Dub Dynasty - Thundering Mantis (Dubroom Album Review)

DUB DYNASTY - THUNDERING MANTIS
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Digital download, vinyl, CD, or a combination: the formats vary, the source does not. That source being the UK DUB Twins Alpha and Omega with a brand new release on their Steppas Records label. Nine vocal tracks featuring a world wide group of singers alongside their DUB counterpart carrying the unmistakable Alpha and Omega sound.

Dub Dynasty is Alpha and Omega and Alpha Steppa: yes, the next generation. Son and nephew, to be exact. 

With that out of the way, let's talk about the music. Thundering is the right word for the floor-shaking bass sound that we're used to when it comes to AO productions. This double vinyl release doesn't lack any of it. The real interesting part of Thundering Mantis is the fact that not just do we have a whole range of vocalists ranging from a more meditative eastern style talk to heartical singing (Prince David), there is an equal amount of producers who lent some of their material to Alpha and Omega. 

It's Alpha and Omega, yes, and it's more.

With two vocals and two dubs featured on Radio Dubroom 2014 Chapter Eight, you can get an idea.

This is a musical release that's, well, kind of obligatory when you are into the more heavy side of Sound System DUB. Whether you're into digital download, CD or just plain vinyl for that bass sound the choice is yours. 

Whatever you do: support the independent DUB movement with your purchase, it's so much needed.

BUYING OPTIONS

   

READ REVIEW AT DUBROOM WEBSITE

Various Artists - United As One (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITED AS ONE
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 20 2014 - Something brewing in the Mediterranean: The Maltese Net Label Dub Key and it's Cyprus based Dubophonic counterpart joined strength with a solid and varied (DUB) Roots Reggae release as a result. Music with a message, music with a soul and general conscious vibes. Can't refuse this one. 

They've been anticipating this release with an excellent promo mix that could be download only a hundred times. That is, until the day of the actual album release and -not completely coincidental- the day of this review as well. Over here at the Dubroom we've anticipated with the inclusion of the very same promo mix in a podcast released yesterday and a determination to publish the first review of this more than excellent album for the online massive.

Why?

You've guessed it: this is not just another musical release. In fact, where the two Mediterranean Net Labels continually work on increasing their quantity and quality, this release drops the two heavyweights together with a musical explosion as result. Remember: when the music hits, you feel no pain but you do feel the positive vibes of this collaboration. "United As One" sets an example for this time, wherein we do no longer need to "kill soundboys" but rather say "One Love", especially in the Sound System culture with which both Dub Key and Dubophonic have their connections.

Both labels have singers and players of instruments, engineers and producers and they've been voicing, playing and mixing each other's work. The album that came out on this September 20 2014 carries 16 mixes of four riddims. Vocals and Dubs follow each other as each riddim is presented in a truly different form. Truly sixteen different tracks, that you really want to play from the top to the very last drop. Unless you're a (online) selector in which case you will find that the track will be very fit for a different sequence in your own DJ set. 

This is niceness, this is a must download. The only problem you face is this: from which website are you going to download it? From DUB KEY or DUBOPHONIC? 

You'll sort it out.

READ MORE

Crucial Alphonso - Visionary Creation (MP3 Album Review)

CRUCIAL ALPHONSO - VISIONARY CREATION
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - True Original Sound System Style: six titles all with two versions. Pumping steppers riddims, some played by the mighty King Earthquake (UK) and all created in Crucial Alphonso's Belgian Studio. When you like your digital, when you like your steppers, when you need your bass, just download this free release by that Maltese DUB KEY Net Label.

Crucial Alphonso grew up with Reggae. His father a Reggae DJ, his own voicing at Sound Systems and ability to create his own electronic devices, it was only a matter of time before he would start releasing his own production. As said, as done. Twelve outstanding pieces of digital niceness that yuou can play soft but preferable loud with a lot of bass.  

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Various Artists - Strictly Analog Dub (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - STRICTLY ANALOG DUB
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - It comes with the puristic title "Strictly Analog Dub", but Dutch Net Label Dubbhism does not deliver that with this otherwise very interesting and enjoyable free Net Album. No, this is not the first negative music review in the Dubroom. Confused? Read On.

You got purists -some would say fetishists- of all kinds. Reggae purists, Dub purists, Analogue purists, Digital purist, Vinyl purists, ah, well you get the idea. The kind of purism that's brought forward in this really nice album is the analogue purity. That is to say, analogue recording and effects purity. Not all tracks are Dub, not all tracks are Reggae, not all tracks are played with analogue equipment. Unless you would call a drum computer and other obviously sequenced stuff analogue. Like these folks.

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Luciano and Mad Professor - Deliverance Dub Showcase

LUCIANO AND MAD PROFESSOR - DELIVERANCE DUB SHOWCASE
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

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)

Roots Raid - From The Top (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

ROOTS RAID - FROM THE TOP
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Get ready for something really, really crucial: Roots Raid's "From The Top" is an album that you just have to hear. And since it's offered as a free download from the Original DUB Gathering Net Label, there is simply no excuse. Read on why.

Roots Raid is a cooperation project of the bassist of the French DUB Reggae Band Ondubground and Bongo Ben. They're based in the heart of the French country and are part of the Eurodub and Roots Movement. "From The Top" is an album where the two producers showcase their art and skills, along with vocalists like Ranking Joe and Billy Berry.

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A Ruff Guide To Ariwa Sounds (Dubroom Album Review, Full Stream Available)

A RUFF GUIDE TO ARIWA SOUNDS
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Vocal tracks, Discomixes and of course DUB Shots. "A Ruff Guide To Ariwa" has it all and look at the title: it's not a "Ruff Guide To Mad Professor"! The well-chosen title for this compilation of sounds from the London based Studio has a few classics from "back then", but it also features some of the -outstanding- work of Joe Ariwa. Not to mention the all-star list of further appearances, that is.

It should not be a surprise: over here at the Dubroom we're not ashamed to big up Ariwa wherever possible. That's not just because of the original and even leading sounds and riddims, not just because of the consistency in quality with the enormous quantity. It's equally because of the importance of Ariwa for (DUB) Reggae in general.

No, this is not an exaggeration.

It's one of the few studio's that were founded in the late 1970's, only to continue to this year 2014 and still release all forms of Reggae, from Lovers' Rock and Roots Daughters to Heavy, heavy Dub. Throughout the decades careers were launched, revamped, extended. Bringing consciousness on many levels and issues, being responsible for the incorporation of DUB in many musical styles (Massive Attack, Ruts DC) and thus spreading the vibe to millions and millions.

All this is captured in "A Ruff Guide To Ariwa Sounds". All this, and some more things. Like the crucial mixing skills of Joe Ariwa. 

Listen, support, buy. Emusic is the cheapest option and no we're no Emusic affiliate.

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

LISTEN IN FULL FOR FREE:

Dubsynaticx - Studio Dubs Volume 1 (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

DUBSYNATICX - STUDIO DUBS VOLUME 1
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Whenever you see "Part One" in the title of an album, it's always intriguing: when it turns out to contain niceness, you know there's more of that niceness coming your way. Right? Presenting Part One of Studio Dubs, presenting Dubsynaticx, presenting some Dub Niceness. Yes I!

Dubsynaticx is Daniel Rossman, from Vienna Austria. He grew up with Reggae music and in 2015, he can look back at ten years of releasing his music online. Yes, the Dubroom should apologize to this Dub producer for not having discovered him before. Is his music that crucial, you might ask, and the answer is YES. It's definitely an addition to the variety in Eurodub and Roots land. We can get it thanks to the Idren at the Cyprus-based Dubophonic Net Label, responsible for this excellent April 2014 release.

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Ibel - Love Fe Life (EP) (Dubroom MP3 Review)

IBEL - LOVE FI LIFE (EP)
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2014 - Three vocals, four dubs: Love Fe Life is a joyous collaboration between Jamaican vocalist Ibel and Med Dred based on another island, namely that of Cyprus. The Mediterranean vibes are there, undeniably. The Jamaican vibe, too. There's even a UK Dub vibe coming in the form of a Dub by Dub Caravan. Get this one for some Ireness!

Ibel Campbell (b. 1967) is a conscious, peacefull Rastaman who loves to share good vibes, because he knows that this is so much needed. Not just on Jamaica, not just on Cyprus, not just in the UK but everywhere. Love Fi Life comes with three vocal tracks, all equally conscious. Four dubs, too. The last track, dubbed by Dub Caravan in the UK is the heaviest, the other three dubs are more dub counterparts to the vocal tracks, giving you some time for meditation on the words you just heard.

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Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection (CD Edition)

MESSIAN DREAD PRESENTS A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION (CD EDITION)
DUBROOM CD ALBUM RELEASE

WWW, August 27 2014 - About a week after the release of the Net Album, here came the CD edition of Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection. No less than 16 tracks, a special license for all DJ's and full high quality cover art: it most certainly transcends it's online version. On top of that, obtaining this physical product will show that you are not just serious in your support for (DUB) Reggae Music, but about your own record collection as well. After all, this is a selection of very special tracks featuring legendary names like U Roy, Prince Jazzbo and Dillinger.

Of course, when you're just interested in the music and satisfied with burning your own CD you can simply jump to the Net Album download page and get the CD Quality wave files from there. No problem. This is not a release to make money, this is not even a promotional tool for Messian Dread and/or Dubroom Productions, while most of the vocalists featured on the album absolutely need no promotion either. This is simply an opportunity to get your hands on a physical presentation of the 2014 developments in the Dubroom studio and the reasons to want that can vary.

The reasons for the creation and eventual release of this album didn't vary. It's a selection without objection, after all. A selection documenting the enormous improvement in sound and other quality when compared to pre 2014 Dubroom productions. One reason. A selection that deserves to be presented with the special designed cover art because it tells a story. Another reason. A very special way of saying thank you to all those who have been supportive in one way or another. More reason. A physical quality product that more than justifies the price because it is a valuable addition to any Reggae record collection. Nuff reason.

This is a high quality product like any audio CD. The full color cover art (including on the disc itself) is printed in superior quality and the tracks are exact duplicates of the CD Quality Master Tapes (16 Bit, 44.100 Khz). The album itself was created in a special process at AMAZON.com called Create Space. The musical works, the cover art, getting a UPC number: it took several days of working, tweaking, and reviewing both at the side of the Dubroom and at Amazon's. The process was concluded when the physical review copy was sent to the Dubroom via very snail mail and subsequently approved before it went live at Amazon. In fact, Amazon is the only place where you can actually get the album. 

The price is set at $12.50, which is quite reasonable for 70 minutes of pure heavyweight Dubwise and since Amazon has all these special shipping offers, it's even possible to have it shipped to your doorstep for close to no costs. The CD and cover art are printed on demand exactly like the copy that was physically reviewed and approved at the Dubroom, so you'll have the sign of approval from the Dubroom. Since Amazon is responsible for creating and shipping the exact high quality duplicate of the approved copy, you will have all the Amazon guarantees when it comes to the quality of the physical product itself. In short: The Dubroom approves the album, Amazon certifies you'll get what we approved. 

A labor of love for (DUB) Reggae and the many vocalists present on the album. Purchasing it is an equal "labor" of love for the very same. 

Nuff said.

TRACKS:
01. Dennis Alcapone - Dub the Dub you Dubwise (4:15)
02. Dan Man - Blaze the Dubwise (3:41)
03. Dillinger - Dwell in Love and Dubwise (3:45)
04. Trinity - Light of this Dubwise (3:55)
05. Kojak - Prevailment of Dubwise (3:43)
06. Messian Dread - Loving Dubwise (3:46)
07. Prince Jazzbo - Rastafari Dubwise (3:29)
08. Seamus Ikonya - Babylon Dubwise (5:15)
09. U Roy - Mash Down Satan Dubwise (4:00)
10. Horseman and Dan Man - Robber Dubwise (3:39)
11. Messian Dread - Crazy but Dubwise (3:43)
12. Lone Ranger - Rock and Come in Dubwise (3:48)

BONUS TRACKS:
13. Messian Dread - His Imperial Dubwise (4:03)
14. Dennis Alcapone - Dub to be Conscious (3:54)
15. Horseman and Dillinger - Dangerous and Dubwise (4:16)
16. Dillinger - Dwell in Love and Dubwise (Extended Dub) (5:26)

 

COVER ART (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Booklet Front

 
Booklet Back

Booklet Inside

Tray Outside

Tray Inside

The Disc

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF THE ALBUM:

Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 4: MD Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection (CD) by Radio Dubroom on Mixcloud

 

Don Goliath - Rootsstep Colossus

DON GOLIATH - ROOTSSTEP COLOSSUS
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2014 - Twelve selections directly from the enormous catalogue of Don "Rootsstep" Goliath, who was recently reviewed and interviewed in the Dubroom. Twelve selections of pure niceness for the lover of Roots Reggae and Dubstep alike, an enormous accomplishment in itself. It's yours for free!

According to the folks at LCLWEB, the Net Label responsible for this 12-pack of digital roots niceness, it wasn't that easy to pick twelve tracks and we here at the Dubroom can only have empathy for that. When you love this sound, you just can't get enough of them and since the quality of the music is rather consistent, you just want it to play on and on. Well, we can do that for a full 50 minutes long at least, thanks to what must have been days of choosing time.

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Don Goliath - Rootsstep To The World Chapter 24

DON GOLIATH - ROOTSSTEP TO THE WORLD PART 245
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2014 - Yes, it could be that you missed the Dubroom's interview with and review of DON GOLIATH and his unique sound called ROOTSSTEP with links to volumes 1-23 of his ROOTSSTEP TO THE WORLD series. It could be, but it shouldn't given you just had the link provided. Well, you can read on too and check the link later for that's a thing you simply just want to do. Introducing the 24th Chapter of Don Goliath's excellent series and this time he brings U Roy, Wayne Mc Arthur. Victor Tebebe and Princess Black Inna Rootsstep Style!

It's truly incredible to see just what Don Goliath has produced just the last 1 1/2 year or so. In spite of his name, this one Goliath has nothing against Jah and even more, he is active in spreading JAH Music into this next century and generations with his unique sound. It's a sound that many will say is "Dub Step" and not just because of the four-letter word in the term Roots Step. However, this is Reggae and it is even Roots Reggae. 

Reggae is a rhythm that one can play in many styles. Roots Reggae is a rhythm and a vibe that one can play in many styles as well. Yes, it is a big mistake to look at Reggae as a genre of music. It's not. It can be that old Studio One Sound, it can be the 21st Century Rootsstep Sound, but it remains to be the same rhythm. This, in a nutshell, is Don Goliath's Rootsstep Sound.

This is a sound that will appeal to lovers of Dubstep and it will appeal to more open-minded lovers of Roots Reggae too.

This is a sound that gets the support from a whole army of well-known vocalists like U Roy, featured on this album. Not without reason, for what it shows is that the sound might change throughout the generations, the message does not and the music does not.

This is a sound that you should check out and support, when you are positively interested in the promotion of (DUB) Reggae and Consciousness. You will find many, many conscious messages throughout the 24 chapters. Messages that need to be heard by every generation. RIGHT-CLICK HERE for a legal mixtape of the album straight from the Don's website or better: CLICK HERE FOR ITUNES.

Or CLICK HERE for our interview with the Don himself.

CHECK MUSIC, GET RECORD

SINGER TEMPA - CUT MORE COLLIE

SINGER TEMPA - CUT MORE COLLIE
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2014 - In this May 2014 release from the Maltese Net Label DUB KEY, we are getting introduced to Singer Tempa inna Showcase Stylee! UK DUB and Roots Reggae as authentic as it can be, from the top to the very last (DUB) drop. Skillfully played by the MessenJah Music Players, mixed by Apocalypse Dub Faction's Rod Chaplin, and skillfully voiced by a veteran in conscious Roots Reggae. Read on and download this gem for free!

First things first: this is Singer Tempa's debute album. He is the house MC for the Lion Heart Sound System, while he voices for MessenJah as well. Yes, he is based in the UK where a culture of Roots Reggae Sound Systems dates back decades. It is in this culture that Singer Tempa was born and where he grew his vocal talents by continually performing with sounds.

"Cut More Collie" is a ShowCase album. You will get the vocal tracks but the dub versions as well. Niceness fe true. Four vocals, four dubs, one Discomix long. Everything in the UK Roots and DUB Tradition, which simply means a massive piece of work that cannot be absent in your collection of better and higher quality free/legal DUB Reggae Music. 

A crucial release by DUBKEY once again! 

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BRYAN ART - FRESH START EP

BRYAN ART - FRESH START EP
DUBROOM REVIEW

WWW, July 2014 - The first thing you should avoid is to take the title of this EP serious. You should take the name Bryan Art serious, though, and the four excellent musical works of this release even more. Why? Well, that's the four dollar question you will see answered in this review of Fresh Start, the EP.

First, the music. Four excellent contemporary Jamaican Roots Reggae tracks, perfectly recorded into the multitrack by Bryan Art's FILE13 Band. This is the kind of Roots Reggae that counters the slackness and emptiness that is the majority of (Jamaican) Dancehall. This is the kind of Jamaican Music that brings blessings to the whole world. 

With special appearances by none other than Sizzla and Queen Ifrica accompanying his evidently talented and skilled voice, "Fresh Start" is an essential introduction to this multi-tasker in Reggae Music as well. The name Bryan Art, namely, should need no introduction and the fact that it might is a shame. So in a way, Fresh Start is a proper title. It's a fresh start for us as listeners, a fresh chance to get ourselves familiar with this very interesting brethren.

Bryan Art is a guitar player, song writer, band leader, and a singer. Among other things. He has toured all over North America and Europe, sometimes as part of a backing band and sometimes in a different setting. He has been the guitar player of the Fire House Crew, that is King Tubby's House Band personally formed by the Godfather of Dub himself, band leader for Bushman's backing band, the list goes on and on. The music of this Art is not to be ignored or underestimated!

So, what's this with a four-dollar question? Isn't that just a tip on a meal? Well, yes. It's also the price you pay for the four excellent musical works when you CLICK HERE. Get your Fresh Start now and if you must, you can also listen to this quartet of excellency before you do below.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE LOST BOOKS OF DUB CHAPTER TWO

VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE LOST BOOKS OF DUB CHAPTER TWO
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, May 2014 - The second installment of the "Lost Book Of Dubs" features 20 massive Roots Reggae and DUB works by both well and lesser known names. This is another album that should not be absent in the collection of any self-respecting collector of the better works, and not just because it is offered free of charge by the DUB Iration Sound System!

Usually, a little name dropping sets the stage but this would absolutely not be justifiable in the case of "Lost Books 2". This is a release in the "all-killer-no-filler" category, where we're taken from a militant steppers to a meditative two drop and back again, while conscious messages are being delivered all the time as well.

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APOCALYPSE DUB FACTION - JAH NEVER FAIL I

APOCALYPSE DUB FACTION - JAH NEVER FAIL I
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, April 2014 - Opening up with a very fine vocal and Dub carrying the voice of Rueben Addis (Unitone Soundimentional whose very fine "Zion Chant", released by DUBKEY.Com was also reviewed in the Dubroom), Jah Never Fail I is another crucial release by the Maltesian Net Label. The Apocalypse Dub Faction, no stranger to long time visitors and readers of the Dubroom, brings us 14 titles of pure UK DUB and ROOTS you just can't refuse. Read and download n.o.w.!

Rueben Addis is not the only vocalist featured on this release: Kenny Knots and Prince Alla join in and they do not dissapoint at all. The simple fact that everything recorded was recorded roughly between 2000 and 2005 simply shows another fact: this is music for all times and seasons and those who love their drum and bass vibrations simply know what to do with the album.

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UNITONE SOUNDIMENTIONAL - ZION CHANT

UNITONE SOUNDIMENTIONAL - ZION CHANT
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, April 2014 - Those who know their UK DUB and ROOTS business when it comes to production and Sound System, should not need to be introduced to the UNITONE SOUNDIMENTIONAL. Rueben Addis has been running the Sound since the start when he joined Mixman who was then setting up his Blakamix productions back in the early 1980's.

Net Label DUBKEY.com's first release of 2014 carries singers as well: Zebby Blax, who provides us with the opening track for example. Together with a fine accompanying Dub by Rueben Addis, that is. Hatta Benji is there too and Sis Dinah, adding the Roots Daughter vibe.

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JAH ROOTIKAL STEPPERS - JAH ROOTIKAL STEPPERS

JAH ROOTIKAL STEPPERS - JAH ROOTIKAL STEPPERS
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, April 2014 - Jah Rootikal knows his Reggae. Jah Rootikal knows his Dub. Jah Rootikal knows his Steppers! With his self-titled début album, the UK based producer delivered a magnificent piece of artistical work. Or should it be: works? Twelve titles filled with love for the music, love for the sound, love for the Dub. One Love!

For the music on the album, Jah Rootikal got together with a number of musicians he knows from his long time involvement in playing and producing music. Vocals, melodica, conga, nuff stuff. The result: a combination of played and programmed materials, everything skillfully mixed into Dub works in the UK Dub style avant la lettre. 

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DONE FE - JERICHO 12''

DON FE - JERICHO 12''
DUBROOM REVIEW

WWW, April 2014 - The first batch of vinyl was sold out quite easily, and not without reason: here are four tracks by the great producer DON FE by Steppas Records and they have a story to come with the music!

The opening, "Jericho" has server as an exclusive for the well known Channel One Sound System for quite a while. They've used the tune during festivals like Nottinghill Carnival, a highly popular event for the lovers of Roots Reggae Music. Listening to the tune, you can imagine it going through the speakers of one of the best Sound Systems and shaking the place.

It's an instrumental tune and it needs a Dub counterpart. Yes, it is given: "Walled City". Slightly more dubby than the first take.

The second riddim, or B-side of the 12'' is another massive one by the spanish producer. It has a different vibe but is nevertheless equal as a Dubrockers riddim. Like in "Jericho", there's a flute which is there but not in a boring way at all. This is a good addition to the solid drum and basslines.

These four upfull tunes, joyous and solid in the same time. Again,no wonder why the first vinyl batch was sold out. A fine release by the relatively new STEPPAS RECORDS LABEL.

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UPTOWN REBEL - RANDOM ROAD

UPTOWN REBEL - RANDOM ROAD
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, April 2014 - Three years after his debute album, Uptown Rebel returns in the year 2014 with a heavyweight nine-track DUB album. With collaborations by Dub Machinist, Sammy Gold and Zion UK, Random Road has become a more than pleasant work of DUB Art.

Electronic DUB Art, that is. In a Roots Reggae Style.

The opening track, featuring Sammy Gold at the microphone is an easy going One Drop style Roots tune, with conscious lyrics for your heart and soul to meditate upon. During the massive Dub version, for example. Bredda Sammy surely has a message for each and everyone to take heed while Uptown Rebel has the riddim and the Dub mixing skills to accompany it just in style.

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