Shanti-K meets Sister Maki, Steve Fox & Aki Mittoo - Alive

The rootical family from Japan is back in 2025 with some fresh vibes. Producer Shanti-K, singer Sister Maki and melodica player Aki Mittoo meet Steve Fox in a new composition!

Produced by Shanti-K, the new track is entitled Alive and it is presented on this digital EP in five different versions: 

 

The title track with Sister Maki and Steve Fox on the vocals, the dub version by Shanti-K, a special melodica cut with Aki Mittoo, a dubwise melodica cut by Shanti-K and as last tune on the EP a raw dub by Shanti-K for the soundsystems.

Shanti-K meets Sister Maki & Aki Mittoo - One Single Word

We are happy to announce some new vibes coming from Japan. The rootical family from the land of the rising sun, consisting of producer Shanti-K, singer Sister Maki and melodica player Aki Mittoo, returns with a new composition! 

 

Produced by Shanti-K, the new track is entitled One Single Word and it is presented on this digital EP in five different versions: The title track with Sister Maki on the vocals, the obligatory dub version by Shanti-K, a special instrumental version with Aki Mittoo on the melodica, a dubwise melodica cut by Shanti-K and as last tune on the EP a raw heavyweight dub by Shanti-K especially made for the soundsystems.

 

Ras Tamano & Goja Bongos - Nyahbinghi I-lodica

The veneration or worship of the deity or spirit of the woman known as Nyabinghi began in Rwanda, around 1800. She was thought to be a powerful force in everyday life. Religious practice operated through a medium named “Muhumusa” who was in communication with the spirit of Nyabinghi. To appease her spirit, believers brought offerings to the medium who would negotiate with the spirit on the believer's behalf. While there were specific mediums that communicated with Nyabinghi directly, Nyabinghi could also possess ordinary people who were not leaders or official mediums within the religion. Belief in this religion was particularly strong in the southern parts of Uganda and the northern regions of Rwanda, areas which had formerly been part of the precolonial kingdom of Ndorwa.

Muhumusa led a campaign against Yuhi V of Rwanda, claiming to be a mother to the rightful heir to the Rwandan throne. She also led and then inspired further anti-colonial movements in East Africa, rebelling against European colonial authorities. Although she was captured in 1913, alleged possessions by Nyabinghi continued afterwards across East Africa (mostly afflicting women). The bloodline of the true Nyabinghi warriors supposedly settled in the heart of Dzimba dze Mabwe, now known as Zimbabwe

In the 20th century, the Niyabinghi resistance inspired a number of Jamaican Rastafarians, who incorporated what are known as Niyabinghi Chants (also binghi) into their celebrations ("groundations"). The rhythms of these chants were eventually an influence of popular ska, rocksteady and reggae music. It is the traditional music of the Rastafarian practice and it is used during "reasoning" sessions and consists of chanting and drumming to reach states of heightened spirituality. Nyabingi music consists of a blend of 19th century gospel music and African drumming and is common to all Rastafarians. Its rhythms are the basis of Reggae music!

Nyahbinghi Melodica is a very special release, recorded domestically in Japan ina classic Nyabinghi style. Produced by the multitalented Swe Rooting (producer, artist, event organiser, woodcrafter and landscape gardener), it features the melodica player Ras Tamano (also known through his collaboration with Sister Maki on Prayers) and the kette drum player and manufacturer Goja Bongos on the percussion (known for his collaborations with Shanti-K and Aki Mittoo). The artwork was created by Manabu Dub.

The album includes six tracks, reworks of classic tunes and Nyahbinghi chants with the melodica taking over the chanting and the drumming showing the way to righteousness. Let the magic take over!

Tokiboun In Dub - Dub Valley (ft. Nish Wadada, Nehdiman, Oryo, Jah93)

French-Swiss producer Tokiboun in Dub is back. After his 2022 four-track instrumental EP Mountain Vibrations with William Jacquement on the Trombone and Full Vibes on the flute, he returns in 2023 with his new EP entitled Dub Valley. Having the desire to share good vibrations and to create several versions of one single rhythm. he has contacted the artists he loves and he presents the following four tracks on the EP: 

Water Valley features the enchanting Nish Wadada on the vocals. The Dutch singer of Cape Verdean descent from Rotterdam, quickly made a name for herself in the European roots and dub scene. Initially active in the world music scene, Nish gradually became more and more fascinated by reggae and Rastafari, enjoying international recognition through her conscious and uplifting lyrics and her collaborations with Brizion, Dub Dynasty, Kibir La Amlak and Ashanti Selah, just to name a few! 

Valley Of Fire features the Japanese female musician and instrumentalist Oryo on the violin. She has already been featured in the past on our label on Shanti-K’s EP Revolution. 

Earth Valley features Mehdiman on the vocals. Mehdiman, born in Iran and now living in Germany, started his career playing guitar and as a backup vocalist for several bands. He has a great raggamuffin style that will make you get up and move.

Valley Of The Wind features, Jah93 AKA Kumi, hailing from Hiroshima/Japan and stepping in with the melodica riffs on this one! Jah93 has also been brought forward internationally to the masses by a great variety of some of the long-standing names in the business such as Chazbo (Bush Chemists / Roots Temple), OBF Sound system (Dubquake) and has been featured by the mighty Aba Shanti-I through various productions that she has done with Ashanti Selah.

 

Sister Maki Band - Love & War

A new tune is coming from the Land of the Rising Sun. The Osaka reggae singer Sister Maki, known through her collaboration with Dub Cmd in 2020 with Way To Zion, Swe in 2021 with Prayers and Shanti-K also in 2021 with Revolution, returns with a new tune.  

This time she comes with her own band from her homeland Japan, which was founded in 2012, bringing a deeper meditation to the Kobe and Osaka Music scene. It includes Goja Bongos on the percussion and as special guest Aki Mittoo on the melodica, who continues to make wonderful music through her newly founded label Muffin Records.

LOVE & WAR: Why and for whom do we make war? If you love your family, friends, and neighbors, you will realize that it is meaningless. Feel the love near to you.

CREDITS: Vocals: Sister Maki / Guitar: Eiji Koda / Keyboard: Aya / Percussion: Goja Bongos / Bass: Kakky / Drums: Joeyan / Supported: Marcelo Vergne / Mixing by HAV at SF Recordings JP / Mastering by Steve Fox(Godiego) at Fox Pro Studio JP / Illustration by MANABU DUB

Shanti-K meets Sister Maki - Revolution

More vibes coming from the land of the rising sun. After Botanical Story/Rudies released last year, the soundsystem family crew from Japan returns with a new composition and with a strong female representation! 

Produced by Shanti-K, the new track is entitled Revolution and it is presented on this virtual 12inch in four different versions: The title track with Sister Maki on the vocals, the obligatory dub version by Shanti-K, a special instrumental version with Aki Mittoo on the melodica and the female musician Oryo on the violin, and finally a violin/melodica dub by Shanti-K. and with Goja Bongos on the percussion.

CREDITS// Music & Production: Shanti-K / Vocals & Lyrics: Sister Maki (vocals recorded by Steve Fox (Godiego) @ Fox Pro Studio, JP) / Violin: Oryo / Melodica: Aki Mittoo / Percussion: Goja Bongos / Mixing & Mastering: Shanti-K, Kalpana Studio, Japan 

 

01 Revolution / 02 Revolution Dub / 03 Melodica & Violin Cut / 04 Melodica & Violin Dub

Sister Maki meets Swe - Prayers

New EP coming from the Land of the Rising Sun with Sister Maki on the Vocals. The Osaka reggae singer, known through her collaboration with Dub Cmd in 2020 on Way To Zion (Pt. I & II), returns with a new EP. This time she collaborates with some great artists from her homeland Japan.

Produced by the multitalented Swe (producer, artist, event organiser, woodcrafter, Kette drum builder and landscape gardener) Prayers features Sister Maki, on the vocals, Ras Tamano from Nara (member of the roots reggae band, Desanc and maker of reggae artists dolls) on the melodica and Binghi-D on the Kette Drum.

CREDITS: Production & Riddims - Swe (JP) / Vocal & Lyrics (01) - Sister Maki (JP) / Melodica (02) - Ras Tamano (JP) / Kette Drum (03) - Binghi-D (JP) / Mixed & Mastered by Swe Rooting (JP) / Art Work by Mingalang

01 - Prayer (Sister Maki) / 02 - Judgement in the Rain (Ras Tamano)

03 - 3x3 Dub (Binghi-D) / 04 - Prayer Riddim (Swe) / 05 - Judgement in the Rain Riddim (Swe)

Shanti-K meets Aki Mittoo ft. Goja Bongos - Botanical Story / Rudies

If we could use words to describe this new EP coming from the land of the rising sun, these would be "heavy Far East dub sound of future roots". Two uplifting instrumentals, Botanical Story & Rudies - three cuts each! The dub recipe consists of the following three ingredients, only to be found in Japan:

The dub creator and producer Shanti-K: He Started making music in 1993. As a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, djembe) and producer (Kalpana Studio), he has been providing riddims for various artists, releasing tunes on vinyl and digital. As a soundman, he founded alongside “Light-On Super-Disco” in 2020 the “Dub And Future” Sound system, producing tunes also for other sounds.

The female melodica player Aki Mittoo: Coming from the town of Aichi and already a regular on the label, she is known through her collaborations with Dub Cmd, SistaSara and Soul Fire. Nevertheless, this is her first release on Dubophonic Records as a member of a full Far East crew. She has a license as a Yamaha piano instructor and a Suzuki Musical Instrument melodion instructor. her playing Style is cultivated through her experience as instrumentalist in different genres throughout the years.

The Kette drum player and manufacturer Goja Bongos: He lives in the town of Hyogo and he likes earthy music: reggae, African, afro-Cuban and Latin. After his visit in Jamaica in 2005, experiencing the authentic reggae music, he returned to japan and in 2009 he started manufacturing kette drums. Since 2015, he has been in charge of the percussion in the roots reggae band of Sister Maki, while his passion for drumming guided him to form in 2019 his own nyahbinghi project. "Goja" is a local dialect of Banshu that means "crazy"! If you enter the circle of Nyahbinghi, the drums of Goja Bongos will shake the earth with a dangerous presence. 

01 Botanical Story / 02 Botanical Dub / 03 Botanical Bongos / 04 Rudies  / 05 Rudies Dub / 06 Rudies Bongo

Dub Cmd & Soul Fire - Blessed

Lee “Scratch” Perry’s 70‘s classic “Soul Fire” was the ignition for the songwriter and singer Vassilis Savopoulos a.k.a “Jah Smiley” from Thessaloniki to form in the beginning of 90’s “Soul Fire”, the first reggae band in Greece. It has been almost thirty years since then and probably no one could have ever imagined, that this reggae band would record their first album with the internationally renowned dub producer Mad Professor from Ariwa Records and play as the opening act for the legendary band of Bob Marley, "The Wailers”. Well-known artists participated in that first album: drummer “Sinclair”, member of Lee Scratch Perry’s band “Roboticks”, Aisha on the backing vocals, Cofi and Mafia from “Mafia & Fluxy” plus MC Fredi Kruga.

Fast forward in year 2019, Soul Fire visit Cyprus for a performance at the Reggae Sunjam Festival and thanks to the organisers of the festival, local and international artists who were also participating had the chance to meet each other and build a bond. Artists became friends, new connections were established and good things fired up some new collaborations. The friendhip worked as a boiler, cooking some brand new vibrations!

“Yuh affi know, dat life ah raw, Aal dat glitters ah nah gold
Mi affi seh, only wid pray, Cah living inna babylon ah rough
Guh wid de flow de spirit grows, One day will shine lacka rainbow,
It has been told de days of ole(old), Written inna fi wi hearts Jah Jah law”

God, love, inner self, consciousness and justice could be the keywords for someone searching behind Soul Fire’s songs. «Marley was the light and Burning Spear was the mystic spirit of reggae for me»  says Jah Smiley. Nuff respect Aki Mittoo for the spiritual melodica cut, adding the missing link to this conscious journey and to Versioncos  for the amazing artwork!

CREDITS: Production & Riddims - Dub Cmd (UK) / Vocals & Lyrics – Soul Fire (GR) / Melodica – Aki Mittoo  (JP) / Artwork: Versioncos (CY)

01 Blessed / 02 Blessed Version / 03 Melodica Cut (ft. Aki Mittoo)

 

Dub Cmd & Sister Maki - Way To Zion II

Dub Cmd, the UK based dub producer from Poland and the Japanese singer Sister Maki from Osaka, return with WAY TO ZION II. The first part was released earlier this year and part two continues with six more tracks: three vocal tracks in English and Japanese ina Far East style and two dubs, plus one instrumental riddim cut as a special bonus.

CREDITS: Production & Riddims - Dub Cmd (UK) / Vocals & Lyrics - Sister Maki (JP) / Lead Melodica - Dub Cmd / Rhythm Melodica - Sister Maki / Vocals Recorded by Steve Fox @ Fox Pro Studios (JP) / Mixed and mastered by Dub Cmd @ Mission Control (UK) / Artwork by Chuchumayu.

TRACKLIST: 01 Sunrise Dub / 02 Zion / 03 I & I / 04 Jah Love / 05 Live Version
06 Jah Love (Riddim Cut)

Dub Cmd/SistaSara/Aki Mittoo - Leaving Babylon Behind

Being one of the most active artists on the label, the UK dub producer Dub Cmd is back with a brand new single, the first one in a series of three singles, all planned to be released in year 2020. After the ep Deeper Understanding in 2019, he collaborates once again with the Italian born producer and singer SistaSara, who blessed the riddim with her voice and her conscious lyrics.

Leaving Babylon Behind is presented in three versions: The original vocal version by SistaSara, the obligatory dub version by Dub Cmd and a very special melodica version featuring for the first time the upcoming melodica player Aki Mittoo from Japan.

CREDITS: Production & Riddim - Dub Cmd (UK) / Vocals & Lyrics - SistaSara (ITA) / Melodica – Aki Mitoo (JP) / Artwork by Eirini D.

01 Leaving Babylon Behind / 02. Version / 03. Melodica Cut (ft. Aki Mittoo)

Dub Cmd & Sister Maki - Way To Zion I

Dub Cmd, the UK based dub producer from Poland, returns with a new EP. After his first release in year 2019 and his collaboration in the same year with the USA based producer SistaSara from Italy, the artist returns with a new outernational collaboration, this time featuring on the vocals the Japanese singer Sister Maki from Osaka.

Sister Maki started her activity in Osaka, Japan, in 2007 as a reggae singer. Based out of Kobe , she started in 2010 performing as a roots reggae selector. In 2013 she formed her own band, Sister Maki Band, playing original roots reggae music and bringing a deeper meditation to the Kansai (Japanese region) music scene, promoting peace, love and unity.

Dub Cmd is becoming one of the most prolific new artists on the label. The new release Way To Zion consists of two parts. This is the first part! It includes five tracks: 3 vocals tracks (one is a special discomix) with Sister Maki on the vocals plus 2 instrumental cuts in a fine dubwise style. The second part will be released later this year!

CREDITS: Production & Riddims - Dub Cmd (UK) / Vocals & Lyrics - Sister Maki (JP) / Lead Melodica - Dub Cmd / Rhythm Melodica - Sister Maki / Vocals Recorded by Steve Fox @ Fox Pro Studios (JP) / Mixed and mastered by Dub Cmd @ Mission Control (UK) / Artwork by Chuchu Mayu.

Roots Masashi - Namah Shivaya

Roots Masashi is a Roots Rock / New Roots composer from Osaka, Japan. He drew his inspiration from friends in high school and fell in love with conscious reggae music.  He was fascinated by Osaka’s dub scene, especially after meeting the “Dub I Roots Crew” and “Rebel Culture” in 2012 and soon after, he started building “Roots Far I”, his own Sound System and Digital Live project, based in Kishiwada of South Osaka. His devotion to Roots Rock Reggae, New Roots and Dub guided him all around Japan, touring with the soundsystem and urging him to reach new musical heights

His first release on Dubophonic Records is a musical and holy salutation to the Auspicious, an adoration to the Most High. Based on one of the most important Mantras in the Shaivism tradition, Namah Shivaya is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness. It calms the mind and brings spiritual insight and knowledge. Traditionally, it is accepted to be a powerful healing mantra beneficial for all physical and mental ailments. “Na” sound represents the earth, “Mah” sound represents the water, “Shi” sound represents the fire, “Va” sound represents the air and “Ya” sound represents thesky. Its total meaning is that "universal consciousness is one". The recitation of these syllables is sound therapy for the body and nectar for the inner self and the soul.

Various Artists - Explorations in Dub

The first compilation of dub-o-phonic is a musical journey to some unknown areas of dub music. Compiled by Dub Thomas, “Explorations in Dub” tries to find the hidden elements of dub music in musical genres, where under normal circumstances no dub is existent. This release might not comply with the “conventional” dub reggae as we know it. Being the tenth release of the label, Dub Thomas selects tracks with a strong experimental musical vibe, staying truthful to the future sound of the label.

The compilation includes seventeen tracks from artists scattered in the various corners of the globe, from Cyprus to the French West Indies: Daidalos One (CY), SXtheMadArtist (CY), Ras Robin Dennis (CY), Dub-I (RUS), Dub Riots (GR), Green Glow (MEX), Hernibernie (BEL), Knoto (JP), Mr Mefistou (PR), Negro Pirana (MEX), Rakoon (FR), Red Barrio (ES), Roots Dubbing Project (BRA), The Dubbstyle (ARG), Twixymillia (FWI) and Dub Across Borders (DEN).

Included in this compilation is Dub-I’s “Rididub Master” in a new extended version, serving not only as a musical flashback to our first release, but also as a starting point for the dubs to follow, while the jazz/ambient tracks of Hernibernie and SXtheMadArtist (the cover art designer of the release) are perhaps at the highest innovation point. Knoto manages to strip a famous reggae song down to its basic beat elements keeping the melody as a sweet buzz in your head. Daidalos One offers an atmospheric intermission, Ras Robbin Denis fuses an ethnic/ambient feel, Dub Across Borders blips and clicks, Negro Pirana dubs the blues, Mr Mefistou builds up slowly a dubbed step, Green Glow steps it up, Twixymillia rewinds it, while Dub Riots, Roots Dubbing Project, The Dubbstyle, Rakoon and Red Barrio transform irie melodies into experimental dubscapes.

“Dub means experimentation with sound. From the first innovations of King Tubby to the unorthodox techniques of Lee "scratch" Perry, dub has always been evolving, influencing many of the musical genres of our century, whether these are called Hip-Hop, Electronica, Fusion or even World/Ethnic music. This is a journey into the world of dub!” - Dub Thomas

[DPH010] Various - Explorations in Dub

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TRACKS: 01 Red Barrio - Feeling irie dub // 02 Dub Riots - Zinc Head // 03 Roots Dubbing Project - The lost dub // 04 Rakoon - Trippin' Dub // 05 Knoto - Natural Mystic Dub // 06 Rakoon - Tubby's Dub Lesson // 07 The Dubbstyle - Alive // 08 Mr. Mefistou - Style E. aka Latinamerican Rudeboyz // 09 Daidalos One - Aenigmata // 10 Negro Pirana Ft. Nayzab - Same Blue Sky // 11 Green Glow - Spliff (new harvest) // 12 Twixymillia - Deep Forest Dub // 13 Dub Across Borders - Antchi Dub // 14 Ras Robin Dennis - The Garden Of Eden // 15 Hernibernie - Riboulette // 16 Dub-I - Rididub master (rework) // 17 SXtheMadArtist - We R Not