Imitate to Eradicate? (2)

Dubroom Online - Edition October 16, 2007

"IMITATE TO ERADICATE? (2)" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 16 2007 - Smooth, carefully constructed test-tube products, straight out of the musical laboratories of Babylon System: many of such imitations of Reggae and Rastafari have been documented throughout the decades.

They are easily recognizable, though. For it doesn't matter as to whether Reggae Music is programmed or played, in both cases the heart and soul of the producer will be easily identifiable.

Imitators will be obviously not at ease with the open, heartical vibe of Reggae Music and Rastafari. That's the reason why they imitate in the first place, for Reggae Music and Rastafari are major obstacles in the ways of every good Babylonian.

Will they succeed? Of course not.

Give Thanks, One Love,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)


ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:
MUST HAVE! Various Artists - Trojan Explosion (MP3 Podcast Review)
Various Artists - Cornerstone Hi-Fi Roots Classics Volume 4

MUST HAVE! Various Artists - Trojan Explosion (MP3 Podcast Review)

TROJAN EXPLOSION
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, October 2007 - Coming with extensive liner notes from the selector, this complication of Roots Reggae from Trojan Records is an excellent presentation of the essential Reggae label.

Trojan Explosion provides the raw sound of 1970's Rockers Reggae, with styles and disciplines galore. Singers and DJ's, Players of Instruments and DUB engineers all give acte d' presence.

DJ Dr. Tahl produced an excellent compilation, and not just because of the crucial music. His in-depth liner notes on Trojan Records provides that extra dimension, while the mix itself provides that non-stop pleasure which you average compilation just won't give you.

Enjoy the fullness!

BROADCASTER'S COMMENTS: Trojan records, founded in 1968, was one of many labels in the United Kingdom that fed the ska, rocksteady and reggae craze sweeping the country. Founder Lee Gopthal had collaborated with Chris Blackwell of Island Records on mail order sales, which prompted Gopthal to start a record store called Musicland (which became part of the Muzik City Record Shops chain). Trojan's name comes from the Leyland trucks that were used by Duke Reid in Jamaica, which had Duke Reid - The Trojan King of Sounds painted on the sides. Reid's sound system became known as the Trojan Sound, which became synonymous with the new and hip music.

By 1970, Trojan artists that were making headway into the pop music charts included: Lee Perry's Upsetters, Bob & Marcia, The Cimarons, Desmond Dekker, Bruce Ruffin, Nicky Thomas and Dave & Ansel Collins. (Note: a common misconception is that Dave & Ansel Collins were brothers, although Dave Barker was a stand-alone artist and not related to Ansel Collins.)

Trojan's main function was not to develop new artists, but to serve as a sister label for Island Records. Monetary success came from releasing Jamaican music supplied by producers such as Duke Reid, Byron Lee and Leslie Kong into a series of popular, budget-priced compilations such as, Tighten Up, Club Reggae and Reggae Chartbusters.

Also included are the numerous sub-label's. Upsetter, Moodisc, Jackpot, Summit, Treasure Isle, etc.


PLAYLIST

01 Dillinger,King Tubbys & The Aggrovators - Jah Jah Dub
02 Dennis Brown - Concentration (Produced by Derrick Harriot)
03 Ronnie Davis - The Power of Love (Produced by Lyodie Slim & Bunny Lee)
04 Dennis Brown - Changing of Times
05 Barry Brown - Living As A Brother (Produced by Barrington Levy)
06 Johhny clarke - Don't Trouble Trouble (Produced by Bunny Lee)
07 Tristan Palma - How Can A Man Be Happy
08 Johnny Clarke - Blood Dunza
09 The Abbyssinians - Yim Mas Gaan
10 Big Joe - Mas Gan
11 Delroy Wilson - Better Must Come
12 Prince Alla - Daniel (Produced by Tapper Zukie)
13 Tommy Mccook & The Upsetters - Cloak & Dagger (Produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry


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Various Artists - Cornerstone Hi-Fi Roots Classics Volume 4

CORNERSTONE HI-FI ROOTS CLASSICS 4
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, October 2007 - Soaked in echo's and sirens, the Stricktly Rockers Podcast brings you 78 minutes of pure niceness in a very special way.

The selection is simply great. A well balanced mix between Roots Rockers and Rub a Dub style takes us back to the late 1970's, early 1980's.

The podcast can be burned on a CD or put in the I-pod for some listening experience in the Outernet and especially when you're in love with effects, Cornerstone Hi-Fi Roots Classics will make you feel.

When you don't like extra echoing and Sirens on top of the music, though, you may not really like what you hear. Sometimes, the effects and sirens are too much, too loud, especially for those that don't like to much playing with the music anyway.



PLAYLIST

01 Stop the fighting - Johnny Osbourne
02 Two bad daughter - Johhny Osbourne
03 Kingdom rise - Wailing Souls
04 Very well dub - Wailing Souls
05 Dreadlocks man - Barrington Levy
06 Revelation - Barrington Levy
07 Wicked reign - Eek a mouse
08 Humble yourself - Asher and Trimble
09 Tenement yard - Dennis Brown
10 Fade away - Junior Byles
11 Disco Jack version - Jackie Mittoo
12 Moulding - I Jahman Levi
13 Exodus - Freddie McKay

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Imitate to Eradicate? (1)

Dubroom Online - Edition October 15, 2007


"IMITATE TO ERADICATE? (1)" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 15 2007 - Do you have to be a Rasta to play Reggae? Do artists have to use Rastafarian concepts and colors in order to play "authentic" Reggae?

The answer to this is obvious, but not as obvious as one would assume. Because sometimes, it seems like the answer is "yes", though...

There are even artists who will publicly ridicule Rastafarian livity ("life style") but still use some outward appearance that resembles something "Rasta-ish"...

The bizarre aspect is, that these very same artists will often use their image to seriously attack one or more foundational pillars of Rastafari livity in the first place.

More tomorrow, JAH Willing.

Give Thanks, One Love,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)


ITEM FOR THIS EDITION:
Video: I Roy - Blackman Time (Live, 1995)

Video: I Roy - Blackman Time (Live, 1995)

I ROY - BLACKMAN TIME (1995)
Dubroom (DUB) Reggae Video Review



WWW, October 2007 - Many people will credit U Roy to be the first Reggae MC, but I Roy was there right behind him. Here he performs -with band- for an enthusiastic audience.

Usually, an MC will chant on a Sound system on top of a pre-recorded track. Sirens and other sound effects are added, people dance and thing while the selector puts one tune after the other on the turntables.

The popularity of "Toasting" as this form of "Reggae Rapping" was officially called went Sky High. Especially after the concept crossed the musical border of Reggae with American styles like Hip Hop and Rap.

U Roy was said to be the first MC to rhythmically chant over the drum and bass driven rhythms, somewhere in the 1960's, but I Roy was right there behind him. He created hit after hit in the 1970's, many of them still considered to be classics until this day.

In this video, we hook up with I Roy somewhere in 1995. Performing with a band, interacting with the musicians and the audience, yes this is another piece of niceness that will brighten up your day.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

"Dub Roots and Fruits"

Dubroom Online - Edition October 14, 2007

"DUB ROOTS AND FRUITS" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 14 2007 - Where DUB is the Roots, the concept of drum and bass driven rhythms accompanied by effects and vocals now seems to be the general formula of most forms of electronic music.

U-rope is the center of the world when it comes to electronic music, and therefore it will be no surprise that the bulk of sounds reviewed for today are U-ropean productions too.

Reggae purists will find one tune too plastic. Another tune will be seen as crossing the borderline of Reggae just a little too far.

However, there's a difference between Roots and Fruits. Roots are there to provide the energy, fruits are there to enjoy!

So let's enjoy a fruitful day!

Give Thanks, One Love,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)


ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:
Various Artists - "Shuffle" (MP3 Review)
Various Artists - "Stoned" (MP3 Review)

Various Artists - "Shuffle" (MP3 Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - SHUFFLE
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, October 2007 - In this deep DUBWISE experience, we will visit France, Austria, the UK, South Africa and Dominica for some crucial "Fruits Music" from the last 17 years.

Arguable, the UK and the European continent have been more receptive for DUB techniques and music than America, perhaps even Jamaica. Some of the strongest drum and basslines are created right there, in the midst of Babylon, even influencing people to create music that will cross the borders of Reggae, but not those of DUB.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that Europe can also be considered the musical center of the world when it comes to deep, electronic effect driven music. For DUB was one of the first styles to fit that description, if not the first.

In "Shuffle", we will be treated to a number of crucial European productions, accompanied by one from the mother land: South Africa. The kind of music that will on one hand make you feel completely chilled-out, while on the other hand some deep drum and bass ensure a steady pace.

Reggae purists will wonder just how much "Reggae" is left in some of the mixes, but if you listen close you will not really ask that question. Not everything may be "Roots Reggae", but it can definitely described as "Fruits Reggae"!


PLAYLIST

1. "Machine gun" - Mano Negra (France, 1994)
2. "Darker sensimillia" - Sly & Mo (Austria, 1999)
3. "See it coming" - Lotek Hi-Fi (UK, 2003)
4. "Babylon timewarp - Hijack (UK, 2006)
5. "Don´t bodda me" - Beat Pharmacy feat. Paul St. Hilaire (South Africa / Dominica, 2006)


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Various Artists - "Stoned" (MP3 Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - STONED
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, October 2007 - If you can, take a spliff and feel. Feel the deep, deep DUB vibes of the Orb, Rhythm and Sound and others as they take us to outer space, beyond the border!

Reggae Music and especially DUB has an enormous influence in the development of what we now know as contemporary electronic Dance music.

In fact, the music would have sound quite different if it was not for the fact that well-known producers like the Orb are among the biggest DUB fans on the face of the earth. Drum, bass and effects are now the ruling factors in many musical styles, of which we find some examples in this second episode of the Jamaica Hi-Fi Podcast.

Reggae and DUB purists will recognize just how the Reggae formula is incorporated in the productions, each track coming with a different outcome. One track will be closer to Reggae than the other, one track will be more danceable than the other.

We'll visit the UK, the USA and Germany to explore some chilled-out, yet intense productions all designed to enhance a positive buzz after enjoying a little bit of herb. So when you can, light one spliff or chalice and if you can't, don't worry bout that. The music will show you stuff anyway.


PLAYLIST

1. "I´m alright (orbing alright in dub)" (The Orb rmx) - Keith Hudson (Jamaica/UK, 1974/2001)
2. "Hands in the dark" - Chromatics (USA, 2005)
3."A way of being free (are you sitting comfortably very smooth, very peaceful mix)" - Dub Trees (UK, 2000)
4."Never tell you" - Rhythm and Sound feat. Tikiman (Germany/Dominica, 1996)
5."Cockney violin" - Caspa (UK, 2006)

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