This Brazilian reggae/dub duo from Rio de Janeiro blends roots, dub & traditional Brazilian flourishes into a blend of Jamaican & Brazilian culture heavy on the bass and rhythm. Guest vocals by Ranking Joe, Earl Sixteen & Brinsley Forde. Other vocals in Portuguese. Originally a very limited edition CD available only in Brazil.
Listen to the whole CD here: http://www.digitaldubs.com.br/musica.html
Ellwood- Lost In Transition
Release date: 2011Jun21
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 3/5
Instead of releasing yet another new album from an older band, Fat Wreck sent Ellwood. Ellwood consists of members of the Mad Caddies and this album is described as a reggae album. That doesn’t mean that it’s a true reggae album as I detect something closer to a cross between Sublime and the Mad Caddies (well, d’oh Brad!). The production is somewhat rough and the lyrics seem cliché. Regardless, there are some decent tracks such as “Sunshine Garden”, “Mag Girl” (because no album would be complete without a sad, bitter paen to a former lover) and “Dancin’ Girl”. The rest of the album is difficult to get into due to the production, which I think is intentional in order to give it a “reggae” feel. Regardless, if you’re a fan of the Fat Wreck stuff, then you’ll like this. Otherwise, steer clear.
FCC: 5
Try: 3,5,7
David Bowie Vs. KCRW brings us Golden Years. Bowie’s iconic hit from 1976 is painstakingly remixed from four DJs from the KCRW indie radio station. The album starts with the original track to show us where it all began. The Anthony Valdez remix has a Disco/Funk vibe, the Eric J Lawrence remix has a dark, Experimental drum sound, the Chris Douridas remix doesn’t add too much to the original, and the Jeremy Sole remix has a Reggae/Dub vibe to it. When working with a track that is a close to perfect as this, it’s hard to find a way to bring a fresh, creative vibe to the track. For the most part the DJs succeed in doing this.
Tracks: 2,3 Billboard Top 200: Track 1
This Brooklyn band’s journey all started with one question. Can dub be preformed outside the studio? This album sets out to prove just that. Having worked with The Slackers, Easy Star All-Stars (dub engineer), and Antibalas, Dave Hahn has an eclectic background that really makes his dub music stand out. Joining him is superp percussionist Larry McDonald, who’s collaborated with Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Taj Mahal, Gil-Scott Heron, Ernest Ranglin, Bad Brains, etc. Only vocals on track 5, featuring Rob Symeonn’s golden voice.
Sounds like lots of dub with a little bit of funk added so its not too slow for the dance floor. Loads of echo effects done live with almost no over-dubs on this album. Also drenched guitars, head nodding beats, rockin’ horns, and watery organs. Although not much variety between tracks, there’s a reason they’ve toured with Lee “Scratch” Perry before. Put some dub back in your sub. FCC clean
RIYL: Easy Star All-Stars, Fat Freddy’s Drop, if Antibalas or Orgone grew up in Jamaica
Try: 4 ,5 ,3 ,6 ,7 ,1 , 2 set to be released 4/26/2011
The ninth studio album by this international reggae star. Recorded at the artist’s own studio in Kingston, Jamaica. A mix of traditional roots, classic rock and soulful reggae. Several ballads with female background vocals. All tracks are FCC-friendly. Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 10
Bill Laswell is back in another musical incarnation with the group Method Of Defiance. As with the group Blood Of Heroes, Laswell has assembled a diverse mix of artists for this album. Dr. Israel, Hawk, Bernie Worrell and Guy Licata all collaborate on this album. The album, Jahbulon, is quite a bit different from Blood Of Heroes. This album is a mix of Electronica, Dancehall, Reggae, and Dub, compared to B.O.H. which had more of a brutal Industrial sound. This sounds more like the band Deliverance, a combo of Reggae with electronic overlays. It’s always a gamble what you are going to get with a new Laswell album. Electronica, Rock, Ambient or with this one Reggae. Whatever genre he picks, it’s always a winner and Jahbulon is no different.
RIYD: Deliverance
Tracks: 1,7
Newest album from one of the creators of dub music. Live instruments were recorded in the studio to give this release a different feel than past works. Even though Perry remains unpredictable his songs still range from silly (Freaky Michael) and playful (Used to Drive A Tractor in Negrille, Fire Power), to serious (album opener/title cut) with everything in between.
Noteworthy guests are George Clinton, who reworked the track “Psalm” into the spooky space funk that is “Scary Politician” and Keith Richards put his touch on “Book of Moses” (find the original “Moses Moses” on I-Tunes). With less dub and more experimenting going on this reviewer has no complaints. Overall a different album from The Upsetter that still brings the reggae but also has guitar taking more of a central role to the music all with the aforementioned “live” sound. Good stuff, to think if coming to the Burlington Reggae Fest 2010 wasn’t enough now he drops this great album. We should be so lucky.
Highlights: *4,*12,*13, 5, 10, 3, 7 released 8/10/10 FCC clean
Few bands record live albums that are comparable or equal to the studio release and it could be said that it’s even rarer when the live one is actually better than the studio. Do you see where this is going…?
RIYL: The Black Seeds, Trinity Roots, live jammin
Reggae: 2,*4 Try: *3,*6,4,5,1,2
Their last concert of a 6 week long European tour ends in London on Dec. 2008. 5 of the 6 songs would go on to be recorded on their next (2nd) studio album, Dr Boondigga & the Big BW.
These guys record sort of backwards from most bands as they assemble and perfect songs while on tour/stage until they’ve got it right, then hit the studio to lay it down. Being much more than a reggae band this release documents excellent live instrumentation with elements of soul, funk, reggae/dub, even bits of electronica (6).
One qualm some (not me) may have is the shortest song is 10:17min which means they jam out with most of the soon-to-be-studio tracks doubled in length. So if you’ve got the time play this or maybe just start one and fade it out when you want, although warning it’s hard to stop once you’ve started. New Zealand is in the house and this release shows if nothing else skilled musicians in their natural habitat, which is on stage and how it should be. FCC clean file under: Urban
Follow up to their ‘05 debut, this release should have some scratching their heads in the beginning. 11 years in the biz means these guys have picked up a few tricks which include more than just reggae on this LP. Laced with soulful vocals, most tracks have a funky undertone although “The Raft”(4) and “Pull the Catch”(5) bring the reggae/dub that fans expect.
Combining delightfully funky grooves with a dash of electronica and jazz is what’s here but keep in mind that some of those elements are highlighted more/less on different tracks. The title track moves slowly with a nice jazz vibe and so does the “Big BW”(1) but sounds more funky with equally strong vocals. “The Camel”(6) brings some rock/funk with Alice Russell adding her golden voice that works well. Even some rapping with MC Slave on “The Nod”(7), almost every song adds something new yet the sound is familiar because the CD as a whole establishes common ground throughout the tracks that just works. “Shiverman”(2) and “Wild Wind”(7) stand out with more electronic elements added to keep your head nodding while remaining in a state of bliss. Overall strong & enjoyable release from Aussies that added new tricks to their bag of soulful reggae tunes. Interested to hear what’s next…… FCC clean
RIYL: Trinity Roots, The Black Seeds, iLa Mawana
Favs: *1, 2,*6, 8 Reggae: *4, 5 released 6/2/2009 file: urban
*note: Fat Freddy’s Drop has a single (The Raft) in the new reggae section with that track, a shorter version, dub version, & Jet Jaguar remix (RPM).
5th studio from the Afro Roots star who’s music radiates good vibes like the sun over Jamaica or a summer day in Ghana, his hometown. This disc packs soulful reggae with hints of world influences, not only from Ghana, but from traveling and/or touring in Israel, Finland, Jamaica, & more.
With melodic acoustic-driven tracks like “Jerusalem”(8), “Take it Slow”(11), and the stand out “Walls Tumbling Down”(4), his lyrics of social & global consciousness are evident but remain vague enough so as not to alienate any listeners. Track 8 also has world influences (obv.) along with afro-beat(ish) “Master Plan”(5) and “African Reggae Fever”(2) which could be herd while your plane flies over the jungle towards Ghana perhaps. Also slow rocking reggae cuts like “Head Up High”(10), head nodding “Freefall”(7), & solid sounds of “Extraordinary Women”(3) make this release well rounded with something for everyone (even whistling on “Walk the Talk”(9) if you fancy). Overall this flows nicely from start to finish with the track selection perfected & reggae-soul goodness delivered. FCC clean
reggae sounds: 1,*3,*4,7 world/international > reggae: 2,*5,8
* Buy Hymns for the Rebel Soul and a % of the proceeds goes to Africa Live!, “a non-profit organization founded by Dawuni, whose mission is to preserve, restore, & reinvigorate the Ghanaian live music scene.”