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from Jamaica, the UK has also been a place
from which very heavy dub has been created.
Names like the Mad Professor, Dennis Bovell
and Jah Shaka are the big names from there.
And now, in this last year of the 20th
century, we have a strong movement called
the UK Roots. Heavy Roots Reggae Dub
Riddims, created with the help of digital
instruments and technology. One of the best
known names in this movement is Alpha and
Omega. But they are certainly not the only
one.
London Based JAH WARRIOR has opened his
vaults for Swedish label Lush Records and
delivered unto them 12 previously unreleased
dub tracks. This collection gives an
impression of the last three years in the
works of Jah Warrior. A work which should
not be underestimated. His dubs are often
very wild and intense, there is heavy
effects, varying from a real "Tubby
feel" to the 80's style of the Mad
Professor and Jah Shaka. But in no way is
the Warrior an imitator, he continues where
his forerunners stopped. He makes heavy use
of synthesizers and (drum)computers, but not
only. Did I hear a bassguitar on some
tracks? Speaking of bass, one of the few
minor points on this CD is the choice of the
bass sound. Not every bass instrument that
Jah Warrior uses I like. There is one
particular synthbass sound on some of the
tracks (unity dub, african gold) that I do
not like. It doesn't have a nice attack. The
Warrior really knows how to give drums a dub
treat. I think this belongs to his strongest
points. He is very creative in combining
Effects (EQ, Reverb, Delay, Phaser) and
using them to the max.
Some of the tracks on the CD are really
chill-out stylee, other are militant UK
steppers, or in between. But each and every
one of his tracks contain that wild
intensive use of effect devices. If you like
the modern sounds of Alpha and Omega, and
the Mad Professor, you will also like Jah
Warrior.
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