LP – Standard Edition Black Vinyl.

From working with the likes of The Clash and Bob Marley to colliding genres with Big Audio Dynamite, still presenting his own radio show on BBC 6Music, winning a Grammy and receiving an honorary doctorate for his contribution to culture Don Letts appears to have done it all. Indeed along with the release of his best selling autobiography There and Black Again last year and Rebel Dread a film documenting his life released this year youd be forgiven for thinking he had. But theres one thing the 66-year old polymath hasnt done until now.

Don Letts now releases his debut album, titled Outta Sync, which was produced by Gaudi. The single ‘Outta Sync‘ a heady cocktail of dubbed out bass heavy rhythms, island vibes n spoken word juxtaposed with melodic hooks and harmonies. The album is exactly what youd anticipate a Don Letts project to sound like. Outta Sync the title track is also notable as one of a few songs that can introduce such a storied life within a single verse: Now, because of my duality, raised on pop and bass, didn’t really bother me, cause it’s all about the taste, Im the vinyl generation, and thats how I got my start, combining clothes and music, and I turned it into art. And thats just the introduction! Don goes on to reflect upon the changing world around him and his own shifting perceptions.

Ironically he hadnt really intended to make music of his own. But then lockdown hit and his old friend, producer extraordinaire and Killing Joke bassist Youth encouraged him to give it a go, even sending him some bass lines to work with, yet Don wasnt entirely convinced. That changed when he worked in the studio with dub producer Gaudi, another long time friend of Don known for his work with Steel Pulse, Lee Scratch Perry and Horace Andy to name but a few. The pair produced a remake of Big Audio Dynamites Sightsee MC for the dub-inspired post-punk band Megative. They then collaborated on a dub remix of B.A.Ds classic E=MC2 for 2021s LateNightTales compilation Version Excursion.

Don and Gaudi sonically clicked and ended up working together in Gaudis studio for nine months, three days a week, navigating both lockdown and Dons arkestral vision. The result was Letts debut solo album, produced and co-written by Gaudi. Featuring eleven mostly self-written tracks, Outta Sync reflects his myriad tastes and interests, as well as his unique worldview. It also highlights an intriguing array of guests:The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne makes an appearance, as does lovers rock queen Hollie Cook. Don co-wrote the song Situationist with Zoe Devlin Love, previously of Alabama 3. Keeping it in the family is Dons daughter Honor, who sings on the sitar-studded electronic groove Civilization. Collectively its a snapshot of who Don Letts really is in the here and now.

Tracklist:

A1. Outta Sync
A2. Something Coming Off (feat. Hollie Cook)
A3. The Universe Knows What You’ve Done
A4. Crooked Face
A5. Yes
A6. Situationist (ft. Zoe Devlin Love)

B1. The Doorman
B2. No Fooling Me (ft. Hollie Cook)
B3. Wrong
B4. Civilization (ft. Honor Letts)
B5. Present Dilemmas (ft. Wayne Coyne)