The Wolf That House Built

Little Axe is a stage name used by guitarist Skip McDonald (itself an alias for the man born Bernard Alexander). It's also the name of one of his collaborations with producer Adrian Sherwood, aided by long-term musical associates Doug Wimbish on bass and Keith LeBlanc on drums, and also in this instance by percussionist Talvin Singh. Whereas Sherwood is best-known for his Jamaican-inspired dub, this record is built on the foundations of McDonald's formative blues influences.

The clever title alludes to Howlin' Wolf, whose voice is sampled on some of its tracks. While there's virtually nothing of house music per se in its musical ingredients, it does involve programming & sampling used in ways which arguably owe something to it. The feel of the album is generally dark & weighty, with its mesmerising grooves the main attraction. McDonald's bluesy guitar work blends with as tight a rhythm section as one could wish for, with Singh's tabla a fascinating addition to it. The whole is given extra heft by Sherwood's dubby production. It doubtless would sound even better coming out of very large & powerful speakers.

Highlights for me include 'The Time Has Come', 'Never Turn Back' (a wonderful version of the traditional song 'No More, My Lord'), and the instrumental 'Dayton'. I bought this CD in '97. I have no recollection of what drew me to it - had I read a favourable review, or heard a track or two on the radio? Or might I have merely been amused enough my the title alone to pick it up unheard? It wasn't my usual cup of tea at the time but I fell for it after a few listens and still enjoy revisting it a quarter of a century later.

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