Bedi

Mar

2014

Bababoom Hi Fi Sound System – “Skylarking Riddim”

Italy has a pretty good position on the dub scene, but a fact is that Italian releases appear a bit rarely, so it’s even more joyful for us to introduce new 12” by Bababoom Hi Fi from Naples, who are present for 10 years on the sound system scene. In 2013 they started their own label and released another 12” “Rumors” with Jules and amazing Dennis Alcapone. This time we get a solid dose of roots sounds that refer a hit named “Skylarking” performed by The Roots Defender – an Italian top backing band. On the A side we can hear Kojo Neatness on vocals – he comes from Kingston and has already appeared i.a. on Dreadsquad productions. Bush Chemist is responsible for the dub version and at the end of the side there are the incredible Ital Horns and their version, as always on a really high level. Side B contains Blackout JA, who reminds me of Buju Banton (what is a big plus), we also get dubplate mix and a version by Dougie – so different than the one on the A side: there is more space, echo and reverbs. This release confirms that it’s worth to follow the Italian, big sound system scene.

Mar

2014

Moonshine Recordings presents – “Steppin’ forward”

Moonshine made a lot of positive confusion around that album and it wasn’t exaggerated. “Steppin’ forward’ is a collection of 15 tunes, which haven’t seen the daylight yet, produced by both bass scene veterans and the novices, although words “veteran” and “novice” are only meaning their seniority on the scene, because some of the novices show their best side on that compilation. I don’t like to split music into tight genres, so the term “bass music” is fine to describe this compilation – we can find here echoes of dubstep and steppers, all of that in original style. So, Violinbwoy gives us reasons to joy, because he shows his potential – “Echo Park” will be played on many sound system sessions at 4 in the morning. Similarly will it be with Tuff & Powa, though the bassline reminds me of Boney M. Tune by OSC&Dubsworth with toasting by Ranking Joe named “Ital Vital” is a treat to dubstep fans. As for the “veterans” – Hatti Vatti and Ciann Finn is another example, how should the vocalist co-operate with the producer – a perfect duo without beating around the bush. Here i ask both of them: record more together, this is so magical and has the strong message, which is needed nowadays. Another artist worth of Attention is Vibration Lab alongside beautiful Wayne Jarrets voice which rules that tune, just like in “Concrete”, when you can hear voices from Only Joe. A big surprise for me is The Illuminated, because they took me to Jamaica and it seems like they met King Tubby out there, that’s how i imagine dub that he would produce if he lived today. Fans of heavy, tough bass will be conquered by Numa Crew, however here we also have classic reggae echoes. Compa – without any compromises, just like 6Blocc, RSD and Kalbata. I left two crazy performers for the conclusion, you can say that they started the boom for roots reggae inspired bass music – Radikal Guru and Alpha Steppa. They both show their high level – Radikal remixes Zion Train, although he’s had better remixes of that group (it might be fault of the tune which didn’t impress me in the original version) and Alpha Steppa presents his fascination of the Middle East, what we are used to, full of sibilant, rumbling bass! Take it without consideration, because there is everything best … just a lot of bass!!! Low bows to Moonshine Recordings for their contribution to the music!

Mar

2014

Idren Natural meets IDavid – “Soulfull”

I think I don’t have to introduce to you that sound system warrior, but it’s worth to mention a few facts. Idren Natural is present on the scene for almost 20 years. He belongs to Ini Oneness crew and has been released on a few 7” and 12”s with producers like Jah Works or Dub Creator. 2014 brought an LP with him and a producer IDavid, who works in Guidance Studio. We have here 5 Idren’s tunes and 5 dubs by IDavid in UK steppers climate. The lyrics are filled with spirituality (“Depth of my soul” or “Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding”) and respect to the sound system culture (“Soundman culture”). That topic is grateful to laud and the public will surely like it – tunes like that were recorded by i.a. YT with Digitaldubs – “Sound system culture”, Macky Banton with Ackboo – “Turn up the amplifier” or Dubdadda with Zion Train – “Hail the selector”. Now we can add Idren to this upright circle because “Soundman culture” along with the dub version is this album’s killer. The whole release is amazingly energetic, what is also confirmed by “Gideon Time” and the title track. A separate thing are the dub versions, which are incredible, with beautiful melodica melodies and a deep bass. The album is distributed by French Control Tower so there is nothing else than order it quickly.

Mar

2014

Tour de Force – “Battle Cry”

What is happening in the dub world on the beginning of this year makes me dizzy a bit, of course in the positive meaning. This time I got pinned down by two guys – Double Tiger and DJ Q-Mastah, who created Tour de Force and established Dub-Stuy Records label. They also have their own 15 kW sound system, using which they want to reborn reggae/dub and spread sound system culture in the USA. In their music they connect the old with the new, where reggae meets electronics, that’s how the album is started – in “Battle Cry” standard winds are pierced by a tough bass, characteristic for dubstep. The beginning gives reasons to joy, and the first tune with Brother Culture on the microphone is only keeping us in that mood – in “Roots lyrics” he shows what he has got best. In “Strong to survive” we are attacked by the winds and a huge dose of bass that totally floor us with its interpretation of Sleng Teng with Jahdan Blackkamoore on vocals. After 4 so heavy tunes it’s a dread to think what will be next – here beautiful voice of Jay Sparker in “Old time love” and a great melodica in “Tiger” introduce us to a meditative climate, to dive into sounds served by TDF with help of Luciano. The Brooklyn’s duo knew who to invite to vocally embellish their music, in the succeeding tunes Jay Speaker sings beautifully again, convincing us not to give up and to fight for what’s yours. It’s hard to believe that we are heading to the finish, all the more when we hear the theme from “Satta Massagana” bathed in electronic sauce. For the dessert there is “The Traveler”, which takes us to the Far East and perfectly ends that amazing album. Definitely the TDF duo fulfilled its mission, connecting the reggae inspiration with tough, modern music full of basses, not withering in any of the by the way. Consider Tour de Force’s advice: “So please, put away the headphones and the awful computer speakers” and listen to that album only on a good sounding!

Mar

2014

AudioArt presents Op’Ra Dub Style

A long time ago somebody said that dub has no limitations or borders, it exists outside the reggae sphere. After listening to AudioArt project that phrase is even more significant – dub is just everywhere!!! Tenor Uly E. Neuens dedicated many years of his life to classic opera repertoire and the old music and in addition he’s a reggae fan for 20 years. Using his voice he magnetized i.a. Garnier Opera, Comique Opera placed in Paris, National Theatre in Madrid, The Grand Theatre, however he could be most often heard in France. Thanks to his passion to music he decided to connect those two different musical worlds and make them complement each other. Irie Ites Music label helped him with that – they are trying to build bridges for different reggae variations since 2008. AudioArt is desired to build a catwalk between the classical and popular music, “revitalize” them and breathe life into them.

Album “AudioArt presents Op’Ra Dub Style” (One Drop Music / Irie Ites Musica) contains compositions of such artists like Aldubb, Dubble Dubble, Dubmatix, Dub Spencer & Trance Hill, Tune In Crew and TVS and remixes by Irie Worryah and Philipp Greter (Dub Spencer & Trance Hill). It’s opened by “Pax”, beautiful lyrics about peace all over the world; TVS is responsible for music here and the winds are played by Hornsman Coyote himself and Speng Bond is a vocal guest, that tune has been released on a 7”. In my opinion, this tune is a masterpiece, I’m not a big fan of classical music, but it’s important for me, 1st of January I start with Vienna new year’s concert – and here I get all that I love! The next track is “Gloria” on Aldubb’s rhythm – it confirms that the connection between classical music and dub isn’t overdone, similarly “Domine” by Dubmatix, where the trance interlaces with a beautiful tenor, just unearthly sounds. In “Hossanah” we can hear bass line from “World Jam” riddim which creates an ideal integrity with the reverbs and space. “Credo” by Dub Spencer takes us to region of calmness and harmony. The next tune “Terribilis” is a very good steppers by Dubble Dubble – here warm Jamaica connects with dark, but interesting Latin. Tune In Crew made a dubstep track, where Uly’s voice towers above crazy wobbles. After the 8 tunes it’s time for dub versions – Philip Greter presents one track with emphasis on winds section. I love tunes like that, where rare vocals are outshined by trombone solo. The second one is a typical dub version, which is really calm. We also get remixes by Irie Worryah, where “Domine” and “Gloria” is in the climate of Radikal Guru and Alpha Steppa. The last track is Aldubb’s version of the “Ode to Joy” sung by Uly in German – what a masterpiece – connect dub with heavy bass with winds and a whole orchestra – beautiful music!!!

I’m greatly impressed how do songs that you can hear in the churches, that are Gregorian lyrics, sound on rhythms that I love, a huge energy projectile. That’s one of the albums that make you want to live when you listen to it! I bow down to all of the artist who took part in this project. We will for sure crush Babilon’s walls with sounds like that! Ps. Listen to the samples and and an interview with Uly

Mar

2014

Teldem Com’Unity – “Absorption”

French live dub has always been on a high level, for example take a look at High Tone, Brain Damage, Mei Tei Sho (a mixture of jazz and afrobeat with dub), Le Peuple de l”Herbe (similar climate to Mei Tei Sho), not to omit Zenzile or Ez3kiel. Here I have to say that only Brain Damage and High Tone still function internationally and there is kind of a gap in that style, which is filled by Teldem Com’Unity. That crew comes from Burgundy, but their musical inspirations are reaching far away from France – in their work you can hear dub, electronic music, rock and hip-hop. Album “Absorption” is their second release and it’s different than “Ground Zero” – the debut one which was much closer to reggae and dub music, what granted it a huge audience and some awards (it opened their way to play live all over the France and in a big part of Europe). As they say – the album contains a lot of electronic sounds, and the man connects with the machine into a live music breaking any generic borders – alternative sounds with distorted guitars, hypnotizing loops and massive bass. The first tune is “Angry Man”, a soft intro and preparation to what is waiting for us later, because the next two ones are rough – “Run Dat” conjoins rock and hip-hop and “Muse” interlaces a beautiful melody with heavy metal – great example of how the land of smoothness can be shrouded with darkness. Heavy play is summed up in “Rock’s Skit”, to move forward to the first tune with a guest – Sir Jean (probably known widely thanks to Brain Damage) singing “All about love” with Teldem Com’Unity and Well J, creating one of the best tunes on the album. In “Tell me why”, which has a tough lyrics, we still stay in a climate closer to dub and reggae fans; “Militant Rebel” makes us move to the bass rhythm and bounce off the effects, created by the French and we reach “Safara” with Lyricson. After the first half of the album you could think that it’s a medley rather than an one band’s album. “Pay day” with Joe Pilgrim still keeps us in the dub climate with a bit of electronics, and in steppers “Rockers” they show us, how do they see the dub music. “AGH” proves us how much you can feature in one tune – middle east is mixed with electronics and poured with a dub sauce. “Miracle” is rough electronic in 80/90s style – synths with bass and drums dictating the tempo. At the end we have “Expressure” – a proof that Teldem Com’Unity is a well-knit band and “Absorption” is a huge step forward. You can’t typecast them, and you don’t have to. There is so much music that we – reviewers – make the artificial borders. However, the French show us how five good musicians can found us a musical trip after which we are going to recover for a long time, and when we do we will pack our stuff back and start it once again to widen horizons of our tight minds.

Tracklist

1. Angry Man
2. Run Dat
3. Muse
4. Rock’s Skit
5. All About Love Feat. Sir Jean / Well J
6. Tell Me Why
7. Militant Rebel
8. Safara Feat. Lyricson
9. Pay Day Feat Joe Pilgrim
10. Rockers
11. Phone’s Skit
12. A.G.H
13. Miracle
14. Expressure

Ps. You have to see them live!!!

Mar

2014

Roots Atao – Lali&Munky Lee / Double Doctor&Digital Noar (12”)

The French on the beginning of the year stormed the reggae/dub scene and here we have another great production, this time by a new netlabel and soundsystem from Brittany at once – Roots Atao. They are spreading roots and dub culture for 10 years now, engaging projects like Dubadub Residence or lately Telerama Dub Festival. In the February they started a label to release roots sounds. The first 12″ is a result of their cooperation with artists from the western France: Lali sings a typical lovers and the steppers rhythm is created by Munky Lee, who also deigns us with a dub version. On the second side we have a solid steppers in the old style made by Double Doctor, 90’s releases fans will like it for sure, and it will attract some new ones because the version Five years after chapter 2 is really powerful. To sum up, it’s a solid roots&dub production – a must have for every French scene fan!! And the rest – better start tracking what’s going on in French dub because there happens a lot of beautiful things.

Feb

2014

Kanka – “Watch Your Step”

A long awaited day by me has come – my speakers play the new Kanka album. Yes, it’s been almost 3 years Since the last release, so the appetite is huge. The artist serves us 12 heavy, consistent compositions with 3 amazing vocalists. The album is opened by „Venus Dub” – here I felt like I have actually had a journey to this planet, but we quickly get back to the earth thanks to Echo Ranks, who’s in very good shape. He sings about troubles and worries of each of us. That tune is from cycle „I have heard it before” In the lyric layer, but musically Kanka crushes me hard, especially with the bassline. The next tune doesn’t slow down – „Ghost Dub” reminded me of killer „Scratchy”, in „London” the winds nicely fit into the tough, dark dub close to the style of Iration Steppas. „Straight Dub” and „37” are steppers that make you skank hard. That’s how we get to the next track with El Fata as a guest. I have a fondness for him and his dub vocals, and his chat is just briliant. Thereafter „Rainbow Dub” and again heavenly winds which I love in reggae and dub – i deliquesce in such sounds to get strength and carry the burden of every-day reality. Additionaly, hearing crowning ideally integrated like Kanka did charges me fully. That album is merciless for the listener – in a good way of course – and it’s caused by the last two tunes: „Stepperstyle” again with Echo Ranks. It shows that the vocalists gets back to shape because (in my opinion) he lost it in few last tunes. Finally, we have „We love bass” – the title itself says a lot – Kanka loves bass and he knows how to use it well. It won’t be an overstatement if I say that it’s the best album of that French warrior!