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DENNIS ALCAPONE - GOT TO BE CONSCIOUS
(DISCOMIX)
DUBROOM NET LABEL VIDEO RELEASE
Creative Commons and other free to use material for non-commercial productions fortunately is readily available on the Internet. Perfect to use as visual companion to the free audio releases. At least, that's the way the Dubroom videos are produced. Watch the end-notes at the video for more info.
This video is an official Dubroom release. Feel free to embed on your site, blog or phasebook.
RUB A DUB, LET IT PLAY
RADIO DUBROOM EXTRA CHAPTER 4
Actually, this was the time when your selector became conscious and a lover of (DUB) Reggae Music and heard several tracks featured in this show when they first came out. Starting with the first one: a fat Dub of which a vocal track will come later in the mix ("Groove with Me"). Another Dub follows in classic Rub a Dub sound, after which Sister Carol opens with yet another fat Rub a Dub riddim that will definitely shake up the place.
And that's just the introduction.
Charlie Chaplin is next, riding a riddim while Don Carlos sings along until the Dub part. More Don Carlos, a full lyrical track of which the Dub was played at the start of the show and a classic from that era, in Discomix style. Johnny Osbourne and a Dub by Scientist, another favorite of the selector. Papa Tullo in Discomix style, with a little bit of vinyl trouble that's hardly noticeable.
Josey Wales' "Guiding Star", a favorite of Iriginal Jah Roots band drummer Imro Fedor precedes two Yellowman tracks of which the one with the long name was a hit back in the days, a success for Yellowman as well as the Volcano label that was so strong in these days. The same goes for the Frankie Paul track that's there too, War Is In The Dance or Worries in the Dance.
Junior Murvin, Cultural Roots, John Holt, Triston Palma: they all had new releases back in the time to join the Rub a Dub sound. A sound that is often underestimated by folks who think that Reggae's His Story stopped at 1979.
To conclude, so that we'll not forget it: a classic duet by Fathead and Yellowman that gave the title to this show.
Let it Play!
PLAYLIST
01. Prince Jammy - Jah Is With You
02. Scientist - Scientist Rock
03. Sister Carol - Potential
04. Charlie Chaplin - Unity Is Strength (Discomix)
05. Don Carlos - Just Groove With Me
06. Don Carlos - Plantation (Discomix)
07. Johnny Osbourne - Love Is Universal
08. Scientist - Dubwise
09. Papa Tullo - Church And Slate (Discomix)
10. Papa Tullo - Righteous Rock (Discomix)
11. Josey Wales - Guiding Star
12. Yellowman - Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt
13. Yellowman - Zunguzunguzunguzeng (Discomix)
14. Frankie Paul - War Is In The Dance (Discomix)
15. Frankie Paul - South Africa (Discomix)
16. Junior Murvin - Badman Posse (Discomix)
17. Cultural Roots - Hell A Go Pop (Discomix)
18. Triston Palma - I Am Ready
19. Triston Palma - Dubwise
20. John Holt - Police In Helicopter
21. John Holt - Dubwise
22. Yellowman and Fathead - Rub A Dub Let It Play (Discomix)
Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 4: Rub A Dub, Let It Play! by Radio Dubroom on Mixcloud
Radio Dubroom Extra features music which cannot be played on the Radio Dubroom podcast for legal copyright reasons. The shows cannot be downloaded. All tracks in this show (C) by artists and labels. This show (C) by Dubroom. The actual mix is hosted on www.mixcloud.com/dubroom and should be completely legal. For copyright issues visit http://support.mixcloud.com/customer/portal/topics/70420-listening/articles
IBEL - LOVE FI LIFE (EP)
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW
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.
DUBOPHONIC
DUBROOM NET LABEL REVIEW
One thing is for certain: Dubophonic take their net label serious and so it should be. It's not just the amount of releases in a certain quality, it is the work on their website, liner notes and massive press feedback. Centered around Dub Thomas, but not limited to him. A look at the artist names reveal a variety of styles and genres, from heavyweight Dubwise to a more lighter variant, Dubophonic strives to cater to all lovers of (conscious) Reggae and Dub.
MESSIAN DREAD PRESENTS A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE
SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION (CD EDITION)
DUBROOM CD ALBUM RELEASE
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
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
MOA ANBESSA PRESENTS: PRINCE DAVID - WATCH
THEM/JULE I-JAH JAH CALLING
DUBROOM VINYL REVIEW
It's almost impossible to follow the Dubroom and not know about Moa Anbessa. This collective of conscious Singers and Players of instruments (including the mixing board) stood at the root of the -now online legendary- Italian Dub Community Showcase series, while their productions are well sought after by selectors of major Sound Systems like Aba Shanti-I and Jah Shaka. This is Roots Reggae (Dub) in it's finest form, namely that of the conscious kind. It comes with the kind of communication that actually fits the massive sounds of the drum and bass lines.
They have no need to be introduced when you have downloaded the Italian Dub Community Showcase series. Solid as a rock, the Rock that is that solid foundation. The musical vibes go straight to your heart, and so does this vinyl release. Even more: those who know their vinyl usually prefer it over MP3 or even CD because of the lower frequencies and they definitely want these tunes.
Actually, we're talking about two vocal tracks with their (separate) Dub/Instrumental counterpart. Two singers, too: Prince David and Jules I. Both are part of the Moa Anbessa collective, and both tracks have served as Dub Plates for the well known Aba Shanti-I Sound System until they were printed on this 12 inches of Righteousness. In fact, this release is not planned to be anything else but what it is: a stricktly vinyl release.
Both Prince David and Jules I deliver a very strong message. Actually, it is a call and a message. A remembrance call to all people, that is. A remembrance call to praise the Creator, to start following His ways rather than the vanity that Babylon has to "offer". It's a message of strength and encouragement to all those that are already aware that we have a Creator and that He must be praised. Yes, this is the kind of Roots Reggae that is so desperately needed in so many places all over the globe. Both singers deliver their call in a very heartical way, a way that can never be matched by the Babylon Industrial voices pushed into our ears each and every day.
Now, the music and especially the Dubs. Both tracks are steppers. "Watch Them" would musically be the sugar part, "Jah Jah Calling" the spice. Of course this becomes all too clear when you're listening to the Dubs. Or, to be more precise: an instrumental and a Dub. "Watch Them" comes with a pure instrumental (often called "pure riddim"), "Jah Jah Calling" is followed by it's militant, hard stepping Dub version. The production itself is clear yet fat, evidently mixed for vinyl.
A very, very fine release that is expected to be in the better Reggae stores both online and offline from September 15, 2014. Phasebookers (and non-phasebookers) should visit https://www.facebook.com/MoaAnbessaItaly/ or http://controltower.fr to (pre-) order the release. Unfortunately, Moa Anbessa does not have a website of their own but these two links destroy that excuse not to buy the vinyl. Also, watch out for another release planned for November 2014.
MESSIAN DREAD - SOUNDS OF HIS IMPERIAL
DUBWISE
DUBROOM VIDEO RELEASE
WWW, August 24 2014 - The fifth Dubroom video of this year
has that other mix of the two-track release "His Imperial Dubwise".
This mix is completely different than the extended one also released at You Tube
and so is the video.
Making video's has a lot in common with making Dub. Well, "dub" is
also a movie term so yes the commonalities have been established before. Making
video's from a Dub track can be very challenging, especially when you want to go
a bit further than putting effects on screen.
Anyway, hopefully you like what you hear (and perhaps see).
INTRODUCING THE DUBROOM STAR SELECTIONS NET
LABEL
DUBROOM NET LABEL
In the Dubroom's humble beginnings back in 1997, what we did was releasing music in the general MIDI format. You can still download them, and even remix them non-commercially for free at midi.dubroom.org. Then came the MP3 format and with that, the true golden years of MP3.com and it's subsequent demise.
After surviving the first decade of this 21st century, the Internet saw the rise of the Net Label phenomenon.
A label is basically an outlet for musical productions. This is the case with labels that provide buyable music, and this is the case with Net Labels even though the majority releases music for free and often even under Creative Commons copyright. Just being an artist or producer creating music does not necessarily lead to your music being heard, where a (Net) Label presents artists and music to reviewers and those online seeking for free and legal music to download.
The Dubroom caters to all of the above: you could say the the Dubroom is a very central website when it comes to getting free and legal high quality (DUB) Reggae Music. Hundreds of free albums and single tracks, often downloadable straight from the Dubroom. That's reviewed music alone, which is exactly the reason why the Dubroom Net Label was founded.
The Dubroom doesn't just review music. There is real music produced in the Dubroom Studio, which you can find on the pages of messiandread.dubroom.org, but there is also music which is not produced in our studio and yet we're able to release them. This is usually the result of some form of contact or request from the side of the Dubroom. Anyway, that's the reason why the Dubroom has a Net Label on top of it's reviews and studio productions.
So, what does the Dubroom Net Label has to offer you, who like to download free and legal (DUB) Reggae for your enjoyment or sound system? And what does the Dubroom Net Label have to offer you, artist/producer interested in featuring on the pages of music.dubroom.org?
Read on.
First and foremost, our Net Label serves as the main outlet for the music that is produced in the Dubroom studio. There's also the Dubroom's House Band, the Iriginal JAH Roots and releases by other members of that band, not produced in the Dubroom studio even though it has passed through some treatment in "Dub Area 51".
We're also honored to be able to present a number of productions that have nothing to do with the Dubroom studio, Jah Roots or any of it's members. We're talking names like Prince Fatty, Dubcreator, Alpha and Omega and a very interesting compilation for Jah Billah.
In 2014, the Dubroom obtained licenses to use specific vocal works by well-known, legendary and otherwise very good, skilled and talented vocalists. Big names and big voices. The music that these vocalists (you can find them in our artist section) voice over, is produced in the Dubroom. Most of it, that is. We also obtained recordings and licenses to use stuff that is recorded in the legendary ARIWA Studio, where Mad Professor holds the scepter. This is all legal, fully licensed, and still offered to you free of charge.
From time to time, we receive requests by artists/producers to be included in the list of names at our Net Label. Perhaps, that's why you're here reading this.
Keep reading, especially where it becomes vague.
This Net Label is most certainly open for inclusion of music, but not just any. Inclusion on this Label means a connection with the Dubroom, and not "just" a mention on the site in the form of a review. Inclusion on this Label also indicates a mutual urge to uplift the other. The Dubroom uplifts the artist, and the artist uplifts the Dubroom. And, as you know, uplifting goes further than "to promote", as we do with our reviews. To uplift means, to take it to a next (higher) level.
It's pretty hard, if not impossible to describe just what the uplifting would mean. It's basically something you just know, you simply feel it.
It goes further than an urge to promote your own musical works. The Dubroom Net Label should absolutely not be seen as a way of promoting certain artists, even though it can be a side-effect of inclusion. When we add music to our label, we feel that it uplifts the average quality of the catalogue rather than the other way around. At least, every addition should really be that, an addition.
It goes further than just wanting to promote the Dubroom as well. It has to do with the promotion of (DUB) Reggae as a whole, and (preferably) consciousness as more or less defined throughout the entire website. That means, no slackness and no shades of grey when it comes to legality. All the music on the Dubroom Net Label is licensed.
We're here to offer you free and legal music for your enjoyment or Sound System, music that uplifts the people.
Nothing less.
CREATIVE COMMONS, ANYONE?
DUBROOM IN-SITE # 35
When the Dubroom started it's humble beginnings back in the year 1997, we're talking about an Internet without MP3. There was such a thing called "Real Audio", and yes we have been releasing music in that audio format. A track or two, three. It was "real audio" in the sense that it was really a sound, comparable to a very lo-fi 64Kbps MP3 file, perhaps worse than that.
We opted for the General Midi format and even though Midi has gone back to the studio for a long time now, midi.dubroom.org is still well visited and that's not just by people looking for recalling do times or Internet historians. No, not at all. Producers of music know to find midi.dubroom.org but now here is the catch: some have been using material they downloaded there, and didn't give any credit to the Dubroom when they released their work commercially.
Those who have been following the Dubroom these last years know all about Dub Step producer Skream and how he pressed play on the midi player in his studio, did a few things with "Rock The Nation In Dub" and released "Blue Eyez". His facebook page shows a pompous, self-righteous guy in a pompous, self righteous world.
Is it worth to go after such a guy? And, who's next?
No, there is a better way.
Of course these producers do not credit the Dubroom, because they do not want people to find out about the Midi Files. Too much exposure exposes their own lack of creativity and perhaps even lack of inspiration in the first place. Then, since most people who visit midi.dubroom.org are basic decent people respecting our copy right, they too will not spread the vibes.
That situation has now changed.
As of last August 16, all Iriginal Reggae Midi Files have been re-released. This time under a Creative Commons Copyright that give anyone the freedom to take whatever they like from the midi files and use it in their own production. Just credit the Dubroom and everything is OK! This even goes for commercial productions, even though we would like to be contacted and make it official so everyone knows you haven't been stealing.
That's not the only thing we'd like to announce, though.
These last two weeks, nearly all Dubroom releases from 1997 to 2011 have been uploaded to a special You Tube account called "The Dubroom Dread". We're talking Messian Dread, Sure Dread, Heartical, and the Iriginal Jah Roots band. We're talking 350 different tracks and counting! All these tracks have originally been released under Creative Commons and You Tube has this feature called "Remix This Video", so here we have a perfect combination.
Everyone with a YouTube account is now officially allowed to use any of our Creative Commons releases from the Dubroom Dread channel for their own video. Simply pick the track you like, click "Remix This Video" and off you go.
The channel features several play lists: per artist, or per format. You want a Dub with some vocals, or the contrary, you're looking for an all instrumental Dub? A Discomix, A One-Take Dub shot? You can find them by browsing the play lists.
The video's themselves contain the music and some extra information on the screen. Do not expect official video clips, these are released from the official Dubroom channel. This is material presented for use, even though you can of course click a play list and start listening as well.
Take a look/listen, like and/or comment, but even better: use that remix button.
Enjoy!
One Love,
Messian Dread
SEAMUS - BABYLON SYSTEM (DISCOMIX)
DUBROOM VIDEO RELEASE
WWW, August 17-22 2014 - This is a special Dubroom video release of the yet unreleased extended track voiced by Seamus called "Babylon System". A Dub of the track can be downloaded for free at the following link: http://music.dubroom.org/netalbums-heavyweightdubwise.htm
The video deals with the recent murder of a young black man called Michael Brown by a white police man. Another bredda killed dead. Babylon system crushing down.
The video is livicated to all sufferers of racist brutality and murder
Jah see and know, and told us so.
All Rights Reserved 2014 © Messian Dread/Dubroom
LONE RANGER - ROCK AND COME IN DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
To close of this twelve-track presentation of heavyweight Dubwise selections introducing an equal number of original Dubroom riddims fresh from the studio in August 2014, another legendary MC. It's amazing how the Lone Ranger, just like all these other legends featured on this album, is still strong after all these decades of really hard, hard labor in the world of Reggae Music and Sound Systems everywhere.
The Dub starts of with Don Goliath singing that well known phrase which gave the title to this track. Don't think this is a remake of anything, though. It's not. What it is, is an original "Riddim of respect" if you will. Respect to all those vocalists riding the musical productions and especially those that can and should be considered legends.
Yes, in 2014 everything looks like as if everything happened in one time. There's the mid-late 1960's U Roy became founding father of the Reggae DJ's, followed by Dennis Alcapone. Then came the 1970's, when Dillinger and Trinity became two of the leading voices in the militant Roots Reggae DJ era and Kojak & Liza was formed. Soon after that, the 1980's when Horseman started in the 1980's recording for Greensleeves Records.
And in fact, it is.
During the introduction, Lone Ranger says: "Later, will be greater. That's what the farmer said to the potato without planting the manipulator". Now, this 2014, could be that later. We've had all kinds of manipulated potatoes in the form of hybridized forms of music taking everything but the true soul of Reggae Music and turn it into whatever it is since these 1960's when the "potato" was planted.
One thing still stands strong: (DUB) Reggae Music with that soul of Reggae Music firmly in charge. With respect for the Most High, chanting down Babylon with her ism's and schisms. Built on a solid foundation of drum and bass, making responsible use of the freedom that the Most High wants for His children.
Yes, indeed: just a little meditation to close the first full length Messian Dread album since almost a decade.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". CLICK HERE to get the whole album in several formats.
MESSIAN DREAD - CRAZY BUT DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
This is Dub! Undeniably and unmistakably Dub. This is Dub, from the top to the very last drop. Featuring Assante and US based MC Razaman being dropped into another dimension by an echo machine that tears all the frequencies apart and puts them back again in another galaxy. That's before the very same thing happens with the skanks. Things get so weird that Dillinger drops in and gives the title to this Dub. Which is then subsequently confirmed once again.
Think it's crazy? Well, yes, it is. But it is Dubwise too. And it's an obvious Messian Dread track. The Horn section (recorded in Mad Professor's Ariwa studio) plays a theme very similar to "Ethiopian Dub" (released way back then in the previous century on the debut album "One"), where the drum and bass line are pretty identifiable as well. This is a Dub produced with the love for crazy effects that every Dub Head has.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
HORSEMAN AND DAN MAN - ROBBER DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
This is a track for all the rude boys and hooligans. Horseman chants "Riddim", the skanks drop in and the Fire Face Music Horn Section starts to play. The drum and bass drop in, the skanks echo out and the horns get the Dub treatment. Dan Man steps in with a little singing line and when someone calls the police because of yet the next robbery, it's over for the rude boy. "Whatcha gonna do? Him hold you"
Yes, a serious thing yet the track should also be seen as a bit of a lighter one when it comes to, let's say, spiritual contents. After all, this is a track that's part of a full length Dub album, following up a rather serious and spiritual track and predecessing the next one, where the effect machine gets no rest at all. That's not to say that this one is a "filler", though. Not at all, especially not when you like your "dubbing with horns".
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
U ROY - MASH DOWN SATAN DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Of Course, Daddy U Roy himself does not need an introduction. It simply is an honor for the Dubroom to be able to legally present the founding father of (not just) Reggae MC-ing riding an original Dubroom riddim. Mash Down Satan Dubwise has more than enough lyrics to make it absolutely clear that U Roy is absolutely not intending to take it easy at his old day. He praises the Most High and chants down Babylon continually, morning noon or night.
Producing the full lyrical track from which this Dub is taken was quite an experience as well, where his enormous experience most definitely was guiding the process even though it came in the form of recorded material. The result is a very carefully dubbed track, that sometimes remincenses King Tubby's style and at other places makes heavy use of effects that weren't around during these early years of Dubwise. This one is a Dub of Raspect.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
SEAMUS - BABYLON DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Actually, this is a very special track on the album and one of the reasons is that there is hardly any knowledge about the singer that's featured on it. Still, this is one very crucial singer as you can hear in this five minutes and fifteen seconds of Dub from a full lyrical track that has at this moment still the "unreleased" status. His voice remincenses Junior Murvin (Police and Thieves) here and there, on top of "just" an overall highly impressive melodic style of singing.
Starting of with a drum roll and riddim (skank) section soaked in echoes, at the tenth second a Dub siren enters and the drum and bass start playing. The drums (a steppers with a full blown snare) and the bass are of the solid kind, the kind that works very well in a Sound System set with an MC. The Dub is of the straight forward kind, the kind that just waits for some toasting, the kind that makes you wonder about the vocal version.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
PRINCE JAZZBO - RASTAFARI DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Actually, it would be more appropriate to speak about an introduction by Lone Ranger, Jazzbo himself and the Fire Face Music Horn Section. "Rastafari Dubwise" is an easy skanker, a Rub a Dub style track that will make you move along with the drum and bass line. While the echoes go from right to left and back again, Jazzbo drops in every now and then, leaving just enough food for thought and meditation about Jah.
Whatever you may think when you hear "Jah Rastafari", truth is that Jah is the One to be feared, the Head of creation. Whatever you may think when you hear "Rastaman" truth is that a true Rastaman is that humble lion Jazzbo speaks about. Whatever you may think when you hear Dubwise, truth is that Rastafari Dubwise is another heavyweight original Dubwise selection straight from the Dubroom studio.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
MESSIAN DREAD - LOVING DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Often, the Art of Dub is described as the "Art of Taking Away". How true that is, and how true that is for "Loving Dubwise". Before this track became a Dub, there was quite a quantity of filling instruments: several guitars, even a violin and a quartet of singers: Assante, Tallis, Ras Khaleel and UK based female vocalist Mandy Edge. A truly joyful sound, which is emphasized by the effects. Lots of stereo effects, lots of multi-layered echoes and more technical niceness coming you way!
Both the title and -sparse but effective- lyrical content deal with that thing called Love. Not the slackness kind of love, but the love that makes people stop wars and fighting each other. The kind of love that brings forth fruit in due season, the same love that Kojak described on this very same album: Jah Love. It is Jah Love, that will take you higher.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
KOJAK - PREVAILMENT OF DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Like Horseman says in the introduction: "Now this is the original Dub thing", and so it is. An original Dubroom riddim, written and produced especially for the crucial lyrics by -again- a legendary Jamaican Reggae MC. This one is a Dub from a full-length lyrical track that is unreleased at the time of this writing, but it surely carries enough vocal snippets to het yet another message across: Jah Love will Prevail!
The riddim is easy, but paying attention to the bass will reveal a deeper vibe than a first superficial listen might produce. Kojak's sing-jay style on top, sometimes leaving a long trail of echoes and a skank section that, well, cuts like a razor blade. It's actually a pretty meditative track, because it brings a peaceful vibe yet every now and then some effects pleasantly disturb it just enough to keep you with both feed on the ground.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
TRINITY - LIGHT OF THIS DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
There's one thing that the album version clearly has in common with it's previously released extended Dub version, and that's the obvious Sound System vibe. It starts with the obligatory Dub Siren, and the riddim just asks for an MC (or toaster if you're a bit more old-skool like yours truly). Good thing Trinity drops in and out, just often enough to deliver the message and not so much that you can't speak about a Dub track on a Dub album anymore.
The mixing style of "Light Of This Dubwise" is pretty traditional. It resembles the way a lot of dubs were mixed in the days King Tubby and Scientist were transforming the riddim tracks of Channel One, the days wherein DJ's like Dillinger and Trinity began to break through as well. By no means to be considered an attempt to sound like yesterday, this 2014 has a Trinity delivering a message as strong as "back in the days".
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
DILLINGER - DWELL IN LOVE AND DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
No, this is not just a shortened version of the previously released extended Dub. It's a completely different mix with a different vibe. Where it lacks the silky backing vocals by Don Goliath, it has Dan Man introducing the track and dropping words here and there during the 3 3/4 minutes of pure Dubwise energy that follows. Where it has less chanting by Dillinger, it contains much more Dub mixing and significantly more militancy in the vibe.
When the riddim drops after about a minute, Dan Man steps in and the effects go totally wild as he speaks. Horns morphing into drums, or is the other way around? The drum and bass drop in and continue for a while, only to stop and give the horns full time as it's soaked in an endless echo. When they drop in again, it takes a while before Dillinger starts to chant, leading us right to the end.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
PATO BANTON
DUBROOM MP3 ARTIST REVIEW
During his decades-long career, Pato Banton voiced for UB40 and many other UK based famous acts. His sense of humor, his usual focus on social and spiritual topics, he combines everything in an undeniable special and personal style that has -in the mean time- lifted up the souls of millions of listeners and viewers of energetic concerts. Check out this remarkable talent!
DAN MAN - BLAZE THE DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
Striking a match, a bubbling sound, laughing, horns (played by the UK based Fire Face Music collective) dropping in. Dan Man telling us to listen to the versatile sound of "Blaze the Dubwise" as he guides us through this rub a dub style riddim. Fire and water, some intelligence and a lot of blazing effects. Yes, it's about -let's say- Original Ireness which is so much better than original slackness. Keep the fire blazing, hotter than hot.
As the track progresses you'll hear sliding guitars and sweet synths on top of a pumping drum and bass line, everything mixed into an Ire Dubwise. This is not the kind of fire the wicked shall catch, this is the kind of fire that goes bubbling through the water before it brings what it can bring. The kind of fire that requires intelligence, before it delivers the niceness it can deliver.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
DENNIS ALCAPONE - DUB THE DUB YOU DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE
The track opens as if it were a normal Reggae tune: full horns and skank section (recorded at Ariwa studio) playing the introduction, a drum roll, Dennis Alcapone drops in and starts to chant. Then, the echo machine is turned on and the track stops, gets a rewind and starts again. This time, it's heavy Dub as the horn section turns into a sharp razor and Dennis Alcapone runs through all sides of the echo chamber.
It's the opening of the track as well as the album. Indeed, heavyweight dubwise with a very clear message running through in the same time. The drums and instruments are at times completely transformed into what sounds like a Steel Drum, while Dennis Alcapone jumps in and out delivering words for meditation.
Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom.
RIGHT-CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN MP3 FORMAT (320 KBPS)
This posting is part of a twelve day presentation series (August 10-21 2014) of the album "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". When you read this after August 22, 2014, CLICK HERE and get the whole album in several formats.
DON GOLIATH PRESENTS REGGAE & DUB ACAPELLAS
STUDIO DUBROOM SOFTWARE AND SOUNDWARE REVIEW
When you go to the various websites where the online (DUB) Reggae artists/producers upload their material, it will not take too long before you stumble upon a tune that has one of these well known jingles from Mikey Dread's albums, or Prince Far I, or Jah Thomas. Just three, you know. But "everyone" knows them and even though non-commercial releases will usually not be objected, using such vocal samples is not really a sign of dignity.
Producing your own (DUB) Reggae and releasing it in a legal way: let's call it the Dignity Combination.
Sure, there were times when it was simply not possible for your average online Dub producer to obtain vocal material in a legal way and not get bankrupt. Even stronger, there simply was no vocal material available for use in your own productions until more recently, when DUB DROPS released their excellent "SOUND SYSTEM VOCALS" featuring Dennis Alcapone and Horseman. Three releases, all three reviewed in the Dubroom and used in the productions of the studio that is attached to this website.
And now there is the line of Reggae & Dub Acapellas by Don Goliath.
Or, to be more specific, presented by Don Goliath, who also contributed vocally.
When you've never heard of Don Goliath, and you're looking at names like Horseman and Dennis Alcapone as an alternative option, you can make the enormous mistake of overlooking this line of Reggae Vocal sample releases. A mistake which can easily be overcome, though, by continuing to read this (first) review.
Let's carry on dropping names, just to make some points:
All six names have, like Dennis Alcapone and Horseman, legendary status. U Roy can be considered the founding father of DJ-ing, not just in Reggae but in every style of music including Hip-Hop. Lone Ranger has been voicing for Studio One, the starting point of too many careers to mention. Dillinger had a world hit with "Cokane In My Brain", Trinity voiced the classic "Jesus Dread". Before Kojak chanted as a DJ, his got a name as part of the duo Kojak and Liza. Prince Jazzbo features on classic albums from Black Ark and has many essential productions on his own name. And that's just a little name dropping to set the tone.
The tone of Roots Reggae as authentic as authentic can be.
Yes, you've guessed it. Don Goliath's series has all six of these famous vocalists included. Among much more, that is.
Read on.
MESSIAN DREAD - HIS IMPERIAL DUBWISE (EXTENDED) | OFFICIAL
VIDEO
DUBROOM VIDEO RELEASE
WWW, August 8 2014 - This is the official video for the extended version
of His Imperial Dubwise. The video was produced August 7/8 2014, the music a few
months earlier.
The track can be downloaded for free at: http://messiandread.dubroom.org/sounds-trax-197.htm
Available: High Quality MP3 and CD Quality Wave Audio
Now, perhaps you are interested in not just the music but the other contents
of the audio (and video) as well. A very good thing indeed.
Please read on.
This video -as well as the audio- contains historical footage that has -perhaps
unfortunately- lost not one ounce in relevance. It contains a message for all,
but since this was taken from a speech in front of world wide evangelists there
is an extra dimension for those (that claim to be) Born Again Christians and yet
can only come with negative statements concerning His Imperial Majesty Haile
Selassie I Of Ethiopia.
Here are some questions, adressed in the music and even stronger in the video:
Why is it that your average Christian can only say about the Emperor, that he
"is not God"? Could it be the propaganda machine of the
"Christian Industry" that tries to keep it's customers -the faithfull-
far away from the Freedom Sounds called Reggae Music and the knowledge about the
Ethiopian Connection in the Bible? Could it be the result of a form of racism
that claims how there is a "Judeo-Christian Civilization" in what the
Rastaman and many others have rightly identified as Babylon System? Could it be,
that a true "Judeo-Christian" Civilization has existed almost from the
day our Lord was crucified and rose again?
Where Ethiopia is mentioned almost at the first page of the Bible and in many
passages afterwards, a pattern arises that can not be ignored by serious
scholars of the Holy Scriptures.
Moses' wife was Ethiopian and Jah punished the racists who protested against
that marriage.
The first official representant of any government that heard and accepted the
Gospel of Jesus Christ was the Ethiopian Noble Man, who brought back the gospel
to a country that was already serving the Most High through the knowledge of
King Solomon.
Talking about a real "Judeo-Christian Civilization"!
And so, this video is many things.
First and foremost, this is a wake up call for all born again Christians who
think that they are serving God when they denegrate Haile Selassie. Where only
portions of Billy Graham's introduction of Haile Selassie to an audience of
world-wide evangelists back in 1966 is used, listening to the whole speech
(without music) would definitely break down that wall of ignorance even more.
In the same time, this is a wake-up call for those that think Rastafari and
Christian livity do not go together or worse: must fight each other. You know
who you are, warriors in what is definitely not the good fight even though you
might think you are fighting the good fight.
Equally, this video is a livication (rather than a deadication) to all people of
all colour who do fight the good fight. The fight against racial injustice, the
spiritual fight against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A livication to Billy Graham, who back in 1966 introduced Haile Selassie as
"Chief of State who can greet us in the Name of Jesus Christ". In a
time where in his own "christian" country apartheid and "christianity"
was seen as similar, Billy Graham pointed to a different direction. Check this
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsciFWj-REg
Comments (more than) welcome!
AISHA WITH MAD PROFESSOR - JAH VENGEANCE
PLUS DUB
DUBROOM SINGLE REVIEW
Yes, this is a re-make of the Yabby You classic. And what a remake it is! Just like Yabby You, sister Aisha is known to have her spirituality well connected with her musical output, both on stage and in the studio. Just like Yabby You, Mad Professor knows how to capture this spiritual determination on the tape machine or whatever it is they use nowadays in the legendary Ariwa studio.
The classic riddim has not lost one inch or ounce in this 2014 remake. It's arguably stronger, and definitely more contemporary which has it's advantages. As Aisha sings the oh so important lyrics in a way that demands an ear, the music is more than illustrative of the words. It's the riddim itself, sure, but it's the sound of Ariwa as well. A sound that is driven to the fullness in the accompanying Dub, mixed by the Mad Professor.
For a Dub Head like yours truly, the choice between a the Vocal or the Dub version is more often than not, well, just not a choice. It's about the Dub and too much lyrics can become like too much gunshots in a bad western movie anyway. Not with his one, though. It's not just the fact that ones who like Aisha (and who doesn't) will gladly pick up her latest tune simply because it has been too long. No, it's also the fact that in itself, this single stands so strong in it's message, the words are so serious where you hear that yes it's a good singer but there's something more. Yes, much more.
Perhaps that is the reason why the Dub version is so outstanding as well. This is definitely not just a B-side or however you want to call the Dub versions in their digital releases. This is a more than crucial Dub, it's almost like the Mad Professor knew that with such a vocal version you kind of need all you have in your studio to give it at least a balanced counter-weight.
Almost? Of course he knew.
Get the single at ITUNES or even better, get the two tracks free or for just 1 USD at EMUSIC. And check out the vocal at Ariwa's Youtube page.
ANNOUNCING THE FIRST FULL LENGTH MESSIAN DREAD ALBUM SINCE ALMOST A DECADE
DUBROOM IN-SITE # 34
Announcing the first full-length Messian Dread album since almost a decade
In a recent personal musical update, a mention was made concerning efforts to release a physical CD with full Artwork. At the time of that update, the CD was going through an approval process. It's current status is that tomorrow or the day after a proof-copy will be sent to the Dubroom for review. When everything is found to be in order, the CD will be available from AMAZON.com for a reasonable price. The disc will have four bonus tracks and will last a full 70 minutes. When everything goes the way it preferably will, the CD should be available sometime next month.
The disc will be the CD version of an album that will be released for free download from August 10 to 21, so that is in a few days time. Every day, another track will be made available for free download. The free download album contains twelve tracks, the CD has a bonus tracks. The CD will come in true full quality CD audio taken directly from the master files and will include full Artwork. It is, however, a service for those people that like to have a physical CD of this first full-length Messian Dread album since almost a decade.
The album has the rather theatrical but nevertheless quite truthful title "Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection". All the tracks on the album are original Dubroom riddims, and they feature a whole host of excellent to even legendary vocalists like U Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Papa Kojak, Seamus, Ras Khaleel and others.
Here is the Front Cover (click to enlarge):
TRACKS:
1. Dennis Alcapone - Dub The Dub You Dubwise (4:15)
2. Dan Man - Blaze The Dubwise (3:41)
3. Dillinger - Dwell In Love And Dubwise (3:45)
4. Trinity - Light Of This Dubwise (3:55)
5. Kojak - Prevailment Of Dubwise (3:43)
6. Messian Dread - Loving Dubwise (3:46)
7. Prince Jazzbo - Rastafari Dubwise (3:29)
8. Seamus - Babylon Dubwise (5:15)
9. 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 (Ext.) (5:26)
All tracks have been created between May and June of this year, after obtaining several vocal licenses and a lot of work in the Dubroom studio. They are all original Dubroom riddims and productions. Everything is created and mixed in the Dubroom studio although some loops with Horns and Percussion were used, and of course the vocals. These vocalists obviously deserve respect, in this case respect in the form of the best the Dubroom can produce at the moment. Those interested in these more technical aspects should read this article and visit studio.dubroom.org or dubroom.yuku.com on a regular basis as more information is added.
Dubroom music available at more websites
With the increase in number of releases comes the increase of websites from where you can download Dubroom music. Where the music was previously available at SOUNDCLICK.com, ICOMPOSITIONS.com, LAST.fm, VERSIONIST.net and REVERBNATION.com this has been expanded to AMAZON.com and MYSPACE.com. In a way, you can add You Tube to this list as well, given the fact that already two full length tracks have been release in the form of official videos.
Just a few more things
The Dubroom was and is founded in 1997 to promote (DUB) Reggae and Consciousness. Everything reviewed, published and even released should be seen as an act of promotion of (DUB) Reggae and/or Consciousness as you can find it more or less described throughout the entire Dubroom network of website, blogs and message boards. This doesn't mean that our releases are to be seen as promotional material in the sense of "free to copy and paste for my own promotion".
MP3/Wav releases before 2014 are released under Creative Commons Copyright, but not the material released since around April/May of this year 2014.
And not the midifiles, either. We are trying to reach out to the people of www.tempa.co.uk who release a tune "Blue Eyez" by someone called "Skream". This individual has used a midifile from midi.dubroom.org, pressed "play" on his midiplayer and added some sounds, in order to release it commercially under his own name. Throughout the years, the track has been viewed well over 150,000 times on YouTube which should at least trigger some response to the Dubroom for it is this website and it's attached studio where the musical track was originally created and released.
Anyway,
One Love,
Messian Dread
LOOP MASTERS
DUBROOM WEBSITE REVIEW
It was somewhere in the beginning of 2014, that I was browsing the Web in search for some material to use in my music. I had been kind of silent for quite some years, and one of the reasons for that was that I was kind of finished with the sounds that I had produced for some years. Finished with my virtual brass section, finished with my own vocals, and very much impressed by more recent online works from Net Labels mainly in the digital spectrum.
I have this thing with in-your-face digital Dub and other Roots Reggae. I love it, I can make hours and hours of DJ mixes carrying the sounds. I can't, however, produce it myself. It's simply not there, in my soul. At least, not at this moment. After several failed attempts which I don't even want to discuss, I felt myself kind of stuck between the stuff I produced earlier and, well, something I wasn't really sure of.
In this state of mind, I was kind of looking on the Internet for some stuff to work on, or with. Typing all kinds of key-words into the search engine, getting all kinds of websites with shady contents that might be nice for some private productions but for the rest has, let's say, legally questionable material. Sure, it would be nice to download an Acapella by let's say Luciano and be able to create a musical work with it that you can release, right? Well, forget such niceness when you use shady websites like the ones I just described.
Someone once said, in a different context: "Do as they say, not as they do". I took that principal at hand, and went on to look for a legal variety. Is it possible, to get some good quality legal vocal material, preferably of the authentic kind? This is where I discovered just why almost every website with advertisements has this banner linking to LOOPMASTERS.com.
Usually and like "everyone", I ignore banners and ads when I visit a website. The times that I've actually clicked on an ad because I was interested in the site can be counted using the fingers of one hand, and I'm online since the early 1990's. Being the "rebel" that I am, the more I see an ad the less I'm likely to click on it. The reason why I did visit the Loop Masters' website therefore had nothing to do with the publicity. The reason was simply I was looking for legal material, especially vocals, and my search engine gave me the link. The only link.
Now, a few months later, I can only conclude that Loop Masters is the one-stop for most of the most authentic and legal online source material for the production of (DUB) Reggae Music. This is not my suggestion for a slogan to use in yet another banner, it is my personal conclusion at this moment. A conclusion which I would like to share, without apology but with reasoning.
The first thing that I noticed, was a familiar name: Dubmatix. This Canadian producer is without the shadow of a doubt living up to his last name "King" when it comes to Dub and the North American continent. He knows his music, he knows his vocalists and he knows his studio. I looked further and discovered they had a sample pack with material from none other than Mad Professor. My fingers started to itch as I was clicking my mouse. However, I wasn't jumping to the "Sample Boutique" as they very pleasantly describe themselves to get Drum loops and such things.
This is when I discovered what would become source material for literally all my productions this year, both released and (yet) unreleased or even unfinished. Source material for 10's and 10's of tracks, perhaps even well over a 100. Quality source material, for prices that make you laugh. Authentic quality source material, of which the first serious online review is yet to be written. This review -and the product reviews the Dubroom already published- is only the beginning of a serious promotion campaign to right that blatant wrong.
Now, do I seriously think that Loop Masters is waiting for a Dubroom review to get customers? Absolutely not. In fact, I am convinced that they have a good running business and probably didn't even notice how the Dubroom reviewed one of it's products only days after it's release (Mad Professor's Reel to Reel Reggae Volume Two). The overwhelming major part of Loop Master's catalogue is aimed at the producer of Electronic Dance Music or EDM, so they're obviously not depending on "our kind of people" (Dub/Reggae producers).
A kind of independence that -in the case of LOOPMASTERS.com- provides quality of the highest -read: non-commercial- kind.
Let me put it in other words, more blatant. The music we love, (DUB) Reggae, is commercially not attractive. You will not score a world hit with a Dub tune. At least, not yet. There is no strict commercial interest that will drive a provider of Samples and other Soundware to offer (DUB) Reggae related material. There must be some other reason for Loop Masters to offer the things they do, and I can come up with nothing else but a pure love for Reggae.
So, what I'm reviewing here is actually not really the website LOOPMASTERS.com but rather the things you, as a producer of (DUB) Reggae music can find there. Yes, there is much more than what was already reviewed here in the Dubroom and even though eventually all interesting products will get their own review, you might not want to wait any longer after reading what you're about to read.
Get ready.
Readers and visitors will have read about "Roots Step", a very contemporary form of Roots Reggae that appeals to lovers of DubStep and other forms of contemporary digital stuff. Roots Step is a sound by Berlin based producer DON GOLIATH, who has been interviewed because of his remarkable musical works. His countless tracks feature legendary vocalists like U Roy, Trinity, Dillinger, Kojak, Lone Ranger, and Prince Jazzbo. Others feature more younger but crucial singers like Ras Khaleel, Clifton Yeates, Seamus, Kamouflage, Kontent, Masta Jay, Assante and Tallis. Or MC's like Piracy, Lion Tafari, and Jah Rooti.
Wait.
It's rather difficult not to notice that some of these names feature in more recent Dubroom productions and in case you've wondered just how it is possible for the Dubroom to produce a Dillinger track, now you know.
No, Don Goliath and I have not both been shopping at LOOPMASTERS.com. In fact, this is where I got introduced to this name, as Don Goliath is the one who provided the UK based sample boutique with 10's of acapellas he used for his own productions. Original acapellas, proven by the fact that many of the vocalists talk about the Don.
Under the name "Don Goliath - Reggae And Dub Acapellas Vol. 1-6", LOOPMASTERS.com offers full length lyrical acapellas including a license (quite important). Each volume has a number of tracks. You can buy a volume and pay less per track, or you can -like I did- pay a little more but only get the ones you want. A little nit-picking, because when you're looking at the prices you start to wonder why there is so little music found online that was created with one or more of the acapellas.
Usually, when there's not a sale you will pay around 8 Euros per track. Immediately after you make a purchase, you get "virtual cash" in your account, which is about 10-15% of the money you just spent. You can use this "virtual cash" with a next purchase. When there's a sale, you can get an acapella for as low as five euros this way. Again, this includes a legal license to use the vocal works in your own productions.
When I discovered LOOPMASTERS.com I could not believe that I had never heard any track featuring the vocal works before, in particular with prices like these. I see some non-commercial artists using acapellas from shady sites or jingles from albums that "everyone" knows, with the result that their own productions are shady and can never be seriously considered. This ridiculously cheaply priced series from Don Goliath -and other vocal releases at LOOPMASTERS.com- should put an end to that, in my opinion.
Sure, there are many who -for one reason or another- are unable to perform online payments. Still, this can not be an excuse not to pay attention to the website or the sample packs they offer. It's what I did when I first visited the website: I downloaded the free demo files from all the Reggae vocal packs at the website and some other stuff as well, like Mad Professor's Reel to Reel Reggae. In itself, this was almost the weight of a complete sample pack but that wasn't the only fun these free downloads gave me. They included a license too!
Check this quote, straight from the Loop Masters website:
The demo loops are covered by our General Licence Terms meaning you can use them in your commercial productions with no further royalty payments. If you do use them commercially we would very much appreciate you purchasing the full pack in order to help support our Artists producing the packs, more releases and free samples.
This simply means, that every online artist can -should- register at LOOPMASTERS.com, receive a free welcome pack and start downloading the demo files. It's free and gives your releases a legal foundation, which is not just relevant for obvious reasons: it is a sign of (self-) respect as well.
It did not take me too long before I wanted more than the free packs I downloaded. These free packs, however, had already brought me on a next level. Remember, I was kind of looking for material because I hadn't been producing anything for years because I was finished with my sound. I had found the source material I was looking for. This was indeed a financial investment, but even without any purchase I have done at LOOPMASTERS.com I had material for many, many tracks. Licensed material, that is.
For me, the Loop Masters boutique has provided me with just the right material to improve my sound to a next level. Something which in my idea can easily be recognized just by playing stuff I currently release and comparing it with my older stuff, like on my album "Showcase". No, I am not talking about easy-to-build tracks. In reviews I hope to publish later on the Don Goliath series, this will become very clear. I am talking about inspiring material that challenges me to go beyond what I used to do. Material that is educational, too.
I wasn't asked or paid to do this review. I wrote it because it is my work to promote (DUB) Reggae Music. Even my own productions and releases can and should be seen in that context. I think that when properly used, the material that LOOPMASTERS.com has for the average online (DUB) Reggae artist/producer can serve as a resource to improve the quality of many, many works.
When you're serious about your work, a visit to LOOPMASTERS.com is almost as obligated as having a computer in the first place.
Without apology.
One Love,
Messian Dread
August 4, 2014
