Frenchtown Hifi Vol. 1 Release

Over the past several years, France has become one of the new hubs for dub and sound system culture. It now hosts some of the biggest reggae festivals in Europe (such as the Reggae Sun Ska and Garance Reggae Festival), the dubs coming out of the country are being played at sessions all over the world, and the number of sound systems and crews continues to grow (the magazine I-leaf attempted to list all the sounds in France, and made a poster of its results).

It’s with this backdrop that Ras Mykha and Dub Livity decided to put together a sample of France’s dynamic scene. Spread over 2 CDs are a collection of 35 tracks, most of them exclusive and unreleased, that show off the best french dubmakers and singers.

Quite refreshing is the amount of female voices on the compilation; from the already well known Marina P, Daba Makourejah and Mo’Kalamity, to the newer (and welcome) voices of Jazzy Lei, Sista Charlotte and Sis Irecla. But the album is also balanced with talented male MCs such as Joe Pilgrim, Ras Mykha, Yehoud I and Jacko.

The productions have a distinctive ‘french’ touch, mostly defined by a roots and dub stepper sound, but are spread out across the whole spectrum, ranging from Ackboo’s heavy “Lef Mi Nuh Babylon” to the mellow and conscious “Rise Up” by Inner Rose. There are also a few digital injections, courtesy of Creation Culture.

But whether you are curious about the state of the french dub scene, or you are simply seeking new sounds, you should definitely give this compilation a listen.
And hopefully “Vol.1” hints at a number of future follow ups.

Various Artists – Frenchtown Hifi Vol.1 (Frenchtown Records/Musicast)
Buy on Itunes

CD1 :

1. K-Sänn Dub System – Beware (feat. Sis Irecla)
2. K-Sänn Dub System – Beware Dub
3. Roots Ista Posse – Tell Them Again (feat. Ras Mykha)
4. Roots Ista Posse – Tell Deh Melodica
5. Rootical 45 – We Are The Generation (feat. Daba Makourejah)
6. Rootical 45 – Dub Generation
7. Barbés.D – Stop di Shado (DiscoMix) (feat. Ras Hassen Ti)
8. Jacin – Conscious Education (feat. Adé)
9. Jacin – Conscious Education version
10. Indy Boca – Hopeful (feat Sista Aude & Far Esat)
11. Indy Boca – Hopefull Dub
12. Dawa Hifi – War & Crime
13. Dawa Hifi – War & Crime Dub
14. Jahspora – We Try (feat. Humble Youth)
15. Jahspora – Try Dub
16. Ackboo – Lef Mi Nuh Babylon
17. Ackboo – Dub Mi Nuh Babylon

CD2 :

1. Scient’Sim – Change (feat. Jazzy Leï)
2. Scient’Sim – Change In Dub
3. Mo Kalamity & The Wizards – Majesty
4. Mo Kalamity & The Wizards – Majesty Dub
5. Nyabin Sound – Mr President (feat. Jacko)
6. Nyabin Sound – President Dub
7. B High – Beware (feat. Marina P)
8. B High – Dubplate Born To Be High
9. Odessa – Youthman (feat. Yehoud I)
10. Odessa – Youthman Dub
11. Inner Rose – Rise Up
12. Inner Rose – Rise Up (Dub by Pilah)
13. Creation Culture – Take It Easy (feat. Sista Bethsabée)
14. Creation Culture – Dub It Easy
15. ITP Music – My Enemy (feat. Sista Charlotte)
16. ITP Music – Dub My Enemy
17. Fu Steps – To The Next Generation
18. Fu Steps – Dub Generation

Mungo’s Hi Fi – Serious Time

Mungo’s HiFi, the sound system champions, are back with their new album “Serious Time”, taking reggae music forwards ever.

What is apparent with this album is how versatile Mungo’s HiFi have become. Their debut album “Sound System Champions” had a very roots feel to it, with a lot of horns, rub a dub and ska overtones. On the other hand, “Forward Ever” seemed to be much more of an exploration, where they appeared to be searching for their own style, incorporating hints of dubstep, digital, and more electronic aesthetics.

With Serious Time, Mungo’s HiFi seem to have now found their place. The word that comes to mind is confident. Although their tunes vary from roots and dancehall to more modern sounds – it is still possible to say that they all have a ‘Mungo’s feel’ to them. While they acknowledge the influence of roots and maybe more old school stuff, they have managed not to get stuck into one particular genre. One could say this album represents Mungo’s HiFi’s ethos, which is – well, “Forward Ever”, to go beyond any attempt to pigeonhole.

Most of the songs in the album have been sound system scorchers for the last year or so, with crowds dancing to them without being able to listen to them outside of sessions (yeah, “Nice it up”, I’m looking at you!). And as always the selection of guest MCs is great, mixing established artists with up-and-coming talent.

Cornel Campbell’s “Jah Say Love” and Warrior Queen’s “Can’t Stand It” provide the rootsier side of the album. “Can’t Stand It” is especially refreshing. Recently Warrior Queen has been featured mainly on dubstep and more bass orientated tunes, so hearing her over a riddim that could have come straight out of 70’s jamaica works wonders.

Speng Bond’s “Animal Dance”, “Gunman Posse” with Peter Metro & Squiddly, and Blackout JA’s “Overcome” bring it back to the dancehall days, and you can be sure they will make any session several degrees hotter.

And then we have Mungo’s HiFi’s more modern sounds. In Dancehall School”, Solo Banton teaches us Dancehall 101 with a vocal dexterity that only he can master over Mungo’s take on Sleng Teng; while Marina P’s “Slavery” combines conscious lyrics and a deep, dubstep induced riddim.

 

To be honest, from “31st Century Song” and “Thinking of an Island’s” early digital sounds, to “Babylon A Come’s” stepper influence, it is safe to say there is something for everyone on this album.

Also, the design of the album cover. I mean come on – I would have happily bought the record just for that!  Great work from My Lord Sound’s Ellen G.

Mungo’s Hi Fi – Serious Time
tracklist:
01. Serious time feat. YT
02. Can’t stand it feat. Warrior Queen
03. 31st Century song feat. Soom T
04. Bike Rider feat. Pupajim
05. Thousand style feat. Mr Williamz
06. Animal dance feat. Speng Bond
07. Thinking of an island feat. Soom T
08. Slavery feat. Marina P
09. Dancehall school feat. Solo Banton
10. Nice it up feat. Charlie P
11. Gunman posse feat. Peter Metro & Squiddly
12. Overcome feat. Blackout JA
13. Traveller feat. Charlie P
14. Babylon a come feat. Parly B
15. Jah say love feat. Cornel Campbell

Available at Scotch Bonnet Records

AF

After All sound system @ YAPTLM

Reportage video sur After All sound system lors de l’édition 2013 du (très réussi) festival Y’en Aura Pour Tout Le Monde, avec une petite Interview des membres d’After All sound sur leurs débuts ainsi que sur leur collaboration avec le festival.
Featuring: After All crew, Marina P, Riddim Tuffa, Artikal Sound, S’Kaya & more

Realisation: Quentin Spinosa “Spinosa Production”