AL DOBSON JR Vinyl & CDs

Review: Somewhat confusingly, the two Al Dobson tracks featured on this must-have 12" are not taken from his superb Rye Lane LP, but rather a CD of possible album tracks the producer gave to Rhythm Section International last year. Both cuts are typical of his dusty, rhythm-centric sound, and are particularly sparse. This, though, just makes the remixes even more remarkable. Polish producers PTaki turn "Santiago Black" into a midtempo chunk of analogue-sounding midtempo house, complete with drifting vocal samples and a wonderfully dubby bassline. Arguably even better is Ruf Dug's eccentric version of "Kirton Street", which wobbles, pulses and darts with chiming melodies, rough sub bass and hissing, cymbal-laden percussion, while retaining the blazed feel of Dobson Jr's original.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Somewhat confusingly, the two Al Dobson tracks featured on this must-have 12" are not taken from his superb Rye Lane LP, but rather a CD of possible album tracks the producer gave to Rhythm Section International last year. Both cuts are typical of his dusty, rhythm-centric sound, and are particularly sparse. This, though, just makes the remixes even more remarkable. Polish producers PTaki turn "Santiago Black" into a midtempo chunk of analogue-sounding midtempo house, complete with drifting vocal samples and a wonderfully dubby bassline. Arguably even better is Ruf Dug's eccentric version of "Kirton Street", which wobbles, pulses and darts with chiming melodies, rough sub bass and hissing, cymbal-laden percussion, while retaining the blazed feel of Dobson Jr's original.

Review: In the two years since the release of the Rye Lane Volume 1 LP, Al Dobson Jr has been busy. This belated, mixtape style follow-up is something of a beast, with 28 cuts, interludes and quick-fire rhythm tracks to enjoy. Like its' predecessor, Rye Lane Volume II & III is similar in ethos to the work of his friend and contemporary Mo Kolours, with tropical rhythms, African drums and low-slung hip-hop beats being combined with dusty vocal samples, rich Rhodes chords, freshly baked electronics, and all manner of tasty global influences. Highlights come thick and fast, from the Middle Eastern shuffle of "Overseas Lebanese", and Afro-jazz drum workout "Malful (Nebetia)", to the eyes-down deep house bliss of "Peru Timing (Part 2)

Review: ***B-STOCK: Split/tears and creasing on outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


In the two years since the release of the Rye Lane Volume 1 LP, Al Dobson Jr has been busy. This belated, mixtape style follow-up is something of a beast, with 28 cuts, interludes and quick-fire rhythm tracks to enjoy. Like its' predecessor, Rye Lane Volume II & III is similar in ethos to the work of his friend and contemporary Mo Kolours, with tropical rhythms, African drums and low-slung hip-hop beats being combined with dusty vocal samples, rich Rhodes chords, freshly baked electronics, and all manner of tasty global influences. Highlights come thick and fast, from the Middle Eastern shuffle of "Overseas Lebanese", and Afro-jazz drum workout "Malful (Nebetia)", to the eyes-down deep house bliss of "Peru Timing (Part 2)

Review: With just a few low-key releases behind him, you'd be forgiven for not being familiar with the work of South London beatmaker Al Dobson Jnr. Such a situation will undoubtedly soon change with Dobson Jnr primed to release album length projects on IZWID and Rhythm Section International, two fledgling labels associated with respected selectors. Before Sounds from the Village Vol.1 drops on the former (overseen by KUTMAH) the man called Al inaugurates the latter label, an extension of the Rhythm Section club night hosted by Boiler Room's Bradley Zero. Despite his status as a South London celebrity, Zero is a steadfast supporter of his local roots and the vinyl format so it's great to see him offering Dobson Jnr the platform to shine. And shine he does on Rye Lane Vol 1, a wonderful 11 track collection that is comparable in execution and mood to Mo Kolour's sublime debut.