Version City Podcast: Numero Dos

Beginning this weeks’ installment of the Version City Podcast is Rocker T’s “Version City Lady” off of his first solo full length. The version that’s given to listeners here, though, is off of a Stubborn single from the late ‘90s. The production is little sparser, but there’s no notable difference to the album version. Unfortunately, we only get a brief snippet of that.

Immediately afterwards, Django delves into the difference between a ‘trick’ and ‘turning a trick.’ That conversation, sadly enough, lasts as long as the Rocker T track. It also only serves as a weak segue into the following track. Subsequent to that, though, there’s about twenty seconds of both the Drastics, a Chicago reggae act, and Carlton Livingston. The limited time given to both of those acts only leaves listeners wanting more.

This installment of the Version City Podcast is also somehow shorter than their first post – which came in just over twenty one minutes. And I suppose that there’s a wider swath of performers here than on the previous offering, so in some ways King Django and Steady Rocker are attempting to spread the good word. But it still seems like an enormous advertisement. Of course these producers should be given every opportunity to get the Stubborn name out there. Unfortunately, this ad is masquerading as entertainment.

When I first saw that there was going to be a seemingly, long running Version City/Stubborn Podcast, I imagined forty five minutes to an hour of dub, reggae and ska. So far, over two installments, listeners have barely gotten forty minutes. For a man who has created such a strong and unique catalog to use this format in such an exploitative way seems a waste. But, we’ll just chalk that up to the stupefying power of the internets.

I’m sure that sooner or later, Django and company are going to spring forth with some more worth while application than what they’ve settled upon so far. Or at least, I have enough confidence in him to do so. After all, he’s still the same man that toured playing a ukulele during part of his set. And if anyone can do that successfully, they’ve won over at least one fanatic in the undertaking.

Tracklisting:
01. Rocker T - Version City Lady
02. The Drastics - Fistful of Dub
03. Carlton Livingston - Special in Hand
04. Yellow Umbrella - Dub Time Warrior (featuring Victor Rice)
05. Predator Dub Assassins - Downtown Killer
06. Bomb Town - Melt Your Brain
07. Cold Spot 8 - My Little Life
08. The Soul Merchants - How Do You Do It?
09. Bums Lie - Lie Dub
10. Lord Kaya & The Kinky Coo Coo's - Black Station