Punk and Reggae were united almost from the start. The similar aims of protest and underclass rebellion, coupled with DJ Don Letts playing roots 'n' dub tracks at the earliest punk events (mainly due to lack of actual punk records at that time) ensured that these two genres were entwined. One of the most fruitful side effects came when the new wave began applying 'version' techniques, like Mikey Dread messing with The Clash on "Sandinista" - really taking their sound forward. Here's a couple of Dennis Bovell's righteous post-punk mash-ups.
MP3:
The flip of their first single sees the Pop Group scrambled into an hallucinatory wash of jagged guitar scrapes and abrasive drones. Although completely left out of the party, vocalist Mark Stewart must surely have approved...this is like a test-run for his future solo productions with Adrian Sherwood.
MP3:
Here, the usually sharp-as-a-switchblade Slits melt into a soft-focus haze of ponderous instrumental experimentation, invigorated by Bovell's inspired work at the mixing desk. I'd really love to hear Martin Hannant's Joy Division dubs mixes that Peter Hook once mentioned, but I think the tapes got lost or wiped or something. Damn!
