Alpha Steppa - Collision Of An Ancient Mind And A Modern World (Steppas Records)

Ben describes this latest record as follows: "This album features some of my favourite voices in contemporary reggae and beyond… With this record I set out to build a unique sound and atmosphere. The idea was to blend the rich heritage of dub with a vibrant, futuristic musical landscape.".

The album features an impressive roster of guest vocalists, including familiar collaborators like Joe Yorke, Ras Tinny, Tanganyika (formerly N'Goni), and Awa Fall, alongside several names that might be less familiar to listeners.

Joe Yorke sets the tone with the powerful opener 'No Doves', while Madrid-based Lasai injects a hip-hop edge into 'Mayday'. Seychellois artist Pasnbesa turns up the energy with the UK-stepper anthem 'Turn Down Babylon'.

The track list also includes two tracks that stand out as outliers within the album's overall vibe. First, there's 'Room Of Truth', absent from the vinyl edition of the album, which features the unmistakable voice of the late Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Then there's closing track 'Chain Breaker II', a dynamic collaboration with French outfit The Ligerians that diverges from the rest of the album's sonic palette.

The accompanying dub versions of the tracks on 'Collision Of An Ancient Mind And A Modern World' deserve special mention. Here, Ben Alpha clearly indulges his creativity, crafting these renditions not as simple add-ons but as integral expansions of the album's vision.