quête:dub ark

Black Ark Vol. 2 is another piece of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s limitless musical puzzle. It’s a bedrock of deep and heavy rhythms recorded around Jamaica =just before the demise of Perry’s famed Black Ark Studio. Black Ark Vol. 2 is the follow up album to the acclaimed Black Ark In Dub that unsurprisingly for an Upsetter release, took a different path. More vocal oriented, the album features extended dubwise cuts of (former wife and co-producer) Carol Cole’s ‘Ethiopia’, The Originals ‘Got To Be Irie’, Junior Byles ‘Mumbling & Grumbling and The Inamans remake of the Bee Gees hit ‘How Deep Is your Love’, along with an alternate take of the Silvertones roots classic ‘Give Thanks’ with flute overdub and a couple of solid covers from Third World lead vocalist Bunny Rugs. Originally released in 1981 the hard to find Black Ark Vol. 2 remains a frozen sonic timepiece, captured at the beginning of the end of one era and poised at the start of another.

Of course, Dubblestandart have been keeping a version of the dub flame alive for the last two decades. Formed in 1988 as a reaction to the stagnant Austrian pop scene, the group was heavily inspired by the Black Ark, On-U Sound and Jah Shaka, infusing such dub influences within their heady blend of hardcore reggae and new wave, which soon brought them into the European public's consciousness and as a kind of "European" version of the famous DUB SYNDICATE. Soon, they were so in demand as to be backing Lee Scratch Perry, dub poet Lilian Allen, Dillinger, Ari Up, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Chezere and orthers. Well, Austria's / Viennas's finest moments in dub working and collaborating with the new technological dimension of modern dub : Paolo Baldini from Italy. Baldini's stunning excursion into deep dub, chilling dub and dubble-tough dub will reach the DubFiles into perfection @ DUB ME CRAZY. Paolo Baldini's handling of this mission has been exemplary: his production and remixing skills are pleasingly individualistic, retaining plenty of originality and professionalism without seeming stoic, dull or contrived. His collaborations with Mellow Mood, Hempress Sativa, Dub Fx and others are showing faith of what DUB is living for. Since 2007 Paolo Baldini works under the top level name "Alambic Conspiracy" and became world class dub extraordinary performer, bass player, mixologist, producer and provocateur!

Following up on the waves made by his latest Diaphragm EP, Cri Du Coeur injects his signature high-octane sound into another techno venture. This one comes in the form of the electrifying 4-track EP Warning on the Belgian producer’s fledgling-but- headstrong label Arkham Audio. Featuring three remixes interweaving threatening cosmic soundscapes with pounding industrial beats, this latest EP pulls no punches in delivering a menacing wall of sound. The A-side opens with Cri’s original mix for Warning, showing off his signature style of making jumpy, liquid 303 basslines bounce around a consistent dark pad sound. The combination emanates a lingering sense of dread intensified by warped delayed vocal samples and high-voltage buzzing underpinning the whole experience. Following up is a remix from American producer Dustin Zahn, who delivers a pulsa- ting battleground of modular noise. The essence of the track is the controlled chaos of the abstract mechanical whirring and wailing born from Zahn’s extensive synthesis experience, having worked as a remixer for Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, Dubfire and many other high-profile acts. UK producer Mark Broom dedicates two remixes for the B-side of the EP. The first is a dark, atmospheric groove with expert attention to detail paid to the percussive effects and the controlled movement of the synth parts, creating a powerful ebb and flow of soundscapes and textures and a set of unique builds and drops. Closing off the EP, Mark Broom’s second track is a track more faithful to Cri’s original, opting to beef up the kick and switch up the pattern for an original clap intonation and, naturally, Broom’s own signature offer of complex intertwined synth effects. The result is an anthemic warehouse filler that feels saturated with organic layers of electronic foliage.

Tommy McCook was not only a founding member of the legendary Jamaican Ska group The Skatalites, but also a brilliant musical arranger. His informed understanding of Jazz, R&B and in fact most music styles would always add another layer to any song put his way. This made him the go to guy for most of the Jamaican producers, who would use his arrangement skills to pepper up their latest tunes.

Tommy McCook, (b1927, Havana, Cuba) came to Jamaica with his mother from Cuba aged 11 and entered renowned Alpha Boys School for underprivileged children, a school that placed great emphasis on musical tuition. At the tender of 14, such was his talent he has left to join Eric Deans Orchestra and took on stints with other bands led by Don Hinchman and Roy Coburn. All the bands played in the Swing and Jazz style of the times. He relocated to the Bahamas in 1954 where he further developed his Jazz technique and upon his return to Jamaica in 1962 began working Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One and became involved in the development of Ska. His knowledge of Jazz, R& B and Jamaican musical forms helped set the tone for the group of musicians he was working with and would name the Skatalites. The group, consisting of Don Drummond (Trombone), Roland Alphonso (Tenor Saxophone), Jackie Mitoo (Piano), Lloyd Brevett (Bass), Lloyd Knibbs (Drums), alongside Tommy himself on Tenor Saxophone. The group would back all the major Ska vocalists pf the day and would also go on to cut a catalogue of instrumental music. The Skatalites split up in 1965 and Tommy McCook moved over to work with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle Studios where he formed The Supersonics. A set of musicians under his guidance that consisted of Lynn Tait and Ernest Ranglin (Guitar), Neville Hinds and Winston Wright (Organ), Gladstone “Gladdy” Anderson (Piano), Hugh Malcolm and Arkland “Drumbago” Parks (Drums), Clifton “Jackie” Jackson (Bass), and Tommy and Hernon Marquis (Saxophone). The more laid back sounds from 1966-1968 would be given the name Rocksteady of which again McCook was at the forefront. The top producers like Bunny Lee would use the musicianship of Tommy McCook and his arrangement skills to enhance this new sound.

We have compiled a great selection of rhythms that featured McCook blowing over tracks stripped of their vocals and replaced with some fantastic lead lines played by Tommy and some of his fellow horns men.
We hope you agree like we do that they do this in fine style.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s return to his most spaced-out work, that marks his 2002 comeback album Jamaican E.T. The extra-terrestrial is back with some groovy reggae which creates a bridge between dub, roots and hip hop. But in the end it never ventures to far away from the traditional reggae. The album continues in showing his fascination with aliens, drugs and religion. His own voice is often multi-layered and contrasting with each other. It’s a wonderful record and it shows that even after all those years he was still capable in recording an album which stands out during the time of release.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development of dub music and worked together with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash and The Beastie Boys. Nowadays he’s still performing and recording music.

Jamaican E.T. is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

In 1978 Lord Creator returned to the Black Ark to re-record his in 1968 in Randys studio recorded song, "Such is Life". One of the highlights of the 70s Black Ark era now finally available again on 12".

After the first release by Ark which had a really big support , Drumble Music come back with a new release made by Olivier Romero & Abé , with an original track very hypnotic an melodic . A Dubbyloop version is alsoon the A side who have a special trick only on the vinyl .On the B side , we welcome Akufen who made a special remix with a jazzy swing pattern and micro cuts that represent his own style .

Fortsetzung Der Legendären On-u Sound Compilationreihe Mit Neuen Adrian Sherwood-produktionen, Einzigartigen Mixes Und Unveröffentlichten Tracks Von U.a. Roots Manuva, Lee "scratch" Perry, Coldcut, Gary Lucas (captain Beefheart's Magic Band), Mark Stewart Und Horace Andy. "pay It All Back" Startete 1984, Die Letzte Ausgabe Erschien 1996. Die Tracks Sind Wie Üblich Durch Spezielle Effekte Im Piratensender-style Miteinander Verknüpft. 15 Von 18 Tracks Sind Unveröffentlicht, Ein Track Befindet Sich Exklusiv Auf Den Physischen Formaten, Die Beide Zusätzlich Ein Umfangreiches Booklet Mit Detailierten Illustrationen Und Kommentaren Zum On U Sound-katalog Enthalten.

*Landing on Alchemy Dubs is our third release on 12' format, a very special collaboration between Ojah, Fikir Amlak, Don Fe and Nik Torp.

The A side contains the track 'On my mind', a vocal version of Ojah's 'Mind' riddim that features beautiful vocals and harmonies by Fikir Amlak paired with inspiring and emotional lyrics. The second cut is a vocal dub version mixed in analog live by Ojah.

On the B side we find Don Fe's excellent flute version 'Remind' that takes the riddim to a different dimension with its deep and meditational melodies. The second cut on this side is a haunted flute dub version, also mixed live by Ojah in classic fashion.
The Hammond and melodica featured on both sides have been played by Nik Torp (keyboard player from The Specials) and masterfully recorded through an MCI desk that used to belong to Island Records (hundreds of seminal records where recorded through it, including for example Bob Marley's Exodus).

Also available complementing this release is ALDBS7007, a 7' that contains an additional Hammond & melodica solo version and an additional dub.

Limited edition of 600 copies, 180g heavyweight vinyl, hand-numbered, served in a thick custom sleeve with amazing artwork by Victor Castro.

Produced by Ojah, recorded at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, UK
Hammond & melodica by Nikolaj Torp Larsen 'Nik Torp', recorded by George Murphy at Eastcote Studio 1, London, UK
Vocals on A1 by Fikir Amlak, recorded by Manuel Guerra Rubio at Arkchant Studio, Barcelona, Spain
Flute on B1 by Don Fe, recorded by Don Fe at Don Fe Studio, Murcia, Spain
Mixed & mastered by Oscar Pablos 'Ojah" at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, UK
Graphic design by Victor Castro

This highly prolific UK Drum and Bass producer returns with his second Tempo Records release. This work sees Alex' Judd rhythmic tweaks and overlays of texture with intricate melodies, heavy dub basslines giving the tracks a live & energetic feel. He draws out each track with his own distinctive craftsmanship and still giving them space to breathe. ''U Got me'' might be his best work to date but that's just our opinion. ''No Hype'' on the flip side says it all; music shouldn't be a hype but this release surely creates a huge buzz with all the dj's worldwide. This release comes as a limited 140g crystal clear vinyl pressing with full artwork sleeve + white glossy inner sleeve, including a mp3 download voucher + a free poster/inlay and all tracks mastered by Stuart Hawkes of Metropolis Mastering London.

Early Dj Support & Feedback
More Coming Soon!
Ltj Bukem thanks For Sending'
Grooverider good'
Icicle thanks, I'll Support No Hype On Rinse Fm'
Dj Flight nice Release, U Got Me & Loved Up Are Probably My Picks On First Listen. Will Play The Former This Weekend.'
A-sides no Hype', Thanks!'
Doc Scott thank You'
Drumsound & Bassline Smith nice One'
Gremlinz dope'
Hyroglifics (aka The Executioner) nice Ep!'
Villem hype Hype Hype'
Lynx yesssss Not A Media Hype!'
Chromatic nice Ep, Big Up Alex!'
Dj Clarky great Tracks On This'
Dj Chef (ministry Of Sound) big Ups Full Support'
Dj Tendai (swerve) loved Up Is Sublime'
Dj Kalm great Release Thanks!'
6blocc love The u Got Me' Track'
Earl Grey u Got Me Is The One, Badness.'
Arkaik will Be Supporting 'no Hype' Thanks'
Bulletproof Tiger (nyc, Usa) always A Pleasure To See Tempo In My Inbox. Biggups Y'all'
Dj Ros (addiction Fm + Label, Poland)'!'

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Radio & Podcast
Coming Soon!
Icicle (rinse Fm) thanks, I'll Support No Hype On Rinse Fm This Thursday 20-09-2018'
Dj Chef (ministry Of Sound) big Ups Full Support'
Onedek (origin Radio Uk) awesome!!!!!'
Andre (soulsurfer - Bassdrive) now This Is A Strong Release... I Agree That This Is Alex Greatest To Date. U Got Me, Loved Up And Feel Good Are Immediate Favorites. Support In Club And Radio!'
Benjamin (the Dance Mission Dnb Show - Kiss Fm Australia) cool Music'
Overfiend (bassdrive) superb!'
Stunnah (bassdrive) big Release!!'
Chris Muniz (insomniac / Bassrush) mashing It Up Proper!'
J Swif (dnb Hq Podcast) dope Release Duded, 'feel Good' Is The One!'
Stanislav (zima - Czech Radio 1) gonna Play no Hype' Today... Cheers. Stanislav'
Matze (urban Wildlife / Syncopix Records) 5/5 The Rework Of Sweet Sensation Is Killer. The Crowed Loved It. Cool Arrangement And Use Of The Vocals. Feel Good With It´s Long Bassline Is Also A Most Functional Dance Floor Banger. Thanks For This One!'
Jose (nas Radio Show - Brazil) awesome Crazy Material Right Here'
Simon (see You Next Life Podcast & Night) soul Intent Fan Here So It's All Good. Cheers!'
Francesco (delta9 Recordings / Podcast) interesting And Diverse Album! All Are Great, Fav Are Loved Up And No Hype'
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Reviews Blogs & Magazines :
More Coming Soon!
Julian (mixmag Germany Dnb Reviews) i Really Enjoy loved Up'.
Aliina (jungledrumandbass) big Up !!
Matthew (one Hour One Dj) great Tunes. Particularly Feeling The Two 2 Sides, Loved Up And Feel Good. Lovely Gritty Rollers.'
Rohan G. (dj Mag Spain) pow!'
...

Deadbeat graced ZamZam with a release in our very first year of operation. Lending his name & gravitas to our young effort with ZamZam06 meant a lot to us at the time, and is something we never forgot, so we couldn't be happier to have him back for a second outing. Canadian by birth, now residing in Berlin, Scott Monteith is known the world over as one of the most adventurous and reliable producers in the areas of techno and dub-inflected electronic music. Extremely tight quality control over multiple full length albums and countless singles on seminal labels including ~scape, Echochord, and his own flawless BLKRTZ have made him a household name in dub techno and beyond.

Deadbeat's second ZamZam sets aside obvious techno constraints for a mid-tempo reggae scorcher that sounds like it was beamed straight from the humid & heady glory days of the Black Ark studio. Anchored by a tar-thick bassline recalling Lee Perry's 'Dub Organizer,' 'Wail Ball and Cry' leans hard into its rockstone drum kit, with whip-sharp turnarounds, clattering Binghi drums, melodica stabs and restrained yet ever-present flange and reverb keeping the atmosphere swampy and sparkling. A sweet falsetto intones on the loneliness and alienation we all navigate in these times of political debasement and (social) media spectacle.

'Dub Ball and Flange' mutes the vocal for a traditional version focused on nuance rather than over-the-top effects; high hats take the spotlight through expert filter & phaser work, as the heat inches up in the room with a stew of bubbling reverb & delicate echo trails adding to the already simmering & shimmering vibe.

Mastered by Sam at Precise

Ark Angel Jah Mel is a recording artist, songwriter and musician from Jamaica. Beginning his career as a performer on the stage shows of the Twelve Tribes Of Israel of which he has been a member since his youth, Jah Mel made his debut sharing the stage with artists such as Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Brigadier Jerry & Denroy Morgan. His writing credits include songs written for Marcia Griffiths, Cecile, DaVille, Itana & Jah Mali, for whom he also produced tracks on his debut album El Shaddai. Jah Mel has worked with all of Jamaica's top producers & musician in Jamaica such as the great Sly & Robbie, Steely & Cleevie, Earl Chinna Smith, Steve 'Lenky' Marsden & Donovan Germaine to who's Penthouse label Jahmel was signed.

Jah Mel sees himself as a musical bridge between the original reggae sound & the dancehall sound of today, representing what he calls the real dancehall revolution, merging the spirituality of the old school & the energy of the new school. 'Guiding Star' and 'Stand Up To It' are the perfect examples to overstand this definition. Both song were produced by Roydale Anderson aka Andy's. 'Guding Star' will definitely give you thrills if you are into
deep synth and heavy digital rhythm while the superb piano notes will warm you in the analog style. Beware of 'Guiding Star' dub version called 'Guidance (Dance Mix)' that will break any bunker. 'Stand Up To It' rhythm is an adaptation of one of the most classic Jamaican riddim called 'Heavenless'. You will never know this riddim like before; This version takes the riddim to another level. A positive song with a bionic nuclear bomb
dubwise! Play it loud, Jah is our guiding star!

A mixture of live recording and studio post-production, 'On Jupiter' sounds unique to any other album Sun Ra made. The arkestra reflects a disco pulse right back on itself, and delivers one of the most cohesive albums of their career. The title track is a masterpiece of gentle atonal harmony, while 'UFO' pushes along at a cracking disco-ish pace with fierce brass and spacey dub effects. This a timeless Ra classic.

'Rockin live ruff and tuff', this is the untrammelled counterpart to Dadawah, six years later in 1980, fresh from the Black Ark: free, rawly spiritual trance-music, a full-force nyabinghi freak-out.
The drummers are headlong and rollicking, thunderous and explosive. Even more so than Dadawah, the mix is ecstatically echoey, giddily dubwise without let-up. Ras Michael himself sings from the mountain-top, like he just don't care — at the top of his lungs, in voices, screeching like a bird — with the delirious abandonment otherwise owned in reggae by Lee Perry.
Amongst the uncredited performances swirled into proceedings, there are squiggles of flute straight from the Upsetters song-book, the minor-key organ stabs and abstraction of electric space-jazz, and sax-playing more attuned to the Headhunters than the Blazing Horns. (I Ya I in particular is a stunning fifteen minutes.)
This is the real thing, music without affectation. Pure reggae. Sun Ra fans should love it, anyone with ears to hear.
Prepared and manufactured at Abbey Road, D&M and Pallas, beautifully presented in rigid, old-school, tip-on sleeves, with matt-coated fronts and untreated-paper backs, 180g vinyl.
'These sounds are sounds of inspiration and love and culture to the universal benefit of mankind... So therefore meditate and stop hate.'
Very hotly recommended.

DJs and fans alike can look forward to another helping of Lord Echo, with a new 12' featuring fresh takes on his high-rolling summertme opus The Sweetest Meditaton' from his latest hit album Harmonies'. Expect luxurious slices of disco dub with a new mix cooked up by the Lord himself, a remix by long tme collaborator Julien Dyne, a Black Ark style disco-dub of a rare early version as well as the original mix heard for the frst tme at 45 RRM. Please enjoy.

Thomas Blanchot, 40 years old percussionist and drummer, started his production structure Mato Production in 2001, where he collaborated and directed for many projects.

Composer, music publisher and producer of music for TV, advertising, films and records, he also began a career as reggae producer since 2006, under the name "MATO". Since then he's released music through various projects concepts, coming out through labels such as Makasound, EDR Records or Big Singles. In the meantime he developed a real trademark: taking over classics French, Hip-Hop, or Pop song, into roots reggae-dub new versions.

Besides since 2010, Mato has built a solid reputation thanks to his hot remixes of Hip-Hop classics on Stix Records. And in 2014, he presented Homework Dub, giving his own vision of the multiplatinum classic album by Daft Punk, quickly acclaimed internationally as a true performance.

Today, Mato is back with another target for his special skills as a tailor of reggae music, this time focusing on classic musical themes from original soundtracks. Imagine if Lalo Schiffrin, Nino Rota, Gorgio Moroder, Ennio Morricone or John Williams had been blunted at Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Black Ark studio... there you go, this is Hollywoo Dub!!

*Another classic from dubwise heavyweights Alpha & Omega arrives on 45 for the first time.
*This appeared on the now deleted `Safe in the Ark' album from 1994.
* Backed with a rare dub cut, this will fly out fast, so be quick.

An intriguing project by singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist G.T. Moore, he of G.T Moore and the Reggae Guitars (first album 1974) fame, he of the folk group Heron who recorded their first album in a field by the Thames in 1970, he who recorded on Lee Perry's final album at the Black Ark studio 1980, also was a part time member of Radical Dance Faction and who's done session work with the likes of Johnny Nash, Joan Baez, Poly Styrene and more.
*Fast forward to now: G.T. collaborates with the Lost Ark Band creating some beautiful shimmering, dreamy, deep phaser-laden sounds giving more than a nod the aforementioned Perry's studio from way back then.
*Features two compositions - `Be True' and `One Two Three' - the latter originally recorded with Heron - with respective dub versions playing at 33 and weighing in at 25 minutes.