French soundsystem scene is amazing, probably every dubhead knows that. I am very glad that they often promote producers less known outside the country. Presented Emma Sound Records release, where big names are next to artists I haven’t heard of, confirms it.
It’s been like half a year since their latest release (http://dubmassive.org/10076/emana-sound-records-adubtion-family/) so the appetite for a new album grew even more. The hunger has been appeased completely, couldn’t be any different when we get such 4 tunes with 4 versions.
The album is opened by very active recently Mr Zebre’s “Open the boards”, vocally supported by Sis I Leen, known I.a. from cooperation with OBF or Iron Dubz, proving one more time that on heavy rhythms she’s in her element. The second track is produced by a Ist3p, who blew my mind with his ‘Medusa’. It’s hard to recover from such a hit and the version by Chazbo didn’t help at all, simply a knockout and a certain favourite to be play at 4 in the morning. It’s only the A side, I am already very satisfied and it gets even better when I head ‘Dark Natty’ by Bredrin Records or Benjah&EK duo who refer to Aba Shanti style with their production. Lastly, there is ‘Hard Times’ by Conscious Tribe and Chazbo’s mix.
Incredible release, 100% soundsystem earthquake!
P.S. The vinyl is a collective and solidarity project that all funds will be donate to “Yalla! Pour les enfants”, an association who helps children refugees in Europe with education programs.
https://soundcloud.com/emana-sound/mr-zebre-sis-i-leen-open-the-borders-open-the-dub
Mr Zebre is a man who lives and breathes music, proving it with his own EP and promotion of yet less known artist. On one hand this is an one-riddim album and on the other hand the rhythm sounds different every time. Couldn’t be different, when Lisa Dainjah decorates it with her voice in ‘Tell Myself’, Booba Roots plays melodica in ‘Tellodica’ and Ras Jahsuha flows like a veteran MC in ‘Concrete Jungle’. Of course the basis is the energetic riddim by Mr Zebre, where Angela Aguilara’s excellent horns complement this joyful production, positively attuning to live in Babylon.
Mr Zebre is already a well-known player on sound system scene (
Presented EP had premiere in December 2015 and it’s the creation of Polish/Irish crew World Bass Culture, who has been working mainly in Ireland since 2007 (Radikal Guru and Spetz mentioned them in our interview long time ago – 
Dub Invaders, a soundsystem part of High Tone crew, have been working since 2009 and gives us great dub music (
It has been 3 years since last album from a talented French producer Ackboo (
Strictly Dub Records label comes back with a new 12″ where you can hear a well-known Russian producer Rebelsteppa. The rhythm itself is a melodic steppers with an addition of a saxophone part in a meditation style, vocally backed up by Stikki Tantafari from Jamaica. In ‘None Shall Escape’ he sings about important matters for every spiritual person and the dub version brilliantly emphasizes the lyrics and the unique mood. B side is taken by Sista Sherin, who praises The Highest One with her beautiful voice making even a toughest rudeboy break and stop for a moment. The dub version presents Rebelsteppa’s talent again, showing a softer face of the rhythm. Definitely a release worth recommendation!