JAH WOBBLE'S INVADERS OF THE HEART Take Me To God (Island)

Aha, this is more like it, something original at last. Jah Wobble was originally the bassline maker on the first few Public Image Ltd. albums, but left to experience yet more subterranean pleasures (he became a tube driver!). Recently returned to rock deity by his work not only with Invaders of the Heart but also through floorshaking guest spots on "Screamadelica" and "U.F.Orb", he seems to be pushing it a bit with three track titles containing references to God. But then again, after listening, maybe not. 

His previous album, "Rising Above Bedlam", bubbled as well as the best of the post-"Graceland" world-music melting pots, but didn't impress me for some reason; perhaps it sounded too foreign. (Yes, I realise that that's the point...) But "Take Me To God" is something different; despite featuring the talents of an even more diverse band of musicians, all the conflicting roads lead to Wobble's expert bass-playing and cock-er-nee vocals, and it's truly wonderful. Proper tunes frame Wobble's musings on life, religion, the universe, love and the structural supports of Vauxhall Bridge, and the bewildering array of styles on display are central to their effectiveness, they're not just window-dressing. If you've got the recent Vox Island sampler you'll already know and love the divine "Angels"; other delights include "God In The Beginning", "Becoming More Like God", the title track and the spoken word musings "I Love Everybody" and "No Change Is Sexy". The array of musicians donating their talents includes Can drummer Jaki Liebzeit, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Cranberry Dolores O'Riordan, Gavin Friday, famed tabla player Pandit Dinesh and trombonist Annie Whitehead.

Despite encompassing virtually the whole known world, "Take Me To God" won't change it. It is, however, an excellent, unusual album from an unexpected direction. Try it, you might like it!