JAHRANIMO AND JAH CURE - I'M FREE

JAHRANIMO AND JAH CURE - I'M FREE
DUBROOM VIDEO REVIEW



WWW, October 2008 - Brand New, Good For You: straight from the prison into the studio, Jah Cure is backing Jahranimo in another great video by Jamaican producer Wayne Benjamin.

One says this, and the other says that about Jah Cure. The well-known Jamaican vocalist spent a long time in jail for rape and even though there are several sides to (t)his story, it is obvious that he is back and not intending to take an unconscious road.

Whether he "did it" or not, Jah Cure is literally a description of what indeed is the cure given by the Most High Jah, which is forgiveness and redemption. And when the Name of Jah is called upon, then He should be taken into consideration.

Indeed: Jah Cure is free and he is now free to show what his name means. When this video is to be seen in that context, nothing but positivity can be said about it.

For this really is a remarkable video, and not only in the way just -more or less- described. The music is a relaxed Roots Reggae, the vocals resemble that of Beres Hammond, it has toasting and singing, a storyline, a message, and all that in just 3 minutes and 45 seconds.

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Aisha - True Roots

Aisha - True Roots
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Mixed and created in Mad Professor's ARIWA SOUND STUDIOS in the UK comes this exceptionally energetic collection of conscious tracks in a true UK DUB tradition. Digital and analogue sounds combined with soulful and heartical vibes, everything mixed skilfully by one of the true Dub Masters. Well, as you can read, I'm kind of enthusiastic about the sound which is coming out of my speakers and without a doubt into the ears of many of my neighbours too. Aisha is a very talented Reggae vocalist, and I'm not the only one who say so. For example, well known ambient dub artist THE ORB has also used her voice.

True Roots contains 9 vocal tracks and three dubs. Vocal tracks which are also mixed in Dub style, while the singer chants her righteous lyrics over the music, the voice gets transformed. The bass is deep and heavy without pushing away the rest of the audible spectrum. This is the work of a true master of Dub, as I said before.

True Roots is specially recommended to all those who are not bothered by (Drum) Computers, especially not when they play a righteous Reggae rhythm. Because the music really is TRUE ROOTS, and Aisha knows how to ride over TRUE ROOTS riddims. The One Drop, Nyabinghi and Steppers rhythms are all represented on this album. I also recommend this album to each and everyone who is into UK DUB, because you will find that from the top to the very last drop.

Freddie Mc Gregor - Come On Over

Freddie Mc Gregor - Come On Over
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Some Reggae Artists, especially singers, release many albums with different styles. When I mention the singer Freddie Mc Gregor, many respond with that he only makes sweet poppy Reggae music, but this is only partially a true observation. Freddie Mc Gregor, a former member of the 12 Tribes of Israel organization, is also the singer of some Roots classics and conscious tunes. Just think of tracks like "Jogging" or "Big Ship", which are both true Rub a Dub/Roots classics. "Come Over" is an album mostly in the same style as the two classics that I mentioned above. When you like Big Ship, you will definitely also love this Rub a Dub album. Many of the riddims are straight on rub a dub tracks layed down by that studio band which arguably can be considered as THE Rub a Dub band, as they used to be the studio band for the legendary CHANNEL ONE (Not: Studio 1). Who? The ROOTS RADICS ofcourse.

Feel the drum and the bass as they lay down the foundation, and the instruments and effects as they accompany the mighty voice of Freddie Mc Gregor. Mighty? Yeah, there's something very powerful and majestic about his voice.

There are also a couple of tracks on the album which can't really move me, some mellow ballads (like "Go Away Pretty Woman") which would be better on a special Lover's Rock album. But the majority of tunes are really recommended, as they are Rub a Dub tunes of the highest order! Just listen to "Shortman" and you'll know what I mean. Or to his Rub a Dub rendering of Bob Marley's "Natyy Dread".

To summarize my thoughts on this album, I would definitely recommend it to each and every Rub a Dub fan, and especially those who digged Freddie Mc Gregor because of his tracks "Big Ship" and "Jogging".

Sister Carol - Jah Disciple

Sister Carol - Jah Disciple
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



As the old soul ballad goes, "this is a man's world", and so it sometimes seems with Reggae Music. When it comes to singers and players of instruments, the men are in a majority. I know some people who even think that the best Reggae must be made by men. A thing which I disagree with, and one of the examples I always give is Sister Carol. In 1981, she started to record music under the eyes of Reggae DJ Brigadier Jerry. This was the age of Rub a Dub style, as dancehall music was called in those days. Jah Disciple was released in 1989, a time in which Reggae was -again- going through a shift, like in the time Sister Carol started to record. Personally, I regard this album as one of the higher quality products in a time in which this was absolutely not a common thing.

The albums contains ten tracks and starts off with a track in true DJ tradition: "Who Can Ram The Party Like Me", with the Sistren chatting about standing firm in this "man's world", she shows a perfect style of sing-jay. In the second track she performs her lyrics in fast toasting style, a style made popular by Brigadier Jerry. Third track is the title track, and it has a very catchy riddim. When the drum and the bass roll on under the Sistren's voice, you can't sit still, you just got to move forward an skank hard. Track four is my favourite Sister Carol track: Potential. This track says: play me loud, louder, and again and again. The drum and the bass-line are of exceptional quality. After this, Sister Carol showing to be able to master the genre of Dub Poetry (Linton Kwesie Johnson, Mutabaruka) with a track livicated to knowledge about African History. The 6th track, "Lost In Space" has a slow ragga-ish vibe, and a message to think about: they go to space but they have no respect for the human race. And that is why they're "lost in space". Intelligence is the title of track after this. A track in clear rub a dub style but with -then- contemporary sounds, as you can hear on Culture's "Nuff Crisis" for example. In this one she combines Dub poetry with Rub a Dub toasting and calls upon people to use their God given brains. Track 8 is called "No Me Mommy and Daddy" and again uses a slow ragga-ish style of drumming, while in the background you hear guitar licks and horn hits. Not the strongest song on the album. A lot of Dub mixing and drum and bassline in the next one, with Sister Carol singing and toasting. The album closes with a track that I do not really like, to be honest. It's almost pure ragga and that can't really move me.

The album has an interesting mix between Drum programming and real play, a document of the later 1980's when digital production became more common and accepted. A pioneering time indeed, and I think that now, in the early 2000's things are getting somewhere. But in the style as used on this album, it's quite acceptable for both digital and analogue fan. The album contains many different vibe, as every track stand in it's own style. The more you hear the album, the more you hear this. To summarize, I would say that this album is a must in your collection, especially when you are interested in Reggae DJ-ing. This is one of the best Sister Carol albums, without apology.

Gregory Isaacs - Sly And Robbie Present Gregory Isaacs

Gregory Isaacs - Sly And Robbie Present Gregory Isaacs
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Personally, I am always very exited over albums or tracks containing both the vocal as well as the dub version in one mix. Albums with such tracks are usually called a "Showcase" in Reggae Culture. This album almost is such a showcase: only the last one doesn't come with it's Dub version. I wonder why. No space? Mmm.... This album used to an LP, but then, in this Re-issue from Ras Records it would have been a nice bonus as a CD can contain much more music then the 36 and a half minutes it lasts now. Clearly a missed change. As the title already indicates, we are talking here about an album recorded during the times in which Gregory Isaacs was a rising star. The "Cool Ruler", as the nickname of the master of the Lovers' Rock genre is called, as he rides over riddims created by Sly and Robbie's own Taxi Gang. Super-tight Roots and Culture tracks as well as some slick Lover's tunes.

The album starts of with a nice version of "Soon Forward", riding on the One Drop rhythm. Gregory's voice reaching the higher regions without problem and the Dub is, eerrr...., cool. The second track (You'll Never Know) is more energetic, as the Steppers Drum are introduced and some chord changes improve the very melodic vibe. Excessive use of Bell Percussion adds to this vibe. It could have been a little less, but then, the song isn't very long too. Track number three is a Roots and Culture song called "Motherless Children": a biblical commandment to take good care of those in need on a tight Roots Reggae rhythm. Roots and Culture is not over with only this track, cause the next song is "Slave Driver", a heartical cry to remember that injustices and wickedness will not last forever. What babylon has done to the slaves will come back at their own head. This track has become a true Reggae Classic, and many artists have recorded or performed their own version of it. Gregory's rendering is not the least of them. After this, Gregory goes back into Lovers' Rock with "Mistake", an upfull tune with some nice conga works in the mix and a dub which is way too short. Not the strongest track on the album. The one after is way and way much stronger: "Going Downtown" is a strong track about Reggae Music as freeing up the minds of people because it gives strength for those who suffer. Hear Gregory singing about the things that were done in the past and how he is not going to allow babylon to push it onto him too. The CD closes of with "I'm Coming Home". As soon as you hear the first lines, you hear that this track comes from totally different sessions than the other tunes. The track is dubby, mellow and low: chill out.

The Dubs on the album aren't really heavy, or excessively psychedelic. And many of them are not of the same length as the vocals. I've heard better dubs from Sly and Robbie and so when I listen to the riddims, I am a bit disappointed. The riddims are good and simply ask for a treat by such as Prince Jammy. The bassguitar is professionally mixed to a prominent position. I would still recommend this album to those who are interested in Reggae's history, as this album features the voice of Gregory during the time in which he was an upcoming star as well as the tight rhythm twins: Sly and Robbie. No essential addition to your collection, but also not a mis-buy.

Various - Dub Massive

Various - Dub Massive
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



I would recommend this album to a particular groups of people: namely those who are getting into Dub music because of contemporary artists. Why? Because DUB MASSIVE 1 features the "Godfathers" of DUB Music. Scientist, Tubby's, Jammy's, the Mad Professor, Jah Thomas, Augustus Pablo and more. A historical introduction to this great style of music that has influenced contemporary music in such a way that, if Dub would never have existed, the music of today would sound totally different. Introducing the Dub Massive in a Massive Dub Set of twenty deadly Roots Reggae Riddims, skilfully mixed by the very ones who were there when the music came to existence. But it is an introduction with a footnote. When I take a look at the selection, I see mainly 1970's Roots Reggae tracks. Perhaps a missed chance for the selector, because it could give the impression to the listener, that DUB is only a music of the past. Especially, because the Mad Professor tracks on DUB MASSIVE are kind of special too, definitely not in the usual UK Vibe. And all this limits the music to a certain era without a specific note.

A good introduction to Dub indeed, but: a historical one. Nuff said. Play the riddims, yah!

Jim Fox - Dub For Daze 1

Jim Fox - Dub For Daze 1
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



When you go to MP3.com you'll find many of the more serious Reggae artists in the USA have been connected with JIM FOX of the Lion and Fox Studios. These artists have a lot of reasons to choose Mr. Fox, as he is a very skilful producer and recording engineer and has made numerous albums for an all-star posse such as Israel Vibration, Culture, Christafari, and Peter Broggs. "The Dubs I do, they are basically a live performance be me working the board.", he says. "They are almost always done in one take. So, no one really decides what to do, including me. I just set to do the mix, and when the time comes, I roll the tape, mix it one time. It becomes a performance which is controlled by the music itself. The board and the song, call out the next move. I became the instrument of DUB." Releases by Jim Fox have a distinguished sound. You can absolutely recognize it. Maximum care and skilful use of professional digital equipment make the recordings always very fresh and clean. Many Jamaican artist are attracted to this sound.

"Time for a monument," must have been the thought in the head of DR. DREAD from RAS RECORDS. This renown producer, who even managed to get Israel Vibration back together for their superb album "Strength Of My Life" asked Jim Fox to dig into his archives and vaults to come up with an extensive collection of DUBS from the Fox.

And so it went.

Jim turned to his archives, and browsed through the names of singers and players of instruments who have visited his studio's. A very huge archive, given the fact that DUB FOR DAZE VOLUME ONE is in fact a double CD with over 140 minutes of music in total.

Most tracks are straight on Rub a Dub and Roots Reggae tracks, you will also find dancehall-ish tracks. And in general, the dubs on DUB FOR DAZE have a wilder and heavier vibe than what I heard from Mr Fox thus far. Where I would normally advice to hear the vocal track along with the dubs when it comes to experiencing his mixing to the fullness, I refrain from this advice when it comes to DUB FOR DAZE. This album features the works of Jim Fox just as much as the all star line of appearance on it and I sincerely wonder why the tracks have not been released before as Dub companions of their released Vocal counterparts as they are definitely beyond the average DUBs from Jim Fox.

Israel Vibration - Dub Vibration

Israel Vibration - Dub Vibration
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



In their original line-up (Skelly, Wiss and Apple), the vocal harmony group ISRAEL VIBRATION was arguably one of the most spiritual in Reggae Music. In the time this review is written (September 2002), unfortunately the group is no longer threegether. Born and raised in Jamaica under terrible circumstances, suffering from polio, the Idren definitely know sufferation. They joined the Rastafarian organization "Twelve Tribes Of Israel" whose leader Vernon Carrington aka The Prophet Gad is said to have formed Israel Vibration as a harmony group. I've had the pleasure to see them in concert a few times and every time it was a big experience to me. The Roots Radics, one of the best backing bands in Reggae Music, were playing a tight roots/rub a dub style and the three singers themselves were simply unforgettable impressive. Especially in their earlier works, this same vibe has been layed down on several vocal albums.

DUB VIBRATION, along with ISRAEL DUB, contains the Dub versions from these early vocal albums. On this collection you'll find the remixes from STRENGTH OF MY LIFE and PRAISES and you'll definitely get value for your money, as the CD is over 70 minutes long. Sixteen tracks of early Israel Vibration in their original line-up of Skelly, Wiss and Apple, all mixed in Dub style by Jim Fox.

When you're looking for spaced out Dub, you will be a bit disappointed with this album, I think. Jim Fox usually performs his Dubs in such a way that he emphasizes certain parts in music and texts instead of his mixing. Therefore, I think that when you also have the vocal tracks, you will be able to apprecilove the Dubs a little more. Just a little, because this album also stands on it's own as a Dubwise experience.

Aggrovators - Instrumental Reggae

Aggrovators - Instrumental Reggae
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



The Aggrovators was the name given to one of the first CHANNEL ONE (Not to be mistaken by STUDIO ONE) studio bands. It is within the Aggrovators, that legendary Reggae Drummer Sly Dunbar developed the "Steppers" Rhythm, with a bassdrum hit on every count. As the title already indicates, "Instrumental Reggae" is not just another Dub Album by the Aggrovators. And although the music is mixed in Dub style, it features the band's horn section just as much as it features the Rhythm Section. And that makes the album kind of special. It's not "instrumental reggae" in the sense that it's just the tracks without the vocals, because on most tracks there is some dub mixing going on. Not too wild, not too heavy, but to emphasize the music itself.

The drum and basslines are all solid, each and every one of them. The horns play skilfully on top of it. Some tracks contain beautiful themes, played powerfully by the whole horn section ("Rocking Jamboree" is a good example of that), where others contain complete saxophone solo's.

Automatically, when listening to "Instrumental Reggae", jazz comes to my mind. Much of the solo's contain Jazzy vibes. But where the solo's are played on Solid Rockers by the Aggrovators, who practically invented the Reggae Genre, it gives a much more powerful vibe.

All in all, I would recommend this album to everyone who like Reggae horns and Dub. It might be not mixed to the fullness, but the solidness of the Aggrovators make that up, and the subtle dub really forms a perfect foundation for the Hornsmen: Tommy Mc Cook and Bobby Ellis. Plus, the fact that the music on the disc lasts well over an hour and can be seen as "packed full" will definitely be another argument to buy the album.

Linvall Thompson & Scientist - Phoenix Dub

Linvall Thompson & Scientist - Phoenix Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Kingston, Jamaica, in the time that many regard as the Golden Age of Reggae. Channel One Studio's. The Roots Radics. Who knows their Dubs shall surely think of the legendary Greensleeves Series, in which Dub Mixer THE SCIENTIST transformed quite a few riddims into spaced out material, which was then released on thematic albums with titles such as "Scientist encounters Pacman" or "Scientists meets the Space Invaders". "We was the ones that made Scientist, me and Junjo - it wasn't nobody else.", I read Linvall Thompson saying in the liner notes of Phoenix Dub. Linvall surely isn't unknown within circles of Reggae Connoisseurs. There are numerous tracks and albums that have him as producer or singer. He was one of the main forces in Jamaican Reggae Music for a long time. His album "I Love Marijuana" has reached legendary status in some circles. Phoenix Dub re-introduces Linvall a new Dub and Reggae massive, in an album that could be described as a missing chapter in the Greensleeves Series I wrote about earlier, be it not that it goes a little further than that.

The album is a re-release by UK based MOTION RECORDS, packed with 14 quality riddims. Almost all tracks are mixed by The Scientist, and a few by King Tubby and Prince Jammy. This alone will make Phoenix Dub go beyond the Greensleeves Series. Many (Scientist) Dubs are mixed in exactly the same style, but Tubby and Jammy each add a different angle to the work. A true all-star list of legendary Godfathers of Dub Mixing! And not only the Dubbing engineers are great, who can beat the riddims played by original Jamaican Studio bands such as the Revolutionaries and the Roots Radics? For an album centred around the person of Linvall Thompson, it really shows the versatility of this singer/producer from Kingston, Jamaica.

Great music, great musicians, great liner notes from the author of the Lee Perry Biography "People Funny Boy" including an interview with Linvall, and everything mixed by the Jamaican originators of Dub. I would strongly recommend this album to each and everyone with a heart that beats on the rhythm of the drum and the bass that make Roots Reggae.

Twilight Circus - Dub Plates 3

Twilight Circus - Dub Plates 3
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



"Eleven Heavy Duty Floorshakers", warns the press-release that accompanied this album by the mighty Twilight Circus Dub Sound System. True to the fullness, I say. Multi-Instrumentalist Ryan Moore gathered tracks previously played stricktly on Sound Systems (Reggae Mobile Discotheques With MC's), had them re-mastered and put on CD for ordinary people like you and me, who can't experience a Sound System every weekend. Now we can our shake own floors too and I know I will. Many articles about Dub Mixing talk about "lo-fi" elements creating special atmospheres. A tape-echo, for example, is actually a recording of a recording of a recording et cetera. Needless to say that this distorts the sound of the echo. This is called "lo-fi" or simply "dirty sounds". Twilight Circus has a special sound that utilizes this principal in many different ways, as the album shows. His wild Dub effects, most of which comes from old skool equipment, show that Ryan Moore is an expert when it comes to showing the beauty of dirt.

Although I like the opening track the most, each and everyone of the eleven floorshakers (cause that's what they really ARE) stand on their own as a demonstration of the versatility of Ryan Moore's musical talents. All tracks are very intense, most of them are highly danceable but equally interesting for spacing out. It can be a very nice experience to try and follow the effects as they change the sound of many different instruments: welcome to Dubnology!

Well, I was warned, at least. The emergency bells are ringing, I hear police sirens coming at my direction and many neighbours with disturbed faces. I didn't warn them.... But I'm warning you: this album is one of the better works of contemporary DUB art released in 2002 and when you love DUBWISE you I specially recommend this album.

Various - Roots Of Dub Funk 2

Various - Roots Of Dub Funk 2
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



UK based label TANTY RECORDS comes with another document of the current runnings in the Dub scene. Tanty, home of the Dub Funk Association, puts a lot of emphasis on electronic Dub. Their first episode in the "Roots Of Dub Funk" series contained many highly experimental tracks in a genre that could not all appeal to many Reggae fans. Volume two seems to go into a more stable direction with the introduction of much more Reggae vibes and I applaud this direction, ofcourse.

First a little track-by-track description. The album opens up with a powerful riddim from the Interuptor, with some nice clavinet effects. Followed is DUBCLASH, an MP3.com artist, with a deep bass rhythm. I-sonic Institute contributed the third track, using weird electronica to create an eastern environment. Next: Heavy UK Dubheads Vibronics with a spacious Dub in the typical UK Dub vibe. And from UK the way goes all down to down under, to Australia, where MP3.com artist THE TECHNICIAN releases his typical Dubs of which extreme long reverbs form the most audible ingredient. The 6th track on the album is called Try Harder Dub, by MP3.com artist MUNKY LEE. A cool, laid back version, using a little synthesizer over a typical roots reggae rhythm. Followed is Finn the Giant, in again a cool and laid back track that couldn't really move me. The next track on Dub Funk 2 comes from Dubital, and can best be described as Reggae Steppers created with electronica. Nice vocoding effect on the vocals. One of my favourites on this album is SOLOMON JABBY's Youth Revolution Dub, an upright rub a dub reggae rhythm, everything dubbed and played with stricktly old skool equipment. Alpha and Omega are up next with a very intense Dub mix of their Contention riddim. It's good to see, that also the Dutch Dub Chemist DUBCREATOR has also found his way on the Roots of Dub Funk series with a typical DC DUB track featuring the voice of Ras Milo. The 12th title of the album comes from MP3.com Dubbers DUBFARM. Listen to a great Roots track called Jah Witness, using the same effect on the bass as Aswad's track Dub Fire and some samples from the movie Rockers. DUB ADDXX are also present on the album with a mellow Dub Reggae Rock track called Gun Ina Dub. And closing this CD was reserved for Faya Dub: Indian tabla's, nicely placed effects, eastern style fluting, bells, but still within the realms of DUB.

All in all, I think that Roots of Dub Funk 2 is a better collection then the first chapter. there is more bands on the CD with their feet strongly rooted in reggae, which is a must for creating good Dub in my perception. Where else can you find a solid drum and bassline that also tells a story? I also like the song order, the track in general getting more into roots each time. The multitude of artists are also online artist, many of them have been featured on the Dubroom. This makes the album also an interesting one. The Roots Of Dub funk series could become an objective report of the current runnings in (online) the Dub Scene, when this growing quality of choice continues!

Messian Dread - Dubroom Archives 2

Messian Dread - Dubroom Archives 2
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



This is the 2nd Dubroom Archive, several tracks from the years 1997-2001.

It contains a "lost track", that wasn't around for some years (Flee Out Of Her My People), several songs from the MESSENJAH DUB era that didn't make it on that album, a re-mix, some collaboration projects, some new tracks (Heroin Version, No Worry Your Mind) and an upfull track called Standing On Solid Rock. Bass on Jah Glory and Bass Amp is played by Vicious Vic, keyboards on Bass Amp were performed by Sure Dread, who also recorded the music on Enters the Dubroom.

Gussie Clarke - Black Foundation Dub

Gussie Clarke - Black Foundation Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Most of the time, when you buy an album, the record is credited to the artist. This doesn't necessarily have to be the case in Reggae Music, where the name of the engineer (Dub mixer) makes a regular appearance. But also the producer's name sometimes is printed on the cover. Black Foundation Dub is such an album. It gives you an indication of the influence that a producer can have on the music that he produces. Sometimes being a producer simply means to pay for the project, but not so in the case of Gussie Clarke and this album proves it. Clarke has produced many of the really big names in reggae: I Roy, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Augustus Pablo, to name but four. He's been in the music runnings since the late 1960's, when he started to produce tunes for sound systems. You can find some stories in the liner notes, like the one in which Gussie tells us how he swapped the music rights of a Delroy Wilson tune for an amplifier. This illustrates very much the unique Culture in which albums like Black Foundation Dub have come to exist.

With the Barret Brothers (Bob Marley and the Wailers) on drum and bass on most tracks, a very solid foundation is layed down for the joyous Gussie Clarke sound as found on this album. If I had only one word to describe the vibe, it would be the word "joyful". Where DUB can be very intense, even haunting, not much of this is found on Black Foundation Dub. Instead of heavy dub, you'll get a more subtle variation of this Reggae Re-mix genre.

Gussie has participated a little in the mixing of Black Foundation, but he left most of the dubbing to King Tubby and Phillip Smart (Tappa Zukie In Dub). Because, as he says in the Liner Notes, he regarded himself only a student in this discipline. But that doesn't mean, that he had no big influence in the sound. The vibe on the album is much to consistent for that.

Black Foundation Dub was originally released on vinyl in the 1970's. There were only a limited number of copies, so give thanks to MOTION RECORDS for re-releasing it. The CD comes with three bonus tracks, the vinyl version with two. One of them is a special extended mix from an Augustus Pablo track called "No Entry".

King Tubby - Legendary Skatalites In Dub

King Tubby - Legendary Skatalites In Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



DUB music has become an influencial stream within contemporary music. Driving drums and deep bass lines playing a (Reggae) rhythm, mystically accompanied by other instruments popping in and out while effects are applied excessively. It's a kind of music, that stands strong throughout many decades. Music like that must be accompanied by many legends, and so it is. According to one of these legends, it was King Tubby who first discovered this powerful vibe called DUB. The story goes that Tubby was getting his four-track recorder ready for a mixing session, playing the drums and bass channels. When he wanted to add the other instruments, he had, by accident, a lot of echo on that channel. Can you say "Eureka"? I don't know how much is true from this legend, but I can remember when I first heard this effect: I felt my stomache turn upside down, a feeling you usually get when you fall in love.

Talking about legends, this MOTION RECORDS release contains 15 tracks, skilfully mixed by the legendary master of DUB. King Tubby is definitely legendary and so are the Skatalites. As you might know, Ska is a predecessor of reggae music and the Skatalites were a major force in this genre during the 1960's. But they also know their way in the much slower Reggae Rhythm, as this album proves. It's Reggae Music, played with the energy and instruments so characteristic for Ska. Heavenly Horns. Authentic Rasta Nyabinghi drummings by legends like Ras Michael. And the list doesn't stop there.

The Legendary Skatalites in Dub is a valuable historical document and the result of a true labour of love. It comes with beautiful Cover Art and some very informative Liner Notes. The notes start with a quote from Skatalites' Bass Player Lloyd Brevett: "All my bass lines are original - 100% original. I don't know how to follow somebody". A remarkable detail is that the bass lines are all played on an upright bass. The sound is warm and deep and when you play this album at the right volume it will definitely "check down your spinal colom", to quote Linton Kwesie Johnson.

All the 15 tracks come from sessions played in the year 1975, a time in which digital studio's didn't exist. Everything was recorded and mixed on equipment that is now considered inferior. But that doesn't mean that the music is inferior, actually quite the opposite is true. This is King Tubby at his best, fe true! Every single tracks has it's own atmosphere, varying from upfull and skanky tunes to deep psychedelic Dub vibes, the ones that so many people immitate until this day.

I Highly recommend this album to all lovers of true Roots Reggae. It's the result of a true labor of love and worth every cent. The album is available directly from Motion Records and the better Record Stores.

Inner Circle, Prince Jammy, Ernest Hoo Kim - Heavyweight Dub/Killer Dub

Inner Circle, Prince Jammy, Ernest Hoo Kim - Heavyweight Dub/Killer Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



When you hear "Inner Circle", changes are that you think of highly commercial reggae, such as their theme song "Bad Boys" which they made for a television program. Others will remember this band from their days with singer Jacob Miller, who unfortunately died much too early in a car accident. Few will remember them for their really killer dubwise albums. And that is really a shame, because this is a Heavyweight Killer Dub album that you'll bound to remember even after hearing it once. So much respect is due to Blood And Fire, for re-releasing another great CD! Heavyweight Dub and Killer Dub were both originally released in 1978. One LP (as they were called back then) was mixed by the mighty Prince Jammy in King Tubby's studio's (Killer), the other one by Maximillian, a reasonably unknown engineer at Channel One Studio's. Further, there's an all star list of musicians who participated in this set of tracks.

It sure is heavyweight, and it sure is a killer! There are many really hard rocking steppers rhythms on this 19 track set, some dubs from well known tracks such as well, and everything is mixed very well too, I can't or won't say different. This is the kind of album that you play when someone asks you what's so special about all this "old skool" material. The riddims are very interesting to listen to, the mixes are intense, and the psychedelic sounds that make Dub what it is, are created the way they should be: by adding effects to instruments.

Although the two albums are mixed by different engineers in different studio's, they match each other perfectly. If I had to choose between them, I would favor the first album (Heavyweight Dub, by Maximillian), because it's mixed much more psychedelically. But really the choice is almost impossible. To have both albums on one CD makes the choice unnecessary anyway.

Doesn't this CD have any negative points? Yes, it does. The lack of vocals is a thing that really bothers me. Only in the last track can you hear some vocals. A little more snippets of Jacob "Killer" Miller's vocals would have been a welcome addition to this set. But perhaps it would then become "too heavyweight", and that's another CD.

Israel Vibration - Israel Dub

Israel Vibration - Israel Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



When the CD was introduced, many albums were re-released on this new format.

Because a Compact Disc can contain more then vinyl, a lot of time you had the opportunity of buying two albums on one disc, a thing that doesn't happen so much anymore. This album is sort of the same.

It contains eighteen Tracks, over one hour, of stricktly Dubwise Style! In fact, Israel Dub contains the Dub versions from what could be considered the two best albums created by Israel Vibration: their debut album "Same Song", and their second, "Unconquered People", played by the Wailers.

Israel Vibration, a vocal harmony trio from Jamaica, are able to put a very special sound on tape. Their voices have touched the hearts of many. Seeing them live was a very special experience for me too. It is said, that Gadman, the leader of the 12 Tribes of Israel, was involved in the production of "Same Song".

The Vibes have been known members of this organization for a very long time. Unfortunately they are not together anymore at the moment I am writing this (February 2002), but this is just another reason to treasure the recordings that they've made threegether. And, as said before, some great recordings are being dubbed on this album.

The first half is reserved for the Dubs of their debut album the Same Song, originally released in 1978. All ten tracks re-call the original vibe of the vocal album. They are a welcome addition to it! The vocals are mixed in and out on very "strategic points", and giving you enough to meditate over, especially when you know the original album. But even if you don't, you will be able to catch the vibe still. And it's a crucial vibe, which can only be established when you have an all star session band backing up some very talented singers.

When track 11 starts, you'll instantly know that the time has come to listen to the Dubs from Unconquered People. Where the dubs from Same Song recalled the atmosphere on the vocal album, "Unconquered" is different and really stands on it's own as a dub album. Originally released in 1980, it's quite interesting to hear digital sounds in the music and in the mix, a thing completely absent in the 1978 recording of Same Song. The band is also different, as said before, this is music played by the Wailers. You can hear Carlton Barrett's famous One Drop in a dubwise style. Unfortunately, Israel Dub doesn't contain the Dubs from all tracks of the vocal album. And it's also not dubbed so psychedelically as the first half. "Survival Dub", for example, contains a saxophone solo that goes on throughout the whole song. But that is not a disadvantage in my view, it just shows the versatility of DUB.

Summarized, Israel Dub is well worth it's money: there are nuff different vibes, the CD is really packed to the max with almost 70 minutes of music. It captures the special sound of Israel Vibration and adds the Dub Vibe on top of it.

Zema - Look At The Heart

Zema - Look At The Heart
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW




When you liked Zema's album Stranger in the gates, you will absolutely love this one, because it contains everything that "Stranger" lacked: a full band with well known members such as Haile Maskel and Zacky Bernard (Twinkle Borthers), an all-stars list of guest appearances (Ras Michael), more songs, and more dubs, mixed skillfully by Scientist. Where the music on Stranger was catchy, the vibes on this one rock hard! Again, Zema comes up with a varied style of riddims, but they all stay with the realm of High Quality Roots Reggae. You can hear that the musicians are all very experienced. The dubs are mixed by the legendary Scientist, I wish that he would have dubbed all the titles, because they're really more than worth it!

The album starts of with "Open Up", a solid track with a nice guitar riff reminding me of Black Uhuru in their "Anthem" era. After this comes the title track, a heartical call to the hypocrites who like to judge their brethren and impress others by calling themselves "leaders". Third title is a cover of Johnny Osbourne's "Give A Little Love", which in my opinion is much better then the original (sorry, brethren Johnny). Or take the next one, "Somebody Wrong", created after a traditional, with special guest appearance RAS MICHAEL, who can be considered as the conga specialist of Reggae Music. Track 5 is called "How Long", with nice (male) backing vocals. It's a heartical sufferer's prayer that I'm sure many can relate to. Next up, "Praise You". In a one drop stop style, this a righteous track filled with praises to the Most High. It comes with it's Scientific Dub mix, skillfully mixed in the style of Scientist Dubs Culture Into Parallel Universe. "Their Own Sight", the next track on the album, is a Steppers Beat over a really powerful lyrics based on an ancient prophesy. Also this track comes with an accompanying Dub Version by Scientist. Followed is the song called "Gain The World", again in a One Drop style. A crucial One Drop style, because the drummer really knows how to play this rather difficult rhythm. One Drop continues in the next track ("Who We Are"), that Zema wrote together with Twinkle Brothers' keyboard player Zachy Bernard, her husband, by the way. There's a little guitar solo in the track as well. The last vocal is my absolute favorite: "Praise Before Battle": a rub a dub tune that I played five times in a row when I first heard it. I just can't get enough from this one, it's so strong, both lyrical and musical. Too bad there is no dub from this one on the album.

Speaking of dubs, I already mentioned them, Scientist has dubbed two tracks on this album. They remind me much of his Dub album from Culture's Payday, also reviewed in the Dubroom.

All in all, I consider this to be one of the better recent roots reggae releases. The sistren is gifted with a great voice, sweet yet strong, schooled yet heartical. Zema belongs to the absolute top of female Reggae Singers, and I am not alone in this opinion. In every critique and review I read, the writers are talking hailing up the album. This is a must for your Conscious Reggae Collection!

Zema - Stranger In The Gates

Zema - Stranger In The Gates
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW




The music of conscious Dreadlockswoman ZEMA has touched my heart from the first moment I heard "Check it out" from this album. And not only my heart, but the hearts of many. Roger Steffens calls it "healing music" and right he is. This is sounds for the soul! Published through her own company Melchizedek Music, Stranger in the Gates comes with 8 Vocal Tracks and one Dubwise track. Most of the lyrics that Zema sings come straight out of the Book of Books, and that makes this album very uplifting. The lyrics that come from her own hand are very powerful as well, for example "Check it out", a call for consciousness that no one should ignore. Over all, listening to Zema's music is a spiritual experience extraordinary.

The music on the disc is upfull and original Roots/Rub A Dub Reggae with a slice of dub here and there. It's played by a tight riddim section based on drums by Sly Dunbar and keyboards by Zacky Bernard, original keyboard player from the Twinkle Borthers. Many keyboards have also been played by Zema herself, who has shared stage with many of Reggae's Greats such as Bunny Wailer and sung backing vocals for Alton Ellis, Leroy Sibbles (Heptones) and many more.

Zema's voice is very skillful and trained. It is a real pleasure to listen to it, from the top to the very last drop! You can hear, that she feels very comfortable in riding any kind of reggae rhythm. I would recommend this album, and other ZEMA music as well, to everyone.

Israel Vibration - Why So Craven

Israel Vibration - Why So Craven
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW




Israel Vibration was originally a Jamaican vocal trio, just like there are many more: Culture, Black Uhuru, Abyssinians, to name but three. The vibes have a very original sound, and unlike many other trio's, each of the members are perfectly able to sing lead and backing vocals. They have released many, many albums, under which "Why You So Craven" This album has not received the credits that it should have, in my opinnion. The fact that it is produced by Henry "Junjo" Lawes has certainly contributed to this stance. Junjo has produced nomerous earlier dancehall music, just remember Barrington Levy, the Scientist Greensleeves series and so on. This rub a dub touch maybe didn't fall good in the ears of some critics, but I can't really tell you why, because Craven certainly belongs to Israel Vibration's top albums.

The basslines and the bass drums are perfectly mixed, the voices from the vibes on top of it, and most of the tracks contain special spiritual lyrics that will move many to tears and give them power and strength to continue living in a Babylon. Tracks like Universal Father, Jah is the Way and Jah Solid Rock are true gems and I can't see how these tracks wouldn't cater to roots fans and conscious dreadlocks.

I mentioned earlier the works of Junjo Lawes. Please don't think, that this album is not roots reggae, because it is. It is roots reggae that is easily accesable, the grooves are nice and sweet so it will move your dancing feet. The instrumentation is impressive, and despite of many musicians, the music isn't complicated.

Black Uhuru - Black Sounds Of Freedom

Black Uhuru - Black Sounds Of Freedom
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Black Uhuru is a vocal trio formed by Don Carlos, Duckie Simpson and Garth Dennis. But the group is best known from the days in which Michael Rose was responsible for the lead vocals. Many, many have come to apprecilove Reggae Music by the works of Black Uhuru. This album is no different, it's a real gem in a collection of jewelry! Black Sounds Of Freedom contains ten beautiful Roots Reggae tracks provided by Prince Jammy's. They're recorded in the days that Michael Rose just joined Black Uhuru. The sounds are really crucial: driven by the innovative drumming of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare's solid basslines, and mixed by the mighty Prince Jammy. It contains the reggae classic "I Love King Selassie" and a very beautiful cover from Bob Marley's "Natural Mystic".

Originally this album was released in 1977 as a debut album and entitled Love Crisis, but it was re-released in 1981, this time it containing different drums and also the mixes were different. Many drum rhythms have changed from One Drops to Steppers beats.

I would like to add some special notes about Sly Dunbar's drumming on the album. I think that he is using very progressive steppers beats, on most tracks of the album at least. It's a true blessing to listen to his drumming and trying to follow it with the ear and heart.

Black Uhuru & Paul Smykle - The Dub Factor

Black Uhuru & Paul Smykle - The Dub Factor
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW




If you want to know what DUB can do to music, you should buy this CD. This is DUB the way DUB should be! Ten mighty riddims layed down by Sly & Robbie for various Black Uhuru albums are mixed in a Special Dubwise style by Paul "Groucho" Smykle. Originally mixed in 1983, this album hasn't lost any of it's quality for me, it remains one of my favorites from the day that is was released. I dare to say that if you don't have this album in your DUB top ten, you don't know what DUB is! Paul Smykle completely changed the vibe of every single track in a very skillfull way. All tracks completely differ from their original versions and have been blended together into one mix for a Dubwise experience extraordinairy! That's right, all the riddims are presented in one big mix, and you'll bound to listen to it from the top to the very last drop once you've started playing the album.

It is simply impossible to ignore THE DUB FACTOR. This album is mixed in 1983, but it will still beat most of the DUB's that are created today. When you'll play it in a chill-out room, people would love it. And that is why you can't ignore it. The further we go in time, the more people like it.

Unfortunately Paul Smykle hasn't released much more of his special DUB mixing. The brethren is well gifted with a lot of talents. He is not only a killer DUB mixer, but also a great painter: the cover art for Aswad's New Chapter of Dub was from his hand.

Mad Professor & Jah Shaka - A New Decade Of Dub

Mad Professor & Jah Shaka - A New Decade Of Dub
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



Two Giants clash: Jah Shaka meets the Mad Professor in a new decade of Dub. The decade has past, the music remains. What happens when two GIANTS in Dub meet? You'll get a collection of some rough and tough stuff as I would say! This is a CD that should be in every serious Dub collector's home, because it contains some of the hardest steppers riddims from the 1990's. It doesn't happen so many times, that after I've finished playing an album, I rewind and play it again. This is one of those very few exceptions. The drum and the bass sound like thunder and lightning, and thunder and lightning it is: many songs come with samples from Louis Farrakhan from the Nation Of Islam, dubbed in and out in waterfalls of echo.

The music is hard! Most of the 11 tracks are steppers, in the traditional UK Steppers style: super tight, and with a low, hard and monotone bassline to guide you through the song. The mixes contain many atmospherical changes, vaguely reminding me of the Conscious Sounds studio's. Beautiful percussion plays. Guitar shots that cut like a razor.

I've read a review from this album saying it's kind of mediocre, but I absolutely disagree and play this one every time. And everytime I play it, the music screams to be played louder and louder, until the house start shaking and the windows are breaking.

U Brown - Train To Zion

U Brown - Train To Zion
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



A concept which is widely used now: fragments of singing vocals, heavy drum and bass laden riddims, and on top of that a deejay chanting.

A concept that comes from reggae music, where the deejays toasted over reggae dub music, showing once more the truth of the words spoken by Tapper Zukie in the 1970's: "Rockers today you will love it tommorrow".

Tommorow is today and the riddims of old still rock until this very day, and even tommorrow, for reggae music is timeless and good reggaemusic will remain interesting.

From what many regard as the Golden Years of Roots Reggae comes this spaced out collection of Bunny Lee produced DJ tracks from one of the masters in the genre: Huford Brown, alias U-Brown. U Brown's voice sounds very much like the one many regard as the originator of this DJ style called "toasting" U-Roy.

One of the most important years in his carreer was 1975, when he had to replace U Roy for King Tubby's, and also started to work with the great Bunny Lee. This is also the year where this four year analogy starts of.

Train To Zion one of the hardest albums that I've heard from the brethren. It's a selection 7 tracks from his album "Satta Dread".

Big up to the Blood and Fire Selector for making this must in every collector's home.

You'll hear fragments of Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell, Horace Andy and many more legendary Roots vocalists, everything beautifully mixed in dub style.

This music keeps on rocking throught the centuries fe real!

Various - Channel One Maxfield Avenue Break Down

Various - Channel One Maxfield Avenue Break Down
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW



A lot of people speak about Studio One as being very important in reggae history, and rightfully so. Studio One is the place where many reggae riddims came to exist. Channel One is another very important studio, where some of the hardest and heaviest Roots Rockers tracks have been recorded. With the mighty Sly and Robbie as the backbone of the Channel One studio bands in the 1970's, this ought to be no suprise. Subtitled "Dubs & Instrumentals From Channel One (Remastered)", UK based PRESSURE SOUNDS suprises us with a massive 16 track disc containing what I can only describe as crucial hard rocking DUBS! Several dubs from Dillinger's mighty CB 200 album, some cuts from the Mighty Diamonds, and Leroy Smart, a very good singer who should have gotten more attention than he does. And that's not the complete list.

Not all tracks are DUBs in the sense of heavy mixing, but most of them are. And they're all "stricktly rockers", as this kind of roots reggae music was called in the late 1970's. Many drum rhtyhms on this album are of the "Steppers" kind, a rhythm said to be invented by Sly Dunbar: a militant rhythm with a bassdrum kick on every count, just like many modern dance tracks utilize this.

Everytime I listen to this album, I get a feeling to turn up the volume until it's so loud that my heart and soul are totally captured by the music! And how can a response be dfferent, with this multitude of crucial hard rocking roots Dubs?