Bedi

Nov

2016

[Review] I-Skankers – “In His Name” (I-Skankers Records)

‘In His Name’ is the 3rd I-Skankers release at their own label, excluding 7 dubplates released on their own. This time we get a riddim with Ranking Fox and Anthony Fox ruling the vocals on A side, which is topped out by an UK roots style dub version with nyahbhingi elements. B side contains isntrumentalists performances – Yanna Sax on the sax, Steppin Pablo on melodica and another strong dub version.

I-Skankers went for roots here and they did it really well!

https://soundcloud.com/iskankers/in-his-name-riddim-12inch

Aug

2016

[Review] Sister Simiah & Jah Free – “Gates Of Zion” (AnAïa Records)

Thanks to French label AnAïa Records we can enjoy another 7” with dub straight from a veteran – Jah Free, vocally supported by Sister Simiah. I have to admit, that I’ve heard about this label for the first time, but they has been working since 2012 and previous releases include Joe Piligrim, Sonzaman, Ion and Paulette Wright.

Coming back to the title 7” – in “Gates of Zion” Sister Simiah sings a anthem in her elevated and mystical style. The riddim is a classical heavyweight steppers with Jah Free trademark – the dub version with a lot of effects and a massive bass crushes your bones.

This is another release which proofs Jah Free’s quality.

https://soundcloud.com/anaiarec/sister-simiah-gates-of-zion-vocals

http://www.anaiarec.com/eng/index.php

May

2016

[Review]Uus Energia – “For the Benefit of Dub: Chapter One”

Uss Energia is an Estonian crew that started their adventure with reggae strongly influenced by dub in 2009. In 2012 they released their debut album ‘Studio Live Dub’ and now, after 4 years, we get an EP ‘For the Benefit of Dub: Chapter One’. It’s definitely been worth to wait that long for that mature compositions showing what the art of dub really is, what a dub version of a tune means and how to mix your national identity into it.

The release is opened by ‘Naturaalne Mustika’, which immediately carries you along with it – I don’t know Estonian language, but the vocals alongside the music are hypnotizing and the dub version proves it greatly, having every instrument brilliantly exposed. The next tune named ‘Rannapiiga ‘ is a show off of their amazing horns section and the climat is a bit jazzy, what is it’s big asset; the dub version contains a nice melodica. Following tune ‘Mina kes ma sundisin tahtedest’ causes a vivification, the vocalist ‘twists his toungue’ and chats with an extraordinary charisma on a heavy rhythm and the dub version emphasizes beloved horns with a lot of effects. The last one on the album is ‘Huhtikuu’, which has 2 versions and is the most hypnotic, pretty crazy tune with versions I liked more than the original. Congratulations to Uss Energia crew for such a meaningful EP. I am looking forward to more of their productions, they definitely know what dub is and how to use it. You can hear King Tubby’s school in their music if it’s up to mixing and another hearings made me feel that they have Polish Paprika Korps and Ragana albums on their shelves.

Links:

https://uusenergia.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/uus-energia

Apr

2016

[Review] Earth Resistance Records – Dub Tree & The Maat Disciples / R. Souljah & Ital Horns

Earth Resistance is both a label and a sound system running since 2009 in Italy. On this release their producers duo Dub Tree & R. Souljah invited amazing musicians and producers, who know how to create a good dub. The A side presents Earth Resistance’s “soft” image – it is a tribute to the roots, especially that Dub Tree invited The Maat Disciples vocal duo, who are a great discovery to me – in ‘Come&Listen’ they create a mood in 70s classic roots style. The B side is the darker one, where R. Souljah gives us a FX-heavy stepper with Ital Horns, the best horns section in the world, in a track called ‘Indoctrination’. Additionally there is a special mix from Neil ‘Zion Train’ Perch!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/EarthResistanceDS

https://soundcloud.com/erdsrsj/comelistenindoctrination-promo-discomix-a1-a2b1-b2-b3

Apr

2016

[Review] Beam Up – “Gerrup/Vibin”

We’ve been writing a couple of times about this talented producer (http://dubmassive.org/en/tag/beam-up/), and the new 7″ made me realize that music has no borders. Every time I get a message from Beam Up about an upcoming release I wonder what way he took and how he is going to surprise me but the newest one just brought me up short. ‘Gerrup’ starts with light, roots samples to take us into the land of breakbeat in a modern flavour with a horns section, all of this mixed up with a dub sauce. The B side of the extraordinary 7″ is ‘Vibin’ – a stepped-up version of the A side falling into jungle a bit, but in a light form, reminding of the style’s classics. This production confirms Beam Up’s class without a doubt!

Links:

http://beamup.org/

https://soundcloud.com/45seven/45715a

Apr

2016

[Review] Mahom & Sista Bethsabee, Adi Shankara & Maicee

It’s already the 6th release from Culture Dub Records, this time dominated by Mahom (http://dubmassive.org/en/search/mahom). The A side is ‘Justice’ – a heavy, electronic approach to dub music with a climatic vocals and strong lyrics from Sista Bethsabee; the B side is a UK stepper containing nature sounds – couldn’t be any different in a track called ‘The Big Bad Zoo’ with beautiful vocals of a young warrior Maicee. The dub version desires attention as well – Montepellier dubmaker Adi Shankara shows his skills alongside Mahom.

Links:

http://www.mahomdub.com/

Homepage

https://soundcloud.com/culturedub/mahom-meets-sista-bethabee-adi-shankara-maicee-10-culture-dub-records-cdr006

Apr

2016

[Review] Adam Prescott & Donovan Kingjay – “Weed Anthem”

Adam Prescott and Reggae Roast will always be a quality mark to me. Their 7″ ‘Weed Anthem’ with Donovan Kingjay on the vocals praising ‘the holy weed’ is a great position on ganja tunes 2016 chart. Musically, Adam introduces us to digital reggae, but away from the digital style. He refers to a classic ‘Hot Milk’ riddim on which Johnny Clarke sung ‘Legalize it’. The dub version lets us delight with Addis Pablo’s melodica. A great release, also few days ago Adam’s debut LP ‘Warrior’ was published and will be reviewed by us soon!

Links:
http://www.reggaeroast.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Adam.Prescott.Music

https://soundcloud.com/reggaeroast/sets/adam-prescott-weed-anthem-1

Apr

2016

Mark Wonder – “Inalysis/Braveheart”

Mark Wonder is one of those Jamaicans who don’t have to prove anything, having cooperating with reggae legends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wEU-g4ApQ), a lot of music and concerts on his account. The presented 10″ from Addis Records is a piece of great music on the highest level with a strong message and Mark’s beautiful vocals. The opening ‘Inalysis’ is an anthem to the freedom inna roots&culture style, where bass pulsates lively and the horns make it lofty, complementing this masterpiece (by the way, I haven’t been so magnetised and softened by roots for a long time). Alex Schneiter is responsible for the beautiful trumpet, additionally there is Jonah Dan on the percussion and Christine Miller in the chorus. Knowing that Russ D took care of the mastering I can freely say that the crew is built by true masters. The B side is a bit different, more lively, presenting a well-known riddim – ‘Tempo’. Mark introduces an amazing harmony that makes you feel grateful and the dub version deepens the experience. Of course, both of the tunes have a dub version.