DUBROOM (DUB) Reggae Reviews

Music Industry Austerity Hits The Dubroom: Hundreds Of Reviewed MP3's No Longer Available

2013-04-17T14:49:00.002+02:00

WWW, April 2013 - Sad and bad news: it turns out that IODA has pulled the plug out of it's promotional program which provided the Dubroom visitors with hundreds of free and legal MP3 files. This means that currently, hundreds of links do no longer work and will have to be removed in the upcoming times. Truly a sad "development" for the Online (DUB) Reggae Community and for the Dubroom visitors in particular, as a true resource of available Reggae has been switched of with the touch of a button at some company HQ.
Not much is known about this move, but it seems like it has something to do with a fusion between IODA and The Orchard, a New York based company. Here's one blog about it:

The Quiet Death Of IODA Promonet
Most people don’t know what IODAPromonet is, or was. And I don’t see any news articles about it closing, so I’m making a little post to say goodbye to what was a remarkable resource. IODA (now merged with Orchard) is an online distributor of recordings: they take the music made by independent labels like the one I record for, and feed it out to iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and other online music retailers and subscription services. Promonet was a site that IODA created, which gave bloggers some tools to easily post and promote music in the IODA catalog. The idea was to encouraged people to discover and promote music in the “Long Tail” – the vast, undiscovered or under-discovered bulk of contemporary recorded music. I used it extensively, posting links to hundreds of records and promotional free mp3s that I found there over the years. Word is that as of today, the site is going dark along with all the content in it. I’ll miss it. But it isn’t a huge surprise. In the evolution of music and commerce in the digital age, there are hundreds of former sites. I’ve been following this stuff since IUMA. What a long strange tail it’s been.

http://ericdin.com/the-quiet-death-of-ioda-promonet/

We could MP3.com to that list as well, along with other (smaller) sites.

Now, what does this mean for the Dubroom? Apart from the obvious "austerity" as hundreds of reviewed MP3's are no longer available for download or use in future podcasts, it's kind of "back to basics" because the focus will obviously be more to the independant online producers, musicians and net labels.

In the coming weeks, links and reviews will be removed from site, forum and blogs.

EDIT May 2012: Links have been removed from site, forum and blogs. The reviews have not been removed but remain as so-called "orphan pages", pages without any link to them. Should in the future the tracks become available again, it would then be more easy to bring them back "alive".

ROOTS 'N' FUTURE - DUBPLATES FOR POWERFULL SOUND VOLUME 1

2012-09-20T00:00:00.000+02:00

ROOTS 'N' FUTURE - DUBPLATES FOR POWERFULL SOUND VOLUME 1DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2012 - If only for the hard-hitting "Business of War" and it's even harder hitting DUB version, you just have to download this 2010 release by the Swiss based Audioactivity Net Label who brought us such excellent compilations as DUB Propaganda and DUB Disaster 1 and 2.

As a matter of fact, Roots 'n' Future is a project and collective based around the drummer of the band High Note, Dino. When this is the first of many Dubplates for Powerfull System, it's a very promising one. There's a wide variety of styles on the album, even some Dubstep tracks that you may or may not like. Those with a focus on Steppers DUB will definitely want to check out the album, in fact every lover of DUB Reggae should.

As said in the opening paragraph, tune called "Business of War" and it's heavyweight DUB counterpart is reason enough to download the album. Definitely one of the hardest Steppers DUB recently reviewed right here in the Dubroom.

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GUITOUD - CONSCIOUS RASTA

2012-09-19T00:00:00.000+02:00

GUITOUD - CONSCIOUS RASTA
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2012 - Straight from the French (DUB) Reggae underground, this very interesting one filled with eleven titles all starting with the letter C. C as in Conscious, even though there are hardly any lyrics in this no-nonsense instrumentalist Reggae album.

"Conscious Rasta" is indeed interesting for a variety of reasons. Much thought has been put in the music, both in the samples as well as the (excellent) instrumentation and overall concept. Expect an album that is filled with intelligence and style, as you listen to the instrumentals with nuff Dub effects here and there you will definitely recognize the amount of work that has been put in it.

The production itself has an interesting combination of programmed and played parts. It has an analogue vibe without becoming too much like an old-skool album. You just don't really know what is played and what is programmed and it's a real challenge to try and decipher just what exactly is put in the mix.

Even though this is not a DUB album avant la lettre, it has more than enough mixing work. Even though it is an Instrumental Reggae album avant la lettre, it will also appeal to those that are looking for echoings, reverberations and other vibes we know from Dub.

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DUBROOM MP3 ARTIST REVIEW: KING TUBBY

2012-09-08T00:02:00.000+02:00

KING TUBBYDUBROOM MP3 ARTIST REVIEW

WWW, September 8, 2012 - Widely considered to be the godfather of DUB, King Tubby's name is as essential in the art of remixing Reggae as Bob Marley is for Reggae in general. Osbourne Ruddock's oeuvre gets into the thousands if not tens of thousands of tracks, created in two decades of which the 1970's was the most productive one.

His career started way back in the 1950's, when he began repairing stuff for the sound systems. A talented repairman, Tubby's soon started his own sound system called King Tubby's Hometown Hi-Fi. His original approach would prelude his later DUB era as he would add effects to the tunes played on a pristine sound.

In the 1960's, Tubby would become a remixer for Duke Reid. Usually, these remixes or versions would simply be an instrumental counterpart of s vocal track and released on the B-side of 7" singles. But King Tubby went much further as he not only stripped the vocals but also other instruments. In just a few years time, the first decade of DUB was a fact.

He started his first studio in the early 1970's. It was a small studio, no room for recording music but designed to mix from multi-track tapes from other studio's. The very first dub room, if you will. In this studio, which later had room for recording vocalists as well, he mixed countless of DUB tracks and gave a DUB education his protégées like Prince Jammy and Scientist.

His enormous creativity would lead him to build bigger and better studio's until he started producing on top of his remixing in the 1980's. This lasted until February 1989, when he was violently killed in what many people assume was an attempted robbery. The murder has yet to be solved...

Unfortunately, King Tubby was not given the chance to see just what the art he created would lead to. The Art of DUB has itself given birth to, or is at least influential in the sound of many contemporary musical styles, like House and other Dance genres. Until this day, many popular artists will -rightfully- list him as source of inspiration.

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ORIGINAL DUB GATHERING

2012-08-26T00:02:00.000+02:00

ORIGINAL DUB GATHERINGDUBROOM NET LABEL REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - They started their website to promote their -then new- STEP 4 I compilation albums way back in 2006. That was two years after it's founders formed their own DUB Collective, called Ondubground. The impressive compilation series is now "only" a part of the large quantity of online releases by the Original DUB Gathering.
Currently, this Net Label centered around Ondubground as well as other France-based producers, vocalists and players of instruments has become a well established name in the Online DUB Massive world-wide.

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FULL DUB - BRAIN STAGE

2012-08-25T00:02:00.000+02:00

FULL DUB - BRAIN STAGEDUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - In this brand new release by the french based Original DUB Gathering Net Label, we hook up with Full DUB, producer based in Dijon France. Spaced out DUB with loads of digital effect, vocal snippets and elements of Dubstep, even tolerable for those that don't specifically like the dub-derived style.
Six tunes, filled with examples of Full DUB's creativity. Definitely based on the Reggae rhythm, with strategically placed excursions into the broader digital domain. This is some high quality, intelligent music in this August the third twenty twelve release of Original DUB Gathering.

One thing that stands out is the fact Full Dub changes from the Steppers Drum rhythm into others and vice versa. A concept that's not used a lot, especially not in Reggae. It shows the creative experimentation which occupies the French producer as he trods on in DUB Space.

Brain Stage, the second installment in what hopefully turns out to become a line of releases, as Full Dub leaves you wanting more every time you play the last tune of this mini-album.

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Dubroom MP3 Reviews To Start Again August 25

2012-08-22T15:01:00.001+02:00

WWW, August 22 2012 - Jah Willing, the MP3 reviews will start again at August 25. At least two per day, a series of reviews that should continue until October 2012 at least. In this update, you can discover what kind of names are scheduled. Messian Dread reports.
Greetings!

I'm currently preparing the pages for the next set of MP3 reviews and I'm almost done with that. When all pages have been prepared, the reviews can be written and published on mp3.dubroom.org, the Dubroom message boards and both the main Dubroom blog and the Dubroom Reviews blog. I hope to be able to start releasing them this coming Saturday, the 25th of August 2012.

What's in store?

There's a bit of Dancehall with Jigsy King, there's John Holt and Johnnie Clarke as well as Jimmy Riley. Wailing Souls, Anthony Davis, King Tubby's. Junior Kelly, Kashief Lindo, Luciano and Morgan Heritage. To name a few. This is a selection of music from all kinds of decades and vibes, there's definitely something for anyone in the world-wide Reggae massive.

So wherever you may follow the Dubroom's reviews, keep an eye for somke crucial material in the next few days!

One Love,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - TENTACLES OF DUB VOLUME 3

2012-08-14T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - TENTACLES OF DUB VOLUME 3DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - The third installment of FRESH POULP's Tentacle of DUB Compilation Series gives an oversight in not only DUB but also styles that derive from it, like Dubstep. A style that not every lover of DUB will apprecilove in the same manner, and so this album does not just contain Dubstep but also styles "closer to home", let's say. "Don Dub" by Malta-based Mind's Eye DUB is the fourth track and the first upright, no-nonsense Roots Reggae track. Some great melodica and the typical bubbling organ. It's followed by Ackboo's "Holy Mount Zion" featuring Steve Steppa: a hard hitting steppers rhythm as the Book of Bibles is quoted and excellent singing is done.

Mahom's "Darker, Stronger, Dubber" is your typical digital Steppers DUB with loads of changes and filters, candy for the ear of those that can and do apprecilove some electronic DUB. Over here in the Dubroom it is definitely received with joy! The very same can be said about "Dubalalla" by A Man Called PJ: massive drum and bass at the foundation of a continuous stream of sounds and effects.

The albums closes of with "Praises", a great track by the Roots Revival Sound System. Praises to the Most High JAH in a Roots Reggae DUB Style. Yes, there is more than enough material in this third chapter of Dub Tentacles to make you want to download and listen.

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GREGORY ISAACS - LOST MY JOB

2012-08-13T00:01:00.000+02:00

GREGORY ISAACS - LOST MY JOB
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW

WWW, August 13 2012 - Now this is a tune that will appeal to many: it will make you skank from the top to the very last drop. Mafia and Fluxy along with the rest of the players of instruments surely laid down a riddim that would take the best out of Mr. Isaacs and so it was done.

When you didn't know this one was produced in Jet Star's own Cave Studio in the UK, you would have assumed it was recorded in Channel One Studio in Jamaica a few decades before. This is also the strength of Reggae which is simply timeless when produced in the right way. Absolutely the case in this one!

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ALGAR - STEPPACTION

2012-08-12T00:02:00.000+02:00

ALGAR - STEPPACTIONDUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - Steppaction could best be described as a combination of heavy duty steppers dubs and more psychedelic material wherein you can hear all kinds of soundscapes and voices heavily mixed. Not all the tracks could be seen as DUB as there are combinations with elements Drum&Bass, but the ones that can be should be! There's not much information on the Internet about Algar, other than that he seems to be based in Sweden and Germany (LINK). It's also clear that he's inspired by the current and recent developments in the UK and the rest of Europe when it comes to heavyweight DUB sounds.

Check it out, you might find some very nice tunes. In fact, you will!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - DUB TENTACLES VOLUME 2

2012-08-10T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - DUB TENTACLES VOLUME 2DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - They focus on basically "everything electronic" at Fresh Poulp, which includes DUB and Roots. This rings through at the selection of their DUB TENTACLES compilation series but in no way that should keep you from checking out the second chapter. For example, the excellent opening track by the Spanish band Hot Drop, of which we reviewed quite some stuff here at mp3.dubroom.org. Although there's little DUB in it, the Roots Reggae Band doesn't disappoint those looking for the better Reggae. Or Panda Dub's "First Meet", an upfull and righteous Steppers with vocalist Youyou. A floorshaker fe real! Barbes D is present with a cool tune featuring singer Sammy Gold, crucial DUB there!

Get the album and pick out the gems that are truly on there.

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LIVITY ACCESS - NET TAPE

2012-08-08T00:02:00.001+02:00

LIVITY ACCESS - NET TAPEDUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - They're based in Nancy (France), from where they release and perform Conscious (DUB) Reggae in a very pure and heartical form. On their WEBSITE, you can find video's capturing the Ire Vibes and on the album "Net Tape" you can enjoy some of their own productions Inna Showcase Stylee! Featuring guest vocalists like Mighty Howard and Solo Banton, Livity Access' "Net Tape" contains 15 titles, out of which there are several vocals with their Dub versions. The excellent "Ire Soldiers", for example. Or "Manifest", a call to legalize the herb instead of maintaining repressive laws on herb, based on lies.

Then there is "Meditation" featuring Mighty Howard: the vocal part is done with a One Drop style where the Dub has a Steppers drums. An interesting concept. So interesting, that they continue with the idea in the Vocal part of "Always War", quoting Haile Selassie's famous speech which was set to English by Bob Marley.

"Net Tape", all in all, should definitely belong in your collection of contemporary productions from the European (DUB) Reggae Underground. We need much more upfull and positive vibes, so give thanks to FRESH POULP for the release!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - BLAZING MELODICAS IN DUB

2012-08-08T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - BLAZING MELODICAS IN DUBDUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - It's so amazingly obvious that it's genius: a compilation based on that instrument which "every" DUB producer has used at least once, other than the bass or drum. If only for this, the DUB VIBRATIONS NET LABEL should be applauded for their original idea to create a compilation of DUBS with the Melodica. But there's more...

Much more.

This is not just a gem for DJ's and selectors, although it is kinda nice to have a set of very, very nice DUB tunes with melodica at hand. Because that is exactly what this album actually is: a very nice album filled with crucial DUB tracks from some well-known and lesser known names in the online scene of DUB producers.

The album gives a pretty good idea of what came out of the original "Far East Sound", established when virtuous keyboard player August Pablo started blowing the melodica over DUB tracks. The Far East has become the World Wide Web, which becomes clear throughout the over one and a half hour long compilation. Everything perfectly mastered by Don Fe from the DUB VIBRATIONS NET LABEL in his Spain-based studio, by the way.

El Bib, the other half of the duo that runs the label, takes and also deserves the credits for the excellent selection. The tracks showcase the melodica by simply exposing the versatile nature of the instrument in a DUB Reggae environment.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - REVOLUTIONARY DUB VIBRATIONS CHAPTER 3

2012-08-06T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - REVOLUTIONARY DUB VIBRATIONS CHAPTER 3DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 -With an opening track like Fullness' "The King Shall Return", a massive DUB Version of his "Arise" Riddim, the tone is set for the third chapter in the Revolutionary Dub Vibrations series. Don Fe and El Bib once more compiled some very appreciloved DUB productions, and not just their own!

Names like Earlyw~rm, Fullness, Digikal Roots, GadManDubs, Steve Steppa and Muflon DUB: they will most certainly ring more than a bell to those who have followed the Online DUB Artist Community throughout the times of the Internet. They're all present on this 22-track compilation. A wide variety of DUB Styles, very well produced and in High Quality. This album has music which will certainly please the lovers of the better DUB.

Just take two tracks.

First, already mentioned, the opening track. A true opening track, a solid Steppers also present on his album "Arise", which features excellent singer Izyah Davis. Full filtering and echoings galore! Then: Prince Jamo's "Lioness Protects Her Cub" is an analogue, old skool mix done in a style that recalls the vibes of Scientist and -indeed- Prince Jammy. It takes a loooooooong time before the Drums finally enters, while the bass is EQ'd to the max. Too technical? Just listen!

It's really nice to get acquainted with the wide variety of styles there really is when it comes to contemporary DUB producers. DUB has long passed the time of being an obscure remix of Reggae into the Culture that it has become today, as this compilation "simply" shows!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - DUB IRATION PRESENTS THE LOST BOOKS OF DUB CHAPTER 1

2012-08-04T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - DUB IRATION PRESENTS THE LOST BOOKS OF DUB CHAPTER 1

DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, August 2012 - No less than eighteen tracks are compiled in what hopefully is the first of many to come, and not just because it has some of the top names in UK DUB and Roots in there like Vibronics, Kanka, Alpha & Omega and Zion Train. Or Digitaldubs and Dubmatix from across the Atlantic. And no, not just because it's a free download either. It's all this together and more!

They hail from Guadalajara, Mexico. Their name is DUB IRATION SOUND SYSTEM and they perform, release and otherwise work harder than hard to promote (DUB) Reggae in their area as well as worldwide. For example, by releasing this more-than-excellent compilation of 18 top DUB and vocal tracks.

The album presents a wide variety of different styles, both in the vocals as well as the DUBS. Unfortunately there are no DUB versions of all the vocal tracks present in "Lost Books Of Dub", but that's only a minor issue when you consider the tunes by themselves which is really "all killer no filler" as I and I say.

Let's do a little more name-dropping, just because it says a lot. So whether you like hard stepping DUBS (Kanka, Digitaldubs), or some crucial toasting (Solo Banton, Brother Culture), whether you prefer singing (Dan I), or simply an old-skool touch (Dubiterian), the whole album through you get introduced to more styles and versions. Altogether this is an impressive picture of what is done these days with DUB and ROOTS.

To obtain the album, go to the DOWNLOAD PAGE and fill in your e-mail, after which you'll receive a download link. Make sure, when you're looking for the highest possible quality, to select FLAC in the menu. However, the MP3's sound fine for most usages.

ALBUM DOWNLOAD PAGE

FULL DUB - POTENTIODUB

2012-08-02T00:01:00.001+02:00

FULL DUB - POTENTIODUB
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - Those who know their mustard, know that Dijon is the place where some pretty fiery and sharp stuff is produced. It is this location where we find FULL DUB, a talented producer when it comes to electronic DUB and Dubstep. Fiery and sharp, that is!

In five tracks, we're being introduced to the complex and in-depth works by the French producer and instrumentalist. He puts everything there, even to a live violin! The music is more than heavily based on Roots but there are elements of the wobbliness of Dubstep although -fortunately- the true foundation of the bass is not sacrificed.

Each of the five tracks have their own special atmosphere, but through all of it comes a clear sign of the multi-talented FULL DUB. This is definitely material that will keep you discovering new stuff every time you hear the album, actually the first 2012 of the French based "Original DUB Gathering" Net Label.

For which we give thanks!

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FU STEPS - HOLIDAYS

2012-07-31T00:02:00.000+02:00

FU STEPS - HOLIDAYS
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - Two vocals and two (more than excellent) DUB versions straight from this vocal duo who hails from Rouen (France) in an EP that cannot be ignored or denied: the "Original DUB Gathering" Net Label did it again. Did what? Blessing the (online) DUB massive once more, of course!

Just two titles? Yes. This EP is actually a teaser which aims (and rightfully so) to convince the listener to buy more of their -excellent- material, for example from the Fu Steps Website. The vocal duo, who had their debut on none other than the mighty Conscious Sounds label only need two vocals and two DUB versions to introduce themselves and their heartical singing.

First tune called "holidays" is a relaxed Roots track voicing the stress and tribulations inna Babylon, where the second -a militant steppers and ditto DUB- is bound to make it's way in the playlists of the better Sound Systems and Podcasts or Radio shows. All skill, all thrill, no fill and... no bill!

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DAWA HI-FI - DUB TINGS

2012-07-29T00:02:00.000+02:00

DAWA HI-FI - DUB TINGS
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - DUB Tings, the second DAWA Hi-Fi release on the French Net Label "Original DUB Gathering", features musician and engineer Val Dawa in a remarkable new old way: everything is played, mixed, recorded and programmed by hand, as much as possible the Old Days are recalled. In other words, there's as little computerized elements as possible.

Don't expect to be treated by a couple of 70's copycat tunes, though. That would not only be an insult to the works of the French producer but equally to the releases from that time. DUB Tings is "just" an original, contemporary work in the EuroDUB and Roots style which established itself throughout the last decade or so. A style which distinguishes itself by it's heartical riddims and massive productions, often based on Conscious concepts.

The drum and bass machine are programmed, the keyboards are played live and there is even live horns on several tracks. The mixing is done by hand, which has obvious limitations for the end result (a human has just two hands) but that is the nice part too. One can imagine Val Dawa behind the mixing board physically performing, moving sliders and knobs without pause in order to create the DUB Niceness that made this 2012 release.

Ten massive mixes are waiting for you. What are you waiting for? Get them now!

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MASSIVE DUB CORPORATION - CONCEPTION

2012-07-27T00:03:00.000+02:00

MASSIVE DUB CORPORATION - CONCEPTION
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - There's just one negative thing to say about this solid new release from the French Net Label "Original DUB Gathering": there's just five tracks on the album. These five tracks leave you with a desire to listen more MDC material, for the simple reason this is indeed some Massive Roots and DUB.

Featuring vocalists Brother Culture (UK) and Fu-Steps (France), a militant Steppers remix from the well-known King Earthquake sound from UK, another Steppers DUB remix called "Spiritual War", while opening up with an interesting track that carries a hint towards "Dubstep": that's "Conception" in a nutshell.

Five tracks that stand on their own, all having a good production and riddim at their foundation. With this debut on the ODG-label, MDC has made their mark and it's definitely a good one, even though we surely would like to have DUB versions from the excellent vocal tracks on the EP. Maybe an idea for a next release?

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CAVE CREW AND DAWEH CONGO - PROVHERBS DUB

2012-07-27T00:00:00.000+02:00

CAVE CREW AND DAWEH CONGO - PROVHERBS DUB
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW

WWW, July 27 2012 - UK DUB is always appreciloved over here in the Dubroom and Provherbs DUB is a reason why.

Perfect production, vocal snippets from Daweh Congo, and even though there is not too much going on mix-wise, the engineer does more than enough to make the riddim flow from start to stop.

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GARY CLUNK - ARCHIVES OF DUB VOLUME 1

2012-07-25T00:02:00.000+02:00

GARY CLUNK - ARCHIVES OF DUB VOLUME 1DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - Another one from the widely acclaimed French DUB Released Netlabel: Archives of DUB is actually a showcase album with six titles in twelve tracks. Twelve marvelous tracks where you can find everything, from upfull vocals such as Paul Fox' "Freedom Fighters" and Sammy Gold's "Hail Rastafari" to massive DUB like "Lasting Friendship" and "Headlong DUB".

Everything is nicely sequenced: A Vocal, it's DUB, an Instrumental (DUB) Version, it's DUB, three times over. It makes the album very enjoyable to listen to in it's entirety, even though the quality of the tracks in themselves do not need a sequence in order to be enjoyed. This is some very, very fine and solid Roots and Culture (DUB) Reggae from the French producer!

All three vocal tracks all have their own specific sound so that the singers voice comes out the best. The accompanying Dubs emphasize it in the way DUB versions should do. The three Instrumentals shouldn't really be called so as it does not give enough credit for the nice DUB mixing in them. All in all, these are 12 great tracks which can be enjoyed on their own but better altogether for a maximum DUB Experience Extravaganza!

DOWNLOAD ALBUM - VISIT NETLABEL WEBSITE

This album was added to the Dubroom Archive of CreativeCommons Albums. CreativeCommons Copyright means you can share the material provided that the original zipfile is being offered without any change. Another aspect of the CC copyright is, that no money should be made and therefor this album is offered to you free of charge. For more specific information, look to the information in the archive. When you like the music, consider visiting the Net Label's website and donate some money or feedback.

HATMAN - A DUB ENTERTAINMENT

2012-07-24T00:02:00.000+02:00

HATMAN - A DUB ENTERTAINMENTDUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - It's clear at the very first seconds of the very first track: Hatman is as much a musician as he is a producer. Interesting chord changes, subtle keyboards, and everything on a solid sound of the bass and drums. The recently released Net Album is full of this kind of niceness!

Even though all nine different titles have their own dynamic and style, there is also something that makes them into the album as well. This is not just a collection of singles, in other words. The first three tracks are basically relaxed instrumental versions, the fourth one introduces more and more DUB mixing in the tunes that follow. There is a very enjoyable line in the sequence of the album which gives much credit to the title.

Hatman has obvious talents to create positive musical vibrations both as musician and producer. Whether he plays or programs, he has an ear for the tiniest detail without losing oversight over the whole mix. He loves to play with sounds without forgetting the importance of solid bass and drums. Which is established once again in "A DUB Entertainment".

Deeply recommended!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - ITALIAN DUB COMMUNITY SHOWCASE CHAPTER 4

2012-07-12T00:02:00.000+02:00

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ITALIAN DUB COMMUNITY SHOWCASE CHAPTER 4DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, July 2012 - The fourth installment of the Italian DUB Community (IDC) Showcase series takes the musical vibe to another level, incorporating several elements of Dubstep and other Dub-derived styles. A well-appreciloved combination of (DUB) Roots and Electronica that contains some very interesting and recommended material for the Worldwide and Online DUB Massive.

In many ways, Chapter 4 goes into a different direction compared to the previous three. There is less of the straight-up steppers riddims, and more electronica in the mixes. The result is a surprising excursion into the current digital technologies of which DUB certainly stood at the root. The IDC surely shows Roots and Culture to the contemporary DUB scene, in the broadest sense of the word DUB.

Just mentioning Jambassa's "Declaration of Indipendence": chilling out in a style that in part hints towards the vibes in Mad Professor's works with Massive Attack. This is one of the titles on the album that could be played by DJ's in just about any electronic set. Another interesting track worth to mention in this context is the contribution by The Imperial Sound Army: A very interesting and intelligent mix of DUB and Dubstep heartically voiced by singer Dan-I.

Less of the straight-up steppers riddims doesn't mean the album is void of them. Quite the contrary: take the massive, heartical Vocal and DUB by Moa Anbessa for example. "Education" is one of these tunes that will be played on many sounds and broadcasts for years to come.

The Natural DUB Cluster comes with a heavyweight, up-tempo electronic steppers called "Movin'". Can't ignore this one either, if only for the militancy. A monotonous bassline just playing on the whole count, melting together with the bassdrum. Foundation for a minimalistic track which you need to play several times before discerning the distorted spoken words.

There's also stuff for people who love their basic Reggae and are not neccesarily into (militant) Steppers or excursions into wherever, who are just longing for a good drum and bassline. Filomuzik, a new name in the series, comes with a title U.N.I.T.Y. and should be mentioned at this place. Fat bass in an upfull Rub a Dub riddim, mixed in Old Skool style. Wicked DUB Division's "Sound Of A Rebel" is another one in the same style.

Conclusion: IDC Showcase Chapter 4 is definitely no album that should be listened to just once in order to get the vibes, in order to discover the nine different angles covered in eighteen mixes. There is just too much in there. It's not more of the same even though that would in itself be very much appreciloved and even though it is building upon the three previous chapters.

It's something that makes you wonder what will happen in the next Chapter, like in a good book!

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DAILY NEW MP3 REVIEWS FOR JULY 2012

2012-07-01T00:02:00.001+02:00

DAILY NEW MP3 REVIEWS FOR JULY 2012
FROM THE DUBROOM WEBMASTER

WWW, July 1 2012 - Even though yours truly knows himself to be on a "partial sabbathical", Jah Willing this summer the Dubroom will be far from inactive as we hope to publish at least two new MP3 reviews, each one of course with a free and legal download link. In this update we're previewing the material scheduled for this month and a little bit more.

Last month, we already started to put out two MP3 reviews a day, After all, that month did mark the beginning of the Dubroom website 15 years before, in june 1997. In the same time, an opportunity arose to present 100's of tunes from the JET STAR Label. So: blesseth. We're dealing with well known names like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Luciano, Frankie Paul and many more. Historic recordings, DUB, Roots but also there's Lovers Rock, Gospel and much more.

This month, to pick a few names, Jah Willing expect material from Anthony B, Glen Washington, Beres Hammond, Carlene Davis, Cocoa Tea and Dennis Brown. Among others, that is. You can find the links on either the Dubroom Blog, the Dubroom Reggae Reviews Blog, the Dubroom Message Boards or at mp3.dubroom.org. There are also artist pages at mp3.dubroom.org, where you can find additional info and tunes.

Lastly, a more personal note from yours truly.

I do notice that I am really in need for a "artial sabbathical". It means I will take it really easy just to regain strength and thing. I do find the time and energy to work on these MP3 reviews but that's about it. There are other things that I do need to do and one of these things is to take that rest. Apologizes for slow communication and everything, but it's better to gain energy than to use every last bit of the reserve...

One Love,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster and Editor)

ORIGINAL WAILERS - BLACKBIRD

2012-06-22T00:00:00.000+02:00

ORIGINAL WAILERS - BLACKBIRD
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW

WWW, June 22 2012 - Many may argue the name Al Anderson chose for his interesting collective, but he was responsible for those guitar licks that many enjoyed so much back in the days Bob Marley and the Wailers were touring and producing. Blackbird is taken from their début album released in April this year.

The tune itself definitely is well produced, played and sung. It cannot be denied that indeed the musical format of Bob Marley and the Wailers is being used to produce simply nice Reggae music with commercial potential. One can argue the name of the band, but not the skillful way they play!

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