In 2008 Pama International released “Highrise” an anti knife & gun crime album, which went on to raise more than a few eyebrows and got ideas brewing & tongues wagging. So as we get into 2009 Pama International are about to unleash the next chapter “Highrise Campaign”, which features the living legendary Deejay that is Dennis Alcapone, toasting his way through “Versionrise” to the familiar tune of “Cherry Oh Baby”. Billy Bragg is up next with the excellent “To Have & Have Not Version”, doing his trademark hard done by cockney folk with a punky edge, which works an absolute treat over the skanking rhythms. Hard Fi’s DJ Wrongtom delivers a nice dub and Mungos Hi Fi bring on the dubstep. Dennis Alcapone opens side two with the energy fueled “No More Guns, Love Is Easy”, then we slip into the G. Corp dub. Jimmy Screech takes the lead on “Do They Ever Wonder”, and “Highrise Campaign” comes to a close with “No More Instrumental”. So all in all a very good LP, that is not scared to tread it’s own path while wearing it’s heart on it’s sleeve and saying something. A punky reggae party for the 21st Century.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Dean Thatcher
