Piper Street Sound – ‘Black Eyed Dub’ (ft. Andy Bassford) [EP] [Album Review]

Atlanta-based producer Piper Street Sound, aka Matt Mansfield, releases his remix EP, Black Eyed Dub, a reimagination of his 2021 EP, Black Eyed Peace. The new EP includes remixes by Piper Street Sound and his favorite dub engineers: Victor Rice, Mad Professor, and Naram.

Talking about the title of the EP, Piper Street Sound says, “The symbology to ‘Black Eyed Peace’ is that you have to go through pain to get to peace in a world full of fuckery and injustice.”

Drawing upon his foundation of Southern U.S. and Caribbean music, Piper Street Sound connected with reggae guitarist and co-collaborator Andy Bassford. Pieced together during the pandemic, Black Eyed Dub features the talents of Jonathan Lloyd, who arranged the horns, while Bassford recorded his guitar tracks in the Bronx. All other elements were recorded in home studios and electronically gathered and mixed by Piper Street Sound.

Black Eye Dub exhibits elements of rocksteady as Yaya Brown’s akete drumming prods and propels the rhythms carved by the ultra-tight drumming of Brian Daggett and Mansfield’s bass. Chris Case’s keyboard mastery blazes alongside the horns of Will Scruggs, Jonathan Lloyd, and Dashill Smith.

Comprising four tracks, Black Eyed Dub begins with Victor Rice’s remix of “Black Eyed Peace,” an effervescent reggae-flavored tune riding a syncopated rhythm. Bassford’s guitar, light and luminous, infuses the tune with glistening hues accented by luscious brass textures.

The Mad Professor’s remix of “A Shadow in August” highlights skintight percussion, remote guitar riffs, and a meandering flow. “Stonesteady,” remixed by Piper Street Sound, features deep, fat horns, a percolating rhythm, and the strutting, skiffing guitar of Bassford, along with bright keyboards.

Piper Street Sound & The Mad Professor, photo by Allie Mansfield

On “Icemilk,” Naram extends and delays the drums and percussion, giving the melody a balanced sensation. Bassford’s guitar offers hints of psychedelia blended with traces of surf-rock. The result is a trippy, enticing song.

Utilizing dub as a framework, Black Eyed Dub is rhythmically focused and highlighted by the dazzling guitar work of Andy Bassford.

Black Eyed Dub Track Listing:

1. Black Eyed Peace
2. A Shadow in August
3. Stonesteady
4. Icemilk

Run Time: 15:53
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Record Label: Independent

Andy Bassford, photo by Mark Steinberg