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Wicked Beat Sound System are an Australian based group whose sound is best described as a mixture of electronica, reggae, dub, soul and hip hop. With 5 albums under their belt and still going strong this legendary Sydney electronica crew have long been credited with being the pioneers of their genre. Combining cutting edge musical production skills with funky soul vocals, and often hauntingly atmospheric melodies, WBSS music forms an exquisite symmetry between electronica and acoustica.
In their live incarnation WBSS have been extremely fortunate to include the talents of several of Australias top musical talents. All bring a wealth of musical expertise & excitement to the live experience.
WICKEDBEATSOUNDSYSTEM: DREAMING
Release Date November 10th 2008
The Dreaming album was born when Damian Robinson was approached by Rhoda Roberts to compose the music for a Clensing Ceremony she was directing called Sydney Dreaming which was to be a theatrical adaptation of the rainmaker creation story.
The Walanbadu Ceremony, is an increase Rites Ceremony where the cultural ancestral spirits of growth and fertility are expressed in song and dance to reside over the new growth of all things.
This was performed by several indigenous dance groups including Doonooch, Descendance Garrabarra dance groups as well as Singer Emma Donovan and songman Mathew Doyle at Sydney Olympic Park.
Since that performance, variations of this music have been performed at several Festivals and Ceremonies including Woodford Festival and Perths International Arts festival. The Dreaming album is the culmination of several years work. The original concept was penned in the heat of a Byron Bay summer and completed in WBs studio in Sydney and then Bungendore. The themes revolve around Salt Water, Fresh Water and Desert, three dividing realities for aboriginal connection to country.
WICKEDBEATSOUNDSYSTEM: HYDROMAJESTIK
The album Hydromajestik has got drought breaker written all over it. Recorded and produced on a farm during Australia’s worst drought in living memory, this album, full of optimism, searching and soulful lyricism may just be the thing to turn it all around. Clearly a joy to make, album number 5 for this pioneering electronica outfit marshals together a maturity etched with the unalterable deft touch of cool that will forever characterise Wicked Beat Sound System.
Packed with tracks reminiscent of the neo-soul of Wicked Beats year 2000 Inna Styles release, Hydromajestik occupies a similar grand and anthemic space. This is as big and wide open as it has ever been with Wicked Beats. Stripped back and spacious, but still soaked in the subtleties of Damian Robinson’s luscious and sophisticated sound scapes, Linda Janssen’s vocals roam and soar effortlessly across this album with a self-assuredness that resonates with the sheer class of her considerable vocal talents. Hydromajestik is such an effortless compendium it feels that these collaborators, who have explored so many musical shades over their fifteen year history, have emerged upon some new horizon. Here their skies are bold and expansive and the fervent complexity and often darker urgency of previous Wicked Beat Sound System releases have opened out into a brighter, searing album of considerable depth and breadth. With a surety and uncanny knack that sees them ticking the box marked ‘cool’ every step of the way, Wicked Beat Sound System are rounding out their long musical expedition sounding fresher than ever. Turn on the taps. Pull out the plug. Open the floodgates … Hydromajestik is here.
WICKEDBEATSOUNDSYSTEM: 4ORMATION
2005 saw Wicked Beat Sound System return with a stunning new Long Player, “4ORMATION”. Whether a long time WBSS devotee or a first time listener, you’re sure to be captivated by Wicked Beat Sound System’s new and truly mesmerising “4ORMATION”.
Wicked Beat Sound System are a Sydney based group whose sound is best described as a mixture of electronica, reggae, dub, soul and hip hop. This legendary Sydney electronica crew have long been the masters of mixing Rhymes with Soul, Fat Bass with Beats. The release of “4ORMATION” confirms that Wicked Beat Sound System have achieved that sound, that special blend that they’ve been striving to perfect since inception.
Combining Damian Robinson’s musical production with Linda Janssens funky soul vocals and MC Kye’s hauntingly melodic rhymes, this new material heralds a truly organic approach to their music’s creation, an exquisite symmetry between electronica and acoustica…..that “Wicked Beat Sound” Featuring a myriad of guest performers, “4ORMATION” takes the listener on a journey through the musical influences that make this outfit tick.
From the opening anthemic plea of “We Are The Free”, through to the dub infused “It Doesn’t Matter” and on to dancehall hip-hop of “Nightmare” you won’t be disappointed. The exquisite “Shaft Of Light” and “Again” re-confirm Linda’s sublime vocal abilities, while Kye stamps his amazing vocal presence on “Dis Sound” and the haunting “Can You Hear?”. Damian’s brooding instrumentals, “Brothers and Sisters” and “Hatching A Plot”, augment the album superbly, giving the listener room to breathe while enjoying the ride. The final track on “4ORMATION”, titled “Arrival” was originally written as a musical description of first contact.
Impressive audio production techniques and aural manipulations make this album a truly unique listening experience. So turn it up loud, clear a space and celebrate with your favourite relaxant to the sounds that are “4ORMATION”.