We are not even halfway through 2015 but it seems like the biggest release of the year has just arrived, courtesy of OBF and Mr Williamz.
Any release by OBF tends to make a lot of noise, and although this comes fairlly quickly after their first LP release, it is ready to steal the spotlight: OBF have been mashing up dances for the last year with this tune, so it is a great choice to bring it out as their first 7″.
On the A-side, Mr Williamz pays a conscious tribute to Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela, “the great freedom fighter from outa South Africa”. His lyrics and flow tie in perfectly with OBF’s heavyweight riddim. This distinct brand of digital stepper, recognizable by it’s heavy bass lines and a slow tempo, has been OBF’s trademark style for a long time. But this does not mean it has lost any of its power, and anyone who has seen OBF in action can vouch for that.
The version itself is a fairly untouched instrumental, with a few effects and additions, but that will still work wonders in the dancehall.
Mahom Dub have been making their way through the French and European sound system scene since 2006, and anyone who has seen them live knows that they bring with them a fantastic live act.
They have now released their third album at the start of October: “The Skanking Cat”, named after their mascot and good luck cat figurine that follows them on all of their sets.
Their first release « Underground Dubwise » was a deep, very meditative album; filled with a slow, quite minimalist stepper dub. Their second album « Dub by Sub » further cemented Mahom’s particular style but built much more on electronic sounds.
Interestingly their third release seems very different while at the same time staying true to their ‘original” sound. The Skankin’ Cat remains a heavily stepper album, and tracks like “Sous Les Etoiles”, “Cerbere 2.0”, “Inna Di Red”, and the soothing “Earth” (feat. Art-X on the melodica) quickly remind us of the earlier work.
But the album also widens its scope considerably, and ends up being much more energetic and upbeat. The more electronic incursions (such as « Deep in Your », the title song « The Skankin’ Cat », and the apply named « Rough and Tough ») lose the meditative vibe that we were used to on the previous albums, and bring in a heavier tone (yes, it’s possible) and a faster pace.
Most importantly though, Mahom have managed to keep the album varied. It does not just dive into deeper shades of stepper. The very rootical « Tricking upon di Track (Feat Simple Spelim) » allows us to catch our breath for a bit, and « Don’t Say You… (feat Jolly Joseph) » is quite a relaxing blend of world music and melodica infused dub.
The last 3 tracks of the album are a series of remixes from fellow french dubmakers Panda Dub, Gary Wilde, and Fabasstone (from Dub Invaders).
Fabasstone’s rework of “Bigvood” sounds like King Tubby entered the21st century, using echoes and reverbs over a sub that could shatter your spine. Panda Dub’s remix of « Tricking » leaves behind all things rootikal and instead ventures into the realms of electro-dub.
Finally, Gary Wilde introduces « The Skankin’ Cat » to basstrap sounds, and it seems like both get on famously.
The Skankin’ Cat is a welcome addition to Mahom Dub’s discography, proving that they indeed deserve their spot in the ever-growing french dub scene.
Mahum Dub – The Skankin’ Cat (ODG/FlowerCoast)
Available as free download on http://www.odgprod.com
1 – Don’t say you have never been told feat. Jolly Joseph
2 – Cerbere 2.0
3 – Inna di red
4 – Bigvoods
5 – Earth – feat. Art-X
6 – L’étrange skank de Monsieur Jack
7 – Rough & tough
8 – Tricking upon di track feat. Simple Spelim
9 – Sous les étoiles feat. Flo
10 – The skankin’ cat
11 – Deep in your
12 – Bigvoods – Fabasstone/Dub Invaders Remix
13 – Trickin upon di track – Panda dub Remix
14 – The skankin’ cat – Gary Wide remix
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. Theirdebut 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 themoutside 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
Back in France, the I-Skankers crew have released a new 12’ inch. Over the last couple of years they have been steadily building their label, expanding their own home-made sound system, and bringing in crews from all over Europe to their regular Dub Corner dances – which by the way bring some mad vibes!
Although they have only released two records in 3 years, both of them are impressive.
Their first release brought together french dubmaker Dub Foundry and vocalists Ilements and Ranking Fox – and sold out in an instant. I-Levation Riddim builds on heavy basslines and sawing synths. With “Bless We Jah” Ilements delivers a spiritual Rasta message, while Ranking Fox’s “Don’t You Worry” is an ode to the sound system dance. Dub Foundry’s version brings back memories of classic 70’s dub, albeit infused with steppa rhythms: soulful guitar riffs, djembe drum lines, and echoing melodica cuts and vocals.
This newest release is the result of the collaboration between I-Skankers, Dub Foundry and RDH HiFi during the 2013th edition of the United Nations Of Dub.
While the first release was maybe more upbeat, this one delivers a much rougher edge, a more somber vibe. However, don’t get me wrong, it’s a great record! Charlie P provides his distinctly conscious lyrics over the militant tune “Ina The Ghetto”, while the B-side explodes with the Dub Foundry and RDH ‘clash’. The names speak for themselves – “Dub is Raw” and “Dub is Harder” are two rough and heavy versions, ready to make the dancehalls tremble!
ISR12002 – limited edition, 700 hand numbered copies.
A / Charlie P – Ina The Ghetto // Dub The Ghetto
AA / RDH meets Dub Foundry – Dub Is Harder // Dub Is Raw
A.F
wordsoundandpower 