Smith & Mighty

"Connected Sequences" is an album of lost, unreleased Smith and Mighty.

Although other acts would be the ones to see huge worldwide success with the Bristol Sound, the combination of reggae-infused basslines, elements of hip-hop, female and male vocals and a laid-back tempo were pioneered on Ashley Road, St Paul's at the Three Stripe studio by Rob Smith and Ray Mighty. Ashley Road was ground zero for the Bristol Sound. With so much collaboration and experimentation, only a fraction of the finished tracks could be pressed up and released, leaving a library of unreleased music that adds an additional layer to the story. "Compiled from salvaged DAT tapes and cassettes, these are some of the lesser-known beats and pieces we were making at the time."

In proper Bristolian style, we have taken our time to continue documenting the Smith and Mighty and Three Stripe Story with this follow-up album, "Connected Sequences." This album was recorded between 1985 and 1992 and features a few names familiar to fans of both Smith and Mighty and Bristol Archive Records. Side A is a mixture of hip hop and reggae influenced tracks kicking off with local hip hop pioneers Kelz and Lynx on "Rock U Boom Kick" already demonstrating, all involved had mastered the genre and given it a Bristol spin. "Feeling Alright" is a perfect fusion of Dan Ratchet's sweet reggae-tinged vocals with an addictive bassline and hip hop influenced backing. The reggae hip hop fusion continues more explicitly with Rudy Lee's catchy vocal providing the counter to Kelz's rap in "Danger."

The first side is rounded off with a brace of reggae influenced tracks, the sample driven "Step Forward" rides a fine line between dance and reggae, sounding like it could veer off into a dancehall friendly heavy steppers dub at any moment whilst always staying just inside the dance music line, the reggae melodica and vocal sample never quite overwhelming the dance friendly backing track. "Evolve Dub" is another attempt to reconcile a reggae vocal sample and bassline with then current dance music.

"Hardly Wait" kicks offside two with the classic Smith and Mighty sound and a collaboration with Gina Foster, with Gina's voice and a relentless bassline propelling it, this would surely have been a potential hit if released at the time. Regular Three Stripe contributor Jackie Jackson is joined by Jessica George on the upbeat and joyful "Save Us" while another regular Smith and mighty collaborator Marilyn McFarlane rounds off the trio of female vocals with her strong performance featuring on "Dub Reasons". With a couple of simple vocal hooks and driving beats combined with what would pass for discarded soundtrack elements "Stupid Dope Rock" hints at an unfulfilled career composing film soundtracks, if only. The album is rounded off by "Piano Twist" a dark and heavy instrumental that blends various elements to good effect.