The Sound Spectacle of 2025: Beholding the Barbican Heights
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The year 2025 marked an illuminating episode in the realm of music with the unveiling of Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge, and Speakers Corner Quartet’s amazing collaboration. Their bold four-track EP, Barbican Heights, took listeners on a mystical journey through the genres of jazz, dub, electronic, and afrobeat. This delightful amalgamation was pioneered by the genre-bending producer Adrian Sherwood, with the legendary African Head Charge and the ground-breaking Speakers Corner Quartet.
These prolific collaborators crafted the Barbican Heights project, as an emblem of unity in the world of music. Sherwood, hailed as one of Britain’s most groundbreaking producers, African Head Charge, an enduring virtuoso of the On-U Sound family, and Speakers Corner Quartet, the transformative force of the UK jazz scene, joined forces for this masterpiece. The project was a testament to their innovativeness, effectively pushing the boundaries of music.
Under the watchful eyes of Sherwood, the beacon of dub music in England, and the wizard of application sound effects, the musical triad along with Alex White from the Fat White Family and Primal Scream, pooled their creativity. The magic happened at Wicker Studios, an epic cradle of creativity, where they crafted majestic reimaginings of timeless African Head Charge piece “Wicked Kingdom Of This Earth” and Speakers Corner Quartetโs personal creation, “Topanga”. Adding two more brand-new tracks to the mix, constructed from scratch, the creative session transformed into a melodic soiree.
Barbican Heights is not just a title, but also a subtle tribute to Keith Hudson‘s classic track. Even more so, it signifies a monumental live performance at London’s esteemed Barbican Theatre. Music lovers would witness Sherwood, African Head Charge, and Speakers Corner Quartet break new ground all performing on the same stage. This show also marked Sherwood’s debut on the stage with his newly compiled band featuring his all-time comrade – Doug Wimbish known for his associations with Living Color, Sugar Hill Gang, and Tackhead, the phenomenal Alex White, and the multi-talented Mark Bandola from The Lucy Show.
Sherwood, best known for his pioneering role in the evolution of ReggaeEDM and association with various reggae artists across the years, was lauded for his contributions to the industrial genre as well. His diverse portfolios included works with everyone from Coldcut and Depeche Mode to Primal Scream and Skinny Puppy. Not limited to one genre, Sherwood showcased his versatility by producing the blues album called Little Axe‘s Real World Records release Champagne & Grits in 2006. This blending of a multitude of genres primes a new path for the forging of Barbican Heights.
The illustrious African Head Charge, well-established since 1981, augmented the musical brilliance of Barbican Heights. Their enthralling dub influences, as evident from their debut album, imbued with the versatile talents of integral members like Creation Rebel, Undivided Roots, Carlton “Bubblers” Ogilvie, and Style Scott among others, have elevated the project to astronomical heights. The fusion of their rich experiences with Sherwood’s unique production paved the way for a harmonious orchestration.
Altogether, Barbican Heights emerges as a striking embodiment of artistic vision, bridging gaps between diverse musical styles, seamlessly intertwining stories of its creators, and serving as a shining beacon of the collective spirit of these three acts. The work has left an indelible mark on the canvas of music, and the echoes of its enchanting rhythm continue to resound in the hearts of its listeners.