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Seanie T meets Aldubb: Armagideon Time (Remixes)

After a "Punk reggae party' often comes the rude awakening: 'Armagideon Time (Remixes)(Echo Beach) is another Seanie T and Al collaboration, according to the coverdubb. The reviewer rejoices that this can only be a good thing - until he discovers that Rob Smith has his ice-cold fingers in the pie again on some tracks. Well... where there is light, there is shadow.

Like "Punky Reggae Party," Seanie T's version of "Armagideon Time" was first featured on Lee Grove's "dance a Dub" listen; Now the re-recording of the Studio One/Willie Williams classic on the Real Rock riddim is available as a remix album. Aldubb delivers five wonderful mixed versions - including three Dubs and the vocal track that Seanie T shines on. The whole thing with excellent band backing that comes very close to the original - including the typical snare roll and the prominent Real Rock trombone:

So the album is a pleasure, until track 6, when Rob Smith aka RSD strikes: The first glaringly annoying kindergarten keyboards, the sterile, staccato-like synth bassline and the flying cymbal reveal the whole dilemma. Where the computer rules, the vibe fades away (here, too, exceptions prove the rule). It makes you wonder why the Echo Beach label keeps coming back to Rob Smith when it comes to something dance-oriented. His style isn't even up-to-date anymore, others can do that better and more contemporary, see Lee Groves & Co. There is nothing more to say about this:

So how do you rate this remix album? Aldubb and Seanie T just missed five stars, Rob Smith "was always trying". All in all... 

Rating: 3 out of 5.

7 responses to “Seanie T meets Aldubb: Armagideon Time (Remixes)”

So I had to re-read what I knew “back then” about “Dance A Dub" thought. I am always very satisfied when I read that my opinion or my feelings have not changed fundamentally or even completely. It has always been "fortunately" so far, because I don't want my opinion to be so watery that it changes within a short time. It is also a confirmation for me that my gut feeling makes more sense and reason than a long-considered statement on one and the same topic. In addition, a Lee Groves can't afford to try, as a career changer, to introduce me to a new variant of Dub to demonstrate. I expect a bit more respect ;-) .... Apparently, Echo Beach didn't release the disc like usual, or it simply didn't interest me enough. Anyway, I didn't buy it and I don't have it in any playlist. Hook it up! The next patient ! (there are a lot of patients).
So now the Real Rock Riddim is sucked out to the last. It's not enough that it is played in the opening medley at almost every concert. It's not enough that there are already hundreds of vocal versions of it. "!!!! hey !!! You musicians of today, kindly think up new music for yourself. Doesn't have to be new music right away, but at least a couple of great new riddims!!!” Then you can be happy about one of the old ones and rave again: “everything” used to be better.” So sorry! I'm sorry but I love the Real Rock Riddim. But not 5 and certainly not 9 to 10 times in a row. And with Cindy - or Zündi - or even Synthy-Bass it doesn't get any better or fresher.
I've always been like this. Tunes that I found really awesome I only heard a maximum of 2 times on the same day. Then, in the very acute phase, there was a break until the next day at the latest. There are still a lot of other super awesome tunes. Most of the people I know suck their favorite tunes completely within two or three days and then their euphoria soon subsides. I, on the other hand, put all my favorite tunes in an imaginary treasure chest that I only open again on special occasions. And then always dewy and very well-preserved musical treasures come to light. What you can hardly believe when looking at my old record covers, but that's a completely different topic.
Ok, I like the AlDubb very much. Especially our record deal, which is about a - which is very important to me - Dubdisc, will remain in my very best memories forever. I'm writing this as an introduction so my words won't hit him too hard. But it doesn't help. As much as I love listening to Real Rock, I have them all Dubs of both Al and Rob and I must confess that I've read both AlDubb as well as with Smitty Rob between the respective Dubs did not notice any significant differences. In case it came across as misleading, I stress again that between the remixes by Rob and the Dubs from AlDubb very well there is a big difference. But I just don't feel like listening to the Real Rock riddim so many times in a row only to realize that the echo and reverberations are used here and there. That also makes me suspect that the boys couldn't decide which one Dub because now is the best. Daring thesis from me, because I really haven't listened to the details yet. But I don't feel like it either. And when I read through my lines here myself, I even venture the thesis that if you give me the tapes, I'll make the best ones myself - for my taste Dub from it. Oh dear, now I've finally become megalomaniac. Also pssssssssssst! That has to stay between us. Dub is such free and wild music that it really isn't difficult to play with the right equipment and a bit of a feeling for magic Dub to produce. Whether everyone likes it is difficult, but as you can see, even for professionals :-) Lee Perry put it across in a similar way in an interview. When he pointed out his genius in matters Dub when addressed or questioned, he only said with a tired smile: (loosely translated) …. "Come on now, I just overlaid the tunes several times and re-recorded them and then sent them through fiber and equalizer ..... what's the problem ?" Well, I have to admit that I found that more than just brilliant and still find ;-)

So let me put it this way, take what you need. I don't really need ……………………. lemmi

I'm listening to them right now Dubversions because different layers of the recording (can) show up there. You can't write a review like this without listening to it umpteen times. In that respect, I appreciate many of Aldubb's works a lot - especially when it comes to Roots territory. Of course his could Dub- Mixes can be a bit more daring - I always find something to complain about :-)

As for Echo Beach, I recommend a brand new single that I fell in love with immediately - "Personal Jesus" by Dub Fashion. Depeche Mode track on a relaxed heavy minor riddim inspired by “Natural Mystic”. Right up my alley, straight to the point, I like that slow pace. Well done, Echo Beach! Here the link to Dub:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4GRqv8ECj9SEaPnXwpOrzS?si=8e97bc92af1e48af

Although I still wonder who is behind the various monikers like "Dub Fashion", "Dubinator" etc. is...

Reply

I wasn't quite sure about the nickname DUBINATOR but I found the same definition in the Urban Dictionary and also in Slang Define:
Dubinator = a gay guy
For example: Carl is also known as dubinator

That would be a first in the reggae world, no? Having said that, I love this definition as it brings the genre closer to the real world. More power to the Dubinator!

Reply

If you mean!
These one-riddim albums from Echo Beach are just boring and bad. No rhythm, no matter how great, can make that better.

hey lemmi
I'm with you... too many repetitive versions for me, can't do much with them either... I have a vocal cut and one (or at most two) Dubversions that get to the point better...
And it's difficult if not impossible to recompose a riddim in this league... but trying it would be a start...

Dub Mode aka LEE GROVES is a British born soundscapes ecologist, composer, producer and well experienced in film works, sound design and noise manipulation. In his East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY studio he is able to make vibe happen for production. He won in August 2021 in Cannes during the “World Film Festival” an award for the best soundtrack “Penitent” !

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