Tour de Force

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!