Black Dub - Black Dub (2010)

Another supergroup of sorts. Daniel Lanois, top producer and acclaimed musician's musician, put together his new project with Brain Blade on drums (Norah Jones, Wayne Shorter) and Louisiana bassist Daryl Johnson (Neville Brothers).
They are joined by 23 year old Trixie Whitley, daughter of Chris. Her Belgian mother is the sister of dEUS' bassist.

It's especially her voice that brings this project off. Pure but raw enough to entertain.
The name Black Dub is well chosen because the music incorporates several elements of the dub culture on the one hand. On the other there's Lanois' voodoo soundscapes that sizzle and crackle like a tumbleweed trown on a hot barbeque pit.
The production is outstanding, crystal clear drum sound and heavy basslines without being overintruding.
But then one wouldn't expect anything less from Lanois.
The songs. There's pure gospel in 'Canaan', 'I believe in you' is a dub heavy excersise while 'Surely' is a purely sexy ballad brought off by Trixie's unbelievable voice.
In some songs I can even hear influences of T-Bone Burnett even though he wasn't at the sessions.
You'll also find two Lanois instrumentals 'Slow baby' and 'Sirens' that have his trademark deep haunting waves of electronic guitar.

Black Dub, the album, came out rather late in the year and I won't change my personal top 10 of the year for it. Still, truth be told, it deserves a place in it.
Not your everyday pop music this but a very laidback album to enjoy.