VIVIEN GOLDMAN
Resolutionary (Songs 1979-1982) (LP, CD)
Staubgold
Vivien Goldman went from being a musical participant of the early-'80s London-New York fusion of dub, post-punk, reggae, hip-hop and African sounds to a keen, informative critic and professor of those genres in general, and the cultural impact of that specific era. The excellent Resolutionary (Songs 1979-1982) is the first collection of Goldman's brief yet vibrant musical explorations. Finding herself within a ripe collective of friends from NYC and LDN, she worked and played with some of the scene's key (albeit 'outsider') players. Included among the various talents are members of the Slits, PiL, the Raincoats, Robert Wyatt, Steve Beresford, David Toop, and Adrian Sherwood (whom she began her music career with, singing on his various On-U Sound releases).
This much-needed compilation plays like a solid, and remarkable, album. Spilt into three sections, we have Goldman's Dirty Washing EP released on 99 Records (ESG, Liquid Liquid), two tracks from the Flying Lizards' self-titled album, a few songs from Chantage (her duo with Afro-Parisian Eve Blouin), and an informative interview that concludes the set. Needless to say, this is essential listening from start to finish. These tracks combine a pop sensibility with the avant-dub deconstructionist mindset that lends her work that rare and special mix of accessibility and experimentation. There’s a potent duality in Goldman's approach as evidenced through the pairing of her playful sing-song delivery with heavy subject matter, such as war and the struggle between the sexes. Consider this a rare gem within the musically salvaged lands of dub influenced post-punk. Absolutely recommended (May 5, 2016)
Reviewed by Daniel Givens
