Classic Album Review: Gary Clail & On-U Sound System - End of The Century Party (1989)

One of many exceptional politically charged dub albums from Adrian Sherwood’s most excellent On-U Sound stable of artists, End of The Century Party brings together a wide and diverse array of talent. From the ex-Sugarhill house band trio of bassist Doug Wimbish, guitarist Skip “Little Axe” McDonald, and the beats programmer/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Keith Le Blanc (collectively aka Tackhead), to ex-PiLsters Jah Wobble and Keith Levene, to roots merchants such as the late Bim Sherman and Style Scott’s Dub Syndicate, plus a host of other label luminaries. Throw in an ex-roofer (allegedly) from Bristol with a loud hailer voice, one Gary Clail, have Sherwood himself take care of the mixing and production, and well … you’ve got an irresistibly potent brew. 

Who cares that they decided to celebrate the end of the century a decade or so early? 

Clail and Tackhead had worked together before, most notably on an album called Tackhead Tape Time (1987), but also when Clail was employed as a ranting/chanting/toasting MC with a live/touring version of the band. On End of The Century Party however, it’s Clail who takes centre stage, and this album to some extent acted as the launching pad for an otherwise sporadic “solo” career which included four more full-length releases – Emotional Hooligan (1991), Dreamstealers (1993), Keep The Faith (1995), and Nail It To The Mast (2014). Rumour has it another one is due in 2019, but I can’t be sure about that. 

End of The Century Party combines helpings of techno, dub, funk, sampling, and spoken word (though not necessarily rap), with large chunks of social commentary and a set of highly politicised lyrics. Themes include vegetarianism (on ‘Beef’), corporate corruption (on ‘Two Thieves And A Liar’ – with specific targets being Stockbrokers, Accountants, and Lawyers – you decide who’s what), dreaded privatisation (on ‘Privatise The Air’ – parts 1 and 2), and of course, football (a particular passion of Sherwood’s as expressed on ‘Leroy Leroy’). 

‘Beef’, later released as a single and given a bpm boost, and also included on Clail’s Emotional Hooligan album, is probably the best known track for non-On-U Sound devotees, but the rootsy dub of ‘Two Thieves’ and the quite phenomenal ‘A Man’s Place On Earth’ are the stand-out moments for me. 

If you’re a fan of Adrian Sherwood and/or Gary Clail and/or Tackhead, or the On-U Sound label itself, you’ll likely already have this album. If you’re not yet a convert, but keen to learn what all the fuss was about, then this is a great place to start.