed in Oxford in 1988. They have consistently released music & toured from 1992 to present day. Their mix of Dub reggae with dance music was a notable innovation in the early 1990s.

Although initially formed in Oxford as a Sound System in 1988 by Neil Perch & Ben Hamilton, Colin Cod & Dave Tench joined in 1990 upon Zion's relocation to London. Their first release was the single "Power One" b/w "Power One (version)".

 

Zion Train - Power One, Wibbly Wobbly World of Music, 1991.
all decryption codes in comments


Logo Side -
Power One
Blank Side -
Power One (version)

 

 

 

 

The Zion Train crew added vocalist Molara in 1992. That same year they released the groundbreaking "Follow like Wolves" single, which fused Dub with acid house styles. Here's a compilation they released of their early recordings...

 

Zion Train - The Early Recordings, Universal Egg, 1992.

Llanberis Pass (previously unreleased demo)
Amlach
JD Dub
8.90m (previously unreleased version)
Eagle Ray (previously unreleased version)
Darker
Jupiter (previously unreleased version)
Watch Out Dub (previously unreleased version)
Spiky Dub
Granby Street
Elephant (previously unreleased version)
Follow like Wolves (previously unreleased demo version)
Untitled
bonus track -
Follow like Wolves (single)
 
 
 
 

Zion Train have released numerous albums on Universal Egg & other labels. Additionally, they have worked with The Shamen, Afro Celt Sound System, Loop Guru, Kava Kava, & many others. Also they have recorded extensively under the name Tassilli Players.
 

Sensi
Kerala
Durban Poison
Malawi
Hawaiian
Coconut Island Special
Purple Power
Northern Lights
Level 11
Poison
Twilight Zone
Pumping up London
 
 
 
 

This just in: I just got this from a good friend, been searching for it for quite some time, decided I'd add it on here cuz it's a doozy. The Tassilli Players going at us from Outer Space...
 
Tassilli Players - Outer Space, Universal Egg WWCD021, 1996.

Interstellar Overdub    
Bass, the Final Frontier    
Bass 1999    
Satta Light of Dub    
Outer Bassways Incorporated    
Dub of Tranquility    
One Giant Dub for Mankind    
Hubble Dub    
The Race Into Bass    
Neuromancer    
Lunar Module    
Untitled
 
 
 
 


Last up is a live Sound System set from 2001. Shortly after it was recorded, Neil Perch moved Zion Train, Universal Egg, & the newly christened Abassi Hi Power Sound System to their current home base in Cologne, Germany...

Here's that live set...
 

Bass culture,

12 comments:

  1. Power One
    Ihz2aQPT41VzEfUz6pcJsTljVJLDsF0WFOV3ivEZQfM
    The Early Recordings
    C31ikiTdYGmbjkCMwZNgS4kzBdUtMvevBkyME0Vo1hg
    Wonderful World of Weed in Dub
    elDFwG3KAwtZY1_BMrGHljSQ5E2uNFFzlwNF_SvlcqA
    Outer Space
    fo-ggct16IxiOfJQNas1Eq12DNb12WQ2_YJc8A6ADeQ
    Live in Brighton
    uw5LD8OHdw7T1koTpts71t9S2N0IBg2dQUh_3rQBxic

    ReplyDelete
  2. NØ Zion Train blowed my mind with their side project The Tassili Players,ever since I checked wherever Im in music store to find something about them....I had a chance to share severe festivals with Zion Train, and many others UK live act in the late 90 s and early 2000 s.. Great memories...their approach of the dub techno influenced many generations across Europe...Im happy that you bring something always unknown to me.....Big up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Their addition of techno/acid house to Roots Dub was a game changer for sure. Always loved their music & the soul of Jah behind it all. Neil Perch was also involved in so many great side projects (next month I'm sharing The Power Steppers, another great Zion Train parallel unit. Thanks for staying the course on this Sound System journey. Bass culture!

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  3. Thank you, this was my introduction to Zion Train, Dance of Life
    https://mega.nz/folder/ZGVjxSrR#9dReuzU6XdzO4QhTkDib_Q

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard, thanks so much for the link. Another great ZT slab o' musick. Really appreciate the share & comment.

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    2. Thanks for the generous share!

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  4. Great selection as always thanks . Remember seeing Zion Train about 20 years ago at Glastonbury and it is definitely up there with the best dub/techno sets I've experienced there or at any festival. Keep up the great work
    Aodh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Aodh, for the comment & memory.

      Don't know if you visit The Swamp blog, (https://swamptowers.blogspot.com)

      Since late August they had been featuring Rave Forever Specials from the 80s to 00s.

      This Tuesday was Day at the (Notting Hill) Carnival with Rampage Sound. They were one of the bands that I was referencing in the Notting Hill segment SS8 that by diminishing the reign of Dub at Notting Hill actually aided in the upstart growth of UK Dub.

      Wednesday The Swamp had The Rebel Dread - Block Party with Don Letts in a Soundclash bass heavy Carnival set. Thursday was All Day Carnival Mix with David Rodigan.

      Following the NSS lead I guess.

      Check 'em out.

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    2. Hope you enjoy. Interesting selections, especially Don Letts. Thanks.

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  5. Thanks for the Zion Train! I was just looking for more Zion Train!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, here's some & Richard left a link in his comment above as well. Thanks, brother.

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