By MÁRTON NÁRAY – The year of 2015 promises to be a dub celebration: Killing Joke In Dub feat. Youth & Alex Patterson, Pink Floyd in Dub, Dubblestandart, to name just a few. And we have a very special guest: we are happy to welcome back British dub band, Zion Train, returning to the Ozorian Valley for the first time in 16 years following their debut at the ‘99 Solipse. We managed to catch up with dub master Neil Perch to ask him a few quick questions.

– You played at the Solipse 1999 festival at Ozora. How do you remember it? Which are the most significant memories you can share with us? Do you see any differences between those years and now, in terms of people, culture, beliefs?

– The biggest memory of 1999 is the solar eclipse – viewed in the backyard of the local family house where we were staying – beautiful, amazing and humbling.
The crowd at the festival was fantastic as was the vibration and the soundsystem. In the intervening 16 years the world’s problems have increased but so have the number of people who accept global consciousness, unity of spirituality and our ability to move forwards as a species – so we are hoping positivity will win the day.

– In lyrics Zion Train has always been aware of the global happenings. Does your new album ”Land of the Blind” reflect this as well? You included teachings in every album you have released so far, which are the thoughts your current album is focused on?

– Yes – always – our obligation is to carry information and try to communicate lessons in positivity. ‘Land Of The Blind’ reflects the sad state of our global capitalist hell and where it is leading us but also indicates the possible positive alternatives that we must follow to survive.

– How would a perfect society look like in your eyes?

– No capitalism, no money, no borders, equality of all species on the planet, governments of true all inclusive democracy – by the people for the people.
Love over hate, humanity over greed, understanding over fear.

– Zion Train for me has always been close to the activist mentality in terms of reacting to happenings around us. What would you suggest to the readers of the Ozorian Prophet: ‘surrender!, revolt! or non-compliance!’?

– We are at a critical time – non compliance and revolt are the only possible options for anyone with hope.

– Besides ZT you had many other projects, do you have something going on besides the band these days?

– We are also working hard with my soundsystem – Abassi Hi Power to create deeper communal dub/shamanic gatherings and also with the labels Universal Egg and Deep Root to try and introduce the work of lesser known artists to the world…

Zion Train was founded by Perch (live dub mixing /production), in 1988. The live line-up has always been very flexible, varying from Perch and a vocalist for sound-system gigs, to an extended lineup for larger events. Zion Train live always features a variety of renowned vocalists but primarily, the band have been fronted by Dubdadda.

Zion Train have been one of the planet’s most prolific groups, along with a mammoth recorded output and innumerable production credits, remixes and song writing collaborations they have produced magazines, CD-ROMs, Internet sites and built sound systems. Their early releases were on their own Universal Egg label, until in 1995 they signed to China Records. They released the world’s first promotional dub music video for the ‘Get Ready’ single and caused a furore with the publicity campaign for their ‘Homegrown Fantasy’ album. Back on their own Universal Egg label since 1999, they have continued to release quality dub, electronica and world dance music. – WobblyWeb