Willi Williams: "Smugg Records Are Pirates"

WILLI WILLIAMS: "SMUGG RECORDS ARE PIRATES"
DUBROOM (DUB) REGGAE NEWS AND VIEWS

WWW, October 3 1014 - In a very informative, but partly disturbing interview the Midnight Raver recently held with well known Reggae Singer Willi Williams, the Ammagideon Man was quoted about a release called "One Love". As the album was reviewed and promoted by the Dubroom, it was shocking to hear what the brethren had to say about this release. In short: it's pirated, don't buy!

Ask Bunny Wailer about the early Wailers Black Ark recordings you can find almost everywhere. Ask Scientist about his well-known Greensleeves Dub Series. Ask Willi Williams about "One Love. Not the concept, but the album. Released by UK-based Smugg Records. Who were so kind to send the Dubroom a promo copy years back when it was released. Which was subsequently reviewed and promoted from this very website.

This is what he has to say:

“The ONE LOVE record is a pirated record. These guys been releasing my records for years and no matter how you try to get to them to let them know that it is not legal they insist on doing it. I send plenty letters from my lawyers and every ‘ting but they are shady. Its a shadowy business but Smugg Records is one of the pirates, they just using that name to sell the records. Especially this new record was pirated by them at whoever is behind this Smugg Records. I even got to one of the guys one time and he was very shadowy and could not tell me how he got it because I have no agreement with them. You know I did some tracks way back with an individual named Steven King out of the UK – him have a label called Uptempo – I did a couple of tracks with him as producer and he went and took my tracks from these sessions along with some others and I suspect that is how they release these pirated records.”

source

The Book of life teaches us how "The Love For Money Is The Root Of All Evil". That's not the One Love Willi Williams sings about, that's not the definition of One Love over here in the Dubroom, either. That's the love for pounds, euros, dollars. The kind of love that brings people to make wars and kill millions.

Needless to say that from this place we offer our apologizes -without any objection- to Willi Williams for having promoted something that did not provide him with the daily bread that he works for so hard. 

Equally, we gladly extend this piece of information from Willi Williams aka The Messenger Man to everyone who considers buying or promoting the album. 

One Love (yes!),
Messian Dread (editor, dubroom.org)

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEW

Step It Up In Dub (EP) (Dubroom Net Label Release)

STEP IT UP IN DUB (EP)
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE

WWW, October 2014 - Hard hitting Steppers riddims form the foundation of this EP featuring seven vocalists in three long and intense Dubwise mixes. Extreme Dub work-outs on the bass, in fact there's a lot of abuse of the effect devices overall in this release. While the vocalists deliver enough lyrical content, sounds of creation and full blown instrument sections add to the undeniable power of the drum and bass lines.

While the three tracks can be played as a single track, for example in a play list or DJ set, listening to the full 16+ minutes will put them in a perspective. This EP is about the power of the bass, which -as a scientific study recently documented- is not just a slogan chanted in the Dance or otherwise, but a reality. The bass as foundational sound? Here is where DUB undisputedly stands at number one. That's reality too!

The second track is very deliberately put in the center of the three-track release. It's about the sound of a much greater power than any man-made bass instrument. It's about a power described in oh so many Rastaman lyrics and that's the power of JAH, audible in the real thunder and lightning. In the first track we'll hear everything about the bass line, in the last track we're rising up the Red Gold and Green banner of Conscious Dub.

The power of the bass, of thunder and lightning, blesseth are those that know themselves to be rooted in JAH.

Of course, with this trinity of Dub track about (Jah) Power you're given a hint to search something about another Ikon of the Power of Jah, Who Himself is a Trinity just like we little people are (body, soul spirit). 

With such a foundation, yes, step it up!

Stepping it up in three different Dubwise mixes, wherein no instrument, voice, slider knob or button is left untouched. Even though everything stays coherent, the hardware was put to enormous work as sometimes no less than seven different effects are used in the same time. 

Stepping it up in three hard-hitting steppers riddims, all with real horns and real this-and-that and original Dubroom bass lines. Visit studio.dubroom.org when you are interested in the more technical or legal aspects of this release, which is -as all Dubroom productions- fully legal and licensed.

TRACK BY TRACK DESCRIPTION:

Jah Rooti - Dub Up Di Bassline

It takes a while before you know what Jah Rooti is talking about, but after about 30 seconds or so you'll get the point more than clear. As the tune continues to develop after the initial start, effects are layered to the extend that it is no longer clear just what effect comes from which source. Not just nice for a little studio research but also for the enjoyment of Dub music. 

Then, everything drops except for the bass and Jah Rooti chanting about the bass line. Filters and reverbs are not spared and when the drums finally drops back in the Dub gets into a yet weirder phase, only to come back with full instruments and singing and lead to the end in yet another segment of full-effect style mixing.

Ras Khaleel - Pray Up In Dub (ft Aiva and Penti)

Definitely the center-piece of this EP, it's length being an indication of it's importance in the story of Step It Up In Dub. True sounds of nature open up, including a massive thunder roll. During this exposition of Jah Power, a melodica and Ras Khaleel lead us to the horns and Penti telling us what to do when we wake up in the morning: chant a psalm. Ras Khaleel enters asking for some positive thoughts while I and I pray as we pray about serious things.

Why does Babylon take our life for granted, killing our brothers and our sisters in a continual war against mankind and it's Creator? It should be about love, no hate should come around as we live this life that our Creator has given us. Once again, here is the message of One Love in Dub.

Excellent backing vocals by Aiva, crucial Horns by the Zion Train massive, intense Dub mixing from the Dubroom's in-house engineer, over six minutes of deep Dub meditation.

ADX - Dub Up Di Banner (ft Soulja and Penti)

Penti opens up giving a short history lesson before ADX continues to describe the current situation. Soulja takes over and calls for more love, honor and respect which is what has to be done in these current times of violence and hatred. Reggae, and especially DUB has spread from Jamaica to the UK to the whole world and has stood at the roots of virtually all electronic musical styles and techniques. 

Where the music is so influential, so should the Message that comes with this Music since ancient days. 

That's why we rise up the Banner of Red Gold and Green.

1. Jah Rooti - Dub Up Di Bassline (4:55) (320Kbps MP3)
2. Ras Khaleel - Pray Up In Dub (ft Aiva and Penti) (6:08) (320Kbps MP3)
3. ADX - Dub Up Di Banner (ft Soulja and Penti) (5:17) (320Kbps MP3)

Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom. Available for free: 128 Kbps/320 Kbps MP3 Files, CD Quality Wave Audio.

CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO THE DOWNLOAD PAGE

SOME SOURCES:

   

Dub Dynasty - Thundering Mantis (Dubroom Album Review)

DUB DYNASTY - THUNDERING MANTIS
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUYING OPTIONS

   

READ REVIEW AT DUBROOM WEBSITE

Ras Kitchen and Asante Amen - One Perfect Love Dub/Rastaman Camp Fire Dub (Dubroom Net Label Release)

RAS KITCHEN AND ASANTE AMEN - ONE PERFECT LOVE DUB/RASTAMAN CAMP FIRE DUB
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE

WWW, September 2014 - The second "virtual seven inch" featuring Ras Kitchen has a much deeper Roots and Culture vibe than the first one. Two heavy Roots Dub tracks, each having their very own distinctive vibe and approach. What both track have in common is the superb vocal singing of Asante Amen, Horns from Mad Professor's Ariwa studio and Messian Dread's Dubwise mixing.

Together, the two different tracks show the versatility and wideness of variety possible within Roots Reggae (Dub). In a way, it's also a statement concerning the use of "real instruments" versus programmed music. There is no "versus", there is just one thing: the rhythm of Roots Reggae as a means of communication. Playing and producing is one thing, knowing yourself and Reggae music is quite another.

One track has the (played) drums from Roots Radics drummer Style Scott, the other has a programmed Drum rhythm from Mad Professor's Ariwa studio. One track has a digital filter on the bass, the other track has a virtual analog. One track has a piano and guitar playing just the riddim where all the echo's and other effects do their thing, where the riddim or skank section at the other track features a lot of play with guitar wah's and an organ bubble.

Both tracks feature the vocals of Ras Kitchen and the very, very talented and skilled singer Asante Amen. Both men "happen" to be Rastaman, and a Rastaman comes with reasoning and with a meditation or a message if you will. Food for thought. 

In one track, you'll hear Assante Amen chanting and praying for equal rights and justice which "happens" to be the state of reign when Babylon is finally downstroyed and the Most High rules visible for all mankind. Yes, this is when Righteousness will Cover the Earth as the Book of Life tells us. This fire is blazing in the hearts of all true Rastaman, and if you want to make the parallel between the Rasta Food that Ras Kitchen is cooking and explaining in the track and the reasoning Asante Amen gives as a Rasta Food for thought, you've made the same parallel as Messian Dread when he made this Dub.

In the other track, there is much more a dialogue between Ras Mokko and Asante Amen. Together, they chant down racism and point out to the One Love, the One Perfect Love that enables people of all color to come together. We do not want no division along racial lines and lies, so that we are all equal and there is no one race superior and another inferior. This is what the Rastaman works on on a global scale, this is the message to the world and not just from the two vocalist but equally from the producer of this free release.

When you like the music, consider donating a little bit of money Ras Kitchen and/or purchasing tracks by Asante Amen.

1. Ras Kitchen and Asante Amen - One Perfect Love Dub (3:59)
2. Ras Kitchen and Asante Amen - Rastaman Camp Fire Dub (3:48)

Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom. Available for free: 128 Kbps/320 Kbps MP3 Files, CD Quality Wave Audio.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOWNLOAD PAGE (128/320 KBPS MP3 OR CD QUALITY WAVE AUDIO)

SOME SOURCES:

   

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

VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITED AS ONE
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

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

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

Why?

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

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

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

You'll sort it out.

READ MORE

Music For The Roots And Dub Massive (Radio Dubroom 2014 Chapter 8)

MUSIC FOR THE ROOTS AND DUB MASSIVE
RADIO DUBROOM 2014 CHAPTER 8

WWW, September 2014 - One hour and twenty minutes of not just pure niceness, because some of it can only be heard at this podcast and yet other selections are not yet released or released only on vinyl. This is a special selection that you just cannot afford to miss out.

The set starts with a track from the recently released Heavyweight Dubwise Selection LP, followed by a fine track with to-the-point lyrics from the Irie-On-Air Net Label. From the Original Dub Gathering another fine track with ditto Dub, followed by a track that can/could only be downloaded hundred times. This is a track about an upcoming duo-release from the Dubophonic and Dub Key Net Labels. 

The segment that follows contain two tracks from STEPPAS.com's Dub Dynasty and two from Moa Anbessa, recently reviewed in the Dubroom. All tracks with their Dub version, of course. Of course! There's one excellent Dub from the Dub Reservoir Net Label in the segment, too.

The show closes with a Discomix by Horseman and Dillinger, one by Seamus Ikonya which is on You Tube and a Discomix featuring Kojak at the microphone stand. That track has -just like the previous one- a Dub one the recently released Heavyweight Dubwise LP and is currently unreleased. 

Hear it here!

PLAYLIST 

01. Messian Dread - Loving Dubwise (Free Download)
02. Echo & Reverb All-Stars - Tres Caravelas (Free Download)
03. Echo & Reverb All-Stars - Christopher Colonus (Free Download)
04. Fu Step- Holidays (Free Download)
05. Fu Steps - Holidays Dubwise (Free Download)
06. Red Star Martyrs - Roots Rock Rebel (Discomix) (More Info)
07. Moa Anbessa and Prince David - Watch Dem (Vinyl Release)
08. Dubwise (Vinyl Release)
09. Dub Dynasty and Prince David - Evil Fe Bun (Vinyl Pre-Release)
10. Dubwise (Vinyl Pre-Release)
11. Dub Dynasty and Ngoni - We Got Jah (Vinyl Pre-Release)
12. Dubwise (Vinyl Pre-Release)
13. Barbes D and Emanouel - King Of Dub (Free Download)
14. Moa Anbessa and Jules I - Jah Calling (Vinyl Release)
15. Dubwise (Vinyl Release)
16. Horseman and Dillinger - Dangerous and Famous (Discomix) (Free Download)
17. Seamus Ikonya - Babylon System (Unreleased Discomix) (Video)
18. Kojak - Prevail (Unreleased Discomix)

DOWNLOAD PODCAST (128 or 320 KBPS)

Five Ways To Start A Dub And A Final Version (Making Dub With Computers Chapter 31)

MAKING DUB WITH COMPUTERS CHAPTER 31: FIVE WAYS TO START A DUB AND A FINAL VERSION
STUDIO DUBROOM TUTORIAL

WWW, September 18 2014 - You're a selector on a tight budget, whether financially or timely. In any case, you have to browse quickly through the available catalogue of Dub tracks. Or perhaps you're a Dub collector and you're looking for that next addition. Whatever the case, I'm sure you'll agree that when you're looking for or listening to new music, the first let's say 20 seconds are pretty decisive.

That's what we're going to address in this final chapter of the Version Excursion into the basics of Dub mixing.

I've prepared five different ways to start a Dub, using the riddim we've made for this tutorial. All four effect devices are used, just like in the previous chapters. Here they are, with a small explanation:

Variation A:

1. Drum Roll
2. Skanks
3. Bass drops in
4. Drums drop in

When you start with a Drum roll, then cut the Drums to let only the Skanks play, cut the Skanks with echo and start the Bass during the Echo with the Drums entering later, you create a tension. You tend to get impatient to hear the drum and bass. 

This is just one way of doing it. However, it is a rather classic method that you most certainly will hear back in many classic Dub tracks.

Variation B:

1. Drum Roll
2. Bass Drops In
3. Horns Drop In and Out
4. Pucking/Clavinet Drop in and out
5. Skanks Drop In and Out

Starting with a Drum Roll, then cutting the Drums while only the Bass plays and the rest of the instruments are quickly (un)muted at strategic points. 

It creates yet another vibe of tension, as you want to hear the Drum and the Bass.

Variation C:

1. Pucking/Clavinet only Wet through Pre-Aux 4
2. Bass Drum Drops In and Out
3. Bass Drops In
4. Drums Drop In

Running the pucking Guitar and the Clavinet through the Aux 4 Pre out to the Reverb, with the bass drum hitting once or twice before the bass line drops in, is a more spaced-out vibe.

It's not so much to create a tension, it's more a spaced out thing. 

You know...

Variation D:

1. Drum Roll
2. Bass, Skanks, Horns Drop in With Space Echo
3. Skanks are muted directly
4. Horns (un)muted Strategically

Because of the many 16th notes played in the Horn Them, just (un)muting the channel at (no so) random will give an instant Dub vibe that will catch those that love their "Dubbing With Horns".

Know when to (un)mute and you can create special echo's. For more information see the Tutorial at studio.dubroom.org

Variation E:

All channels open Aux 3 (Space Echo)

1. Drum Roll
2. Drum and Bass
3. Skanks (un)muted
4. Horns (un)muted
5. Pucking Guitar and Clavine (un)muted)

The Space Echo is so spacey, that in itself feeding the device by merely (un)muting channels does give a Dub vibe. When you have trained yourself in knowing where to find the strategic places to (un)mute, you're pretty close to creating a reasonable Dub in one take.

Here are the Five Ways To Start A Dub Mix:

CLICK HERE TO READ FURTHER

 

Crucial Alphonso - Visionary Creation (MP3 Album Review)

CRUCIAL ALPHONSO - VISIONARY CREATION
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

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

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

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE