One of the great things about working on No Treble was the musical discovery it brought. In 2010, I watched a handful of Black Dub videos featuring music from their self-titled debut. I immediately bought the record.
A closer look at the lineup explained a lot: Daniel Lanois, Daryl Johnson, Brian Blade, and Trixie Whitley.
The Rhythm Section That Makes Black Dub Move
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Lanois brought together two longtime collaborators, bassist Daryl Johnson and drummer Brian Blade.
Johnson’s bass playing is fantastic throughout the record. He plays on all but “Surely,” which features Christopher Thomas. I wasn’t very familiar with Johnson before hearing this album, but his playing made an immediate impression.
Blade’s drumming is sublime, as always.
The Surprise of Trixie Whitley’s Voice
The biggest surprise for me was Trixie Whitley. The daughter of the late Chris Whitley, she was only 23 when the album came out, but her voice sounded well beyond her years.
The range of sounds is another reason this record stands out to me. Apple Music describes it as “fusing elements of dub, New Orleans gospel, trip-hop, blues, soul, and edgy rock into something mysterious and powerful.”
Hearing the Band Together on “I Believe in You”
There are plenty of Black Dub videos worth watching, but I love this live performance of “I Believe in You,” especially Johnson’s bass fills:
This is a lineup I’d love to hear make another album together.
