Zion Train

Zion Train is a UK dub reggae ensemble.Initialy formed in Oxford as a sound system in 1988 by Neil Perch and Ben Hamilton, Colin Cod and Dave Tench joined in 1990 upon relocation to London. The line-up was added to with vocalist Molara in 1992. Their initial releases were the 7" singles "Power One" and "Power Two", which became hits on the dub scene in the early 1990s. In 1992 they released the groundbreaking 'Follow Like Wolves' single which fused Dub and Acid House styles and spawned their reputation a s innovators. Their second album, "Natural Wonders of the World in Dub", hit the UK indie charts in 1994 and was followed by several small-issue EPs. Additionally, they worked on remixes for The Shamen, Afro Celt Sound System, Loop Guru, Kava Kava (band) and others. They released both vinyl and CD material on their own label, Universal Egg, until 1995, when they signed with China Records. They returned to their own label in 1999. Much of their back catalog was reissued in 2005.

Lately, their early albums, such as 'A Passage To Indica', have been cited as primary influences on the minimal Techno and minimal Dub genres. There was a bitter feud within the band beginning around 2001 which led to Neil Perch continuing the band with an almost new line-up, comprising long-term trumpeter Dave Hake, trombonist Bigga and an assortment of international session players and studio vocalists. This line-up released the album 'Live As One', with which Zion Train won the 'Jamaican Reggae Grammy 2007' for 'Best Dub Recording'.

Discography

Albums

*"A Passage to Indica" (Universal Egg, 1993)
*"Natural Wonders of the World in Dub" (Universal Egg, 1994)
*"Siren" (China Records, 1995)
*"Homegrown Fantasy" (China, 1995)
*"Grow Together" (China, 1996)
*"Single Minded and Alive" (compilation, 1997)
*"Love Revolutionaries" (Universal Egg, 2000)
*"Secrets of the Animal Kingdom in Dub" (Universal Egg, 2000; recorded 1994)
*"Original Sounds of the Zion" (Universal Egg, 2002)
*"Original Sounds of the Zion Remixed" (Universal Egg, 2004)
*"Live as one" (Universal Egg, 2007)

Members

*Neil Perch - electronics, production (1988-present)
*David Tench - production (?-2001)
*Dave Hake - trumpet(1990-?)
*Chris - trombone (?-2001)
*Bigga - trombone (1999-?)
*Colin Cod - melodica (?-2001)
*Molara - vocals (?-2005)
*Dubdadda - vocals (2001-?)

External links

* [http://www.womex.com/virtual/roots_and_rhythms/zion_train_portugal Biography] at WOMEX.com
* [http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kvfqxqrgldae~T1 Zion Train] at Allmusic
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Zion+Train Zion Train] at Discogs
* [http://norikomanabe.blogspot.com/2008/06/neil-perch-zion-train-april-24-2008.html Interview with Neil Perch]