AMG Review of 3 Cities in Dub

Rick Anderson
All Music Guide

Bombay Dub Orchestra are not really from Bombay, nor are they really a dub ensemble -- nor, strictly speaking, are they exactly an orchestra. The name was adopted by production duo Garry Hughes and Andrew T. McKay as a moniker for their electro-Indian-ambient-funk project, one that has now resulted in two full-length albums as well as the odd remix project. 3 Cities in Dub consists, as you would expect, of remixed versions of four tracks from their second album, 3 Cities. "Egypt by Air" is presented in two versions, one a new and rather trip-hoppy mix by Bombay Dub Orchestra themselves and another in a more soca/dubstep vein by Earthrise SoundSystem. "Monsoon Malabar" is given a typically ethereal and explicitly reggae-flavored treatment by International Observer (aka Tom Bailey, of Thompson Twins fame). "Journey" appears in three different versions: one is a rather grim and minimalist rockers arrangement by Liquid Stranger; one a long and rather bloated mix by Pathaan; and one a house-derived take by Rise Ashen. "Junoon" is given a soft, warm, and flowing reinterpretation by Bombay Dub Orchestra and also a dense but nimble and heavily dubbed-up mix by the great U.K. dub crew Alpha & Omega. The collection is an enjoyable ride and a fine companion piece to the original album, but would have been even better if it had drawn on more of the album's program for its source material.