ARMAGIDEON
Title
: THROUGH THE HAZE
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD / VINYL
Kicking
off with ‘Grow More Dub’ a tune that is built around a sampled spoken word
piece from Jello Biafra entitled ‘Grow More Pot‘. The riddim behind it is
a digital horn and conga led affair in an up beat dance-floor friendly style.
The
dub tunes that follow on this album are fairly laid back and pleasing enough
. Though for my money what makes this album its own, is its lack of fear
when it comes to cross pollinating with other styles. The best example being
the Hardstep / Drum and Bass meets Dub tune ‘Changes’.
Thankfully
Armagideon is an artist not afraid to wear his external influences on his
sleeve.
Top
Tune : Changes
For
the most part a great hybrid and one to surprise your audience, what ever
way you wear it.
Runner
Up : Grow More Dub
It’s a Dub tune with Jello Biafra of The Dead Kennedys
ranting about the benefits of Marijuana over it. What more can I say?
THE BUSH CHEMISTS
Titles
: DUBS FROM ZION VALLEY (WITH JONAH DAN) / LIGHT UP YOUR SPLIFF / MONEY
RUN TINGS / LIGHT UP YOUR CHALICE / DUB FIRE BLAZING
Labels
: DUBHEAD / CONSCIOUS SOUNDS
The
Bush Chemists ( With Jonah Dan ): Dubs From The Zion
Valley
What
you get with 'Dubs from Zion Valley' is an album of meditative deep space
roots dubs cut in a 21st Century style. There are 17 tracks on this early
C.D. release, it is a work of quality for those who like their dubs in
that Shaka digital dub style. A well crafted and recorded album. It has
a real back to nature feel and a distinctly earthly focus about it. This
is as close to digital folk music that I have heard for a while, as Jonah
takes us on a mystical trip through nature.
Check out also his Disciples co-release 'Spangdubulous Dub'. Where
Jonah brings it right up to date.
Top
Tune : Tehelim (Psalms 30 1and 20)
A prayer to Jah Rasta Far-I delivered within a spellbinding deep
roots riddim.
Runner up : Meditation Rock
Has the sounds of bird song and a waterfall in the background
alongside binghi drums until the earthrumbling bass throbs in
with a distinctive Disciples sound.
The
Bush Chemists : Light Up Your Spliff
Loved
by critics, DJs, dancers and dopers alike. This album has become
a modern classic and continues to sound fresh both on the sound
system and at home. If your up for heavyweight original digital
Roots / Dub then look no further. One of contemporary UK roots
scenes defining moments.
Top Tune : Light Up Your Spliff
Released in ’96. This timeless classic
has achieved critical acclaim and still features regularly in
the sets of The Mighty Jah Shaka among countless others. It
sends a shiver down your spine, every time ya here it.
Runner Up : I Came I Saw
Awesome ‘One Drop’ inna minor key style.
This the albums closing tune sets us back down to earth nicely
after the journey that was the ‘Light Up Your Spliff album.
'I Came I Saw' closes the album and DJ’s would be well advised
to close there nights with it, an ideal setting to place it
in.
The
Bush Chemists : Money Run Tings
A personal favourite of mine is this meeting
between King General and the Bush Chemists. The Free Radical
Sounds posse have been dropping the title track (also available
on 7 inch) at every opportunity. Probably as it manages to conjure
up most of what the Babylon system is inflicting upon it’s people
at the moment, yet still leaves you with a wry smile.
King General has an astute eye for what
is going on around him and possibly one of the most distinctive
voices and delivery styles in the modern UK scene at the moment.
Also contained on the album is the previously released 7 inch
release of 'Joker Smoker'.
An album Highly recommended.
Top
Tune : Money Run Tings (Vocal)
Conscious Sounds come head to head with
the King General delivering a quick reality check to the youths
to listen up and avoid the burger house.
Runner up : Joker Smoker
A positive digital endorsement of the
herb delivered in a 'Tu Shen Peng' stylee.
BUSH
CHEMISTS : LIGHT UP YOUR CHALICE
Following on from where the critically acclaimed ‘ Light Up Your Spliff
’ left off. ‘ Light Up Your Chalice ’ is digital roots / dub of the
highest order. A combination of featured vocalist treatments and chemically
enhanced Dubsonic food. The Bush Chemists provide us with Programmed
riddims, live keyboards, guitar, bass, Melodica and percussion with
featured vocalists including Culture Freeman, Ras I and Talawa. Talawa's
uplifting call to all sisters on ‘ Stand Up Dub ‘ is a definite high
light of this set.
Top
Tune : Evil Doer Retire
Awe inspiring programmed Nyabingi riddim
with Jonah Dan on bongos giving it his all. Lending the tune
that live grounation feel. With the talented Talawa stepping
forward with just the right amount of vocal and snatches of
sweet soulful Melodica refrains making this one a vital selection.
Runner Up : Borderline
Chosen for its amusing toast at the
front end "No Pop, No Hip, No Hop, No Funk, No Fusion, No
Compromise at any time. Just Reggae, Reggae Music " . Which
sums up both this album and The Bush Chemists in general.
‘Borderline’s riddim is an uplifting and ultimately dancable
sub driven One Drop, wicked.
BUSH
CHEMISTS : Dub Fire Blazing
Reigning
supreme since the release of their classic ‘Light up your Spliff’ set, The
Bush Chemists need little introduction. The brainchild of in demand producer
Dougie ‘Conscious Sounds’ Wardrop their sound is rootsier and heavier than
ever.
Highlights of this set include : ‘This Sound’ A tune perfect for opening
your dubwise sets, with its heavily effected vocal intro. and mid paced
riddim. Also ‘King David’s House’ a harder more up - tempo riddim. Play
it when your dance is jumping. Those looking for Ganja inspired tunes are
well catered for with wicked ‘Erb Warrior’, ‘Long Time I No Smoke’ and the
lazy instrumental that is ‘Marijuana Defenders’. The vinyl ends with the
excellent sub bass driven ‘Blowing For His Majesty’.
CD
listeners are provided with four bonus tracks in the form of the trombone
led ‘Watching Dub’. The aptly named, Pabloesque ‘Eastern Style’. The deep
in dub ‘Bass Gone Crazy’ and the modern roots / dancehall inspired riddim
of the CD’s closer ‘Stand For The Right’. A welcome return for one the premier
and originator names of the UK digital roots / dub sound.
Keep
It Locked
Artists
: BUSH CHEMISTS / MUNGO HIFI
Titles
: DUB FIRE BLAZING / KING DAVIDS HOUSE DUB
/
WICKEDNESS / WICKED VERSION
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: TEN INCH E.P
A shared 10" EP with each artist taking on a side
. The Bush Chemists provide us with exclusive
mixes of two tracks lifted from their newly released ‘Dub
Fire Blazing’ album. The track ‘Dub Fire Blazing’
is an upful medium paced stepper with deep sound system friendly Sub bass
and a subtle hook from the Crispy Horns. ‘King
David’s House Dub’ is a harder and more up tempo affair, good for
when your dance is jumping.
The
flip side features the debut from Dubheads
latest signing ‘Mungo Hifi’ ( watch out for
them on the forthcoming ‘A Dubbers Guide’ album
). Mungo Hi-fi provide us with two cuts of
their ‘Wickedness’ tune. Vocalist Brother
Culture delivers a message on the subject of ridding the world of
it’s wickedness ( which seems especially poignant today 12/09/01 with all
recent happens in the U.S.) The version mixes back the vocal and brings
forward the skanking one drop riddim and mixes it up in a strident and fine
style. Both the vocal and the dub of ‘Wickedness’
are current personal favourites, which I’ll be rinsing for a long time to
come.
This
EP all in all is a great marriage of two quality dub acts which will receive
plenty of play - out exposure from the Free Radical Sound System Crew.
bimble@freeradicalsounds.com
CULTURE
FREEMAN MEETS THE BUSH CHEMISTS
Title
: CONQUEROR
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: C.D
"Digital
Ya Know"
Those that brought us the
critically acclaimed ‘Light Up your Spliff ‘ album
step forward with an album showcasing the talents
of Roots vocalist Culture Freeman.
Delivered in the vocal then
dub format. Freeman’s vocal style is expressed in
the Dub-plate toaster style, riding The Bush Chemists
riddims to great effect.
Top Tune : Pressure
Freeman delivers a sufferahs
message backed by a strong and militant stepper's
riddim.
Runner Up : The fittest (
Version )
The albums closing piece finds
The Bush Chemists with their heads down, rocking
on their heals to bring us this storming finale.
One to MAKE you dance.
THE
DISCIPLES
Title
: INFINITE DENSITY OF DUB
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD
Probably
the people's favourite UK Digital Roots
/ Dub act. The Disciples started off supplying
exclusive dub - plates to The Mighty Jah
Shaka way back in ’86. In 87 Shaka released
their first album as part of his ‘Commandments
Of Dub’ series. This alliance continued
until in 93 the boys were ready to start
issuing material on their own Boom - Shacka
- lacka label and the rest as they say
is history.
Coming
immediately after their massively popular
‘For Those That Under Stand’ album,
‘Infinite Density’ finds them at time
of smoother, more sophisticated productions.
Almost every tune contained here, within
sixty seconds has your head nodding
and your toes tapping. ‘Infinite Density’
is definitely more of an album complete,
rather than a collection of dub plates.
A fact that makes ‘Infinite it perfect
for the smoke up, the chill out or even
the long drive home.
Top Tune : Celestial
Horizons
The second version
of this riddim on the album, is different
enough from the first for you not to
notice. A seriously heavy bass drum
and B-line means this one really pounds
at ya chest. Accented by some deeply
effected percussion and topped off with
layers of combined digital and analogue
synth sounds, the perfect recipe for
any dubhead.
Runner
Up : False Distinctions
This one has a
real swing and dares you to dance as
soon you here it. Nuff said, respect
is due.
P.S
These guys are
nothing if not consistent. Check their
most recent work the brilliant ‘One
Bright Day’ twelve inch. Available on
their Backyard movements imprint. ‘One
Bright Day’ brings us uplifting vocals
from Reggae veteran Prince Alla. With
a wickedly warped out dub to follow.
Truly awesome mate
Title
: DUBCLASH
Artist
: DUBCLASH
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD/ LP
The Debut full album release from Dubclash made up of 15 tracks of instrumental
dubs using what sounds like mostly live bass & programmed drum rhythms (built
to sound like a drummer). A very well executed set which brings to mind dubs
golden age of the 70's.
The dub treatments are disciplined & the riddims well
tight. At no point is the thing over cooked, leaving plenty of room for your
own play out embellishments. 'Jah Enforcements' wins the prize for the fattest
b-line whilst 'Dubbing With Jah' the albums opener gets my vote for the most
instantly infectious.
Just another sound alike UK steppers album this ain't & whilst you couldn't
call these dubs radical, it's gonna be interesting to see the Dubclash sound
develop on further releases. For those of you crying out for some fresh 70's
style dubs, you need look no further for this is what you want & this is what
you get. Bimble
DUB
GHECKO
Title
:LOVE TO THE POWER OF EACH
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: C.D
From
every palace to every ghetto, hear
the echo of Dub Ghecko".
"This
album is dedicated to all those
who strive to undermine systematic
or unilateral oppression, wherever
it prevails, and to replace
it with a new kingdom founded
on love, which in time will
unite us all as children of
creation. One Love" Dub Ghecko.
Bristol
based Dub Ghecko give us positive
upful digital dub vibes with
this their first album release.
This 14 track album opens with
the passionate- 'Love To The
Power Of Each' featuring the
lush vocal refrain of Virginia.
'Dublindo' features a classic
Celtic refrain followed by a
huge killa drum and bass work
out. Respectfully similar in
mood and vibe to a slightly
more funky Zion Train i.e. tough-
edged digital roots with harmony.
'Zion Gates' pays homage to
Rastafari informing us that
Africa is calling and that you
are listening.
This is
a wide ranging album in terms
of it’s appeal. A great late
night chillage / dub and one
to look out for.
Top Tune
: Love to the Power of Each
Virginia's
lush vocal refrain backed by
a riddim that can be dropped
equally in both the club and
dub domain. Also available on
a 4 track EP featuring a tasteful
remix from Smith and Mighty.
Runner
up : Love Like a Diamond
Featuring
the wisdom of Prince Green's
Rasta poetry. "Love like a diamond
pure and clean tougher than
tough rich beyond measures cut
with the straight line of truth".
DUB
PLATE VIBES CREW
Title
: VOICE OF DUB
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD
Opening
with ‘007 Dub' which as
you can guess is based loosely
on the James Bond theme
tune. Perhaps surprisingly
‘007 Dub’ is not at all
cheesy in its execution
and is in fact a pure ‘Steppers’
delight.
Voice of Dub is almost
entirely made up of
instrumental up tempo
‘Steppers’ style digital
dubs with live bass
guitar. This brings
to mind some of ‘The
Revolutionary Dub
Warriors' more up-tempo
wig outs of a couple
of years ago. With
all these dubs being
in the up beat vein
this sure is an album
fit for the dancefloor.
Top
Tune : Iron Curtain
Dub
Version
two of this 007 based
riddim opens with
fan - fared synth
horn lines quickly
followed by driving
four four bass and
drums. I can see this
tune really working
the floor. Something
I intend to try out
A.S.A.P, so I’ll let
you know.
Runner
Up : Heavy Weight
Dub
Another
up tempo cut which
stands out from the
crowd due to its crystal
clarity piano flourishes
and rocking B-line.
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