Way of Life

SOS Track descriptions (all lyrics by L O'Connell, except where indicated - by featured artist)

1. Recognise

A brutal attack on white Australian colonialist policies that have seen indigenous Australians suffer the world's worst disparity in levels of mortality, health, incarceration, education and employment. The song espouses the demands of the Black GST - an end to the ongoing Genocide; recognition of the Sovereignty that was never ceded to Europeans; and Treaty to be made. Musically, a pounding dancehall rhythm peppered with echoed guitar and keys evoke the expansive Australian bush. Features Alanna Egan on impromptu gang vocals.

2. Merdeka is a ska-rap anthem that keeps with the colonial theme but moves to the influence of America - since the end of the Cold War, the world's only superpower. A blazing trumpet introduction heralds the call to Intifada and Merdeka (Arabic and Papuan calls to freedom, respectively). Beginning with the escapades in the Middle East of the GW Bush administration (2001 - 2009), our lyricist then turns his attention to earlier crimes including the purges of Indonesian leftists and students by Washington's darling General Suharto in the 1960s. Further fueling the opposition to colonial/corporate adventurism, we are reminded of subsequent forays into Melanesia, including the hapless Timorese and West Papuans. 3oB asserts that the global protection racket (see Major General Smedley Butler) is alive and well and that Australia is complicit in ongoing illegal occupations. It's unfinished business and the time's come to end it. Features Tim Bowyer on trumpets.

3. An unapologetic critique of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and oppression of her people. First verse affirms solidarity across class and racial lines. 3oB seeks to rouse support in a more general sense before honing in on his target: the apartheid state of Israel. A rapid fire rap then explodes in pulses over a haunting reggae breakbeat accusing the occupier of hypocrisy, a century of imperial aggression and even fascist tendencies.

4. Rubadub Collective (featuring Krisdafari)

A tribute to the legendary innovators of Jamaica and New York that gave birth to the Dub and Hip Hop cultures. ADC salutes the pioneers in their own Australian style, with guest emcee Krisdafari going back and forth with 3oB in a bushment cypher stylie.

5. Brazil

A spacious piano-driven dub slink. Guest horn-man Tarko Sibel blesses the landscape with alto and baritone saxes, dubbed up to the max to float the listener to higher heights.

6. Undiscovered Waters

Rubadub anthem with a soulful dancehall edge. Toasting and vocal harmonies flow over tight guitar and driving drums. Features Sarah MacDonald on backing vocals. General attack against ignorance and call to fight oppression.

7. Innocence

Channeling William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience, this soulful, psychedelic psalm to unity and love reveals a more gentle side but still demands active participation in the fight for social justice.

8.Sentient (Human Being)

In the tradition of 'evil science dub', this uptempo hiphop shuffle gives space for emcees 3oB and Elf Tranzporter to tear galactic wormholes in the track. Elements of funky breaks appear midway.

9. Had Enough

A roots dub manifesto against mind-control of the state and other oppressive structures of the modern era. 3oB takes aim equally at theocratic tyrants and corporate capitalists. A vocal sample of linguist Noam Chomsky reminds the listener of the origins that inform this left-wing critique.

10. Infinite (featuring Wayne Lotek)

Synth-drenched dancehall in a UK style, seamless toasting and back and forth raps keep the energy high on this club nodder. Play on repeat and the track literally ends where it begins! Lotek appears in classic form.

11. Don't Waste It

A dub reggae call from deep space, or beyond the grave. We have one life, it is now...

12. 5-Steppa

Cranking four to the floor 'steppa' rhythm with flute and melodica gives way to spacey Rhodes and guitar dub. Mixed by Malicine, long time ADC live engineer and comrade. Features Sarah MacDonald on flute.

13. Cry in Shame

Soulful down-tempo rubadub with haunting trombone and guitar melodies. A mellow closer to a tumultuous album.