Dub Recommendations Best Of 2014

Review: For those of a dubwise disposition, this should be an irresistible proposition. It sees British dub reggae veterans Prince Fatty and Mungo's Hifi (the latter the brainchild of Scottish producer Tom Tattersall) each rework five of the other's tracks. It's a simple formula executed brilliantly, resulting in uniformly excellent results. As you'd perhaps expect, there's a soulful flavour throughout, as the two producers trade booming basslines, dancehall riddims, dub reggae grooves, high-speed toasting and sugary-sweet vocals. The result is a hugely entertaining saunter through soundsystem culture in the company of two of Britian's finest exponents of the art form.

Review: Dubkasm's digi-dub roots dig deep into the early 90s. Boosted into the future by fellow Bristolians Pinch, Appleblim and Headhunter, here we find them declaring "Victory" with this instantly show-stopping horn-heavy skanker. Laced with space and complete with myriad versions, a fine balance of meditative bass and mind-blowing sonic creativity is at play throughout. Those with a penchant for the abyss-levels of dub science should jump straight on "Verse IV". Hear that stretched horn sound and you'll soon understand why it's been sub-titled "Raw Piece". Victory is yours!

Review: Pull up! Peng Sound come through like a pile of bricks with this latest extended EP by the unstoppable Dubkasm, an artist which we always rely on for the deeper, more reggae-laden end of the steppers spectrum. "Ancient Order", a track representative of the majority of this release, is roots music for the next century, where mystical vocals are blended with shadowy electronics and digitized beats. "Zulu" is another scorcher, where Dubkasm's steppers mode come to light most prominently. Dread-proof and heartically dubwise, flash it!