The Manor meets Madi Simmons - Feel The Vibration

After his album Walk With Jah back in 2018, his single Oh Lord and being one of the main artists behind the Creation Rockers and Foshan Roots projects (with the three albums Let's Make Waves, Sky Warrior Dub and Wing Chun Album), the UK reggae & dub artist/producer Brad Turner aka The Manor returns on Dubophonic Records with his a new tune. 

This time he collaborates with USA vocalist, Madi Simmons, who himself is no stranger on our label. He appeared also on many releases on our label, collaborating with Culture Horn, Dubsynaticx , Red Star Martyrs and Sax N Dub. He has also been awarded in 2018 as Best Male Independent Reggae Recording Artist and Best Album Of The Year (for I Am A Rootsman).

Focusing now on the new single, Feel The Vibrations is an uplifting track in a roots reggae style, presented in two versions: the vocal track with Madi shining on the vocals and the dub version, presented by The Manor!

 

Don Hartley & Mikey Dub - Causeless Shall Not Come

Portland musician and producer Mikey Dub returns in 2024 with a new single. After his EP Triumphant Riddim released in 2023 and his collaboration with Debbie Defire on Thank You, he enters 2024 with a new single and a new collaboration featuring this time Jamaican born vocalist Don Hartley. The new tune is entitled Causeless Shall Not Come and it is presented in two versions: the vocal and the dub version. Featured on the tune is also Texas born Joby Tijerna’s (aka. Joby T.) on the Horns and Andrew Deetz on the keyboards and then percussion.

Proverbs 26:2 "As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come." 

 

Jamaican born and raised Roots Reggae artist Don Hartley has over three decades of experience sharing his deeply spiritual music. He shot to notoriety on the UK and European Dub scene in 2001 via his association with Manchester UK’s Nucleus Roots label. Don has since then gone on to work with notable producers and labels like Thierry Negro (Faya Dub), Lewis Bennett (Lewis Bennet Dub), Roll & Record, Fat Bird Recordings, Rod Chaplin (MessenJah Music) and now Dubophonic Records.

His traditional Christianity which reflects in his brand of reggae is from his youthful years in Jamaica during which time he also embraced Rastafarian spirituality as a teenager, for many years a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel Organization in Kingston, hailing from the tribe of Naphtali. In 2006 he was received as a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Manchester UK where he now functions as a Catechist and as a reader, chanting the Saturday evening service respectively.

Don’s roots reggae mission continues unabated, entwined as always with traditional biblical themes advancing theocentric truths and rights across boundaries of empires and racial conceptions.

Mikey Dub meets Debbie Defire - Thank You

Portland musician and producer Mikey Dub returns with a new single. After his EP Triumphant Riddim released earlier this year, featuring Clotilde and Tharara on the vocals, he returns with a new single and a new collaboration featuring this time Debbie Defire, also known in the 70s as Debra Keese. The new tune is entitled Thank You and it is presented in two versions: the vocal and the dub version. Featured on the tune is also Texas born Joby Tijerna (aka. Joby T.) on the Horns and Andrew Deetz on the keyboards.

Debbie Defire is a British born artist, who moved to Jamaica with her parents as a toddler in the 60s. In 1978, the legendary Lee Scratch Perry produced for her the tune “Travelling” under the name of Debra Keese and the Black Five. which was released on Black Art label. She was around 18 years old at that time, when she recorded the tune! Today she resides in the UK.

Over the past few years Debbie Defire released several singles and a LP album. Debbie Defire has come a long way from her debut as a young reggae singer with the hit song ‘Traveling’ produced by the legendary Lee Scratch Perry, to the latest release of her new tune produced by Mikey Dub entitled Thank You and we are honored to be a part of her musical journey.

Mikey Dub - Triumphant Riddim (ft. Clotilde, Tharara, Joby T)

Mikey Dub is a musician and dub producer from Portland, Oregon USA. He creates dub music by recording instruments live, programming beats, and mixing it all down “dub style” with generous amounts of effects. Inspired by 70’s and 80’s Jamaican producers, his sound is a combination of modern soundsystem dub and classic roots reggae. His songs are unique in that they fuse live instrumentation with electronic. He has been consistently active in the studio producing tunes.

Clotilde grew up around Afro Caribbean rhythms since her father was a Caribbean musician. Influenced by merengue, calypso, kompa, reggae, she started to really get into dub music when she built a sound system with her friends in Bourges town, in France. She was singer/MC in this band. Moving to UK, she got closer to Dub culture and worked with various artists as a singer, songwriter and vocalist in sound systems.

 

Tharara (real name Brain Phili) was born and raised in Zimbabwe in the city of Bulawayo . The name Tharara "Jahhill" means mountain.  Rastafarian and musician, he currently lives and makes music in South Africa.

Texas born Joby Tijerna’s (aka. Joby T.) musical range varies from funk, big band, classical, reggae, dub, easy listening to rock & anything else with a good groove. Driven to learn as much as he can about these wonderful vibrations we receive as music, he learned from some of the best teachers and musicians in his community throughout my life.  

Triumphant Riddim is Mikey Dub's first EP on the label featuring some great vocalists and players of instruments. It includes 5 tracks on the same riddim: 2 vocal tracks sung by Clotilde and Tharara, 2 dubs by Mikey Dub and one horns version featuring Joby T. on the trumpet.

Menilek - Son Of Solomon

Menilek is a dub reggae producer and instrumentalist from USA. He inspired by roots reggae dub in the vein of the legends: Scratch Perry, Scientist, and King Tubby to name a few.

Named after the legendary emperor, who according to the 14th century national epic Kebra Negast is said to have inaugurated the Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia, son of the biblical King Solomon of ancient Israel and of Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, 

Menilek's  debut album is entitled Son of Solomon' and it is a love letter to the late 70s and early 80s dubs that inspired him to start producing and performing reggae music. 

The album includes seven tracks in a deep dubwise style influenced by the traditional roots reggae dub and is offered for free download from Bandcamp and for streaming on all main platforms.

Sax N Dub & Madi Simmons - Working For a Brighter Day

Multi instrumentalist and producer Sax N Dub from Montevideo Uruguay has been playing on the sound system scene with his own productions and international collaborations since 2014, with participation in may international festivals. With more than 20 publications on cd, digital and vinyl and numerous collaborations on diverse labels, he returns with his new single Working For A Brighter Day, teaming up this time with long time family artist Madi Simmons on the vocals.

Hailing from USA, Madi Simmons is no stranger on our label. He appeared on many releases on our label, collaborating with Culture Horn, Dubsynaticx and Red Star Martyrs and has been awarded in 2018 Best Male Independent Reggae Recording Artist and Best Album Of The Year (for I Am A Rootsman)

Focusing now on the new single, Working For A Brighter Day is presented in two versions: the vocal track with Madi demonstrating his ability to feel comfortable to perform on any riddim and enjoying not following the rules of reggae music (whatever they are) and the instrumental version, with the sax talking over the mix, a trademark of Sax N Dub! 

 

Stefanosis - Kali Yuga

Stefanosis, the Los Angeles based multi-instrumentalist/producer, who has been crafting his musical art for over two decades, returns with a new single entitled Kali Yuga. 

 

Kali Yuga is a concept in Hinduism that says we're now in the fourth cycle/age of existence, which is the most difficult one. It is the age of darkness and despair among humanity and across the entire Earth, when chaos, confusion, and hypocrisy reigns. This is the age of conflicts and we see it every day through wars and brutality. Spiritually, the civilization degenerates, as people drift farther and farther from the Divine.

 

Kali Yuga is a stepper style reggae song with apocalyptic theme lyrics. It is presented in two versions: the original vocal composition and the obligatory dub version.

 

The unmistakable sound of Stefanosis is also in this release present, were roots reggae fuses with eastern melodies and philosophies!

 

 

Stefanosis - Eastward Journey Dubs

Stefanosis, the Los Angeles based multi-instrumentalist and producer, who has been crafting his musical art for over two decades, returns with his new release entitled Eastward Journey Dubs.

The EP consists of four underground reggae/dubwise dubplates, all inspired by the artist’s journey to the far east. 

 

The unmistakable sound of Stefanosis, which was present in his two previous releases, is also in this release to be heard, where roots reggae fuses with eastern melodies!

 

01 Mount Kailash / 02 A Vast Version / 03 Herbal Hiking / 04 The Watchers

R-Juna - Rockers Dub

One year after his debut release Dubs And Praises, the USA producer Roy Waterford aka R-Juna is back with his second album entitled Rockers Dub.

His new release is a collection ten new tracks, all dubbed in the R-Juna style and with Colton Lantz on the guitar on two tracks of the album. A special moment of this album is the four dub reworks of songs by the Grateful Dead (Franklin’s Dub & Fire On The Dub), The White Stripes (Seven Nation Dub) and The Doors (Riders Of The Dub).

CREDITS: All tracks were produced, mixed & mastered by Roy Waterford. Colton Lantz played guitar on two tracks, on Franklin's Dub & Fire On The Dub.

01 My Deliverer / 02 Franklin’s Dub / 03 Seek Jah / 04 Riders On The Dub / 05 Naturality Dub / 06 Seven Nation Dub / 07 Kingly Dub / 08 Fire on the Dub / 09 Dreadlock / 10 Wicked Babylon

Stefanosis meets Soulfyah Productions - Dubplate Situation

After his collaboration with the German saxophonist Samson Benji, the USA producer, instrumentalist and singer Stephen Moore aka Stefanosis is back with some fresh vibrations. This time he collaborates with Soulfyah Productions from Germany on four riddims.

His new release is entitled Dubplate Situation and includes 5 tracks: four vocal tracks on riddims composed by Soulfyah Productions voiced by Stefanosis in a dublate style, plus a very special melodica cut.

TRACKLIST: 01 Dictator / 02. Dictating Dub / 03. Keep On Smiling / 04. Life Is Hard / 05. Come Back Home

Stefanosis meets Samson Benji - Brass Echo Chamber

This album - Brass Echo Chamber - was originally released in the early 2000's through the now defunct Springline Records label. Sadly, the online release never took off and did not received the popularity it deserved. Like a fading star, it was eventually taken offline and forgotten in the vaults.

The man behind the instruments was Stefanosis from Los Angeles, known as Steve Steppa back then. The concept was quite simple: create an album influenced by the 1970's reggae-dub era with a saxophone as the lead instrument. The man behind the brass was the German born saxophonist Ras Samson aka Samson Benji, who was given the dubplates and added his horns like the “icing” on a “well baked cake”.

The original, low-fi production was recorded using a vintage, analog synth, drum-machine and electric bass and guitars masterfully played by Stefanosis. After saxophone parts were recorded long distance in Europe, Gibsy Rhodes from Corsica, the man behind Springline Records, put the whole package together with some added effects, samples and rough mastering.

Fast forward in year 2020, the original files were discovered years later on a disc. Admiring the whole concept and the irie hooks of Samson's soulful saxophone. Stefanosis took the files and boosted some audio levels, utilizing modern technology. The songs have been re-mastered and allowed to shine brighter this time. Twenty years after the original release, the Brass Echo Chamber lives again, polished and resonating pure, reggae dubplate vibes.

CREDITS > Music: Stefanosis (Drum Loops, Bass, Keyboard, Guitar) / Saxophone: Samson Benji / Sampling: Gibsy Rhodes / Mixing and Mastering: Stefanosis / Producers: Stefanosis, Gibsy Rhodes

01 Brass Down Babiwrong / 02 Lost Satellite / 03 Brass Knuckles / 04 Kingston Brass
05 King Tubby's Brass / 06 Ruffy and Tuffy / 07 Conquering Brass

R-Juna - Dubs and Praises

R-Juna is a USA producer, DJ and MC, influenced by 90’s hip hop, dub reggae and electronic music. In his 10 years of experience in the music scene, he has produced several albums spanning various genres, toured the United States and shared stages with many of his musical influences.

After recently departing from touring, R-Juna has focused his creative energy back into production, returning to his dub reggae roots.

His debut album on Dubophonic Records is entitled Dubs And Praises and is a tribute to dub music, the music that influenced so many different genres. The album consists of seven instrumental tracks with heavy bass lines, melodic riffs and deep echoes, influenced by the traditional roots reggae dub and presented with a modern ambient downbeat feeling. All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Roy Waterford. Artwork by Hidden Work and Dub Thomas.

01 Zion Gate / 02 Give Thanks / 03 Daily Bread 05:28 / 04 Discernment Dub
05 Blessed Love / 06 Praises Dub / 07 Weep Not

SistaSara - Space Stepper

SistaSara is a female music producer, a freedom stepper, creating her own style of Reggae Dub music mainly influenced by UK Stepper, PsyDub and Trip Hop. We call it “Hypnotic dub music with a psychedelic touch”.

Sara Fuga was born in Venice, Italy, with Italian mother & Nigerian father. She started as a session drummer and backing vocalist in numerous bands and projects in Italy from 1995 till 2003. In Spring 2003 she moved to London, UK, where she began studying music production. The London Dub scene was a crucial influence in her music development and it is a core factor in her music identity.

Sara is now an independent experimental Dub music producer. Alongside her Solo productions, she collaborates with other fellow producers as a songwriter & vocalist and in Summer 2015 she moved to Oakland California, USA.

Her first EP on our label is called Space Stepper and includes the following five musical compositions:

Illusions Space Stepper: a space dub cut of a tune called Illusions of Time, which will be included in her upcoming album “Universal”.

Altered Dimensions: a deep and minimal dub remix, a revisitation of Illusions of Time.

Isaiah: a deep, hypnotic and meditative dub tune, which is dedicated to the Prophet Isaiah.

Throughout and Throughout Space Dub are written in traditional UK Steppa style, filled with bass and tribal stepper drums that will hopefully keep you on an upliftment mode.

01 Illusions Space Stepper / 02 Altered Dimensions / 03 Throughout / 04 Throughout Space Dub / 05 Isaiah

Culture Horn ft. Madi Simmons - I Am A Rootsman

Culture Horn Sound System is a weighty and heavyweight Russian dub sound system from the town of Kremenki in the Kaluga region in Russia. Built in year 2012, it managed to gather at least a dozen musicians are around it, forming a big musical family from all over Russia. Armed with dubplates from local and international artists produced exclusively for CHSS, their sound is constantly being improved. Culture Horn Sound System plays a very important role in the local sound system culture and scene of Russia, not only playing uncompromising roots reggae and heavyweight steppers, but also releasing their own reggae and dub compositions on vinyl.

On their first release on Dubophonic, Culture Horn collaborate with Madi Simmons, hailing from the USA and Dubophonic resident artist Med Dred, representing the likkle island of Cyprus. Madi has been performing and recording music for the last 20 years, going through lots of blood, sweat and tears in the music industry. Having toured the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, California and the Midwest and being just recently voted as BEST MALE INDIE REGGAE ARTIST of 2018, Madi had a lots of ups and downs, nevertheless loving every minute of it and enjoying not following the rules of reggae music (whatever they are).

The EP includes alltogether 6 tracks:  The first one is done ina dubplate style followed by a melodica version by Jahpapu and an uncompromising CHSS-dub. The second one is the title track, followed by a special melodica dubmix by Med Dred and a heavyweight dub by CHSS, demonstrating the uncompromising style of the artists. Culture Horn Sound System is coming to shake your town!

1. Culture Horn ft Madi Simmons - Dubplate / 2. Culture Horn ft. Jahpapu - Dubplate Version II / 3. Culture Horn - Dubplate Version III / 4. Cultre Horn ft. Madi Simmons - I am a Rootsman / 5. Culture Horn ft. Med Dred - Rootsman Dub (Dubophonic Dubmix) / 6. Culture Horn - Rootsman Dub Version III

Red Star Martyrs - Red Star Martyrs

The UK producer Stanley Woodfield, better known under the project-name Red Star Martyrs, has been one of the most active artists since the start of our label.  After having released two EPs, “I & I” (2013) and “Time for Tea” (2014) and contributing in the compilation “United as One (2014), there was a silence for nearly 2 years.  It has been a constructive silence … and today we are happy to announce his first long player. We have been saving this one for you to be our last release of 2016.

The self-titled digital LP includes 14 brand new tracks of total length of 63 minutes from the producer who has managed to set his own sound-mark on our label. Rootikal vibes with a twist and melodic dubwise sounds with live instruments played mainly by Stanley himself are the key ingredients of his style. Guest appearances by I-Rebel, Don Goliath, Madi Simmons, Tallis, Trinity, Kontent, Squidgy Black and Penti from Senti. Give thanks! R.I.P. Fidel, Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

Credits: All tracks are written, produced and programmed by Stanley Woodfield. Guitars, bass, keyboards, melodica & live percussion by Stanley Woodfield, Flute on Suede Head by Andy Williamson. Artwork by Ruth Calder Murphy and Savvas Thomas. 

01 Heathen change your ways (ft Don Goliath & Tallis) / 02 Humble Lion / 03 Praise the Father (ft. Don Goliath & Trinity) / 04 Kings and Queens (ft. I-Rebel) / 05 Sweet Potato Pudding dub / 06 Hasta la Victoria Siempre / 07 Fi de Farmah (live mix) / 08 Inna this Iration (ft. Madi Simmons) / 09 Niceness / 10 Vibrations / 11 Employment dub (ft. Kontent) / 12 Suede Head / 13 All the Nations (ft. Penti from Senti) / 14 Into the light (Squidgy Black mix)

Dillon Wyte - Power To Slay Giants

Born in Arkansas USA, the multi-instrumentalist street musician Dillon Wyte has traveled quite a bit of the world, gathering musical experiences, which formed his very personal style in music. As a little boy he was always fascinated by the sound of music. His parents love for music and his natural gift to be able to figure out how to play every instrument he picked up, made it clear that music making would be his purpose in life.

At the age of 6, Dillon started playing guitar by ear and little later he taught himself drums and piano. As a young teen he encountered Jimi Hendrix, whose playing greatly enhanced his own, and through him he came to Bob Dylan, whose spirit gave him the confidence to sing. Dylan’s influence encouraged him to start writing his own material on the acoustic guitar.

Traveling all around the globe as a street musician, from USA to Europe, From Australia to Latin America, he had the chance to play his music live in every corner: on the streets, in bars, in coffee shops, and in festivals. There was so much influence coming from the streets and from his interaction with the people. It was through this interaction that he met the woman who was to be his future wife, who introduced him to reggae music. Through her, he discovered a new world full of vibrations and spirituality. Being the grandson of a preacher, the path to Jah was just a natural consequence in the artist’s life.

“Power To Slay Giants” is Dillon’s first work and the first ever “showcase” album released on Dubophonic. It is a one man show, showcasing through six vocal tracks and six dubs the artist’s vast talent as street musician, composer and songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, dub master and artist/painter (cover artwork). Dillon’s style is a joyful and harmonic amalgamation of roots reggae, American roots and dub, greatly influenced by the artist’s dearest idols.

From the rootical and conscious Bullies, to the hopeful inspired That Fine Day, to the majestic and lyrical Lamp Unto Thy Feet, all tracks have this positive message in their lyrics. With the voice channel mixed in the foreground, the tracks reflect that "live” street music flair, referencing the artist’s street background … and the dubs … well, just press PLAY, sit back and enjoy them. We are sure that they will give you the necessary strength to slay all the giants in your life.

TRACKS: 01 Bullies / 02 Lest I Go Astray / 03 None Else / 04 That Fine Day / 05 Lamp Unto Thy Feet
06 Power To Slay Giants / 07 Bully Dub / 08 Dub Astray / 09 No Other Dub / 10 Fine Dub / 11 Dub Unto Thy Feet / 12 Giant Slayer Dub