I am a big fan of the minimal, which is perhaps my preference Dub explained, because Dub is a minimalist music. The great on Dub but is that this minimalism does not get boring, because within its narrow limits, offers Dub a true cosmos of possibilities. In a composition made up of a few elements, the change in one of the elements has a much greater relevance to the whole than in a composition made up of a large number of elements. Dub To produce therefore means to compose and manipulate the musical elements very precisely. Instead of spicing up an existing piece of music with effects, it's about the exact opposite, namely about reducing music to such an extent that every single component, every instrument, every tone, its sound and context gain meaning. Because of this, listening to Dub a different experience than enjoying a “normal” piece of music. While we follow a normal piece of music like a narrative, so to speak “representational” with a clear focus on vocal melody and text, we enter Dub an abstract acoustic space in which our attention cannot cling to a preferred object, but rather applies to each individual and at the same time to the whole. Perhaps this is where the meditative character comes from Dub: It evokes a state of complete openness and mindfulness in the listener.
While listening to alborosies new album "Dub Clash "(Shengen / Import) I felt the same way again. It is music that the listener immerses himself in and experiences it in an almost meditative state, but with a wide-awake mind. Here every detail is carefully selected, placed and arranged. Everything is in the right place, nothing should be missing without destroying the balanced balance of the composition. Here we have the lucky case that excellent productions are a congenially ingenious one DubProcedure, with the result that the Dubs are better than the vocal originals. While Albo's songs are undoubtedly good, it remains so Dubs reserved to turn the musical experience into a truly fascinating, rich experience. An important reason for having this experience is Alborosie's predilection for good, old, analog studio technology, which gives his music an incredibly rich, warm and harmonious sound, full of complexity and depth. His other preference is for classic riddims like z. B. “Bobby Babylon”, “Full Up” or “When I Fall In Love”, which not only guarantees beautiful bass lines, but also an interesting aspect of the dem Dub the inscribed principle of minimalism. “Analog studio technology” and “classic riddims” sounds like old school - and that's what it is, and a full pot. It is not without reason that Albo dedicates the album to King Tubby. The first track in particular, which is tellingly titled “Tribute To The King”, could have been mixed by that very same track. But in the further course Alborosie emancipates himself from the original and finds his own sound, one leg in the classical music, but with the other in the here and now. The further the album progresses, the more reduced and mesmerizing they become Dubs, gain grounding and intensity and pull the listener deeper and deeper into their spell, until finally the last notes of the sixteenth track fade away and one awakens from the musical meditation - refreshed and satisfied and a little amazed about why this great music is Dub extinct in Jamaica and first a European has to bring them back there.
The comes from Alborosie's homeland, Italy Wicked Dub Division, a typical representative of the very strong Dub- and roots scene beyond the Alps. The division's first album has just been released: "The Singles Collection" (WDD / Download). In a certain way they offer a real contrast to Albos "Dub Clash ”, because instead of sophisticated compositions and sensitive mixes, this is the place to go dubtechnically full on the 12: steppers galore, massive, brutal, uncompromising. Built up as a showcase album, there is always the A-side of the single first and then the Dub. But not infrequently the vowel version is also a Dub and the vocals are rather rudimentary. Anyone who likes this kind of UK steppers reinterpretation could also check out the somewhat older album by R.estistence in Dub, "Avampuest Dub"(Alambic Conspiracy / Download) listen to.
In 2003 the Pink Floyd remake "Dub Side Of The Moon ”. At that time I wrote in this column (yes, it has been around for so long!): “It's a shame that a lot of energy and an even greater amount of innovation has been wasted on the wrong project. Perhaps it had to be tried in order to be able to tick off the topic - because failure is also the chance to gain knowledge ”. So one can be wrong. As for a judgment on failure in a musical sense, I take nothing back. In a commercial sense, however, the project is anything but a failure. Countless (probably) rock fans pounced on the album and made it one of the most successful of the decade. Reason enough for that Easy Star All Stars to Lem Oppenheimer to relaunch the relaunch. In addition, the Americans have mainly British Dubhired by Groove Corporation, Dreadzone, Adrian Sherwood or Mad Professor to make remixes of "Dub Side ". The result is now "Dubabout Side Of The Moon "(Easy Star / Broken Silence) titled and, in my opinion, suffers from the same shortcomings as "Dub Side ”, namely because the Pink Floyd rock songs just don't harmonize with reggae. The productions are often not that bad, but incomprehensibly many remixers have the vocal passages in theirs Dubs taken over and thus made the result inedible. But maybe I'm alone with my opinion. In any case, my reggae Facebook friends said they were pretty positive about the album and especially praised Mad Professor, who is supposed to find his way back to his old greatness here. Well, I just wanted to mention it ...
By the way, Easy Star also serves the American market with the productions of the New Zealand band The Black Seedswho now - as appropriate - also present a remix album: "Specials - Remixes And Versions From Solid Ground" (Best Seven). As the title already makes clear, we are dealing with a remix of their last album, whereby it should be mentioned that the remixes are by no means exclusively about Dubs acts. In general, the Black Seeds with the classic term of Dub not really to get over it. Their musical mix of reggae, funk, soul, afro beat and quite atypical (and funny way, strongly reminiscent of Fat Freddy's Drop) vocals, simply doesn't leave any deep Dub-Mix too. The music sounds too airy, too good-humored and is always more of a song than a sound. So if you are looking for a rather unconventional, soulful reggae album with the occasional Dub-Excursions, he should check out the specials. Otherwise, “Solid Ground” is completely sufficient as accompanying music for Sunday breakfast.
I haven't had the Danish chill-out label Music For Dreams on my screen, although label boss Kenneth Bager has been with EPs for a long time Dub-inspired electronic music released. Now the compilation of the EP compilations has been released: "World Dub Pastry Vol. 1-5 "(Music For Dreams / Download). There are 20 tracks on it that are perhaps best described as Ibiza chill-outDubs and can be stylistically somewhere between minimal house and reggaeDub arrange with occasional world music sprinkles. The music has a nice warm sound, gentle beats and a relaxed flow. I actually like it quite well, although I can't concentrate on the music for more than ten minutes. I've heard the album five times and still can't find my way around it. The pieces, which are consistently produced very sensitively, simply lack corners and edges. Instead of pushing forward into consciousness, the tracks strive into the background, forming a soundtrack that wants to be felt rather than consciously perceived. Which is almost a shame, because the beats, sounds and samples that are used here are really good in themselves, only when they play together do they lose their conciseness and become a sound texture. But since that is exactly what Chill-Out-Music wants, there is really nothing to complain about here. There are always situations in life where you can use this kind of music.
The Netlabel Subbass offers pretty much the opposite of Chill Out (http://www.subbass.blogsport.de), that I Dubsptep from Germany. Label boss Uwe Heller published the first label compilation back in August "Subbass - Dubstep Made In Germany ". On it you will find consistently high-quality, well-produced, energetic tracks that are full of ideas and together result in an extremely varied album. Instead of reading about it, listen to it for yourself. It is available for download free of charge: http://subbass.blogsport.de/releases/
