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Dubmatix - System Shakedown
Dubmatix - System Shakedown
Canada’s Reggae Impresario returns with his 4th and best album to date.
Sampler
Earlier this year Jesse King aka Dubmatix won the 2010 Juno Award for Best Recording of the year with ‘Gonna Be Alright’ featuring Prince Blanco and I am sure he will win many more plaudits and fans with the release of this his fourth album 'System Shakedown'.
For me the Canadian reggae / dub artist and producer has returned with his best album yet and for lovers of bass-heavy, well orchestrated old skool feeling riddims that have been sprinkled with the use of new technologies and musical styles this is where it’s at. Just as with 2008’s 'Renegade Rocker' he has collected together a mixture of recognised and respected vocalists from the reggae establishment with some of those that perhaps don’t trip of the tongue quiet so easily yet, unless that is you have followed Dubmatix for a while.
Of the maybe less recognised performers here first up is Toronto raised Kulcha Ites, who has worked with Dubmatix on previous projects. He kicks things off nicely with the jovial Wobble Weeble, with his smooth vocals riding a top a head bobbing predominantly drum and bass powered riddim that invites us to get down and learn the latest dance craze. Another Canadian and former Dubmatix cohort is Ammoye. Originally born in Jamaica this in demand and multi-genre vocalist, who released her first debut long player ‘Haffi Win’ with Rise Ashen earlier this year, gives an authoritative singjay performance on the brooding electro pulse Lock Down.
Completing the Canadian connection is Jay Douglas on Celebrate My Love. Again originally from Jamaica this veteran artist immigrated to Toronto in 1963 where he fronted local R&B combo, The Cougars. His voice possesses a slightly gravely soulful quality that has real warmth and is perfect for this driving upbeat roots rockers riddim.
Flying the flag for the UK are the popular Brother Culture and Hackneys finest the London UNITY sound system veteran MC’s The Ragga Twins.
Brother Culture, who toured with Dubmatix throughout the summer, brings us Rough Likkle Sound which is anything but with its melodic bass line, sparking keyboards and understated horns, while the twins chat to a graceful and dup steppy anti gang culture themed Gun Down.
Of the those names that are more better known or established are Omar Perry, who continues to make a name for himself in his own rights with the dancehall hip-hop fusion of Dem no Like. Then there are the big guns like the Mighty Diamonds on a classic one drop emphasizing their golden harmonies on Give a Helping Hand. Dennis Alcapone and U Brown bring fine deeejay style to full on steppers tune Struggle and the contempory drum and bass beat of What Ya Gonna Do To Stop Me Now respectively. The resurging Tippa Irie chips in strongly, with the appropriately named Happy, a love song with a late ‘70s early 80’s rub-a-dub vibe.
Two nice dubs / instrumentals are included on the album with Kingdom Dub, a nice rootsy bass burning, echoing / reverb effect laden offering that closes the set, just stealing it over the mid way interval Deep Dark Dub, a steppers dub that is true to its name. Both of these dubs feature blazing, triumphant horns and touches of ghostly vocals phrases wafting in and out; dubs just the way I like ‘em.
This is an album firmly planted in the here and now, but is also full of classic golden age of reggae vibes from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, which means it does that great trick of having a warm and homely feel while still coming across as exciting and fresh.
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Read comments (2)
| Posted by Christer on 10.31.2010 | |
| Im really sorry to say Dubmatix has been fooled by a known scamer on Jamaica. This is NOT Gregory Isaacs singing! It is no question about it what so ever. Every fan of Gregory knows this. Its not even close, at all! |
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| Posted by Newzulu on 10.31.2010 | |
| True! | |
Comments actually desactivated due to too much spams
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