The perpetrator of the International Observer experience is keyboardist, songwriter and producer Tom Bailey.
Following the extraordinary success of his post-punk synth-pop group The Thompson Twins, production and writing work for the likes of Deborah Harry, and the ambient techno of his Babble project, Tom Bailey was lured to the exotic climes of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
New Zealand culture has a long history of appreciation for reggae and dub, along with more recent blends like hip hop. this, along with NZ's balmy climes, created the perfect inspiration for Tom's exploration of the dub artform he had deeply loved since the seething post-punk infatuation of the music in the late 70s. together with sparring partner Rakai, Tom initiated International Observer, a sound system that quietly infiltrated various Auckland events over years, creating a legendary reputation for marathon five-hour sets of exquisitely-crafted slo-mo dubscapes.
Early in 2002, having amassed enough material for a boxed set, Tom set about pruning the oevre down to an ideal International Observer primer, called 'Seen'. While he attempted to keep the wraps on this absurdly tasty release, it was somewhat inevitable that previews were sneaked out of seclusion, resulting in extensive radio play worldwide and eager members of the press corps frothing at the mouth for IO morsels. Released by Different Drummer in the UK and Beautiful Music in NZ, it's been called the lushest, deepest, most caringly crafted dub-a-tronic exploration ever released, a cunning experiment in melodic instrumental dub that - without losing its edge - makes for the most gorgeously seductive, almost meditative listening experience.
This release was followed in 2005 by "All Played Out", a selection of live and sound system favourites that for one reason or another did not make it onto "Seen". Released only in New Zealand and Australia on the cult Auckland label, Round Trip Mars, helmed by the inimitable Stinky Jim, it followed its predecessor into the hands, boxes and players of discerning dubheads. Most of the tracks eventually made it out worldwide on the "Heard" album, released in September 2007.
This autumn saw the release of the 3rd chapter of the Observer sage, "Felt", eleven more slices of delectable dub drenched delights, designed to bother bassbins worldwide. Aside from the opening take on the classic, House of the Rising Sun, the album is an altogether deeper excursion into bass than its predecessors: beats are sparser and the basslines heavier. Lampedusa is inspired by the refugees held in camps on the Italian island of the same name, physically only breaths away from freedom, but practically miles apart.
It is still a joyful affair though, with tracks peppered by his trademark horns and guitar riffs. Plus Popcorn Slavery is as near to his playful pop past as electronic dub is able to go.
International Observer albums are available from most good record shops and online direct from Dubmission Records.
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