Titles : DUB TO DUB, BREAK TO BREAK ONE / DUB TO DUB, BREAK TO BREAK TWO / DUB TO DUB, LOOP TO LOOP
LabelS : CRISPY MUSIC /DUBHEAD
Format : CD
DUB
TO DUB, BREAK TO BREAK ONE
This
is the first in what has become a trilogy of releases by the Dub Specialists.
Made in 1995 this album has helped to set the trend for leftfield reggae fusion,
encompassing the various dance riddims and styles that have influenced the
Dance-floor.
The Dub Specialists trademark has always been the distinctive horns of Chris Petter and Dave Fullwood combined with master Knob twiddler Dougie Wardrop. Snatched vocal loops are featured in a similar vein to the ongoing jungalist scene, whilst maintaining the heart and soul of roots reggae.
Top Tune : Gunman mix
Concious, funky reggae / club meets dub vibes.
One for the dance floor.
Runner Up : Dub Da
Funk
Beats and breaks set within a serious reggae
workout.
DUB
TO DUB, BREAK TO BREAK TWO
Crispy
music and Dubhead records have maintained their symbiotic relationship with
the release of (so far) three Dub Specialist albums, which combines the nucleus
of Chris Petter and Dougie Wardrop (Conscious Sounds).
Dub to Dub break to break (Volume two) is a great example of the U.K Underground’s magnificent ability to merge contemporary styles into a new fresh and coherent whole.
The CD's opening track is the sci-fi soundscape of 'Live in Harmony'. Which combines a massive hip-hop groove with some seriously deadly basslines. A track that rocks the floor at any session. The album is a refreshing take on the state of the current reggae and the contemporary dance scene. The artists have been quick to recognize the variety in both rhythm and texture of the current scene employing beats and breaks alongside some sampled conscious lyricism. 'Heavy Dub' exemplifies this with a classic jungalist drum pattern alongside a vocal slice of Ijahman Levi’s Heavyload classic. Far from being a cheeky album this collection of tracks shows a refreshing insight into the wonderful world of Dub.
Top Tune : Dub slide
This is true crossover music that will open
up the reggae scene to a new audience and should be admired for doing so.
Nothing demonstrates this better than the huge bass driven Dub Slide which
powers through your brain and down to your feet.
Runner up : History.
The cultural lineage of reggae is portrayed
with the passionate vocals of King General on History reminding us of the
visionaries of Marcus Mosiah Garvey and the Reverend Martin Luther King.
DUB TO DUB, LOOP TO LOOP
So warn the Dub Specialists through their track- 'Silence' which sets the tone for this mix of conscious lyricism and contemporary beats and b-lines. The Dub Specialists latest release, their third album carries all the trademarks of their preceding two. This fourteen track is once again all about dub-reggae-fusion.
Track one 'Something Completely Different' has a murderous hip-hop laden infectious groove, huge production and the obligatory sly sample. What makes the Dub Specialists so appealing is there ability to stay ahead of the contemporary Dub dance pack. Rather than relying upon versioning or re-working classic riddims they have embraced the current dance scene without losing the integral quality of roots and dub.
This for me is a close contender for album of the year in its genre.This is a club fueled gem and a must have for anyone into bigged up funky assed reggae.
Top Tune : Love Song
It's house jim but not as we know it. Dubalicious
and deep, with squidgy acid, analogue B-line. A kind of Acid house dub, I
guess.
Runner Up : Something
Completely Different
See Above.
EAST MEETS WEST
Titles : MEGADUB / TIME IS THE MASTER
Label : DUBHEAD / DUBOLOGY
Format : CD
MEGADUB
Now rated as a classic collaboration between the UK’s
Dougie ‘Conscious Sounds’ Wardrop and Japanese dub keyboard mystro Hiroshi.
Megadub brings us for the most part moderate tempo deep in dub styles with
an oriental flavour. Ideal for the late night smoke up or the all night sound
system session.
Top Tune : Militant
Style
Opening with a solo digital horn, calling us
to arms. ‘Militant Style’ then launches into a deep sub bass driven Melodica
enhanced, parametric sweeping, Steppers workout.
Runner Up : Motherland
Cut 2
This fairly laid back tune captures well the
essence of what East Meets West is. Which is eastern flavoured some times
haunting keyboard lines, killer sub B-lines with expertly programmes rhythms.
This tune also uses sirens and subtle guitar work to great effect.
Presented in the vocal then dub format. Time is the master is digital Roots with the added bonus of featured live instruments mixed in with mostly programmed riddims.
This album is essentially a collaboration between East Meets West stalwart Hirioshi and supremo dub guitarist Hughie Isachaar. Hughie also takes on the vocal duties when the tunes require them. A mostly instrumental album where Hiroshi’s Eastern keyboard meets Isachaar’s Western lead and rhythm guitar at the cross roads of the Conscious sounds studio.
The sort of album you hear floating across the hills late at night at festivals, inspiring you to sit down and roll a fat one. Despite all this praise for an ultimately very good album it does contain the most bizarre choice songs to cover. The Clash’s 'London Calling' complete with a version mix entitled London’s Dubbing has to be heard to be believed.
Top Tune : Time Dub
The version mix of the album's title track which
retains just enough of the vocal take to keep you hooked in. A slow paced
mesmerising tune with lots of fine guitar reminiscent of Skip Macdonalds work
with the Dub Syndicate. A strong riddim and a speaker rattling live bass line.
Runner Up : Plea For
Peace
The tune upon which this albums Eastern influence
is most apparent. Check the B-line through your biggest speaker bins.
Title
: FROM THE GROWING ROOM
Artist
: HYDROPONICS
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: Double CD / 2 Separate LP editions ( Vocal & Dubs )
Issued
on double CD & 2 separate, simultaneously released vinyl albums. 'From
The Growing Room' sees the welcome return of Hydroponics which builds
on the success of their wonderful 'Let the Light Shine' set.
Label : DUBHEAD
Format : Double CD / 2 Separate LP editions ( Vocal & Dubs )
Issued
on double CD & 2 separate, simultaneously released vinyl albums. 'From
The Growing Room' sees the welcome return of Hydroponics which builds
on the success of their wonderful 'Let the Light Shine' set.
Disc 1 is the vocal set with a track each from veteran Prince Allah & the fine voiced Sister Maria. 2 tracks each are included from new names Singer Blue, Kenny Knotts & Pablo Diamond. Also there are 2 voicings from long time Conscious Sounds collaborator Culture Freeman. Disc 2 is (naturally) the dubs edition & features Mr Millgate pulling out all the stops inna mostly U.K steppers style.
Highlights include Singer Blues mesmerising 'Heavenly Father' and it's dub counterpart. A tune which has an uplifting vibe enhanced by some nice acoustic guitar work. Prince Allah reinvents the twinkle Brothers 'Never get Burn' lyric on 'Get Burn' whilst the Hydro's provide a deep sub backing. A definite play out tune will be the wonderful Skadroponics Style sung by Culture Freeman. This Ska meets deep sub Dub will roll the floor every time. Sister Maria's 'Moving' is indeed moving and is a sweet voiced nice contrast to this male dominated genre. The vinyl release closes with 'My Sound' again by Singer Blue who sings upon & of an upful dancehall vibe. The CD edition contains a bonus track in the instrumental 'Eye For An Eye'. A melodica driven recut of an old Augustus Pablo tune.
With so much U.K Steppers being merely pedestrian it's refreshing to hear such a lot of killer stuff coming out of the U.K at the moment & this release ranks amongst the top. Highly recommended on either format. Bimble
HYDROPONICS
IN DUB
Title : LET THE LIGHT SHINE
Label
: DUBHEAD
Format
: CD / LP
Heavy - weight in style from the outset Hydroponics approach is reminiscent of earlier works from the likes of Scientist and King Tubby. This album is ideal for lovers of militant - Steppers Style - Dub. A fully rounded affair providing a balanced diet of hydroponically grown head nodders, toe tappers and uptempo Dub - dance floor smashes. A true contemporary, deep in dub session.
Top Tune : Spiderman
A very danceable tune complete with its deep
sub B-line and upbeat, skanking Ska riddim. With the Melodica leading the
way this is definitely one for the last hour of your set.
Runner Up : Fighting
The CD’s closing room shaking sub bass piece.
This one is so deep in dub it’ll have ya lying on your back, wondering how
the hell you’re gonna get up again.
Artist
: JAH WARRIOR