Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
:DUBHEAD VOL. ONE
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: C.D
(
Bimble ) This is the ground breaking album that kicked off the Dubhead series
and label and is best summed up by it's original sleeve notes.
"Not since it’s heyday in the late 1970’s has the interest in Dub reggae
been as great as it is currently.The influence of Lee Perry, King Tubby
and the many other dub originators has been evident in almost every form
of popular music for the past two decades. However since the introduction
of digital rhythms in the mid 1980’s, dub in it’s purest form took a back
seat, leaving the torch to be carried by a faithful few, most notably the
mighty Jah Shaka who continued to release powerful rhythms and pioneered
the champion sound system.
In
recent years there has been a massive explosion in the popularity in 'New
Roots Dub', with new sound systems springing up all over the country. Playing
a new breed of dub plates from U.K artists, influenced by , but not imitating.
their 70’s heroes. In turn these aspiring artists have committed their sound
to vinyl and CD, with many releases selling out rapidly and gaining cult
status.
Dubhead
showcases exclusive dub plates from the most exciting of these artists and
sounds. Some who have already established themselves, others who on current
form, will be the big names of the future". RIP 1995
Dubhead
volume one features top tracks from U.K based Dub and Roots artists.They
are as follows:-
All
Nation Rockers, Armagideon, Blue and Red, The Bush Chemists, Dub Plate Vibe
Crew, Henry and Louis, Rootsman, Alpha and Omega, The Disciples, East Meets
West, Aba-Shanti, Iration Circus and Jah Warrior.
Top Tune : All Nation Rockers :Talking Dubheadz
Free
Radical Sounds fave, an anthemic opener to any dub roots set.
Runner
-up- Bush Chemists Light up your Spliff
A tune that kick started a midi-generation of acidic
reggae dancefloor dubs and different mix to the album version .
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: DUBHEAD VOL. TWO
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD/ DBLE VINYL
Personally
this album is where I (Bimble) caught with the Dubhead label, buying this
on double vinyl when it came out. It has resided in my play - out box
ever since. Many vinyl platters have come and gone but Dubhead two remains.
From the opening ‘Way Down In Babylon’ by The Iration
Steppers through to The Power Steppers’ closing tune ‘Discipline’ this
album retains both consistency and variety in its selection. You’ll find
no better snap shot of the UK Dub scene of 96. Now four years on from
its original release Dubhead Two retains its freshness with ease and is
still easily capable of lifting your audience.
Again
this album builds on the formula of mixing the established artists alongside
the newer Dubheads on the block. Full artist listing is as follows :-
Iration Steppers, The Disciples, Mixman / Dennis Maxamillian, Fish and
Goat At The Controls, Tassili players, Hitech Roots Dynamics, Armagideon,
Hughie Izachar, Manasseh meets the Equalizer, The Dub Crusaders, Prince
Green, Earthquake, The Bush Chemists, Dub Specialist and The Power Steppers.
This
is a great taster for the huge amount of work by the various artists who
have appeared on the label. We here at 'Free Radical Sounds' have road-tested
most of the album with warm and positive responses from the audiences.
A modern classic collection of heavy weight tunes and an essential selection.
A difficult task choosing the top tunes from this excellent album. These
two were chosen based on the shear amount of times we’ve played them out
and they’ve gone down a storm.
Top Tune : Live In Harmony - Dub Specialist
One of my all time favourites. Opens with a thought
provoking announcer style sample and then launches into a sweet trombone
solo. An instrument that regular readers will know I’m a sucker for. Backed
by a solid beat, a grooving bass line, Melodica flourishes and skanking
keyboard lines. This one always goes down well inspiring wacky dancing
every
time.
Runner Up : Dub Warming : Fish and Goat At The Controls
Also known as All Nation Rockers these guys can
always be relied upon to bring us ultra deep mesmerising modern dub styles.
Checkout their ‘Talking Dubheadz’ tune on the ‘New Breed Of Dub’ album
for further evidence. ‘Dub Warming ‘ a great tune to start your set with.
A deep moderate paced Melodica driven beauty.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: DUBHEAD VOL. THREE
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD / LP
Chapter
three of the Dubhead series is a resplendant reflection of the U.K underground
digital roots scene. As quintessentially unique as say the latter mutating
forms of Garage or Jungle . Nobody does it quite like the Brits .
The U.K's multicultural histoy and battles have
helped shape this musical form and have ensured that it continues to evolve
at it's own pace not at the whims of the corporate cocksuckers masquerading
as the music industry. Anyway enough of the diatribe. Dubhead Three sees
Iration steppers peaking in their collaboration with Denis Rootical with
the ‘Wicked melt away’ Iration Steppers doing what they do best hard industrial
strength dub. Talking of which The Mighty Jah Shaka weighs in with his
collaboration with the nutty Mad Proffessor offering up ‘Slave rebellion
‘.
Further collaborations ensue as Digital roots artists
‘The "Disciples’ conspire with the then emerging ‘Rootsman’. Other artists
featured have all gone on to stamp their mark on the musical atlas, feast
your eyes on the following : Dub Ghecko, The Truth, Twilight Crcus and
Alpha and Omega.
All in all Dubhead Volume three contains fourteen
tracks that touch on all bases of the U.K. roots scene. Mashing up the
established artists with the new breed of digital dubsters.
Top-Tune : Riz Allstars : Joyful Dub
Gospel harmony over a hip hop reggae loop, Pure
upliftment.
Runner up: The Truth : ‘Strickly Roots’
Dub voyage with Joey Jay at the healm.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: DUBHEAD VOL. FOUR
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD
Opening up the gates of dub once again the Dubhead
series takes you through the smoke filled corridor to the echo chamber
of dub in a 21 century style.
What could have easily fallen into the standard
fare of 14 tracks selected from the sons and daughters of dub has become
a veritable feast upon the alter of digital roots. No sonic polyfiller
here..
Volume four has a progressive feel to it absorbing
the influences of drum and bass and it’s jungalist cousin. Artists featured
include Jah Free, Drumhead , Hydroponics Bud Alzir
and the Truth
'Spontaneous combustion' is a great example of the
fusioist approach to the album , the Bristol reggae sound crew "Armagideon's
sci-fi sonics to the fore, inna drum and bass work out. A tune that follows
on where Zion train’s 'Healing of the Nation' left off. Herbal homage.
The Basque Dub Foundation’s 'Ministerio del dub'
may sound like it should be some kind of latino bra advert but is actually
a thoughtful 'Roots Radics' style dancehall riddim with teasing Scientist
like production. Extracting the max from those snappy snare and classical
keyboard sounds.
'Respected men' is the Truth’s alter ego Joey Jay
and Daddae adding a sprinkling of funk to a deeply dubbed out bingi percussion
driven groove thang. This surfaced previously as a 12" on the 'Unknown
Call' EP and has remained a firm Smart Monkey playout tune.
Paul Fox and Jonah Dan unite as Shades of black
with their 'Freeman Dub' in delivering a righteous ultimatum to the heads
of Government, a slow but majestic steppers fusion.
Messanjah’s 'Kunte -Kinte' is a wise selection from
their 'Lightening Strike' album and an inspiring tribute to the African
freedom fighter. This is a slow and moving dub which juxtapositions nicely
from the seriously spaced -out mixdown of Spee and co at Drumhead HQ.
The only disapointment is the Bud Alzar -'Return Dub'.Which doesn’t really
cut it for me personally.
Having
said that this is a highly highly recomended album for those of you who
like their dubs fused and bruised and definetly not pure at all.
Top tune : Respected Men : 'War song'
Afro-centric fusion and a fave playout of mine.
Runner-up Messenjah : 'Kunte Kinte'
Concious sounds epic sounding rock of dub.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: A NEW BREED OF DUB
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: C.D
If
you buy only one Dubhead release this year then make it one of this
fine series of compilations. Designed to hook you in to their artists
and released at an ultra low price, the ‘ New Breed ‘ series are the
perfect samplers.
Volume ones track listing reads like a veritable
whose who of the UK Digital Dub scene. Opening with Joey Jays studio
project ‘ The Truth ’ followed by The Disciples and taking in along
the way The Bush Chemists, The Iration Steppers, Jah Warrior, and East
Meets West to name but six of the sixteen artists featured here. This
fine CD closes with the ‘All Nations Rockers ‘ brilliant ‘Talking Dubheadz’
( see below ). Which is after all what were doing here.
Top Tune : Talking Dubheadz - All Nations Rockers
The albums closing finale a nine minute modern
classic featuring a spine tingling acidic hook, backed by a deep rootical
bass line. A tune of subtle layers this almost ambient end piece rounds
the album off perfectly. A tune that makes you reach for the volume
knob. "Turn it mon".
Runner Up : Firing Dub - Bush Chemists
I couldn’t resist choosing one of my all time
favourite tunes lifted off of the Bush Chemists critically acclaimed
‘Light Up Your Spliff’ album. " No More War, We Don’t Need No More War
In This Life Today". And so begins this hard - stepping militant masterpiece
complete with deep sub B-line sampled explosives and Ras I ’s cautioning
vocal. Brilliant.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: A NEW BREED OF DUB ISSUE Two
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD
Dubhead records have been releasing a number of strictly dubwise albums
over the last five years. Currently weighing in at a comfortable release
number seventeen. This the latest release "A New Breed Of Dub;" is the
second in its compilation series.
This is a CD for Dubwise devotees every where.
'New Breed Two' is 16 tracks of contemporary primarily UK based digital
dubs mostly on the steppers tip but with a few curves thrown in for
good measure. Again it combines established artists such as Concious
Sounds alongside new school acts Dub Specialists and Urban Dub.
Personal faves of mine are the two Twilight Circus
tunes. ‘Trinity’ lifted from their Dub plates vol. 2 album and Bord
taken from the album ‘Horsie’. Wholesome deeply psychedelic dubs from
Twilight circus’s Ryan Moore.
Hydroponics ‘Nyim One Drop’ is another highlight
of this hi quality album. It features bags of homegrown energy and a
deep dub rhythm. A track that figures heavily on the Hydroponics in
Dub recently released on Dubhead.
A New Breed Of Dub Two is a broadly eclectic album
that will excite die hard dub fans everywhere. As well as those still
testing the waters.
Top Tune : Twilight Circus : Bord
Runner
Up : Hydroponics : Nyim One Drop
Title
: NEW BREED OF DUB THREE
Artist
: VARIOUS
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD
Price
: £4.50 ( Sterling Only )
16-track
sampler of killer U.K Dubs for under a fiver, what more could you ask. New
Breed Of Dub 3 ( definitely the strongest in the series ) gives the listener
a chance to sample a track from each of the latest Dubhead releases. With
some yet to hit the shops and others just released & reviewed elsewhere on
this page.
Personal favourites
include Hydroponics 'Skadroponics Dub' a killer steppers piece from the Conscious
Sounds studios. The 2 tracks from Mungos Hifi's new album (reviewed elsewhere
on this page) are also awesome. 'Embers' from Etherealites is a wonderfully
blissed out piece of laid back dub, a tune that makes you look forward to
the imminent release of their album debut (watch this space). The set closes
with 'A Little Version' from Love Grocer featuring Cheshire Cat already a
sound system favourite after it's release on a sought after Dubhead 10" last
year 'A Little Version' sets you down nicely after a wicked 71 minute journey
through all that is current Dubhead. Simply a superb collection & oh what
a bargain. Bimble
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Titles
: "FROM BEGINNING TO END" SINGLES COLLECTION : VOLUME ONE / TWO
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: Two Double C.D Volumes
Seventies
style roots rock and steppers riddims have played a large part in the
formulation of the idiosyncratic UK roots reggae scene. Which has emerged
as a powerful tangential force alongside its Jamaican forebearers and
counterparts.
It
seems surprising both to see and hear that the North London dub collective
of Conscious Sounds is entering a new decade of Drum and Bass driven
reggae sounds. The amalgamation of Dougie Wardrop, Paul Davey, Hughie
Izachaar and Jonah Dan have touched the hearts and minds and provided
the musical direction behind the vocals of King General, Culture Freeman,
Ras I, Tena Stelin, and Talwa. Together they have amassed a huge collection
of seven and twelve-inch releases that are all featured on the two C.D
releases that form these singles collections (Volume one and two).
Both volumes of "From Beginning to End " come
at you in a double disc form, each track is followed traditional stylee
by it’s dub version. The albums are chronologically ordered from their
first release " Stepping time". Originally released like so many of
their singles as a 7 inch only issue. Produced at Nick Manasseh’s studio
this tune really caught the spirit of the times and has became a feature
of the U.K’s thriving underground roots reggae scene. Apparent on the
Sound system scene as well as on the late-night airwaves.
The first album is a chart to the label, it’s
development as a studio ( 'Conscious Sounds' ) and Sound System ('The
Bush Chemists'). The early album releases of Sun and Moon, Thunder Mountain
and the classic Centry release of "Release the Chains" are also covered.
Volume two again a double C.D. release, covers
the period 1995 to1998 and again is made up of limited seven inch singles.
Many of these are now deleted in there original format and are reflective
of many of the 'Bush Chemists' priceless collaborations with various
vocalists including Tena Stelin, Ras-I, Hughie Izachaar and Sister Talawa.
Vol. One Top Tune - Stepping
Time
Mannaseh and the Centry music family combine to
produce a tune of rolling snares and a militant steppers riddim. Classic
mid - Nineties dub.
Runner up : Release the Chains Dub - Centry
Flangers and Phasers to the fore on a versioned
Nirvana B-line, weird yet wonderful.
Volume Two -Top Tune : Earth Rocker-The
Bush Chemists.
Pabloesque melodica led ital medicine from your
local bush Chemist.
Runner-up : Haste Makes Waste : Hughie Izaacher
In a deeply reflective mood both vocally and through
his seldom credited guitar licks.
Artist : CONSCIOUS SOUNDS /
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: DUBS FROM THE VAULTS
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: C.D
For
the best part of a decade Concious Sounds has been instrumental in releasing
consistently groundbreaking 'Roots and Culture' music. Spreading love
and guidance to all those who have ears to listen. Following on from
the success of the recently released singles compilations ( See Concious
Sounds From Beginning to End volume one and two ). A collection of the
labels strictly limited vinyl releases.
"Dubs
From The Vaults " contains exclusive, previously unreleased cuts from
the studio archives. Featuring little known studio collaborations with
the likes of Rockers 44 and Planet Dub alongside some of the more known
Conscious Sounds heavy weights names such as Centry and The Music Family.
All the tracks were recorded at Concious Sounds between 1992 and 1996
and have not previously been released.
Top Tune : Firing the Phasers
The Music Family in a laid back and phased out
mood -now also available on seven inch single.
Runner-up Spanish Horns
Brassed off ? then listen to this.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: DUBHEAD SOUNDCLASH SERIES SESSION ONE / TWO
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD / LP
Session
One is a 12 track dubalicious beanfeast of drum and bass driven cuts
from the labels premier league of new skool digital artists. All six
of the artists featured being ‘Twilight Circus’, ‘Messenjah’, ‘The
Bush Chemists’, ‘The I-Tones’, ‘Iration Steppers’ and ‘The Dub Specialists’,
have contributed two previously unreleased tracks for this compilation
The album begins with the oh so delicious Twilight
Sound System bringing us the binghi- driven, hot steppin’ Shaka Dub
Plate. This ultra fine and vital album then continues to drop really
hard and is a must for any aspiring Dub and Reggae selector.
'Dubhead Soundclash Volume Two' holds to the same
formula of acts contributing two previously un-released or exclusives
to the label . This time around it is the 'The Mighty Manasseh Sound
System' who lead the way. Also present are Zion train, Mad Proffessor
and the Vibronics crew. All of whom cleverly enough have new releases
out at this moment in time.
Both these albums have been seriously road tested
by the Free Radical Sounds crew and take it from us they live up to
our great expectations. Delivering it dubwise yet set within a new style
and flavour.
Session One
Top Tune : Twilight Circus –'Shaka Dub Plate'
A bingi driven stadium roots-rocker, radical riddims.
Big bin bustin and booming.
Runner-up : Dub Specialists : 'Silence'
Skanking Hip-Hop-Reggae with horns and an anti
war message.
Session Two
Top Tune : Manasseh : 'Underground Dub'
A stunning reworking of a classic Curtis Mayfield
tune vocalized by the late roots legend Devon Russell
Runner-up Mad Professor : Bitch Licks
Rumours are flying around the Free Radical Sounds
office that this one’s dedicated to the mighty mad ones new puppy. Who
knows? Whatever, it is a barking J.A soundystem inspired flight of flute
fancy.
Artist : VARIOUS ARTISTS
Title
: A DUBBERS GUIDE
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD / DOUBLE VINYL
Another
weighty compilation from the U.K dub Specialist label Dubhead. Using the
tried and tested successful formula of mixing known names and introducing
new acts along the way. The artist running order takes in a lot of what’s
most happening on the current U.K dub steppers scene including The Bush
Chemists, Love Grocer, Urban Dub, The Disciples, Aba Shanties ‘The Shanties’,
William The Conqueror, Twilight Circus and Dubclash. A Dubbers Guide opens
in fine style with ‘Jah Come To I’ from Mungo Hifi, ( check their awesome
Wickedness ten inch single, also out on Dubhead ). True dubheads will
lap up Dubclash’s ‘Fire The Chalice Of Dub’ and Twilight Circus’s fx laden
‘Mega Steppers’ which closes the album in deep sub bass and strident style.
Other highlights include the futurist dub vibes of Urban Dubs ‘War ( In
Dub ) and The Shanties ‘The Rising Of The Sun’ a tune perfect for those
big sound system dances. All in all a quality contemporary dub album which
will be a welcome addition to any self respecting dubbers collection.
Top
Tune : Goldmaster All Stars : Push Harder
The most deep in dub outing I’ve heard yet from the Goldmaster posse. A
wicked tune which drops hard with great urgency. With horns aplenty, bubbling
old school keys & a driven riddim making this a play out must have.
Runner Up : Mungo Hifi : Jah Come To I
Dubhead show their confidence in their latest signing by opening the album
with Mungo Hifi and Brother Cultures truly inspirational ‘Jah Come To
I. A fine style laid back summer vibed stepper.
bimble@freeradicalsounds.com
Dubhead
catalogue one( A - D )
Dubhead
catalogue two( D - J )
Dubhead
catalogue page three( L- Z )
Dubhead
catalogue front page
