Gaudi '100 Years of Theremin (the Dub Chapter)' Review

Artist: Gaudi

Title: 100 Years of Theremin

Label: Dubmission Records

Released: Friday 7^th August

For anyone who has seen Gaudi use the Theremin in his live shows, it probably comes as no surprise that he has put together this album of celebration. Invented in 1920 by Russian psychist Leon Theremin the eerie sounds of this electronic instrument became a go-to for classic science-fiction soundtrack production and became the staple for otherworldy sound fx.

Bringing onboard some of the biggest producers of dub reggae in Adrian Sherwood, Mad Professor, The Scientist, Dennis Bovell and Prince Fatty to provide the back drop to his Theremin playing you can rest assured with the quality of the productions. Whilst the otherworldy sounds of the Theremin fuse into the pieces so nicely, it’s a wonder why they aren’t more of a staple in dub production as a whole.

I found it easy to just sit back and relax to the otherworldy sounds of the Theremin float across the reggae backdrops, without the need to know who was providing the sounds at any particular point. That is until I reached ‘Theremin Dub Mafia’ with Prince Fatty at the controls, as he lifts the pace somewhat and really grabbed my attention.

To conclude firstly I ask myself does the marriage of the Theremin and dub reggae work? In my humble opinion undoubtedly so. Secondly how does this album sit within a dub reggae collection? I feel it slots in quite nicely and with the formats stretching over vinyl record, CD and digital it covers all bases.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

https://smarturl.it/theremindubs

Dr Trippy 'Invasion By Osmosis' Review

Artist: Dr Trippy

Release: Invasion By Osmosis

Label: Disco Gecko Recordings

The album is due to start pre-orders on Saturday 3rd May from http://drtrippy.bandcamp.com/ and then will be out digitally on Monday 12th May and physically on Friday 16th May.

All new to me and shrouded in an air of mystery Dr Trippy landed in my e-mail and sounded somewhat like a supervillian from a comic book. However, it's not really the name that counts it's the musical content and from the following blurb it sounded promising … 'Sounding like a clash between India and Jamaica at an English festival, the album is underpinned by the rhythms and resonance of dub, awash in Indian vocals and fuelled by a battery of synthesisers and effect units. Add to this several seasons in Goa, live shows at a bevvy of festivals and the tutelage of Banco De Gaia, and you have the perfect ingredients for an ‘Invasion by Osmosis’!

The album opened up with 'Dr Trippy meets the Mad Professor' which took the supervillian image away slightly and conjoured up more of secret meeting in the dub laboratory. Despite the pedigree of the Mad Professor (a British pioneer of Dub with his 'Dub Me Crazy' album series of the 80's and probably best know for his dub re-work of Massive Attacks 'Protection') this was a fairly non-chalent track for me. But by the end of the second track 'Cistern Chapel', Dr Trippy had began to grab my attention and by the next track 'Let Me In I'm a Doctor' I was hooked.

The heady mix of old skool samples, Indian vocals and dub reggae basslines vary from summery horn filled chuggers like 'Bollywood Boulevard' to rump-shaking dance floor destroyers like 'Granny Takes A Trip To Hebden' with a barrage of fx. It transpires that Martin Corbett the man behind the mysterious shroud of Dr Trippy is about to release a form of world domination not to be feared but rather to be rejoiced. In short I'm loving this and can see myself playing it time and time again throughout the summer.

Reviewed By Woodzee

Links

https://soundcloud.com/martincorbett

https://soundcloud.com/discogeckorecordings

Mahala Rai Banda - Balkan Reggae (Re-Mixes) Review

Artist: Mahala Rai Banda

Title:  Balkan Reggae (Re-Mixes)

Label: Asphalt Tango

Released: 9^th April 2013

There is a Zen quote that states something along the lines of ‘you only need to look at the hand, to realise how something can change and yet remain the same’

I thought of that quote when listening to this EP a celebration of Jamaica’s 50 years of independence in 2012. Which resulted in 9 versions of the same track remixed by an assortment of artists some familiar to me, others completely new.

This EP brought it home to me once again how diverse Reggae music‘s range can be.  This EP draws its influence from the Balkans and Jah to make a perfect match. This is truly joyous, uplifting music.

This has been the soundtrack to my journey to work for the last few days and trust me ... this is Music guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a bounce to your step. In my opinion there is not a single duff remix in the selection and it would be churlish to try and pick a favourite from the Dubbed out bliss of established dub heavyweights Nick Manasseh, Mad Professor and the Vibronics or indeed the sublime vocals of Adisha Zvekic, Errol Linton and Annique (who are all new to me).

Seriously... I’m writing this listening to the version with Errol Linton’s vocals which is as smooth as the Bacardi spice that I’m imbibing and the delicious, infectious horns led version by Kanka. Every single version is a winner.

As the man say’s ‘From Brixton to Bucharest, this sweet Balkan music is the best’.

Highly recommended.

Review by Matthew Foord