| UK
based label TANTY RECORDS comes with another
document of the current runnings in the Dub
scene. Tanty, home of the Dub Funk
Association, puts a lot of emphasis on
electronic Dub. Their first episode in the
"Roots Of Dub Funk" series
contained many highly experimental tracks in
a genre that could not all appeal to many
Reggae fans. Volume two seems to go into a
more stable direction with the introduction
of much more Reggae vibes and I applaud this
direction, ofcourse.
First a little track-by-track
description. The album opens up with a
powerful riddim from the Interuptor, with
some nice clavinet effects. Followed is
DUBCLASH, an MP3.com artist, with a deep
bass rhythm. I-sonic Institute contributed
the third track, using weird electronica to
create an eastern environment. Next: Heavy
UK Dubheads Vibronics with a spacious Dub in
the typical UK Dub vibe. And from UK the way
goes all down to down under, to Australia,
where MP3.com artist THE TECHNICIAN releases
his typical Dubs of which extreme long
reverbs form the most audible ingredient.
The 6th track on the album is called Try
Harder Dub, by MP3.com artist MUNKY LEE. A
cool, laid back version, using a little
synthesizer over a typical roots reggae
rhythm. Followed is Finn the Giant, in again
a cool and laid back track that couldn't
really move me. The next track on Dub Funk 2
comes from Dubital, and can best be
described as Reggae Steppers created with
electronica. Nice vocoding effect on the
vocals. One of my favourites on this album
is SOLOMON JABBY's Youth Revolution Dub, an
upright rub a dub reggae rhythm, everything
dubbed and played with stricktly old skool
equipment. Alpha and Omega are up next with
a very intense Dub mix of their Contention
riddim. It's good to see, that also the
Dutch Dub Chemist DUBCREATOR has also found
his way on the Roots of Dub Funk series with
a typical DC DUB track featuring the voice
of Ras Milo. The 12th title of the album
comes from MP3.com Dubbers DUBFARM. Listen
to a great Roots track called Jah Witness,
using the same effect on the bass as Aswad's
track Dub Fire and some samples from the
movie Rockers. DUB ADDXX are also present on
the album with a mellow Dub Reggae Rock
track called Gun Ina Dub. And closing this
CD was reserved for Faya Dub: Indian tabla's,
nicely placed effects, eastern style
fluting, bells, but still within the realms
of DUB.
All in all, I think that Roots of Dub
Funk 2 is a better collection then the first
chapter. there is more bands on the CD with
their feet strongly rooted in reggae, which
is a must for creating good Dub in my
perception. Where else can you find a solid
drum and bassline that also tells a story? I
also like the song order, the track in
general getting more into roots each time.
The multitude of artists are also online
artist, many of them have been featured on
the Dubroom. This makes the album also an
interesting one. The Roots Of Dub funk
series could become an objective report of
the current runnings in (online) the Dub
Scene, when this growing quality of choice
continues!
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