Bedi

Feb

2017

Gentleman’s Dub Club – “The Big Smoke Remixed”

The Gentleman already got us used to the fact that every studio album is followed by a remix edition (review of the previous one) and, as their committed fan, I am glad of it. When it comes to releases like that, discovering how different producers approached their work is the most exciting factor. Breadwinners, unknown to me before, presents King Tubby’s school in ‘Afraid of the dark’ and ‘See them’; the ‘Earthquake’ version by Mannaseh is a masterpiece as well – each instrument means something, being essential and soothing your ears and body. Roots vibe is also served by Ed Thomas Rinky in ‘Extraordinary Day’ with bass in the foreground; Price Fatty, in turn, drops it in the steppers style. Finally, we get to Chief Rockas and DJ Madd versions – an electronic blast in a roots sauce.
Another great release by the Gentlemen!

https://soundcloud.com/gentlemans-dub-club/sets/the-big-smoke-remixed

Feb

2017

[Review] Fikir Amlak&King Alpha – “Simply Warrior” (Akashic Records)

Fikir Amlak is a well-known singer having some strong killers on his account and his soft, melodious voice can be heard on many sound system sessions. King Alpha is a heavyweight master, Joseph’s riddims are played widely on many dances. So the question is – what will be the result of cooperation of these seemingly different characters? The answer is – an album, which doesn’t want to go away from my player, each time generating more and more energy! On the one hand we have Fikir’s hypnotic, intriguing voice, on the other – trance-like, deep and heavy riddims by King Alpha; all of this creates amazing harmony and fits like beauty and the beast. You absolutely have to check out this album!

<a href="http://usarootsreggaecollective.bandcamp.com/album/fikir-amlak-meets-king-alpha-simply-warrior" class="external" rel="nofollow">Fikir Amlak meets King Alpha – Simply Warrior by Fikir Amlak, King Alpha</a>
https://usarootsreggaecollective.bandcamp.com/album/fikir-amlak-meets-king-alpha-simply-warrior

Feb

2017

[Review] Brain Damage – “Talk the talk” (Jarring Effects)

After the “Walk The Walk” LP (http://dubmassive.org/en/11781/brain-damage-walk-the-walk) the time for a dub versions hase come. The whole concept of Brain Damage regarding this release and his cooperation with legendary Jamaican singers is something bigger than “ordinary” album. In addition to music we also get video series: http://dubmassive.org/en/12959/walk-walk-webserie-brain-damage-wasaru, and the LP presented here is a brilliant complement to this extraordinary story.

Music on this album is the essence of contemplative dub – echoes and reverbs over a simple, but rich sounds, mixed with peculiar dub poetry – as the vocal part is made of talks, stories from life of Jamaican legends – Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, Ras Michael, Sam Clayton Jr, Stephen Stewart and Mc Father Wee Pow. All of this Martin prepared in a legendary Jamaican studio – Harry J Studio. What’s interesting – as he is writing – it’s a little bit ironical that being so recognizable on the dub scene for so many years, he feels like this release is his first, true dub album.

A wonderful album for careful, contemplative listening.

https://soundcloud.com/braindamagedubsessions/sets/brain-damage-talk-the-talk

Home

Feb

2017

[Review] Cultural Warriors – “Remix from the Warriors Camp Chapter 2” (Cultural Warriors Music)

It’s the 4th album of the Swiss group and the second one in the series of remixes of their own tunes played by them on sessions. “Remix from the Warrior Camp” keeps amazing pearls, starting with the mighty King Alpha and gentle Earl 16 in “True Rastaman”; next we get slayed by Johnny Clarke and Jacin in a meditational version of “Fittest of the Fittest” and then by another rootsman Johny Osbourne with Russ Disciples in “Inflation”. Heavy accents are Natural Black and Artman, Color Red and Roots Masashi with briliant, trance dub version, just like Sandeeno and Bony Fly. Murray Man and Roaring Spirit dot the i’s on the album. Every tune is an undeniable killer and with such an arsenal, Cultural Warriors are able to mash up any soundsystem. Don’t miss them live in your area when you have a chance!

<a href="http://culturalwarriors.bandcamp.com/album/remix-from-the-warriors-camp-chapter-2" class="external" rel="nofollow">Remix from the Warriors Camp – Chapter 2 by Earl sixteen – Johnny Osbourne – Johnny Clarke – Natural Black – Color Red – Sandeeno – Murray Man</a>

Jan

2017

NS Kroo – “Fit – Mono/Poly Dub / Back in 4000” (Stand High Rec)

NS Kroo is a young and creative crew from Geneva and Stand High Rec label presents their 4 tracks crafted for sound system sessions (and it’s 100% true). The A side is “Fit” is a psychedelic steppers with house music elements; “Mono/Poly” is a roller-coaster ride as we know from many French dub releases. On the flip side we get one track with version – “Back In 4000”. This is a techno/electronic steppers with a really good tempo.

I have to admit, that the mixture prepared by NS Kroo is very unique and they follow the path established on their first release in Sparring Partners ((http://dubmassive.org/en/11595/ns-kroo-bony-fly-mike-iiihook). Keep it up!

https://www.facebook.com/NS-Kroo-479566195436350

https://soundcloud.com/stand-high-patrol/ns-kroo-fit-sh006-stand-high-records

https://soundcloud.com/stand-high-patrol/ns-kroo-monopoly-dub-sh006-stand-high-records

Dec

2016

[Review] Rootical Attack Allstars & Dixie Peach – Showcase

A French label Rootical Attack has surprised me once more with the conception of this album – a showcase, where they test a legendary singer Dixie Peach on the productions prepared by label’s team – Tozer, Peah, Mr. Zebre and Alex Sci-Fi. Dixie is a well known name, a member of Jah Tubbys Sound System crew and on this record he shows his skills and beautifully flows on juicy & heavyweight tunes in a soundsystem style, prepared by the crew.

A highly recommended 12”!

Links:

www.rooticalattack.com
www.soundcloud.com/rootical-attack

Nov

2016

[Review] Dubble – “Signs of The Time” [Dub Tunnel Records]

It’s 4th release by the Croatians from Dubble, this time vocally backed up by recently very active Earl 16. The A side is owned by him – in ‘Signs of The Time’ his voice, on a heavy steppers rhythm with a lot of electronics, brings up a meditational mood and doesn’t let you forget important matters. The dub version is a great display of Dubble duo great FX abilities, also proved by B side and ‘Hurachi’, where inconspicuous brass instruments cause shivers and the deep bass alongside dark atmosphere create a soundsystem killer with a non-trivial dub version.

I hope they keep it up and please us with more music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLqsaAfXlEA

Nov

2016

[Review] Brother Culture & Paul Fox – “Heartical Connection”

A duo of two great soundsystem characters presenting two different vocal schools – one of them is a great chatter who surprises every time and the second one is an oasis of peace and melodiousness above all. You can admire the effect of their clash on the ‘Heartical Connection’. Music and dub versions are created by Paul Fox, who also recorded keys and melodica. Gavin ‘Fullness’ Sant rules the drums, Jahman Dan played congos and Ben Goddard is responsible for the guitars. Vocally it’s all Brother Culture chatting on at his best, proven in meditational ‘Ital Sounds’, or slightly digitally-dancehall’ish ‘One Tonight’, ‘Seat of God’. In the moody roots track ‘Good Time’ moves on to singing, creating a great harmony with Paul’s voice, whereas ‘Mixed Message’ and ‘Organic Life’ picture his expressiveness very well. The soft, harmonic voice of Paul requires a mention as well, ‘Critical Dimension’ reminds me of his tunes with Alpha&Omega a lot. He brings the mood to every tune, though.