Recenzje

Recenzja płyty, DVD etc.

Mar

2017

[Review] EGOLESS ft. Tenor Youthman – “Non-Immigrant Song” (ZamZam Sounds)

ZamZam number 50 for me is a great example of balancing with the “centre of gravity” in a release. On the A side, we have the track called “Non-Immigrant Song” and it’s truly an anthem thanks to the emphasis put by Tenor Youthman. A strong voice with a strong message keeps you focused on the story. Egoless’s music here is not trying to cover the vocalist, it is rather minimalistic, no overwhelming effects. But then the dub version comes and here the craziness of sounds and effects begin. Here The Dub talks and do this masterfully…

PS. There is a gift inside this release!

Links:

www.zamzamsounds.com

Mar

2017

[Review] “My Roots Girls” / “My Ethiopian Queen” (Med Tone Records)

An incredible time machine has been prepared recently by Med Tone Records. Well, two machines to be more precisely. They will take you directly to sunny Jamaica in the epicentre of sweet rocksteady vibes. They will do this both thanks to wonderful vocals as well as the riddim and it’s totally old-school warm vibes. In “My Roots Girl” we hear the sweet and beautiful voice of Cornell Campbell. “My Ethiopian Queen” is the DJ version with the pioneer of this style – the master toaster U-Roy! This killer combination doubles the effect and it’s not over – add two dub versions mixed in a good-old dubwise fashion and you will get a wonderful, splendid, one of the best “nice & easy” and enjoyable reggae songs I’ve recently heard.

Links:

www.medtonerecords.com

Feb

2017

[Review] Aketi Ray Meets Alpha & Omega (Steppas Records)

We’ve experienced many extraordinary dub-influenced musical connections thanks to Steppas Records and the new release increases this pool. Sophisticated and artistic dub created by 7-piece band Aketi Ray brings a superb connection between dub and jazz – we can follow the rhythm of the bassline and drums (wonderful sound!) and get into rich and moody melodies of the piano or horns. The versions provided by Alpha & Omega hold the overall mood of this release and the band couldn’t choose a better artist to create remixes. By the way, the mood of this release catches me each time I’m listening to it and, for me, makes this music so amazing. Gloomy and restless, like hiding some unspoken, dangerous truth hidden somewhere in the fog of sounds.

http://steppas.com

http://www.aketiray.com/

https://soundcloud.com/alphasteppa/aketi-ray-mirror-clip

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