African Head Charge - Environmental Studies

Originally released in 1982, the second African Head Charge album finds the group diving deeper into studio experimentation. Working with manipulated and vari-speeded ¼-inch tape loops—re-recorded back to multitrack, drenched in reverb and delay, and layered onto live performances—this release also makes heavy use of found sounds and field recordings, hence its evocative title.

The brainchild of Adrian Sherwood and percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah, African Head Charge forged an undefinable sound on these early albums—music that still feels eerily contemporary, anticipating the experimental bass explorations of later labels like Hyperdub and Tectonic.

Features contributions from Bruce Smith (The Pop Group), Style Scott (Roots Radics), and Deadly Headley (The Wailers).
Re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin for maximum bass pressure. Includes printed inner sleeve with liner notes by Steve Barker (On The Wire) and a download card for the full album.