Dub 235 Items

On the 50th anniversary of the band's inception at an event in Harlem, NY to commemorate Malcolm X's birthday on 19 May 1968, influential spoken word artists, poets and commentators The Last Poets are set to make a glorious and relevant return with their first album in over 20 years, 'Understand What Black Is'.
Produced by Ben Lamdin (Nostaglia 77) and Brighton legend Prince Fatty, whose speciality is traditional reggae and dub production's, 'Understand What Black Is' is a ten-track album which speaks of a revolutionary struggle defined by both race and identity, that has never sounded more relevant. Released on Studio Rockers, there will also be an accompanying single featuring remixes of the title track "Understand What Black Is" by Mala (South London collective Digital Mystikz) and UK Dance music innovators Dego and Kaidi.
Since the initial line-up of Dahveed Nelson, Gylan Kain and Felipe Luciano formed in East Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park, The Last Poets have produced under various guises over the subsequent years. However, it was their seminal output, namely 1970's 'The Last Poets' under both Umar bin Hassan and Abiodun Oyewole that secured their legacy, becoming one of the most important influences in early hip hop.
Throughout the last 20 years, the band have remained largely on hiatus. But their influence could still be felt with their tracks being sampled by The Notorious B.I.G, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest, Dr.Dre and Snoop Dogg. Umar has recorded various solo albums and featured on Common and Kanye West's Grammy Nominated 'The Corner'. Abiodun appeared on the Red Hot Organization's album, Stolen Moments which was named "Album of the Year" by Time. He also conducts weekly open house poetry readings, where he constructively critiques upcoming poets, helping to nurture them. He has also conducted classes at Columbia University, where he teaches creative writing.
The inauguration of Donald Trump as US President in 2016 inspired Hassan and Oyewole to resurrect the group to create a brand new record, modern and edgy, and deeply relevant and reflective of our times.
Tracks on 'Understand What Black Is' include 'How Many Bullets', which bridles with defiance as Oyewole works through a litany of injustices suffered by black people in the US: " You've Tried
To Blow My Brains Out With Bigotry, Chopped Off My Wings, So I Couldn't Fly Free, And Dared Me To Be Me, Took My Drum, Broke My Hands, Yanked My Roots Right Up Out Of The Land, And Riddled My Soul With Jesus" 'What I Want To See' describes a utopia - a refuge from hurt and those who'd make "our vision blurred, and our faith obscure", whilst the title track 'Understand What Black Is' aims to transcend ethnicity: "understand what black is….It's the source from which all things come...black is a hero, not a villain."
The album even takes reference from Prince's 2003 album of instrumentals, 'News', which Hassan drew comparisons from with his own childhood experiences: "That poem took me about a year to write….I just kept writing and writing but not getting too far and then I heard that album and the musicianship was amazing. I was left wondering if it was jazz, classical, rock or maybe something new but all those images that I write about came to me from listening to that album. I loved Prince in that movie Purple Rain because my father was a talented musician but he was into brutalising Mama at times and in the movie there's a Jerome and my name is Jerome, so it was like he was telling my life story as well."
The album acts as a body of work between individual members each speaking of their own personal journeys, but feeding into the much larger narrative of struggle and oppression, alongside a fervent hunger for social change. These are struggles and tests of personal resolve that have directly shaped and moulded the bands' unique sound over the course of an impressive 50 years, and their powerful and influential commentary remains as relevant as ever.

Hot on the heels of the first new album from The Last Poets in over 20 years, the title track "Understand What Black Is" gets the remix treatment from Digital Mystikz, DMZ and Deep Medi legend "Mala" and UK Dance music innovators and legends "Dego and Kaidi Tatham". The Last Poets new album "Understand What Black Is" is out now.

The second 7” introduces to the world The Mighty Gravillons, an obscure vocal trio bringing us right back to the golden days of roots reggae. With powerful and thought-provoking lyrics, ‘Crumbling World’ is a desperate cry to the world we’re building for the next generations. How can we leave such a world of wars, political conflicts and environmental crisis to our kids? The B side shines by it’s simplicity: The 18th Parallel invited one of their favourite musicians of today’s reggae scene to blow his spellbinding saxophone, Anant Pradhan. The legacy of Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso or Cedric Brooks has found its worthy embodiment. New York saxophonist graces us with ‘Peace Treaty’.

Hang Loose Baby for the first time available on Vinyl format. This is the first album by The Paps, dubbed on Black Vinyl, with remastered sound. Considered one of Indonesia’s influential reggae albums.

Deep & heavy dubs mixed by The Scientist at King Tubby's

Deep & heavy dubs mixed by The Scientist at King Tubby's

Originally made back in 2002, this tune has never had a well deserved single release, so here it is remastered and backed with a version previously unreleased on vinyl! U Brown tells a story of his involvement in the soundsystem scene since the late 60’s, so come take a ride on this heavy musical excursion...

Produced by Jah Warrior, mixed by Dougie Wardrop at Conscious Sounds Studio, mastered by Sam John at Precise Mastering.

The Viennese audio-architect with South Tyrolian roots delivers two exciting new tracks, co- produced by Osman Murat Ertel (Baba Zula) from Istanbul.
Ulrich Troyer's Moments transforms classical & acoustic guitar recordings through tape machine treatment, guitar effect pedals, analog & digital effects into a shimmering soundscape. The combination of textures and effects generates excitement and invites to listen repeatedly, surprising each time with new details.
Fractured tones, beautifully rooted and held together by the tune underneath.
Credits:
Guitars, Tapemachine & Electronics: Ulrich Troyer Recorded & Mixed by Ulrich Troyer @ 4Bit Bungalow, Vienna Written by Ulrich Troyer Produced by Osman Murat Ertel & Ulrich Troyer Mastering & Lacquer Cut by Kassian Troyer at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin Cover Art © Eva Kelety & Ulrich Troyer
Period of creation: 2021-2022
Premiered at Meakusma, September 2022, Eupen (be)
Kindly supported by the City of Vienna (ma7 - Kultur), Federal Ministry - Republic of Austria (Arts, Culture, Civil Service & Sport) & Ske-fonds

One of the earliest and rarest compilation of Jamaican ska jazz, released in 1961 on the iconic Blue Beat Record. Featuring Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, Cecil Lloyd, Alton Ellis, Derrick Harriott, Rico Rodriguez, The Charmers, The Jiving Juniors and more.

Deeeeeep from the Ariwa archives... all unreleased music on here. Sounding absolutely essential to us. Dates of production uknown at time of writing...

The A Side is a Mad Professor produced version of Aisha's 'Give a Little Love', given the UK treatment. The Dub is a proper roller.

Side B is the unheard African Message Dub (Parts 1& 2). Recordings ft Jah Shaka on bass, Norman Grant (Twinkle Brothers) on Drums, Sgt Pepper and Mad Professor on the desk. Masterful UK Dub from these key figures.... pulled out of nowhere.

Not to be missed!

All killer no filler 10 track compilation of peak late 80s digital tunes from Park Heights' most productive period. Pure fire produced between Jamaica and New York City. Featuring two previously unreleased tunes and the rest reissued for the first time.

Ten great tracks from Park Height's productive late '80s period, where Mr. Francis produced a lot of great early digital reggae both in Jamaica and right here in NYC. We've selected eight great never before reissued tracks from the catalog, plus two previously unreleased gems. As always, housed in a fresh jacket with the vibes of the time.

New compilation and long overdue next entry in the long running 'Jah Children Invasion' compilation series! This volume focuses on Wackies' foray into digital reggae, with a killer selection of tracks from the late '80s and early '90s. There are three previously unreleased tunes alongside seven others culled from prior rare and long out of print releases. In DKR style this comes in a 2 sided hand silkscreened jacket.

SWINGTING017 is a bouncy JA-to-UK bashment banger that features a hefty combination of producers and vocalists from both the Equiknoxx & Swing Ting camps. The tune finds each artist at their most playful, riding the sparkly, jiggy riddim impeccably.

A mixtape of Studio One 12" singles, including some very rare stuff. All recorded from vinyl.

Time Splitters is a various artist compilation created and produced by Richmond VA based Deskulling in collaboration with veteran Spanish Town JA artist I Jahbar between 2021 and 2023. This 21 track 50 plus minute Dancehall epic also includes other veteran vocalists such as G Sudden, RDL Shellah, Buddydon, and Darkchild plus newer talents such as Fearless, Longdon, Latty, King Kush and 1 Solar Boss. Alexander West who passed away in 2023 contributes an ethereal and heartfelt album closing performance on “Granny Grenade”. Time Splitters is a sprawling creation that captures a multiplicity of emotions, life complexities, spiritual evocations, and musical dimensions. Deskulling's eclectic productions are rendered to the perfect minimalism and provide a rich and varied platform for vocal performances that move between dark and light, sad and joyful, heavy and soft. A lot of work went into this release over a few years from many people during times of inner and outer complexities, turmoils, and tribulations. This release musically, lyrically, emotionally, represents life's spectrum's fully. Thanks for listening.

Orange vinyl!

Few names shine as brightly in the cosmology of dubwise bass music as that of V.I.V.E.K. From releasing absolutely ground-breaking tracks for the better part of 20 years primarily on his own System and Vivek imprints, to curating and hosting his legendary System nights, to bringing so much rising talent to light, it’s honestly difficult to imagine the last two decades of UK and global sound system music without him.

For ZamZam 96 V.I.V.E.K went straight to the bedrock of sound system music and delivered a power-stepper of galactic proportions.

Vibronics teams up Koko Vega in the Dub Cupboard Studio to create this epic heavyweight instrumental Sound System style dub style track.

Vibronics is one of the most established names in UK Dub/Reggae music achieving millions of views on YouTube, millions of Spotify streams and many tens of thousands of vinyl record sales. Collaborators include Michael prophet, Macka B, Iration Steppas, Soom T, Aba-Shanti and more. Meet some of the amazing artists involved in this album:

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the fourth release in their Mania Dub series.

Vibronics teams up with an army of top female Reggae & Dub artists to collaborate on the new album “Woman On A Mission 2” .. to celebrate the rise of women in the Reggae & Sound System Dub scene Vibronics invited Carroll Thompson, Sandra Cross, Marina P, Sisters in Dub, Sista Habesha, Empress Shema, Koko Vega, Vanya O & SoulSteppa into the Dub Cupboard Studio to create this epic double album of Vo-cals & Dubs for 2024. The album features fine vocal tracks & heavyweight instrumental Sound System style dub style tracks.

Vibronics is one of the most established names in UK Dub/Reggae music achieving millions of views on YouTube, millions of Spotify streams and many tens of thousands of vinyl record sales. Collaborators include Michael prophet, Macka B, Iration Steppas, Soom T, Aba-Shanti and more.

Meet some of the amazing artists involved in this album:

Carroll Thompson is the official ‘Queen Of Lovers Rock” - the biggest name in UK Reggae here showing her amazing versatility by singing a roots-reggae anthem for the Sound System generation

Sandra Cross is the award winning UK Reggae legend famous for her work with Mad Professor on the Ariwa Label

Marina P from Italy via Paris teams up with Vibronics following her success with Glasgow bass heavy beat legends Mungos HiFi.

Wade "Jimmy" Dyce was an original member of Cultural Roots. He was a vocalist and played a key role in shaping the sound of the group. Cultural Roots emerged as a four-part harmony group for producer Donovan Germain in the late 1970s, releasing « Revolutionary Sounds » and « Mr Bossman » which counts among ‘Jah Shaka's favourite tunes’. Then they released « Hell A Go Pop », one of the Greensleeves label’s lesser-known classics. In the early 80's, Wade Dyce produced alone three songs at Chris Stanley's famous Music Mountain studio. Wade Dayce surrounds himself with the best musicians of the time, namely the Revolutionaries, but does not remember the exact formation apart from Sly Dunbar on drums and Bongo Herman on percussion. « Humble », « Money Mare » and « Hide & Seek » are three forgotten songs that can be described as killer roots from the middle of the 80s and which you can (re)discover again through this reissue on the original Moving On label. For this release, Jamwax worked with Parade Studio for this original and unique Disco 45 cover graphic creation. Today, Wade, now sixty-seven years old, is living in Salem, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 2010 as a mental-health specialist. Long live to the Cultural Roots !

We're back with another heavy release for the soundsystems.

This time we welcome Boomarm Nations own Gulls to the label.
Hailing from his dojo in Portland, Oregon, Gulls delivers us a
meditative dub hybrid, combining elements of dub, hip hop and contemporary electronica. The tune is called ''So Blessed'' and is topped by the fine voice of Wayne Daniel outta Kingston, Jamaica.

''So Blessed'' got exactly the vibe you'll need in this challenging time. Keep your head up, feel gifted for what you've got and give something back to the people around you. This tune's backing you up.

If that wasn't enough, the Portland rapper Madgesdiq steps pon the mic for some blazin' bars in his signature conscious style.

Get lost in this wicked production while heading right into the dub version to exceed the border between music and meditation.

To feel the sound through your body and soul, LXC lifted the frequencies again.

Unavailable since its original 1974 release (Fay Music) this limited edition vinyl re-press will not be around long!

Ruff and Tuff’ is the first 7" reference from Two Flames Records. This single is an exciting collaboration with legendary artist Winston Reedy and the house label band Two Flames Syndicate, featuring David “Jah D” Goldfine” from Zion I Kings on bass and Gyasi Crosdale on guitar.

This first single is not only available on digital platforms, but also as a 7” record on a limited edition press, with Tiempos Ruff on the A side and its instrumental riddim version on the B side.

A musical bomb, inspired by the great Mikey Dread, that will shake the ground while talking about the nowadays struggle and inequality.

The new release from Zouen Keikaku, an independent label that has released works by Ooyamada Daisanmyaku and Yaryu, among others, that made a splash at last year's RSD and Record Day Japan. This is the second collection by Tokyo electronic musician, Yo. The sharply polished post-industrial sound tangles the feet that line the dance floor and interrupts their dance steps. The dub-derived heavy bass swings aimlessly, crawling around like a snake with bizarre sound textures that cannot be enclosed in any musical genre. A DL code for "B," a special collection of remixed and unreleased sound sources, is included along with a mini booklet that resembles a sightseeing pamphlet.

Jonathan Holness popular known as Zion Head is a Jamaican born independent reggae music recording artist that is base in France. Zion Head is starting to be a house hold name in Europe, and around the world as a genuine reggae music artist. His first Ep Jah Watching, as showing that he has the voice, the sound and lyrics to be come one of reggae music standout artist. His song Show Love, from that album Jah Watching, as been featured on the Jamaican Central Express Ronmuschette 10 ten music count down cart. Zion Head is extremely happy to announce is now first album (Mount Zion) which consists twelve tracks including four collaboration with the light's of some of reggae music icons such as Macka B, Anthony B, Yasus Afari, and Stranger Miller & Cento P.Zion Head is heading for greatness with his lyrical content and his unique style gives you a types of feeling that you just want to dance and listen to some good positive motivation. Conscious irie reggae music, in this album you will definitely fine 3 or more songs that you will fall in love with, in fact may be all the songs. Zion Head sing about Education, he sing about the struggle people go through in life, he sing about going back to Israel to fine the truth, he sing about smoking weed and alot more. You just have to go check this album out,