Experimental music is open season for musicians looking to stretch the limits of creativity. And with the release of ‘Rainbow’ by Champagne Dub, the boundaries of their imagination seem to be limitless.

A creative and mystifying experimental album that perfectly encapsulates the smooth chemistry between the members of Champagne Dub, Rainbow is an innovator in the experimental music scene — particularly having an affinity for cosmic psychedelia with flavours of punk and dub tones that will definitely tickle the fancy of any curious listener.

To label the album as ‘out of this world’ is an understatement. The boldness of Champagne Dub to create an album that stands out amidst the plethora of options in the contemporary scene is truly a work of wonder.

Champagne Dub is a collective led by drummer Maxwell Hallett — also known to many as Betamax. Lending his percussive chops to groups such as The Comet is Coming and Soccer96, Maxwell’s latest endeavour offers yet another experimental treat that only the mad scientists of music are able to cook up.

Mashing together wonderful rhythmic booms with the unorthodox musical styles of the group, Champagne Dub gives birth to another album that will keep listeners glued to their speakers.

With Hallett on the keys and drums, he is accompanied by Mr Noodles on vocals, Ruth Goller on the bass, and Ed Briggs on electronics and laser bagpipes. Clive Bell, otherwise known as dad to Hallett, appears on two tracks playing the Shakuhachi, melodica and Toy Panpipes. The result of this alliance of musical aficionados is one for the books.

From the first note to the last, Rainbow is a delight to the ears. Blending together the specialities of each member of the collective into eight tracks of pure bliss, the cosmic dub-rock vibrations of the songs splashed with a jamboree of electronic tones is ear candy at its best.

The album makes a resounding percussive introduction with the track ‘Sink’. Immediately welcoming listeners to the brain-rewiring sonics of Champagne Dub, the bizarre melodies of the first track are an excellent introduction to the psychedelic trip that is to come.

The next track, ‘Wet Drip’, holds a little bit back when it comes to complexity, opting for a more eagle-eyed focus on enchanting listeners with its alluring rhythms and haunting repetitive melodies.

Tracks in the album such as ‘Full Moon Placenta’ and ‘Chancho Vaca’ are excellent reference points for the tasty bass licks that are prominent throughout the songs in the album. The ominous yet ecstatic grooves beautifully blend together with electronic tones that elevate the songs to astronomical heights.

‘Scrubbing’ and ‘Refreshment Guy’ have vibes of voodoo disco and dance-punk that carry an infectious rhythm constructed for a more discerning dancefloor. And right in the middle of the album, the track ‘Cumulonimbus’ takes listeners by surprise with a more grounded direction.

The album finally reaches its epic conclusion with a namesake track that turns up the dial across all corners. From haunting electronic melodies to an alluring rhythm that’s accompanied by a powerful bass groove — the last song is a perfect sign-off to a psychedelic journey that is flawless down to the last-minute detail.

Rainbow is a masterclass in improvisational experimental music done right. Blending flavours of cosmic dub, psyche jazz, folk punk, and more make it a fitting addition to On The Corner Record’s mind-altering catalogue.