Biblical: Well Read Dubs

Biblical is a Cultural Singer/Sing Jay whose unique singing style has evolved since the release of his first album "Inborn Precepts“ (2007) has probably already caught the eye of many. He grew up in a Northern California household with a heavy love for reggae and Rastafarian music. Music has always played an important role for him. From the very beginning it was food for his soul and spirit. Beginning with classic roots reggae interpreters Bob Marley & The Wailers and Burning Spear to name just two, the teachings of Rastafarianism and a passion for Jamaican roots music were planted deep in his heart from an early age.

After Biblical has already released over ten albums, his latest album "Well Read Dubs(Trinity Farm Music). The counterpart to the April 2022 published "Well Read' is his very first Dub-Album. A total of ten of the original eleven tracks became one superb Dub- Subjected to refinement. The album was recorded with the Barcelona-based reggae band Go A Chant. Behind the pseudonym "Go A Chant" also hides the musician, producer and head of the band - Manel (Catalan form of the first name Manuel) Guerra. The musician and engineer has worked several times, also live, with artists such as Midnite/Akae Beka, Army, Tuff Like Iron, Ancient King, Iqulah and Prezident Brown. Interesting: Manel Guerra does not name Bob Marley & the Wailers as a formative musical influence in the first place. Above all, he was fascinated by the mystical Burning Spear and especially Augustus Pablo, whose Far East sound particularly impressed and shaped him. But influences from contemporary artists such as Midnite/Akae Beka from the US Virgin Islands can also be easily identified.

Most tracks included on Well Read Dubs” are very reminiscent of the sound, mood and vibes that e.g. For example, the band Midnite with their charismatic frontman Vaughn Benjamin carried them from the Virgin Islands into the reggae world. The album begins very subdued, with some spherical synth sounds. Followed by " Dubfullness” with a loosely bouncing organ and great percussions. The strong guitar work of Russ "Tuff Lion" Williams is pleasantly noticeable on almost all tracks - whether on the acoustic or electric. His contributions make a large contribution to the overall picture of the “Well Read Dubs” at. The "Lion my Dub' is enriched with a fine, subtle playing of melodica. In general, the basic mood of the album is pleasantly relaxed, almost meditative. Sometimes Biblical's voice comes across as an additional instrument. The song fragments floating freely in the room are more onomatopoeia than song and give the whole sound cosmos another facet. Neither track is completely stripped to the bone. A small, supporting melody can always be identified.
All in all, Well Read Dubs" is a very entertaining album with mystical overtones, which sometimes like "One Dub“ Drift off into jazzy realms.
Warning: In my opinion, the album requires careful listening and is less suitable as pure background music. But if you get involved with this partly unusual album, it reveals unbelievable dimensions. At least that's how it felt for me, who has been listening to the album every day for the last few weeks and has come to appreciate it with growing enthusiasm.

Finally, a little treat for guitar lovers: "Tuff Lion: Ten Strings“ a beautiful, guitar-heavy, something dubgreat instrumental album.