Dubophonic jumps on the Caravan of Dub

It was a great week with Dub Caravan in Cyprus. Well, Dub Caravan is not just one man, it is a whole project. Felix Russ Abu had the idea to create a musical caravan that would always be in motion, never bound to a single location, country or city. His vision is to travel the world, recruit poets, singers, musicians and other artists to bring to the musical waves new and original exotic sounds

He arrived to Cyprus for a short stop. The Dubophonic oasis was a fertilite spot for a live performance at a place called Echo alongside Med Dred, A four hour session took place in Nicosia including an irie warmup by Unity Crew with Dub Thomas & Antreas Kassos ina rootikal dubwise style and with Christina Polykarpou improvising on the dubs with her custom made lyra, giving a special Mediterranean feeling to the whole evening. Then it became warmer and deeper as Med Dred took the mic, while Dub Caravan was following after each track with his live dubs and his creative mixing on the spot.

... and of course at the end it was time for a unity session! Give thanks to all people who were there and supported us. More to come soon!

Another session took place at the Dubophonic headquarters and was broadcasted through the airways of Outta My Yard radio. Two hours of roots and dubs with Med Dred singing and chanting and Dub Caravan performing some creative dub mixing. Enjoy!

Med Dred meets Shaky Norman - King Solomon's Dub

It is with great joy that Dubophonic hosts in this release two of the most prolific artists and acknowledged melodica players of Europe. Representing Cyprus, long time friend and resident Dubophonic artist Med Dred takes over the right channel of the recording, showcasing his original Mediterranean-style play on the alto melodica, while on the left channel the worldwide acknowledged French artist Shaky Norman shines through his performance on the soprano melodica, polished by his 25-year experience in music. They are accompanied by Dub Caravan on the electric guitar and the bass, a fine addition indeed!
"King Solomon's Dub" is based on an original one-drop roots reggae riddim, composed, arranged, mixed and mastered by Med Dred, and co-produced by Med Dred and Dub Caravan. The riddim is presented in three different versions and is available from all major online stores and also on cd in limited quantities.

"King Solomon's Melodica Duet" is what it says: a playful musical reasoning in a strictly meditation style, with the two melodica players engaging in a "question and answer" game, improvising on the chords and completing each other, while Dub Caravan sets the pace through his basslines. The next two versions lead into deeper meditation, taking the vibes into new levels. Med Dred’s “hybrid dubwize” version accomplishes this through digital and analogue techniques, while Dub Caravan serves a strictly analogue version, using deep echoes and playful reverb!

TRACKS: 01 King Solomon’s Melodica Duet (Med Dred meets Shaky Norman) / 02 King Solomon’s Dub (Med Dred) // 03 King Solomon’s Analogue Upliftment (Dub Caravan)

Ibel meets Med Dred - Love Fi Life

For the release of this mini album we are happy to introduce the first collaboration between Cyprus and Jamaica on our label. The conscious lyrics of the Spanish Town singer and poet Ibel Campbell blend with the musical compositions of Med Dred, accompanied by some exclusive dubs by Med Dred and Dub Caravan ina Dubophonic style.

Born the eighth day of December 1967, at the Kingston Jubilee hospital, the Jamaican artist Ibel Campbell was registered ‘Scafford Campbell’ and is the first of miss Antoinette three children. His father died when he was just a toddler and grandma had to lend a hand with his growth and development. She resided in St. Thomas thus most of his earlier years were spent in the country. He began doing his own business of ‘heart’ –portraits, murals, t-shirts, backdrops, performing on the first and second staging of ‘East Fest’, recorded ‘Babylon a duppy’ at ‘Pent house’ studio for the Morgan’s heritage, is the first dub poet featured by ‘Jammin’s label with a tune called ‘travel the world’ done with ‘Bushman’ and is also the artist responsible for the art on the jacket of Taurus Riley’s first album. As a writer and poet he has written a book ‘Deep within Blackness’ soon to be in stores. He hopes his works will keep Blacks from slipping below their standard while making way over and around obstacles presented by a system without a face or a fixed address.

The internet highway made possible to meet at the other side of the globe our own Med Dred, who wrote for him the music for this mini album. The two bredrens used the internet to exchange their material. The music was composed and recorded in Cyprus, the vocals were recorded in Jamaica Spanish Town at Rippas Production and the whole project was finalised in Med Dred studio in Nicosia, Cyprus. Musical data travelled again from Cyprus to Dub Caravan’s studio in London, where a special version of “Protect me” was live dubbed and then forwarded back to Cyprus for the final mastering.

One last word about the credits on this release: all music written, produced, mixed & mastered by Med Dred while all vocals written and performed by Ibel. Med Dred played melodica on the dubs and percussion on “Protect me”, Kyp Paraskeva played electric guitars on “Rise” and Felix Dub Caravan played guitars & bass on “Protect me”. Deepest respect to our bredrin Felix Dub Caravan for providing us “Protection dub”, a live analogue dub cut of “Protect me”, which is included as a special bonus track.

Dub Caravan performs live "Protection Dub"

Big up to our bredren Dub Caravan for this live dub promo cut of "Protect Me". It will be included on Ibel Campbell's mini album "Love fi life" alongside with exclusive dubs by Med Dred. You can also follow the release on our facebook event page. Don't forget that you can also follow us on our Youtube Channel and keep yourself updated with the latest videos from our label. You will be able to download our new release for free on the 21st of October from here. For all dates of forthcoming releases and other events you can click the appropriate button at the top of our page.

Med Dred - Dred Reggae

Dubophonic has turned toward Cyprus this time and to the local artists, introducing one of the most active Cypriot artists in the reggae scene. Producer & riddim maker Med Dred has always been into music, addicted from the young age of 7, a good 20+ years ago! He is one of those artists, who are passionate with their music. Studied in the United Kingdom City & Guilds (Sound Engineer), the Cypriot artist then went off to further his studies with a Bachelor’s Degree in Texas and a Master’s Degree in the UK at the Trinity Southern University. He has been refining his sound ever since.

"Reggae has always been my passion as I was brought up in Brixton and went school there so my musical influence has always been a heavy bassline on a reggae riddim. Some of my mentors are: The Scientist, King Tubby, Black Uhuru, Mad Professor, Sly & Robbie, Bob Marley, Eek a Mouse, Gregory Isaacs ... and too many more Kings, not enough room here to mention! Jah Guide, Protect & Bless all." - M.D.

On his debut release on Dubophonic, Med Dred introduces a style that is deeply rooted in the history of reggae music. Inspired by the old dub masters and sound engineers of Jamaica, Med Dred manages to assimilate their sound and transform it into something new, either by incorporating his own custom made effects, improvising on the melodica or using his voice snippets to send out his anti-Babylon messages.

The "Dred Reggae” EP includes six tracks, dubbed and remixed by Med Dred exclusive for the Dubophonic netlabel. Heavy one drops, deep echoes and reverbs, heart pounding bass lines and conscious lyrics are the ingredients of his musical recipe. Accompanied by many guests, Med Dred creates his own personal sound, still remaining true to the original roots of reggae music.

Special participation of Ted Sirota (drums) on “Jahnoy”, Felix Dub Caravan (bass) on “Jahnoy” and “Dub-o-phonic words”, Christopher Pound and Tian (bass) on “Bal Ed Dred” and Peter Attah (vocals) on “Attah Dred”. Give thanks Alexandra Leivadiotou for the cover art!