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New Dub Evolution by Himperial Rockers

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New Dub Evolution by Himperial Rockers

New Dub Evolution by Himperial Rockers

By Angus Taylor on Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 1 comment

A studious blend of Egyptian-themed versions in "golden era" style.

Sampler

Springline records, home to the more idiosyncratic end of revivalist reggae sounds, is back with an 8 track dub album - the way they used to be. London's Himperial Rockers - comprising Springline stablemates The Manor (guitar, keys, engineer) Yabass (drums, keys, percussion) and Tomcat (bass, melodica, final mix) - have crafted a typically studious blend of Egyptian-themed versions in "golden era" style.

Himperial Rockers - New Dub Evolution We can safely say dub had a golden era because after the seventies and early eighties it fell out of favour as an artform in Jamaica and became an increasingly heavy (some would say caricatured) worldwide concern. But you'll find none of that post shaka digi influence here. Take New Pharaoh's Dub, which fuses the multi-bounced Lee Perry sound with a beautifully bittersweet lead guitar line. Yet Yabass’ drum patterns – inspired by the Roots Radics – frequently bypass the one-drop for an almost hip-hop or funk approach. So although the production is reverent of the past, the envelope is being subtly pushed all the while.

Where lyrically previous albums on Springline such as The Manor's 'Revelation Congo' opened questions about the singer's Rastafarian beliefs, there are no words at all. Just drums, percussion, bass, guitar and melodica - plus that most vital of dub instruments - the studio itself. The Pablo-esque first and final track are two mixes of same rhythm giving the album a dialectical course. Unlike the earliest Springline releases, this set benefits from a nice mastering job that brings out the best in the trio’s work.

While the title 'New Dub Evolution' suggests some crazy contemporary fusion, this evolution is as slow as evolution in nature - taking place on a minute scale. But if you enjoy the way Prince Fatty or the Spanish producer Roberto Sanchez bring vintage production techniques into the modern world, this diligently designed disc - by artisans who actually grew up in its epoch rather than looking back to a generation not their own - will rock you in just the right way.