RootsyBeats Meets Dub Idren - Spiritual Calling

Spanish self-taught producer RootsyBeats has been playing keyboard in many local and international reggae bands since 1980, sharing the stage with artists like Macka B, Mad Professor, Alpha Blondy, I Roy, Skarra Mucci just to name a few. Recently and with the rise of the internet and the ease that it offers to meet new people, he started to collaborate with artists from all over the world, composing and producing his own music.

Spiritual Calling, is a beautiful mix of relaxing sounds produced by RootsyBeats who with these fresh sounds mixes his track with the beautiful melodies from the Colombian artist Dub Idren, already known to Dubophonic fans through his works Roots Strong and Mystical Valley with UK producer I-niverse, giving it a very tropical and sunny touch, calling for union and peace internal. This is our new call, a spiritual call!

Messian Dread - Maranatha (dub & discomix)

Introducing Messian Dread, a versatile personality from the Netherlands: Producer, singer, player of instruments, writer, reviewer, selector, and editor/webmaster of DUBROOM.org, perhaps the longest running platform/netlabel, that promotes Dub Reggae and Consciousness" since 1997, where many artists have contributed to throughout the decades.

Somewhere in 1979-1980 Messian Dread discovered Reggae and especially the Dub variety. He was around 15 at that time and everything was quite different. The music and the sound was new, back then. You had the Mad Professor dubbing everyone crazy, the Scientist was introduced in the now legendary Greensleeves series. It was also the time of the extended versions aka Discomixes.

Early 1987, Messian Dread started a band and also began to experiment with dub, his great musical love. In 1997, ten years after he started to make music, Messian Dread started to publish his music world-wide through the Internet. Nowadays this seems a very normal and typical way to promote music, but back in those days with no Facebook or Soundcloud, it was not. In fact, it was frowned upon. Messian Dread can therefore be considered a pioneer in what has become normal now: independent artists producing their Dub & Reggae music online, from their heart to the heart of the listener.

His music has been played worldwide, throughout the decades. Next to his own Dubroom Label, the first chapter in the "Roots of Dub Funk" series had a quite successful track called "Jah Glory", an album called "Showcase" was released through Star Recordings and the "Dub Buds" (Phoenix Records) compilation had a track called "Transgenics Dub. Until today one of the hardest Steppa compilations ever released. or at least an online cult classic.

The music of Messian Dread is Roots Reggae. Even though he produces his music in a digital way, you'll hear his own roots are in the 1980's. Roots Reggae in the orthodox way, with conscious lyrics that often leave no question mark but definitely food for thought … and dub! It is very hard to find a vocal tune from Messian Dread and no Dub version that comes with it. In fact, one could say that Messian Dread is keeping the tradition of the 'Discomixes' where you'll get a vocal track and Dub version in one long mix alive. His obsession with long mixes comes from the 1980's you remember them too, the 12" versions, and he has always loved the extended versions in Reggae and also in the electronic music.

Maranatha was originally released in 2007 as a free download and we are proud to present you a (F)re(e)-issue of the track as an introduction to Messian Dread’s works and as an appetizer for the releases to follow. Tune starts with Dub and militant vibe and ends with the vocals. The track was definitely inspired by the so called riots which are really uprisings that were going on in 2006. Even more today.

Roots Reggae sounds best when it is mixed in the good way. The best way to mix Roots Reggae is in Dubwise style. Messian Dread's music is pure conscious Roots Reggae, mixed with the purpose of feeling the vibe always in a deeper and deeper way the more you listen. Music to listen to. To experience. 

CREDITS: Composed, written and produced by Messian Dread, Vocals by Messian Dread, Cover artwork by Messian Dread

Soul Fire - Wake Up Your Lion

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 in 2005 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.

Wake Up Your Lion is Soul Fire’s 2nd album and was originally released back in 2013 on Soul Fire Music. We feel honoured to be able to digitally distribute this album through Dubophonic Records, eight years after its original release. The album is mixed and mastered by Professor Skank and includes fourteen tracks ina roots and culture style. With classics like “Rasta People”, “Wake Up Your Lion” and “Rootsman Skanking”, this album is without doubt an important piece of reggae culture in Greece.

CREDITS: PRODUCED BY JAH SMILEY (SOUL FIRE MUSIC PRODUCTION) / MUSIC & LYRICS WRITTEN & ARRANGED BY JAH SMILEY / RECORDED AT SOULFIRE STUDIOS & DOPE STUDIOS, THESSALONIKI, GREECE / MIXED AND MASTERED BY STEFANOS PATERAKIS AKA PROFESSOR SKANK AT UNDERGROUND DUB STUDIOS, AGIOS NIKOLAOS, CRETE, GREECE / ARTWORK GEORGE LEE - TREBANAL CREATIVE / LEAD VOCALS, MUSIC EDITOR & PROGRAMMING : VASILEIOS SAVVOPOULOS AKA JAH SMILEY / KEYBOARDS & SYNTHESIZERS: GIANNIS STOIKOS AKA ZOAO AFROSO / BASS: TASOS TOPTSIDIS AKA T WISE / DRUMS: STERGIOS KOIAS / GUITAR RHYTHM, BASS: VAKIS GULIOS / LEAD & RHYTHM GUITAR: THANASIS VAMVAKOUDIS AKA KOTON / LEAD & RHYTHM GUITAR: LAZAROS KERAMARIS AKA LAZER / PIANO: ELI DAMASKOU / BACKING VOCALS: HELEN BAGA, ANTHI KIRKOU / TROMBONE: GIANNIS MARINOS / TENOR SAX: ALEKOS PANAGOPOULOS / TRUMPET: GIORGOS AVRAMIDIS / TROMBONE ON RASTA PEOPLE : MENELAOS KARAGIANNIS (ODF)

01 Rasta People / 02 Wake Up Your Lion / 03 Life Ain't No Easy / 04 I Wanna Get High / 05 One Love One Life One Jah / 06 Praise Jah Rastafari / 07 One Jah / 08 Just Another Day / 09 I wish / 10 Mama / 11 Music Is My Life / 12 Rootsman Skanking / 13 Rise Up / 14 Who's Gonna Dance

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)

 

Reggae Sunjam Cyprus - What you need to know

The second Reggae Sunjam Music Festival is being held this weekend, on the 12^th and 13th at Paradise Place Music Bar, in Pomos, Paphos. It is organized byl Dubophonic, the independent production team Easy Going Productions and Suzie Selecta. A few days before we give you the Festival guide:

The location
The Festival takes place in the village of Pomos, east of Polis in Paphos. The music bar Paradise Place is located just before the village entrance, on a hill overlooking the sea. Here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Cyprus and swim in a hidden beach at the foot of the Paphos forest! The bar offers a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere while the wider area is full of magical beaches and beautiful mountain paths!
 

The music program
23 hours of Roots, Reggae, Dub, Steppers and Dancehall music by renowned artists and DJs!

The Top Acts
At the Festival this year, you will see Professor Skank, by far the most well-known Greek dub producer. He will be performing an exclusive live set with live dub mix and great selection on stage. Born and raised in Greece in 1977, he experimented with the genre at a really young age of 14 on a 4-track recorder in the early 90’s. Meeting Mad Professor was a turning point for him. He discovered his talent and initiated him into the secrets of dub music. In the following years this collaboration allowed him to use the legendary Ariwa Studios and work with great artists like Max Romeo, Zion Train, Brinsley Ford Aswad, Love Grocer, Earl16, Vibronics, Afrikan Simba, Dreadzone and many other. Based in his studio, he keeps on producing music, releasing vinyls and remixing tunes international labels (among them our own Dubophonic) presenting his music all around the world.

You will also have the chance to enjoy the vibes of musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer Jammaroots for the first time in Cyprus. She will be performing a live acoustic session on the guitar singing her own songs and cover versions plus a special session with Mrs HCN on the decks! With her very particular voice, Jammaroots mixes her musical influences creating a peculiar musical blend, based on reggae with a scent of soul, dub and lots of improvisations. She has performed in various live stages and festivals as opening act for The Wailers, Horace Andy, Matic Horns, Earl ''china'' Smith and many more. She has also many studio collaborations, amongst others with Blend Mishkin and Vlastur, performs with her band The Oscillators as well as with Full Circle, collaborated with dj's and mc's ina roots and culture style, sings with Steffanaty and of course writes her own music, some of which we will have the pleasure to listen during the festival.

 
The Producers and DJs
This year you will have the opportunity to listen to two Cypriot artists who live and work abroad.

King of Eye who resides in the UK:  a dub artist with a passion for old & new technology, remixing sounds, visuals and filling the space with music and positive vibes. Moved to the UK from Cyprus in 1996 to study Animation and Film and got involved with event-organising under the name "Visual Vinyl" alongside people like Sattaman (Real Roots ) and performing under the name Kingofeye and Dub Theatre alongside I-Jay and Izzi Philo. The ongoing love affair with dub/music and visuals have seen the King of eye perform all over europe and the UK (Boomtown, One Love, Big Green Gathering, Island Of Dub, ARS Austria, United Nations of Dub) with a fresh approach and a mix of old and trusted sound system styles. The performances incorporate vinyl and live dub techniques alongside visuals where permitted. Conscious Lyrics, Rasta Livity and a conscious message through heavy bass lines are the characteristics of the live shows.

Syrina Sound from the Netherlands: She plays exclusively vinyl records and brings you sounds of old and new roots, reggae and dub music such as Abyssinians, King Tubby, Aba Shanti, Jah Shaka, Empress Shema, King Alpha, Jah Militant and Maasai Warrior. In addition to the love of music, Syrina Sound was created to promote the contribution of women to the stage of reggae and dub music.

The program of the Festival is dynamically reinforced by some of the most important DJs and producers from Cyprus: Dub Thomas with a special dubplate session, Haji Mike & Kemal with a live-acoustic program, Mrs HCN being active in the Greek reggae scene for many years, DJ Monday, Suzie Selecta, Pan Khaos, and Chillum Brothers.

Also some last minute additions to our lineup with some special guests: Crusty Locks from Bagjuice (NL) will be joining Syrina Sound on the decks and Roots Titus representing Jah Lion Movement (UK) will be opening the Sunday sessions with some rootikal vibrations.

The line-up in detail
Saturday

18:00 – 20:00 Mrs HCN

20:00 – 22:00 Syrina Sound meets Crusty Locks (NL)

22:00 – 00:00 DJ Monday (Jah Star Sound)

00:00 – 03:00 Professor Skank (GR)

Sunday

12:00 – 13:00 Roots Titus (UK - Jah Lion Movement)

13:00 – 15:00 Chillum Brothers (Easy Going Productions)

15:00 – 16:30 Suzie Selecta

16:30 – 18:30 Pan Khaos (Morphogenetic Fields)

18:30 – 20:00 Haji Mike meets Kemal (Dubophonic)

20:00 – 22:00 Jammaroots (GR)

22:00 – 00:00 Dub Thomas (Dubophonic)

00:00 – 02:00 King of Eye (UK)

What will be offered
During the Festival, various alcoholic beverages and drinks will be offered at reasonable prices, as well as food. From breakfast to dinner the options will vary, including vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Where to stay
In the area there is the possibility of camping with facilities and services such as outdoor showers. The experience of staying in the place is very pleasant, as you can enjoy the Festival without any interruption and without missing anything! Note however, that the space for camping is inevitably limited. So make sure you get there early or contact the organizers to let you know if space is still available. If you prefer to stay out of the venue area, then your options in the wider area are either to stay at the camping site of Polis being only 20 minutes away, or rent a room in the area.

What you will find at the Merchandise Store of the Festival
Reggae Sunjam Cyprus has prepared a CD with tracks by musicians and producers who have participated or are participating this year at the Festival. The CD will be available for sale along side with other releases from the artists, as well as the t-shirt of the festival with the impressive Sunjam logo. More artists will also be hosted with their handcrafted creations and products.

By supporting the Festival you support a good cause
Part of the Festival’s revenues will be donated to the HOPE Foundation (Helping Orphans Prodigal to Eternity) - Nepal, which hosts orphaned children in Kathmandu, offering opportunities for a better life through care and education. Also, there will be a donation box during the Festival where you can further support this initiative with your contribution.

Entrance is 7 euros for one day and 10 euros for two days. Tickets will be available at the door.

Media Sponsor: Rock FM Cyprus // Supported by: Onetropic online shop, Cactus Arts & Crafts, Health Basket organic shop, Magos Record Shop // Info: 70007102, 26342016
Facebook: Reggae Sunjam Cyprus, Twitter: @Reggaesunjam

Mr Zebre ft. Rebel-I - Legal Rmxs

The original version of LEGAL has been released back in 2012 in Mexico by Mr Zebre and Rebel-I, receiving some mad feedback everywhere it was played, especially in Latin America. In the frame of the world wide ganja legalisation movement and the new approach that many countries adopt, we decided to re-release the tune for free download, raising awareness ….. but of course we added that extra Dubophonic touch.

This is not the first time that Dubophonic released a remix album, but this is the first time that it was done in such an interactive way. This release is a result of a competition, which has been running for the last two months. Every artist had the opportunity to submit their own version of the song (remix, dub, rework). We received around 40 submissions and we would like to thank everybody for their contribution. Unfortunately we could not put all mixes on the release ... but you know that dub music has nothing to do with competition. It has to do with the message we spread and with the vibes, and that big feedback proved that dub music has no borders. It is an international movement, growing stronger day by day. Big up to each and every one for the great vibes and also for the hard times you gave us, till we came to the final decision. Every version we received was unique!

The final selection was done by the Dubophonic crew, Mr Zebre, Rebel-I and a team of djs and selectors from various radio stations, who all casted their votes and compiled the list of the 13 tracks who made the final cut: Heavyweight names like Professor Skank (GR) and Al Breadwinner (UK), Dubophonic residents Mexican Stepper (MEX), Med Dred (CY) and Negritage (ARG), but also fresh rising artists like Zentash Gigawatt (BIH), Djiman (FR), Atlas Dub (FR), Sub Majesty (SUI), Injectah (RO), Dub Riots (GR), SKG’s Dub Alliance (GR), R3di the Dub Hermit (UK/CY), Colonial FX (IRL) and Dj Rastacore (ARG). Let the dub games begin!

DOWNLOAD FROM BANDCAMP

01 Professor Skank (remix) / 02 Negritage (chalatage discomix) / 03 Atlas Dub meets Sub Majesty (remix) / 04 Med Dred (dub melodica rework) / 05 Al Breadwinner (dub) / 06 Zentash Gigawatt (ganja shot remix) / 07 Mexican Stepper ft Djiman (legalized rework) / 08 Injektah (remix) / 09 Dub Riots (remix) / 10 SKG's Dub Alliance (remix) / 11 R3di the Dub Hermit (remix) / 12 Colonial FX (remix) / 13 Dj Rastacore (jungle remix)

All tracks mixed/mastered by the artists except (2), (4), (7), (8), (11) and (12) mastered by Med Dred and (13) mastered by Mr Zebre

DubRaJah - Eyasi Dub (ft. Mad Professor)

Dubrajah - Enkang

DubRaJah is a project of Sergey Gabbasov, a Russian anthropologist and ethnomusicologist, specialized in the peoples of East Africa and Indonesia and student of “Dhow Countries Music Academy” (Zanzibar, Tanzania). He has made many ethnographical expeditions in different parts of Africa, Asia and Europe, produced several films about indigenous peoples and studied their native music. This is Sergey's first release on Dubophonic.

“Enkang” means in the Maasai language “homestead” .Maasai is one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle and lore. “Enkang” is also the name of DubRaJah’s EP, which was recorded in the period from Autumn 2013 till Summer/Autumn 2014 in Arusha (Tanzania), Stone Town (Zanzibar, Tanzania), Wete (Pemba, Tanzania) and Moscow (Russia). 

 

DubRaJah fuses a deep digital dub style with organic sounds, traditional African melodies and chants from the people of Maasai, Datooga, Hadza, Pemba and Zanzibar, incorporating also samples of Mad Professor on “Eyasi Dub” and “Zanzibar Dub”. Each track has is own magic, from the ritual chants in “Laibon” to the mystical beauty of the “Ngezi” forest, cleansing the body, the mind and the soul.

 TRACKS: 01 Laibon / 02 Eyasi Dub (feat. "Mad Professor") / 03 Pemba /
04 Zanzibar Dub (feat. "Mad Professor") / 05 Ngezi

Dubsynaticx - Studio Dubs Part 1

Daniel Rossmann, better known by his stage name Dubsynaticx, was born November 1982 in Vienna, Austria. He inherited his passion for Reggae and Dub music from his father. From an early age he was a big fan of Inner Circle, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker UB40 and many other performers from the 90s. Daniel also began to discover and learn the synthesizer, drum machine, guitar and piano during his childhood. He was truly inspired by the Dub mixes of Scientist, Mad Professor, King Tubby etc.

Daniel quickly started to create his own Dub singles. As he was interested in developing his professional technical skills, he attended various sound engineering workshops and maintains to continue his improvement in sound engineering.

His first web album "Powerful Water Dub" debuted on the Internet in 2005 received a plethora of positive feedback from Reggae and Dub fans from all over the world. Two years later, in 2007, he released his first official single "Sunshine Dub". He was involved in various projects with other great artists, among others with Madi Simmons and Sammy Gold and in 2013 Dubsynaticx launched his own Record Label "Tone-Echo Music", under which he released in March 2014 the single "Shining Dub".

“Studio Dubs Part 1” is Dubsynaticx’s first release on Dubophonic and is out for free download, sharing some festive Easter vibrations. Daniel Rossman’s inspiration has always been the works of the great dub masters of Jamaican music and this is clear to hear to be heard in his work. Nevertheless, he manages to add his personal tweaks through his sound engineering skills setting his own style and striking with a 10-track dub album full of vibes.

All tracks have this retro skanking dub feeling, but still sound fresh and vibrating. Whether it is due to the irieness of “Dubconscious”, the skanking guitar riddim of “Salt and Pepper Dub” or the heartikal singing of Madi Simmons on “Love Serenade”, the album succeeds in spreading those positive vibes in each and every way. The inclusion of three vocal tracks in the album and the guest appearances of Sammy Gold (properly dubbed), Madi Simmons and Goldtea, definitely adds value to an already good work worth of listening.

[DPH014] Dubsynaticx - Studio Dubs Part 1

Click here to download

TRACKS: 01 Dub Doctor // 02 Salt & Pepper dub // 03 Night in Peru dub // 04 Rally Round dub (ft. Sammy Gold) // 05 Follow dub // 06 Love Serenade (ft. Madi Simmons) // 07 Dread Rivers dub // 08 Little bit of dub // 09 Dubconscious // 10 Valentine (ft. Goldtea)

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! 

Echo Beach broadcasts Dubophonic on WLUW-FM

To our amazement the podcasts from radio shows featuring tracks from our netlabel keep getting more and more. It was with great joy we found that one of the leading dub radio shows in Chicago, Echo Beach,  has featured Negritage and Zion Sound System on their Friday broadcast (26/7/2013). Chicago's top Dub Selector, the Turntable Terrorist aka Terry C has played Negritage's "Dubophonic head speshal" and Zion Dirty Sound's "Celebrity Fever" alongside with tracks from well established artists and labels like Mad Professor and On-U-Sound. Our deepest respect not only to Terry C but also to all the selectors, radio dj's and postcasters around the world who find the true dub in our releases and spread it around the world. Here is  the podcast from the show. You can catch "Echo Beach" Friday's from 8am-10am (GMT) world-wide via the web stream available at the wluw.org web site. For those who want to listen to our dubs, they are played from 7.45 minutes onwards, but we suggest you listen to the whole broadcast for some amazing dubs from all around the world.