Review: The debut Ghost Dubs album emerges on The Bug's Pressure label as the artist, also known as Michael Fiedler and Jah Schulz, follows up two prior experimental dub LPs put out via his 'Dub Over Science' series, the title of which tells you all there is to know about his approach to music production. Dub was never an entirely empirical process: though the archetypal dubbing engineer was historically often deemed just that - an "engineer" - this terminology is ironic since intuition, or "vibesmanship", is also essential to the craft. Bringing twelve zygomatic arse-zappers to our left and right canals (and, in the bass region, to our bodies), Ghost Dubs homages the blueprint drafted by the infamous Chain Reaction label, whose pioneering works laid the ground for all low-reg, factoryscape experimental dub records to follow. Best of this bunch are the least rhythmically deadlocked, 'Soul Craft' standing out in its use of freeform shark-caged resonances, and 'True To Life' going steady but confidently on the triplets and alien gurgles.
Review: Mysticism's Dubplate series has got a couple of great drops lined up at the moment and this is one of them - a boule pack from German digidub pioneers TVS aka Trance Vision Steppers. This was a project that never made it out of the studio but still cooked up some brilliant sounds, which in the case of this collection come from their earlier period between 1995 - 1999, all of which land on vinyl for the first time here. Fans of Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell and Mad Professor will be head over heels of these dub delights - they are deep and atmospheric, with lush ambient pads, downtempo vocals and stoner synths next to more twisted rhythms.
Review: Before I Die have been putting out some high-grade leftfield delights from respected operators like Bernardino Femminelli, Tungusku and most recently Sewell & The Gong. Now it's the turn of Klangkollektor, indulging a collection of hazy dub excursions which sit somewhere near Balearic splendour, piano-charged melancholy and isolation tank meditation. In the dub tradition the approach is consistent and evenly paced, but it's certainly not aiming for any kind of typical Jamaican sound. Instead, there's a gentle introspection to the melodic content which gels perfectly with the spacious approach to mixing, unfurling across four sides of wax for an album you can just melt into.
Special Occasion - "Yes I Do" (12" instrumental mix) (6:30)
Carol Williams - "Can't Get Away (From Your Love)" (Special club "dub" mix) (5:32)
La Palace De Beaute - "Sin" (Jura Soundsystem dub) (6:52)
Review: Here comes a 2024 repress of this superb dub excursion on nice 140g vinyl with all-new sleeve art. The original compilation marked the debut of the series that delves into instrumental dub versions of elusive and out-of-print gems from reggae, disco, boogie, and house. Kicking off with Glen Adams & Finesse's Island Disco rendition of Marvin Gaye's timeless hit, the A2 spotlights a rare UK boogie and Brit-funk mix of Tippa Irie's 'Panic Panic', with Tippa's personal involvement securing the license. Belgium's Special Occasion brings the '80s vibe with 'Yes I Do' to close the A-side. On the B side, Carol Williams presents the Special Club Dub mix of 'Can't Get Away', originally a limited promo from 1983, while Jura Soundsystem offers a Dubby Edit of La Palace De Beaute's 'Sin', emphasising delay over vocals.
Review: Ronnie Lion is one half of Ambient Warrior and this is his debut solo outing. It finds him paying homage to Spanish Town, which is the capital of St Catherine in Jamaica and that is apparent from the off with its lush Spanish guitar notes fluttering over the face of the dubbed-out low ends and shiny digital chords. Lead guitarist Sean Wilkinson pays plenty of the guitar and the rhythm section has Ronnie himself on bass while Horseman is on drums to bring a heavy foundation. Up to the intricate and memorable hooks add the colour and charm and elements of Bossa Nova and Flamenco guitar also help add extra layers to this fine debut.
Review: Mediation in Dub by The Revolutionaries, reissued as part of Death Is Not The End's 333 series, delves into the archives of NYC-based Flames label. The Revolutionaries, a renowned reggae session band, comprised a rotating lineup of top Jamaican musicians, anchored by the formidable duo of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Recorded at Channel One studio in Kingston during the mid-1970s, under the guidance of producer Ossie Hibbert, these tracks feature dub versions of Winston Jones's Flames label releases. Jones, known for his work on 'Stop That Train,' established Flames in NYC in the early 1970s, becoming a key player in Brooklyn's reggae scene. Meditation in Dub is a collector's gem, offering essential dub versions of popular rhythms from the era. This reissue, licensed from Jones and mastered with assistance from DKR, provides a valuable snapshot of reggae's roots and early dancehall periods.
Review: That the musical backlog of Hopeton Overton Brown took on a clinical name in the popular imaginary was not an accident. Before becoming known as Scientist, he was also known as the "Dub Chemist", owing to his technicality, incisiveness and exactingness in the studio. This is not, however, licence for us to prescribe, daresay dub, a too-rigid image of or name for the sound-doctor-as-artist; and it's releases like 'Direct To Dub' that prove this intractability, this willingness to break from the main. In sharp contrast to Scientist's albums - which are more or less studio opuses, and bear the marks of grand concept and perfectionism - 'Direct To Dub' is a much rawer direct-to-dubplate - and thus direct-to-dome - set of tracks. In the release's preceding sessions, Brown was joined by Amsterdam-based trombonist Salvoandrea Lucifora and backing vocalists Alyssa Harrigan and Peace Oluwatobi; prior to their arrival, he went about taking the studio apart and reassembling it to his specifications. The result was a liver take on Brown's talents; playing less the cold trepidation of a pharmacist, and more the carpal quickness of a spin-doctor. Brown, of course, knew that even the apparently 'cold' attitude of removal connoted with mixing and engineering was in itself a performance: "In dub mixing, the engineer now becomes the artist and it's a performance that the engineer do," he himself said in the run-up to this Night Dreamer reissue.
Transient Transmission (Intercept's Retwist Of Adrian Sherwood's Iota remix) (5:12)
Third Light (Adrian Sherwood's Echoes Of The Night 10inch dub mix) (4:11)
1000 Mile Drift (Adrian Sherwood mix) (5:39)
A Doubtful Sound (Adrian Sherwood 10inch dub mix) (3:25)
Review: Following on from a recent, establishing album, production duo Pitch Black return to the fore with a long-time-coming but final set of recognitive remixes by none other than On-U Sound founder Adrian Sherwood. Nearly 30 years after first being mesmerised by OnU Sound's releases, a cheeky bit of radio ripping serendipitously led to Mike helping Pats Dokter, the label's official archivist, with his work restoring master tapes, and eventually to him creating visual content for Adrian's live shows. The resultant return of the favour was Adrian's offering to remix Mike's music, resulting in this toothed, bass-wringing set of new mixes of the likes of '1000 Mile Drift' and 'Third Light'.
Review: Leisure Group Recordings is a side label from Razor-N-Tape's JKriv that now debuts in the vinyl world with Kings Of High Speed's trippy dance-floor dub on a 7" slab. Following J's Balearic Within EP, Leisure Group revisits J's archives for a pair of tunes he originally started with late Tortured Soul bandmate Ethan White over a decade ago. An aficionado of dub reggae, Ethan infused these tracks with authentic organ and synthesizer stylings. Recently unearthed and completed by J with dub treatments using a Space Echo and Eventide, these productions pay homage to Ethan's memory-a tribute to his musical legacy and vibrant spirit.
Review: Jay Glass Dubs' Resurgence marks a bold step into experimental dub, filled with atmospheric depth and hypnotic rhythms. Released on Sundial, the six-track LP showcases his unique approach, blending dub with hints of post-rock, ambient and dreampop influences. Tracks like 'Hyperacousis (for Miles)' and 'Laguna' dive deep into expansive soundscapes, where echoing basslines and swirling effects create an otherworldly experience. With its rich textures and calming flow, Resurgence stands as a striking exploration of abstract dub, balancing introspective moments with a powerful sense of sonic movement.
Review: As part of a rather comprehensive looking back and reissuing of some of Creation Rebel's best and most enduring albums, On-U Sound pay due homage to their one and only in-house band. Close Encounters Of The Third World is one such album; it was first released in 1978, and draws a titular link between alienation and privation. The eight-track LP collates the instrumental talents of Lizard The Wizard, Dr. Pablo and Crucial Tony, and hears a fantastic mixing job by none other than Prince Jammy. With an initial charge to 'Know Yourself' before externalising the pilous inner monologue with 'Natty Conscience Free', Creation Rebel here demonstrate a stage of collective soul-searching and a subsequently serene set of songs.
Review: Frenk, not Frank, Dublin (make sure you remember) delivers his second techno-dub-ish EP for Echo Ltd., following hot on the heels of last year's 'Echo Ltd. 007' EP. Whereas the prior outing was comparatively muted, as faded in sound as a miragic lighthouse only periodically peeking its light-rotations through the mist (also check out the goes-without-saying contribution to the label in between that one and this, from titanic genre domineers SND and RTN), the likes of 'Unseen World', 'The Creator' and 'Pharoah Dub' here veer into snappier and increasingly minimally-techy territory, adding both extra immediacy and rhythm to the mix. The tracks prove the many-faced versatility of the dub techno sound, not to mention its ability to segue almost unnoticeably between 4x4 and halfstep patterns. As usual, Dublin leaves the best till last, with '4th Hour' fleshing out the stab textures for a sliding, almost gut-scooping low-mid weight.
Review: Released in 1982, 35 Years From Alpha is the only solo LP by legendary saxophonist "Deadly" Headley Bennett, a towering figure in reggae history. A graduate of Jamaica's iconic Alpha Boys School, Bennett played alongside the likes of Bob Marley, The Abyssinians, and Alton Ellis, contributing to the golden era of reggae. This long-awaited reissue highlights Bennett's distinctive style, blending jazz, reggae, and dub across a range of standout tracks. The album kicks off with the energetic title track, a flying stepper that showcases Bennett's sax in full soaring flight. The jazzy tones and expressive melodies weave through the record, including the haunting 'The Danger', featuring Bim Sherman, and the bluesy 'Without A Love Like Yours'. Bennett also shines on cosmic dub-infused tracks like 'Independent Man (Horns Cut)', while 'Two From Alpha' and 'Headley's Medley' display his ruder, more experimental side. Produced by the legendary Adrian Sherwood and featuring an all-star band including Rico Rodriguez, the album serves as a fitting tribute to Bennett's unparalleled influence in Jamaican music. The reissue includes remastered sound, rare photos and two previously unreleased tracks.
Review: Originally released in 2019, Pachyman's Pachyman In Dub is a labour of love that pays homage to the early days of Jamaican reggae music. Inspired by the legendary Channel One Studios and Roots Radics band, Pachy Garcia set out to recreate the sonic experiments of Scientist, King Tubby, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, with the result being an album that captures the spirit of early dancehall, rub-a-dub, and rockers styles, all hypnotic rhythms, deep basslines, and ethereal melodies. With a focus on dub techniques and a heavy emphasis on the rhythm section, Pachyman In Dub is a must-listen for fans of reggae music.
Review: A fascinating new long-player from Justin Robertson under his new Five Green Moons alias, marking another new stylistic turn for the Mancunian DJ and producer, whose main remit is house music to most. Moon 1, by contrast, is not "Justin at the house controls", but rather him delving into "his roots, digging around through the likes of P.I.L, Gang Of Four, On-U-Sound, Current 93, Coil, Sabres Of Paradise and all manner of post punk echoes", a "haunted ballroom of memories", in the artist's own words. Our glossing of Moon 1 is that this is probably the best post-punk come dubstep crossover record you'll hear in 2024, though it does also cross over into wonky beats and monologuing ambi-trance on occasion too. The record moves increasingly mauve-psychedelic as it progresses, with 'Everything's A Song In A Sound World' paring back its off-the-top vocal slogans for a purer exercise in rattling psyche-dub and 'I See All And I See Nothing' admitting to the contradiction of humility and quixotism in the same fret-slid breath.
Review: Winston 'Niney' Holness was undoubtedly one of the most successful roots reggae producers of the late 1970s, and one of the first - besides fellow greats and eventual specialists like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and King Tubby - to embrace the skeletal rhythms, ten-ton bass weight and spaced out sonics of dub. He took his 'versions' and dubs seriously, often recruiting King Tubby to provide the necessary production polish. This brilliant double-disc collection draws together no less than 40 dubs of 'Niney' productions from the period, most drawn from the flipsides of hard-to-find 7" singles. It's packed to the rfafters with genuinely brilliant dubs and is arguably as essential as Island's classic Perry retrospective, Arkology.
Review: Mole Audio present a very special new quart of tracks from Daktari (Oliver Linge & Olaf Pozsgay), who've teamed up for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration with vocalist and dub legend Horace Andy for an original set of versions. Actually, it's a welcome comeback for both artists; Daktari also haven't released anything since the brilliant back-to-back waxes for Luxus in 1997, then 1999. Now that the Y2K scare has abated (25 years later, no doubt) Daktari are back with 'Rasta Forever', which moves minimally and spatiously, and manages to sound much "slower" than its dancehall tempo would initially betray. Andy's star line has to be, "we don't smoke spliff, we smoke chalice," alluding to the kind of cannabis smoking pipe often used by Rastafari. Alt mixes from DB ART, Rhauder, and Zion Train transition from greezier dancehall, to something more dub technical, to a bubblers' delight in a more classic sound; all do stellar reparative justice to Andy's towering, implicit demand for dues and honour paid, and, true to the Daktari name, prove amply effective at remedying our symptoms.
Review: Originally sold to Secret Records, this sought-after album features tracks recorded at Channel One Studio with Sly Dunbar at the helm. Despite its iconic cover featuring Darth Vader, the mixes remain solid, featuring tracks like Jimmy London's 'Ride On' and 'Open The Gate' by Well Pleased & Satisfied. While DubMusic has evolved, this album's riddims still hold up well, offering enjoyable dub with quality effects. In a competitive field, acknowledging its historical significance while recognising the evolution of dub music. Star Wars Dub remains a worthwhile addition to any collection, evoking nostalgia for the golden age of reggae and dub.
Review: For the first time since 1982, Creation Rebel's Psychotic Jonkanoo is made available on vinyl. Curiously first released on the primarily post-punk oriented Glaswegian label Statik, their sixth album here keeps to the usual eight-track formula, yet hears a softer discographic progression; compared to their earlier works, it is less prodding and weighty, and instead opts for a headroomier and more reverb-laden atmosphere, through which the album's distinctive and novel call-and-response chants can peek. Bandleader Crucial Tony was aided on the vocal front by harmonies from other group members, in a style reminiscent of Black Uhuru, plus the occasional guest such as John Lydon of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited providing backing harmony (!) on 'Mother Don't Cry'.
Review: This is an essential drop for dub lovers this Record Store Day. 'Dubbing At King Tubby's Vol. 1 comes on nice red vinyl and has been fully remastered as well as being resequenced for this release. It is packed with 22 jams that made it one of the bestselling compilations of the 1990s. It showcases the already well-revered talents of King Tubby, Prince Jammy, Scientist, Phillip Smart, and Pat Kelly, all of whom work their magic at the mixing desk on a series of iconic dubs. Each one is rooted in the works of Bunny Lee and they all bring the drum and bass to the fore and show why the studio has such an impact on Jamaican music history.
Review: It's beyond the basics with a fresh new dub excursion for the premium customer; Another Channel amp up the form pioneered by the patently referent Basic Channel with a worthy widescreen dub upgrade. This eight-tracker from the Polish outfit nails the latter's original formula, whose essence lay in the irresistible combo of muted low end scoop-out drums, faint squinty noises, and Renaissance-perspectival ricochets, each component of which never once settled into rhythm or sound interpretable as a copy-paste prescription. Yes the flavours here are all analogue and none 'generative', as was the original intent of the dub techno pioneers. Another Channel's emulation of the sound is as faithful as a blindfolded chaplain, the strongest testament to which has to be the tricky sizzler known as 'Solid'.
Review: Billed an "absolute collector's item" by multiple outlets, the Japanese dub master Pecker's breakout EP 'Rasta Instantane Avec L'effroyable Pecqre' hears a welcome reissue via the German imprint Miss You. We miss Pecqre no longer, as he - real name Hashida Masahito - is back to flaunt the best of his percussion and production skills in the dubbing tradition. The EP known in English as 'Instant Rasta with the Terrible Pecker' was originally released in 1980 as one of the earliest known meetings of Japan and Jamaica; it allegedly parodied elements of the Japanese Otaku consumer culture and redirected it to a sophisticated transpacific world musical palette, with Pecker himself shining as the central rhythmaster. On this release, which studs big names like a beadwork of garnets on a belt, Masahito here teamed up with Minako Yoshida, Vitamin Dread, Augustus Pablo and none other than Sly & Robbie, producing three tracks of pioneering "Japanaican" sound.
Review: Herb Dub Collie Dub first came out in 2001 under the Skatalites' favourite lable Motion Records, based in London. Eight herbal, experimental dub excursions came by way of an at least fifteen-strong supergroup and advisory circle, which included Jeff Teader, Don D Junior, Augustus Pablo, Jackie Mittoo, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace - making this a star-studded record if we've ever encountered one. Such sonic diamante is well worth the listen too, as these eight tracks command a rightfully weird groove; aside from their measuredly rigid pace, the likes of 'Roots Dub' and 'Dumboo Dub' make use of surreal reverse-shot sound effects, producing the effect of a sort of lemony miasma; what's more, there's even a funk breakbeat detour on 'Sealing Dub', providing an ample window into the drumming chops of Benbow Creary - for any junglists out there, we're happy to tip you off: the A4 is a wonderful sample source indeed!
Review: Lee "Scratch" Perry, a Jamaican record producer, singer, and songwriter, is largely acclaimed for his innovative and experimental production techniques. His Black Ark Studio, established in the mid-1970s, became a renowned hub for reggae music production, fostering the talents of numerous artists. Perry's Black Ark studio was not merely a recording space but an alchemic laboratory where he conjured sonic masterpieces. With his use of tape loops, heavy reverb, and other unorthodox techniques, Perry created a distinct and hypnotic sound that transcended conventional reggae boundaries. Artists such as Bob Marley, the Wailers, and Max Romeo flocked to Black Ark to collaborate with Perry. In his studio, Perry's intuitive approach to music making blurred the lines between producer and artist. He considered himself a "musical doctor" whose role was to guide and inspire the musicians. The Black Ark became a sanctuary for musical experimentation, where artists were encouraged to explore their creativity freely. This vinyl has been out of print and completely unavailable until now.
Review: London's Prince Fatty is a determined dub solo artist ready to take on the world and his mission is more than well reiterated on his latest expansion in the US realm of Seattle. Dub Battle For Seattle brings a further eight dub dramatics to the fold; the tracks were conceived many moons ago on the south coast of England, and in response to Little Roy's eponymous 2021 album of the same name, which took after the 1999 anti-World Trade Organization protests in Seattle, whilst also making for eight dub reggae cover versions of Nirvana's greatest hits. Little Roy's originals are well deglazed as Nirvanic versions by Fatty, whose bulbous productions serve to enliven and trip them out.
Review: Greyscale unveils its latest endeavour, the Spectrum Series, as a way to continue to evolve its offerings and this time it is with something that makes a vibrant departure from its traditional black-and-white aesthetic. The inaugural release features the iconic Lithuanian dub track 'Kasdienybes Sventykla' by grad_u & Eazystyle MC as a way of commemorating its 15th anniversary. It came as a double CD in 2011 but now gets a first vinyl pressing on a nice 10" slab of wax. The track itself taps into the earliest roots of dub in the 70s and traces a line through the 80s with its heavyweight drums and endlessly echoing bass topped by great mic work. A pared-back instrumental features on the flip of this latest crucial drop from the dub dons at Greyscale
Know Yourself (CD2: Clsoe Encounters Of The Third World (1978))
Conspiring
Beware
Dangerous & Deadly
Shouldn’t Do That
Creation Fever
Natty Conscience Free
Joyful Noise
Rebel Vibration (CD3: Rebel Vibrations (1979))
Jungle Affair
Hunger & Strife
Ian Smith Rock (dub)
Diverse Doctor
Mountain Melody
Black Lion Dub
Doctor’s Remedy
Starship Africa (Section 1 - CD4: Starship Africa (1980))
Starship Africa (Section 2)
Starship Africa (Section 3)
Starship Africa (Section 4)
Starship Africa (Section 5)
Space Movement (Section 1)
Space Movement (Section 2)
Space Movement (Section 3)
Space Movement (Section 4)
Creation Rock
Give Me Power
Original Power
The Dope (CD5: Psychotic Jonkanoo (1981))
African Space
Chatti Mouth/Threat To Creation
Highest Degree
Mother Don’t Cry
Yuk Up
Drum Talk
Independent Man
Creation Rebel
Monkey Grinds The Organ
Swiftly (The Right One) (CD6: Hostile Environment (2023))
Stonebridge Warrior
Under Pressure
That’s More Like It
Jubilee Clock
This Thinking Feeling
Whatever It Takes
Salutation Gardens
Crown Hill Road
The Peoples’ Sound (Tribute To Daddy Vego)
Off The Spectrum
Review: A comprehensive reissue campaign of the key albums by Creation Rebel, the original On-U Sound house band. The series encompasses out of print and much in demand UK dub reggae albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s, all highlighting crucial early production work from the mixing desk of Adrian Sherwood. The band's post-reformation, 2023 album Hostile Environment, is thrown in for good measure. This mammoth 6xCD edition houses five dozen tracks of indelibly experimental dub and reggae tracks, many of which tend towards the spacier and more cosmically-intoned ends of the dub tradition, which was above alive and kicking at the height of the genre's fame from the late 1970s onwards, and spearheaded by none other than group members Clifton Morrison, Eric 'Fish' Clarke and more.
Review: Polish label Moonshine Recordings kicks off a new series that is helmed for the first time by Bukkha. It's a potent two tracker that opens with 'Planet I-N-I' which is a heavily dubbed out cut with bottomless subs and ice cold hits, tons of reverb and ricochetting sounds as well as some dub-wise vocals that drift in and out to heady effect. On the flip side is 'Night Out' (feat Roger Robinson), another smooth, serene and hypnotic dub techno cut marbled with static and vinyl crackle as well as some pensive words from Robinson. Both of these need to be heard as loud as can be for maximum impact.
Review: Clocktower Records reissue Scientist's Scientific Dub, arguably among the most popular set of exothermic reactions by dub pioneer Scientist to peer-review dub music as a science, as opposed to a form of pseudoscience or homeopathy. Medical jokes aside, Hopetown Brown was one of the first of his peers to approach the dub craft as though it were a "science" after King Tubby - the latter christened him "Scientist" on remarking that the then 15 year-old rookie was so good at what he did that - "Damn" - "this little boy must be a scientist." We don't use the word "timeless" lightly, but Scientific Dub is almost just that: a debut armoury of well-rounded, yet still rawly mixable, tinctures containing both dub bioweapons and rapid-administration herd cures, from the 'Satta Dread Dub' to the 'Blacka Shade Of Dub'. Coarse in sound, equally insofar as some of the best cures are bitter in taste.
Review: Mikal Asher, a scion of Jamaica's Morgan family dynasty, reunites with Chocolate Star Records here and does so with a collaboration with disco legend Gary Davis. Asher, akin to his brother Denroy Morgan, upholds the family's legacy of righteousness through music. Known as the Binghiman, he crafts captivating tunes with profound lyrics and has recorded in Ghana's Hustle Hard Studios and collaborated with industry pioneers in Kingston and Brooklyn, setting new standards in musical excellence along the way. Here, 'Wicked Ah Fi' transforms into a modern dub stepper, while 'Black Woman' offers a soulful, laid-back dedication to Davis' wife, Sonjia. This 7" also comes with innovative remixes from California-based DJ and producer Knoe1.
Revolution Sound (feat Cara - Insintesi remix) (6:43)
Plunge Pool (Paolo Baldini remix) (5:47)
Revolution Sound (feat Cara - Professor Skank remix) (4:44)
Militant Sound (feat Cara - dub Fx remix) (3:04)
Review: Zion Train remain a unique and rebellious contemporary dub act, updating the classic sound for the present era, all while channelling a uniquely icy sound of their own, not to mention an exciting live act and an immediately impressing frontal voice by singer Molara. Dissident Sound came out in 2023 and was met with acclaim for its harshly sparse and cold, but still quirky and sunny palette, clearly informed by trip-hop and northernmost hinterlands of post-punk; this subsequent remix EP, however, curves the ball once again, charting new reworks by the likes of Paolo Baldini, Dub FX, Insintensi and Professor Skank.
Review: These two powerhouses of pioneering dub meet up for the second time on this fantastic reissue by Burning Sounds originally released in 1978. The mostly instrumental album shows the duo helping to define the dub sound for the next generation of producers. Thanks to the inspirations and usage of Studio One, the sound is quintessential dub, like in the 'Garvey Dub' and title song 'Guerilla Dub'. They've not fully abandoned the traditional roots as you can hear in 'Malcolm X Dub' and 'Martin Luther Dub' though, turning them into more of remixes than original tracks. This album is a must for any 70s and 80s dub afficionado.
Review: Prince Istari presents Riddim Dub School 1st Grade is a brilliant new 7" packed with computerised acid and dub sounds. This one is packed with authentic flavours for fans of machine-made riddims and steppers and is perfect for space exploration and bass enthusiasts. 'Cellphone Love (Acid Bass In Your Face)' kicks off with endlessly echoing hits and clean digital lines over fat low ends and then 'I'll Never Let You Dub (Answer On Me Bass)' is a more slow-motion and stoned dub sound with plenty of smart effects and studio mixing board tricks.
Review: This essential reissue presents a rare collection of dub instrumental reggae tracks recorded by Tommy McCook (who you may know as the sax man from super ska outfit The Skatalites) and Bobby Ellis (who played the trumpet for dub legends The Upsetters) in 1977. Originally licensed to Grove Music, this still remarkable album features renowned musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Ansel Collins on organ, Clinton Fearon from The Gladiators on lead guitar, and Bernard Harvey of The Wailers on piano. The recordings took place at Channel One and were mixed at King Tubby Studio and every single tune cuts deep and with great authenticity.
Everlasting Dub (Thunder & Light version 3) (4:17)
Ebb & Flow (Drum & Bass Is The Place) (3:57)
Review: Rarely do we hear much in the way of fresh contemporary dub and/or steppers from Germany. Whilst most of our dub catalogue today consists in reissues, we're warmed by the news of this new portmanteau of tracks from Prince Istari. Istari is one of the many aliases of Felix Raeithel, best known by the name Istari Lasterfahrer. Whereas jungle, breakbeat and hardcore is the usual name of his game, it's his one-off aliases that lend a more distinctive mottling to his overall output. "Made on Earth with love", the 'Everlasting Dub' and its 'Ebb & Flow' version are nonetheless two cosmically minded dub dishings-out, replete with sunbeaten melodica and sudden spring reverbs, as per.
Review: Spanish dub maestro Roberto Sanchez first met Channel One artist and all right reggae legend Linval Thompson 15 years ago. In the time since, the pair have collaborated on numerous projects, though nothing as ambitious as this. It sees Sanchez provide an authentically dusty, deep and rhythm-focused dub translation of Thompson's 1978 album I Love Marijuana - a set that, despite King Tubby handling production duties - had never been fully re-worked in. Largely working with the original master tapes, Sanchez has delivered a dub re-imagining that sounds like a long-lost King Tubby or Lee 'Scratch' Perry production - all weighty low-end 'riddims', effects aplenty and echoing organ, guitars and vocals.
Review: On limited 7" comes the latest one from Jah Free, 'Rod Of Correction', a reissued version of the 7" deep cut first released on Deep Root in 1998. This time coming through with an entirely different dub version on the B, we're nonetheless still thrown straight back into Free's inimitable wall of sound, echoic toastings and phaseout snares, as we are smote by Free's sceptre of justice once again, almost 15 years later.
Ring Pon My Finger (feat Wayne J, Blvk H3ro & Leno Banton) (3:42)
Infinity (feat Yaadcore) (3:21)
Infinity (feat Addis Pablo - dub) (4:45)
Destiny (dub) (4:05)
Review: The final Lee 'Scratch' Perry album is bittersweet but here for us to enjoy and pay our respect. The highly influential icon who passed away in 2021 was a groundbreaking artist to many. One of his last steps may have been to bridge the dub and hip-hop community better like only he could try. Step in Bob Riddim (Coincidentally a great name!) who performed many of the instruments here has the experience background to equal Perry's desire. Destiny is the result of this unique collaboration. Expect an album that catapults both of the artists to a higher level of expression. There is some irony that Destiny is the tribute to Lee 'Scratch' Perry.
Review: Clocktower has pressed up some joints from one of the finest dub albums of the 70s with this new, brown vinyl 10" from legendary dub outfit The Upsetters. The full album, also called Blackboard Jungle Dub, was produced and mixed by the late great Lee 'Scratch' Perry with King Tubby. It is a crucial and rather hardcore roots record with plenty of standouts, many of which are the ones that make it onto this new slab but in dub form. 'Blackboard Jungle,' 'Setta Iration,' 'Cloak & Dagger' and 'Dub From Africa' all make the cut and add up to a superlative listen.
Review: "In this time of war and crime... in this time of frustration and tribulation... guide us!" A veritably desperate prayer against the vagaries of a newly established Babylon, Whodem's latest Christmas offering on wax hears stalwarts J. Robinson, Whodemsound and Bopper Ranking team up to scramble together every flammable resource possible, to produce something, anything, resembling a guiding light. In other words: desperate times call for radical, rootsier methods. The dub here is just as affecting as the A, basking in the pure freshness of verbed-out rims and lonesome metric-modded delays.
Review: Thompson Sound and Dubquake Records collaborate here to present O.B.F-style renditions of classic roots and rub-a-dub tracks from Linval Thompson's esteemed label. Rico O.B.F revitalises gems from the '70s and '80s using original recordings with each release featuring reinterpretations of the vocals, dubs, and mixes that include the beloved Nazamba. Following 'Curfew' and 'Sweet Sensimilia', the latest offering is 'Evening Love', a fresh take on Sammy Dread's emotive 'Morning Love' from the iconic dub album Scientist Meets The Space Invaders. Nazamba shines on 'She Nah Lie', delivering poetry steeped in warmth and romance, enhanced by the finesse of the Roots Radics.
Review: The musical worlds of Africa, Jamaica and London collide as African Head Charge - the project put together by On-U Sound icon Adrian Sherwood and Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah (of Jamaican heritage but with longtime roots laid down in Africa). Their first new material in 11 years, it's a sonically fascinating mix of cultures and sound approaches, with Sherwood going for subtle, light touches on the dub front rather than the full on echo chamber madness more usually associated with the style. Single 'A Bad Attitude' is a great example of what's going on here - warped around the edges rather than from the core, as philosophical utterings and exotic (to us anyway) instrumentation get into the On-U groove.
Review: As Whodemsound races towards its 50th outing, it presses up yet another great little 7", this time with Bopper Ranking delivering some great spoken word roots. 'The Man That I Am' is just under four minutes of super clean dub with digital synths adding a future-facing feel to the sultry horns that drift up top and the traditional dub rhythms that roll deep down low. The conscious lyrics make this an even more heady experience and on the flip is a dub version for those who prefer to whittle things down to the bare dub essentials.
Review: This is a new reissue of what and dub head will know is some very rare Canadian-only roots. Finding an OG of this record will take you time and cost you even more. Jerry Brown was in fine fettle when he laid it down as it's an awesome and truly deep tune with a rolling bass line. If you flip it over and drop the needle on the dub version, called just 'Lady,' you will find that rich bass with some fluttery melodies up top from a flute that brings sunny days to mind.
Country Man Talk (feat Ranking Joe & Ansel Cridland)
Patient Man (riddim demo - Overdubbed By Dubmatix)
Mellow & Colly (riddim demo - Overdubbed By Dubmatix)
God Is A Man (riddim demo - Overdubbed/Remixed By Dubmatix)
Breath Of Fresh Air (riddim demo - Jamaican original)
Jah Rasta (riddim demo - Jamaican original)
God Is A Man (Dubvisionist dub)
Review: The more time that goes on, the more every Dub Syndicate album becomes more appreciated. At the end of the 90s, dub music was at an all-time low popularity wise - the genre was going through changes and vinyl sales were dwindling. In 1997, Style Scott even started his own label Lion And Roots away from On-U Sound which had been the home of Dub Syndicate since they started almost 20 years prior. Mellow & Colly shows the group moving away from the more sample heavy earlier works to a mature dub sound that incorporated more electronics thanks to the Echo Beach label partnership that Style's label worked out. Sadly, Style passed away ten years ago this year but his music is still being felt thanks to reissues like this.
Review: This first release from the Levites on Lion Triumphant brings a fitting tribute to the late Jah Shaka with 'Lion'. The track draws direct inspiration from Shaka's iconic sound system days, particularly through its use of a sample from an early 80s reggae film featuring Shaka himself. The rhythm at the core of the track is a recut of a dubplate that was a highlight of Jah Shaka's sets during the late 70s and early 80s, instantly evoking the raw, immersive energy of his sound system. It's a fitting homage, capturing the spirit of an era while paying respect to a true legend of reggae culture.
Review: Sub Merchants kick off a new 7" series with a special limited edition pressing of Drumterror ft. Dego Ranking & Ed Hodge's 'Social Dub.' The original version is as juicy as the orange depicted on the cover and finds the label head Drumterror in fine form with with the vocal talents of Ranking serving up some quick, tight bars that vibe nicely with the insistent chord stabs and heavy, rooted drums. The sax styling of Ed Hodge add extra sensuousness. On the flipside you get treated to a 'Social Version' that tweaks the original, layers in more echo and generally flips the vine to a more heady and late night sound.
Review: 'Faith From Above' marks another addition to the ongoing collaborative series by Indica Dubs and Chazbo. Sporting a distinct blue-themed label, it seamlessly integrates with the previous releases' red, gold, and green labels. Indica Dubs initiates the composition with drums, chords, and bass, paving the way for Chazbo to embellish with his signature warrior-style synth horns and flutes. Subsequently, Sukh expertly mixes several cuts at the Indica Dubs studio, which are then mastered by the legendary Russ Disciples. The result? Crisp highs and resonant deep bass, perfectly tuned to captivate audiences on any sound system.
Come To The Party (feat Laylah Arruda & Mad X) (4:26)
Rock Your Body Baby (feat AJ Franklin) (4:25)
Review: Dub dons The Inn House Crew keep it as real as ever with this latest outing on Southside Productions. Come to the Party is a new 45 rpm that kicks off with the title track featuring the talented vocal guests Laylah Arruda & Mad X who bring some fiery Spanish-sounding vocals to a breezy dub groove with sunny melodies and dubwise swagger. 'Rock Your Body Baby' (feat AJ Franklin) on the flip is another sunny one with a warped bassline and humid organ chords up top. The contributions from Franklin are playful and boogie-inducing with plenty of soul.
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