Showing posts with label Style: Lovers' Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Style: Lovers' Rock. Show all posts

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Luciano and Mad Professor - Deliverance Dub Showcase

LUCIANO AND MAD PROFESSOR - DELIVERANCE DUB SHOWCASE
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW


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WWW, September 2014 - What's the difference between a Showcase and a Dub Showcase, Ariwa Style? Well, the fact that not every vocal track is followed by it's Dub (which you can easily change in your player) plus the fact that there's an extra Dub version Of "Three Meals A Day" labeled Sound System Dub. Luciano and Mad Professor In Fine Style!

Of course, when Luciano sings into the multi track recorder at Ariwa studio with Mad Professor at the controls he listens to excellent music. Of course, when Ariwa prepares for Luciano they will come with a variety of musical works that will all emphasize a different side of The MessenJah. Of course a collaboration between Luciano and Ariwa brings niceness.

This is a Dub Showcase, not a Showcase and not a Dub Album. This is an album about Luciano, and the Dubs are there to recall the vocal tracks while they're still fresh in your memory. While Luciano showcases his many sides, from smooth Lovers' Rock to strong Prophetic Calls and Chants to JAH, Ariwa shows they have just the right music for the right vibe. After all, Roots and Lovers Rock are two specialties of the London-based studio's.

As the album plays for this review, the Dubs are all programmed to be played directly after it's vocal counterpart. That means, no change in the sequence for the first 4 titles. Tracks 9-11 subsequently are three vocals, followed by four dubs. Almost one hour of good vibes, freedom sounds and nice dubwise.

The arrangements, playing of instruments, backing and lead vocals, everything is perfectly worked out. Luciano gives his best, while Mad Professor does his best to emphasize the MessenJah in Dub Showcase style. This is not a Dub style for an all-dub album, this is a Dub style that gives you meditation, gives you some extra time to skank pon di riddim. A Dub style that makes you hear new things every time you play the music.

How shall we call it? What about Roots Lovers Rock Reggae, to combine the two dominant styles on Deliverance Dub Showcase? Mad Professor showing he's not just one of the Dub masters in the world, he knows how to produce music by using top musicians and how to mix Dubs from that music in fine style.

From the very first track, a crucial rendering of Dennis Brown's song that gave the title to this album as well, to the very last one ("Three Meals A Day, No Rent To Pay and No Wife To Obey, Talking Bout Detention....") which is a heavyweight Roots Steppers with equal Heavyweight Dub Mixing, this album is what it says. This is Mad Professor showcasing Luciano in his own special style.

So, what was that about an extra Dub version called Sound System Dub? This is Luciano singing from the top to the last drop with Mad Professor mixing the music in Dub style.

Get all tracks, or just a few. When you're into Dub, get the Dub from "Three Meals" called "One Dub A Day". 

The cheapest place is Emusic and no we do not get paid to say that.

BUY AT AMAZON - BUY AT ITUNES - BUY AT EMUSIC (JUST 0.49 PER TRACK)

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Mad Professor (Dubroom Artist Review And Much More)

THE MAD PROFESSOR
artists.dubroom.org/madprofessor

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WWW, July 2014 - He is definitely one of the founding fathers of (UK) DUB and there is so much more that can be attributed to the works of Neil Fraser better known as The Mad Professor. From his London-based ARIWA Studio's to the world (wide web), it's impossible to count the works that this genius has released throughout the decades. The Dubroom's rather large number of reviews of Mad Professor's albums covers only a small portion of his work. A -rather personal- review by the Dubroom editor.

When he was a young child, he had more than an average interest in electronic devices. Perhaps it came through an interest he had, as he reportedly asked his mother who that little man in the radio actually was. Whatever it was, a strong determination and even more efforts led him to start his own recording studio in his home in London, where he recorded the Punk band Ruts DC and also started recording Reggae music.

dub me crazy

Gradually, he became known and this got a real boost with the introduction of his now standard listening material for anyone even remotely into DUB and far beyond that: the DUB ME CRAZY series. Almost single-handedly, he took what was then (early 1980's) a fading trend in Jamaica and popularized it in the UK, Europe and the rest of the planet eventually. The creativity and, yes, without apology, genius mind of the Mad Professor was captured in these early releases and has never disappointed throughout the decades that followed.

It was during these days, that yours truly as a teenager had discovered the sound of DUB and after buying several chapters of the DUB ME CRAZY series phoned the number that was printed on the record sleeves. The Mad Professor took like half an hour, just to talk with this Dutch teenager that was "dubbed crazy". A memory that is precious and a half hour that turned out decisive. 

dub, lovers' rock and roots daughters

Good vibes and always a place for known and unknown musicians and vocalists. Back in the days of MP3.com, several artists had a Dub of their music mixed by the Mad Professor. In the same time, he recorded Reggae Greats like Yabby You and Michael Prophet and created more essential Dub listening like New Decade of DUB with JAH Shaka.

Legendary for his DUB, another side of Mad Professor is his many Lovers' Rock releases. Lover's Rock is a very sweet, silky form of Reggae to which the UK seems to have some kind of signature and ARIWA plays -just like with that other trademark UK DUB- a central role. Usually, slackness is far away with Lovers' Rock and it's absolutely gone with the ROOTS DAUGHTERS that Mad Professor recorded and released. His recordings with singers like AISHA have reached classic status.

massive attack and the orb

ARIWA has not just recorded Reggae Music of the highest kind. Mad Professor has made a rather classic remake of Massive Attack's album No Protection, the ORB used his recordings with AISHA, and that's just two examples from the 1990's. 

thief can't hold him

He got an enormous blow when it turned out that in spite of the good and necessary vibrations produced in Ariwa studio, some wicked person(s) decided to become a thief in the night and robbed everything. A wicked, wicked thing indeed which too not just a lot of time from Mad Professor and his Ariwa crew. Fortunately he regained his desire to share his music with the rest of mankind and we are now obviously at the point where ARIWA is the name for one of the essential sounds of Roots Reggae that is present in this time.

reel to reel reggae

With the rise of the computer and other digital technology came the rise of computer-based music. After the initial time it took to overcome prejudice, computer-based music is now considered to be equal to that which is not directly programmed into a Pentium or what have you. Mad Professor released the second volume of "Reel To Reel Reggae", an excellent sample series for producers which is purchased, reviewed and used by the Dubroom.

reel to real dubwise

Only a short period after Reel To Reel Reggae Volume Two was released and reviewed by the Dubroom, this website released a three-track EP with extended Dub created directly with Mad Professor's Sample Pack. A tribute called "Reel To Real Dubwise", which can be downloaded for free from the Dubroom and a variety of Online Music Distributors like LAST.fm, REVERBNATION.com, and VERSIONIST.net.

world wide web

It is not so difficult to find information and music by the Mad Professor on the Internet. Take YouTube, where it is rather easy to find several video's where he performs live or gives interviews. Even tutorials, when you look a bit deeper. It's not so hard to take a listen, for example at ARIWA's Channel At Youtube or straight from the ARIWA website.

 

visit artists.dubroom.org/madprofessor

Saturday, June 28, 2014

AYSHA LOREN - KEEP IT LIKE IT IS

AYSHA LOREN - KEEP IT LIKE IT IS
DUBROOM REVIEW


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WWW, June 2014 - She's been involved somehow with "Destiny's Child" back in the days, but since this is a thing that is completely irrelevant for the promotion of (DUB) Reggae let's deal with what is. After she's livicated time to be with her family, trained and skillful singer Aysha Loren is now working with John Holt, Frankie Paul and even Luciano while she has just released what can only be described as a true, authentic Lovers' Rock track called "Keep it Like it Is". Yes, please do!

Lovers' Rock is that other side of UK Reggae which may have nothing to do with heavyweight Roots and Dubwise but is nevertheless very much a part of the many styles the big island in front of the European continent has provided the world with. Lovers' Rock: Smooth and silky, yet with a tight riddim or skank section (the guitars etc) and a solid drum and bass line. In other words: Reggae for lovers. Nothing to do with Dancehall and it's outbursts, just niceness and a very pleasant rhythm.

Well, it's a description of Lovers' Rock and it is a description of Aysha Loren's new single "Keep it Like it Is". This sistren has a beautiful voice that suits the silky style of Lover's Rock perfectly. Keep it like it is, indeed, keeping Lovers' Rock exactly like it is. Because it is the way it should be.

The single in fact is taken from an upcoming EP called "Back to You" and when it's representative of this EP, you can say that UK Lovers' Rock has been given an impulse that will help making the genre known to a wider audience, which it should. And for which we pay respect to this sistren.

CHECK MUSIC, GET RECORD

Thursday, September 17, 2009

GREGORY ISAACS - I CARE

GREGORY ISAACS - I CARE
DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW

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WWW, September 17 2009 - This one might not be as well-known as Gregory's classic "Night Nurse", but "I Care" surely will bring up memories for one and vibes to the other. Gregory Isaacs as the Cool Ruler of Lover's Rock fe true!

Friday, June 12, 2009

MAD PROFESSOR - DUB YOU CRAZY WITH LOVE

MAD PROFESSOR - DUB YOU CRAZY WITH LOVE
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

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WWW, June 2009 - It's not just, that he is known for his original and creative DUB mixes. A thing, for which he stands at a lonely height when it comes to the Art of DUB.

His originality includes original concepts, too. What about this 16 track collection of superb Dubs from original Lover's Rock tunes produced by Neil Fraser, aka Mad Professor, in his Ariwa Sound Studio's?

One would almost forget it: with the enormous flood of DUB albums coming from Mad Professor's Ariwa studio's, he also releases an equal amount of vocal albums in a wide variety of Reggae styles, and sometimes even beyond.

His upfull Lover's Rock releases, for example. Sweetness galore, but how does this actually sound when Mad Professor creates some DUB mixes from several of his Lover's Rock riddims?

Dub You Crazy With Love obviously gives the answer.

In 16 tracks, the Mad Professor creates a nice atmosphere that will definitely enhance the vibe when two people who love each other decide to be together for a while, without anyone watching. They could just decide to let it go, while the album plays.

Arguably, without too much words, the Lover's Rock is getting into the Love Vibe even more. Do not expect too much spaced out and tripped out parts, do expect an easy chilled out time where some righteous loving is accompanied by some righteous dubbing in several senses of the word.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

QUEEN IFRICA - FAR AWAY...

QUEEN IFRICA - FAR AWAY...
DUBROOM VIDEO REVIEW

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WWW, March 2009 - On a lighter note, Queen Ifrica brings us this rendition of the secret admirer who just can't get that guy to draw her attention. Or something like that. Sweet Lover's Rock, 2009 style!

Queen Ifrica isn't known to limit herself to Lovers tunes. Her conscious tunes are not the obligated number that many artists seem to play. After all, every Reggae artist has to at least make one tune about Jah or a conscious topic. And surely not all of them mean what they sing...

However, to dismiss lovers tunes is to dismiss the fact that love between a man and a woman is a fact in so many people's life. This one is for them, and for all others too, who love some Reggae Music!



Friday, October 17, 2008

LOVE IS THE MESSAGE

LOVE IS THE MESSAGE
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW




WWW, December 2007 - Nineteen crucial tracks full of love and romance! Even Marvin Gaye is present, as he rides Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain" in what is another fine selection by DJ Dr. Tahl.

Sweet Lovers Music is no rarity within Reggae Music. From X-rated Dancehall (often referred to as "slackness") to sweet romance and everything in between, there is a Reggae tune about it.

And when there is one, there are many!

Of course, there is Gregory "Cool Ruler" Isaacs, whose name is more or less synonymous with Lover's Rock. There is Lincoln "Sugar" Minott, whose sweet soulful voice will out-sing just about any so-called superstar. There is Echo Minott, too, who has the dubious honor to have first coined the phrase "slackness" in one of his releases.

Of course they are all present in the 11th episode of DJ Dr. Tahl's excellent podcast, alongside a whole host of known and lesser known artists. There is even a track by Marvin Gaye, riding the "Waiting in Vain" riddim.


PLAYLIST

01 Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse
02 Gregory Isaacs - Your Smiling Face
03 John Holt - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
04 John Holt - Love You To Want Me
05 John Holt - Anymore
06 Horace Andy - Baby I Love You
07 Horace Andy - Tell Me Why
08 Horace Andy - Ain't No Sunshine
09 Leroy Smart - Waiting in Vain
10 Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Waiting in Vain riddim)
11 Peter Hunnigale - Let's Stay Together
12 Mary J. Blige - Be Without You (Istanbul Riddim )
13 Angie Stone meets The Viceroy's - My Man (feat. Floetry)
14 Echo Minott - Love Problems (Joe Gibbs)
15 Barrington Levy - My Woman (Joe Gibbs)
16 Marcia Aitken - I'm Still in Love with You (Joe Gibbs)
17 Cornell Campbell - Two Timer (Joe Gibbs)
18 Ranking Joe - Stop You Comming & Come
19 Joya Landis - Moonlight Lover (Trojan)


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