Bass Movements

The new digital EP from New York's hardest working dub-dance indie label Bastard Jazz Records is available now. "Hear No Evil Volume 2" features new tracks from Brooklyn's Dhundee, Midnight Lab Band member Oneman, rust-belt-fabulous producer Jugoe and ForwardEver's own Double Identity on the new dub-breaks tune "Jaharise."

Head Bastard DJ DRM sez:
"Brooklyn's finest boutique record label, Bastard Jazz, returns with “Hear No Evil Volume 2” - a follow-up to their long sold-out first volume, issued on 12” vinyl in 2007. Sticking to the same format, Vol. 2 showcases five genre-defying beat-oriented tracks from some of our favorite up-and-coming producers and extended musical family."


Check the preview mix by Jugoe below!

   Hear No Evil V. 2 Sampler - Mixed By Jugoe by bastardjazz

Speaking of Jugoe: He's got a killer edit of Jennifer Lara's "I'm In Love", a rare Studio One Disco joint produced by Coxsone Dodd in the early '80s. Totally refreaked, beefed up, bassed up, and ready for dancefloor shenanigans. You can grab it HERE.

Our favorite new Ninja, Mr. Poirier has a killer mix of bassy things to download celebrating Ninja Tune's 20the anniversary. The Dubs for Ninjas XLR8R mixtape/podcast is " heavy on the bass and dutty vibes" highlighting the dub/reggae/dancehall side of Ninja Tune and Big Dada. Check track #10 in the mix-- it's ForwardEver's own Dub I.D. with the UK steppers style dubremix of Poirier's "Enemies"! Voila!

Download the mix here.
TRACKLIST
01 Roots Manuva "Organ Skit" (Big Dada)
02 Roots Manuva vs. Wrongtom "Proper Tings Juggled (Instrumental)" (Big Dada)
03 Roots Manuva "Dub For The Worms" (Big Dada)
04 Roots Manuva "Styles Dub" (Big Dada)
05 Poirier "Cool Baby feat. Busy Signal (Poirier Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
06 Sixtoo "Jackals and Vipers in Envy of Man - Part 2" (Ninja Tune)/
Cham "Rude Boy Pledge (Acapella)" (Atlantic)
07 Roots Manuva "Witness Dub" (Big Dada)
08 Poirier "Let Them Hate feat. YT (Mungo's Hifi Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
09 Roots Manuva vs. Wrongtom "Rebel Art (Instrumental)" (Big Dada)
10 Poirier "Enemies feat. Face-T (Dub I.D. Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
11 Roots Manuva "Double Drat" (Big Dada)
12 Toddla T "Pum Pum feat. Double Kay" (Ninja Tune)
13 The Bug "Angry feat. Tippa Irie" (Ninja Tune)
14 TTC "Catalogue (Instrumental)" (Big Dada)
15 Poirier "Trust None Of Dem feat. Burro Banton" (Ninja Tune)
16 Erup "Click Mi Finger (Poirier Remix - Untrust Riddim)" (Ninja Tune)
17 Poirier "No More Blood feat. Face-T (Megasoid Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
18 Diplo "Diplo Rhythm feat. Sandra Melody, Vybz Kartel, Pantera Os Danadinhos" (Big Dada)
19 Poirier "Blazin feat. Face-T (Modeselektor Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
20 Toddla T "Sky Surfing feat. Wayne Marshall (Benga Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
21 Toddla T "Want U Now feat. Ms Dynamite" (Ninja Tune)
22 Poirier "Wha-La-La-Leng feat. Face-T (Uproot Andy Remix)" (Ninja Tune)
23 Coldcut "Man In A Garage (King Jammy Dub)" (Ninja Tune)

More Ninja goodness here: Toddla T with champion ragga MC Miss Dynamite! A free track (via Fader Magazine). Grab it up!

Its UK funky bashment at its best.

Get all the info on Ninja Tune's XX US Tour right here. Standard.




And just in time for the ghosts and duppy's it's Subatomic Soundsystem new track featuring Elephant Man! On “Vampires & Informers” Elephant Man delivers a ferocious portrait of Jamaica’s "vampire" politicians, "bloodsucking" informers, and the "military society" of the ghetto youths. New riddim is producered by New York's Subatomic Sound System with remixes from Dubblestandart, Stereotyp, Ming (of Ming+FS), & Kush Arora!

   Elephant Man - Vampires & Informers (Emch's Subatomic Soundboy Burial Mini-Mix) FREE DOWNLOAD by SubatomicSound

 Another UK badman Wiley, maker of his signature "Eskibeats," was  in Jamaica recently and jumped on Prodigal's new riddim called Showa Eski.

Other artists on the riddim include Lady Chann, Ward 21, Natalie Storm, Einstein and Rage.


But Prodigal was cool enough to let the public have a taste. Here's the Wiley cut for your enjoyment -- download "Its Wiley"

Gregory Isaacs Crosses His Final Border

Reggae lost a major recording icon on October 25 as Gregory Isaacs passed away from lung cancer, he was 59.

Isaacs had a prolific career spanning four decades and his "Cool Ruler" vocal style influenced scores of Jamaican and international singers. Along with Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, Isaacs was truly a reggae giant. He will be greatly missed. 

It would be wrong to remember Gregory Isaacs as merely a soft-voiced romantic crooner -- he tackled social issues as often as love themes. "Set The Captives Free," "Universal Tribulation," "Slave Master," and "The Border" are all well known Isaacs originals that eloquently address physical oppression, poverty, striving... for a better Jamaica and spiritual redemption. Sure, "Night Nurse" was his signature song, but Isaacs was more than just the Cool Ruler, he was also nobody's fool

Jamaican Observer: Tributes Pour In

NPR Obituary and audio.

From VP Record's press release announcement:

(VP RECORDS, NEW YORK)  - The reggae community mourns the loss of one of its legends, Gregory Isaacs. Best known for his lovers' rock anthems, the versatile and velvet-voiced crooner was recognized by the international masses for his talent and contribution to music for decades, and remains an icon for the genre.

Isaacs was born on July 15, 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica and gained appeal and acclaim in the 1970s and 1980s for hits such as "Night Nurse" and "Rumors." Nicknamed the 'Cool Ruler' by his fans, Isaacs pioneered his own sound by fusing traditional reggae with dancehall, thereby reinventing the genre and expanding its global fan base into what it is today. 

"Gregory Isaacs leaves behind an iconic history and catalog that is unparalleled," reveals VP Records CEO, Christopher Chin. "He devoted his entire life to music and his memory will forever live on with us - through his music and the legacy he leaves behind."

Isaacs fought a year-long battle with lung cancer before passing away on October 25, 2010 at his home in London, at the age of 59. Condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones during this trying time.

10 Songs Better Than Gyptian's "Hold Yuh"

After hearing Gyptian's "Hold Yuh" (alternately spelled "Hold You") for the millionth time it made me think about all the other great songs in 2010 that received 1/10th the attention. Gyptian was recently nominated for both Soul Train and British MOBO Best Artist awards (update: he won the MOBO) in addition to ruling worldwide reggae and Billboard urban charts for the entire summer.

I'm always proud to see a Jamaican crossover into the pop mainstream, but this song? If you haven't heard it yet, it's anchored by a cheap and repetitive synth piano riff that a four year-old could have played. The Village Voice blog reported that the song was actually based on an unfinished production.

But like most effective pop songs simplicity was the key to "Hold Yuh"'s ubiquitous popularity. It certainly wasn't the song's thinly veiled raunchy lyrics. So while global dancers were preoccupied with a mediocre tune, a dozen creatively produced and technically excellent reggae songs went virtually unheard.

Don't get me wrong: Gyptian is a gifted singer with many brilliant songs but here are ten songs that were light-years better than Gyptian's fluke hit.

1. Mr. Vegas, Shaggy & Josie Wales "Sweet Jamaica"
This big artist combination sees each individual shine in their own light. Wales represents the rub-a-dub '80s, Shaggy the ragga '90s and Vegas the pop-dancehall '00s but the three sound unified in bigging up their home island and refuting the gloom during and after the Dudas extradition. Riding a similar version of the Lecturer riddim as Sizzla's "Ride Fi The Money," this track is a catchy track that should have staying power through the years.




2. Duane Stephenson "Rescue Me ft. Gramps Morgan" (watch video)
A highlight track from Stephenson's Black Gold album on VP Records in which Stephenson and Gramps from Morgan Heritage argue about which of them a mutually fancied gyal likes more. This song has everything: Heartfelt sentiment, fantastic duet singing, sweet background vocals and a soaring chorus -- "She is a good girl, and I never want to see her cry, her heart and mind and soul belongs to me..." Watch out 'cause you might find yourself inadvertently singing along with this one on the bus.


3. Spragga Benz "Protect Your Culture"
This track is a centerpiece of Spragga's Shotta Culture album. The bass line on this hybrid hip-hop reggae tune is brilliant remake of Redd Holt Unlimitted's cover of The Miracles "Do It Baby," which was sampled by Boogie Down Productions on "Why Is That?" (among other hip-hop tracks)! Shotta Culture is chock full of burners but this one is the most immediate, the cut to get the club poppin'


4. Gappy Ranks "Put The Stereo On"
Gappy Ranks is hands-down the Best New Artist of 2010. He came outta' Harlesdon, London, UK and just killed it all year with sweet Peckings-produced, rocksteady-based tracks like this one, which rides on top of the original Studio One's Hot Milk version.



5. Protoje "J.A."
This Don Corleon-produced artist lives up to his name -- he's a scion for the new-school of pop-conscious reggae artists. Like Vegas's "Sweet Jamaica" this tune is a proud Yardie's ode to the island he loves. The riddim could easily be a radio crossover hit propped up by Pro's slick, staccato Bone-Thugs style flow. An artist to watch in 2011.


6. Taddy P & Mackie Conscious "Leave The Crumbs"
Bassman come forward! In a year that saw bass legend Lloyd Parkes jump back into recording thanks to his son Craig "Leftside/Dr. Evil" Parkes, bass player Taddy P issued a string of scorching tunes featuring guest vocals from Maxi Priest, Bunny Rugs and Mackie Conscious. Check his timely bass soloing on this track. Another new artist who is improving and expanding reggae's repertoire.



7. Queen Ifrica "Times Like These"
Queen Ifrica has the ability to take a song and turn it into a parable, which is her approach on this Jeremy Harding-produced City Life riddim track. Ifrica is getting more comfortable with her singing voice as opposed to her already established sing-jay flow. This tune is a perfect example of a powerful artist delivering the truth as Ifrica invokes Jamaica heroes Ms. Lou,  Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley; we really couldn't really ask for more in a reggae song.



8. Taj Weekes & Adowa "Rain Rain"
Taj's 2008 album Deidem came as a complete surprise and established the conscious one-drop singer as a leading candidate to follow in Marley's footsteps. His new album A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen continues to trod a humanitarian "afro-acoustic" reggae path. Like a more authentically rootsy than Michael Franti with better song writing than Ziggy Marley, don't sleep on Weekes.


9. Toussaint "Roots In A Modern Time"
Toussaint may be a new name, but earned his stripes as innovative front man for Soulive. His debut Black Gold  (not to be confused with Duane Stephenson's album of the same name) indeed sparkles with spectacular compositions and a thoroughly consistent vocal effort. Toussaint is going to be nicing up the reggae scene for some time to come.


10. Mary J. Blige & Jah Cure "Each Tear - Supa Dups Remix" 
Ah Mary, Queen of Hearts and Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, and now, apparently, totally loving reggae remixes. Her last two or three hits have been remixed or covered inna reggae style and fashion to much acclaim.  This duo with Jah Cure really brings the best out of her tune "Each Tear." Cure adds a conscious, raspy Rasta edge to Blige's ballad like a sweet combination of savory and sweet musical foods. Can't say much more than 'play it loud'.


These songs are all better than...

Spragga's Shotta Culture

Here's the excellent official video for the title track from Spragga Benz's new album Shotta Culture. Oddly, since this video was posted in July it has only received 146 views. What? 

Amazing video, and amazing track utilizing a King Tubby sample. 

Saturday Nite Rockers Oct 16 2010

Saturday Nite Rockers Radio
Oct 16, 2010 Playlist

Here's the playlist and audio links for this week's Saturday Nite Rockers radio program on KUSF 90.3 FM San Francisco.




  
Saturday Night Rockers Oct 16, 2010 (part 1 - 60 minutes)
  Saturday Nite Rockers 10-16-2010 part1 by ForwardEver 

Kari Jess – Show Love (digital promo)
Sizzla – How Long (Subsonik/Chiney K)
Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josie Wales – Sweet Jamaica (In The Streetz)
Cornell Campbell & Uroy – Babylon You Wrong + Dub (Zion High)
Torch – Real Love No Deyah Again  (Penthouse) Go Fi Har Riddim
Davillle – Man Like Me Yuh Want (Penthouse) Go Fi Har Riddim
Lutan Fyah – Woman Yu Stress Me (Penthouse) Go Fi Har Riddim
Romain Virgo – Wah Dis Pon Me (Penthouse) Go Fi Har Riddim
L.U.S.T. – Go Fi Har (Penthouse) Go Fi Har Riddim
Dubmatix – Happy Ft. Tippa Irie (Renegade Media)
Eljai & Capleton – Blessed (Jasic)
John Legend & The Roots – Humanity-Love The Way It Should Be (G.O.O.D.)
Mary J Blige, Busta Rhytmes, Gyptian – Anything You Want (Digital Promo)
Junior Kelly – How Better A Go Come (VP)
Tommy Mccook – Jaro (Impact)
Sugar Minott – Praise His Name (Liondub 45)
Tiklah – Praise The Dub (Liondub 45)

Saturday Night Rockers Oct 16, 2010 (part 2 - 20 minutes)
  Saturday Nite Rockers 10-16 part2 by ForwardEver   

Luciano & Mikey General – Hosana (Maximum Sound)
Anthony B – Hold The Faith (Maximum Sound)
Earl 16 – Signs & Wonders (Jam Tone)
Ras Zacharri – Glory Of Zion (Jam Tone )
Spragga Benz – No Way No How
Barrington Levy –  Here I Come (Profile)

(show continues)
Tannoi – Worries & Troubles (Greensleeves/UK Bubblers)
Daddy Colonel – Lyric Banton (Greensleeves /UK Bubblers)
Mavado – Pon DI Ting (Seanizzle) Split Personality Riddim
Serani – 1st Anniversary (Seanizzle) Split Personality Riddim
Bling Dawg –Jamaica Jamaica ATM Riddim
Busy Signal – Blaze Up The Herb ATM Riddim
Terro 3000 – Gal Dem Wan  Mi
ZJ Liquid – Some Gyal (Yard Vibez) Badda Don
Iyara – Bad Dem Wish Fi Me (Yard Vibez) Badda Don
Wayne Marshall – Careless (Yard Vibez) Badda Don
I-Octane – Weed We Say (Yard Vibez) Badda Don
Ras Penco – Fire Bun (digital promo)
Bounty Killer/Tornado – Swag Like Dis (digital promo)
Zion I & Rebelution – Many Styles (Gold Dust)
Luciano – Surround By Hate (Swallowbird Production / VP)Home Sweet Home Riddim
Sugar Minott – Try To Know (Swallowbird Production / VP)Home Sweet Home Riddim
Mr. Perfect – As It Was Written (Swallowbird Production / VP)Home Sweet Home Riddim
Turbulence – All For You (Swallowbird Production / VP)Home Sweet Home Riddim
Duane Stephenson – Nah Play (VP)
Bob Marley – Roots (Island)
Bob Marley – Positive Vibration (Island)
Earl 16 – Crisis (Tamoki Wambisi)
Junior Reid – Oh Happy Day + Dub (Tamoki Wambisi)
Scientist – Dematerialize (Greensleeves)
Revolutionaries – Thinking Version (Pressure Sounds)

Roots For All Seasons

This month ForwardEver received a tremendous amount of new music from some of Jamaica's greatest artists: Tunes poured in like rain from Sugar Minott (R.I.P.), Max Romeo, Cornell Campbell, U-Roy and Sylford Walker.

We'll highlight a few of those releases here in a minute, but first we recommend that if you are in the LA area on a Wednesday, check out the Dub Club at the Echoplex (1154 Glendale Blvd, Echo Park). 

For for the past decade Tom Chasteen, Boss Harmony, Roy Corduroy and the crew have been hosting the best West Coast roots, rub-a-dub and classic reggae showcase. Legends like Triston Palma, U-Roy, Rankin Joe, Welton Irie, Trinity and more have graced their stage. Last year Chasteen and crew released Return of the Rub-A-Dub, a documentary chronicling some of the rare Dub Club performances.

They're organizing a massive Dubquake Festival October 16-17 (Michael Rose, Scientist, Sister Nancy, Heptones etc) , which should bring even more acclaim to their activities.

Speaking of the DJ Godfather Daddy U-Roy, a digital release on October 26 pairs the legendary toaster with veteran vocalist Cornell Campbell on the single "Babylon You Wrong" for Zion High productions. The new roots style one-drop single rides an original riddim  featuring live guitar, drum and horn parts. Distributed by Zojak and available in the US at Deadly Dragon NYC. View the press page on the 45 Shootout blog for more details.

If you've been wondering what's up with premier UK dub poet and author Linton Kwesi Johnson, this extensive interview in Voice-Online should catch you up on his whereabouts.

UK dubstep/bass label Senseless has managed one of the bigger link-ups of 2010, a new recording with Max Romeo on the single "Protest of the M1."

Romeo's voice has been the centerpiece of several dubstep tracks sampling his famous "Chase The Devil" tune recently.

Senseless up the ante by releasing this exclusive original vocal by Romeo with remixes from Venezuela's Pacheko, Cardiff's Stagga and London's Rossi B & Luca. Roots fans may be disappointed by the lack of traditional reggae vibes, but if you like your rough bass, then nab the EP on November 11.

Here's an audio preview of the Rossi B & Luca remix.

Congratulations to New York's Wax Poetics magazine on issue 43, the Reggae Edition, featuring melodica master Augustus Pablo on the cover and deep interviews with Beres Hammond, Gregory Isaacs and a nice Bob Andy article. Well worth the cover price for this archive.

Another group of New Yorkers who have been doing their part to spread original dubwise vibes: Liondub45s, formed by Liondub and Ticklah, a label which, according to Mr. Lion himself, "specializes in deep vintage dub and scorching roots reggae."

In September they issued one of the last recordings made by Lincoln "Sugar" Minott. The tune "His Name" (LNDB45-002) is vintage sufferers style reggae featuring Sugar in meditative praise mode. Absolutely stunning work. Minott was truly a gem to the end.

The single also features a fantastic Tiklah dub version. Victor "Tiklah" Axelrod has made a name through his organ and keyboard work with the Dap Kings band and Easy Star All-Stars.

Look for more Liondub releases soon from Johnny Osbourne, Luciano, Judah Eskender Tafari, Courtney John and other reggae legends.

Here's a preview of Sugar Minott "His Name"

Always busy Texas-based dub/steppers producer McPullish has linked with '70s roots vocalist Sylford Walker ("Burn Babylon," "Lambsbread," "Jah Golden Pen," "Eternal Day") for a new tune, "United" (CHA708) availableon his Charlie's Roots label in November.

Walker (pictured left) is an artist who has been beset by hard times and homelessness throughout his career. Read his fascinating story in this interview from a few years ago, and also in this feature from March 2010.

Listen to the stream for "United" on the McPullish Soundcloud page.

  Sylford Walker - United by McPullish  

Syl Johnson Gets His Due

1960s-70s soul man Syl Johnson never received the acclaim that artists like Marvin Gaye,  Otis Redding or Al Green received in their day, but Johnson was every bit as talented, versatile and memorable.

Some listeners might have been introduced indirectly to Johnson's work via RZA's samples of his songs on Wu-Tang Clan albums. Tracks like Johnson's "Any Way The Wind Blows" are haunting and bluesy and fit the Staten Island crew's hip-hop aesthetic.

Others may know his signature song "Is It Because I'm Black?", which has been covered multiple times by US, Jamaican and other international artists.

Now, Chicago's Numero Group set the, um,  record straight once and for all with an expansive six vinyl and four CD box set,  Syl Johnson: Complete Mythology,  out on October 19. Advanced press information reveals that: 

"Included on Complete Mythology are re-mastered versions of no less than twenty eight singles from the Twinight, Federal, Cha-Cha, Tmp-ting and Special Agent labels, the Dresses To Short and Is It Because I'm Black albums, ten previously unreleased tracks and detailed track by track notes from acclaimed music historian Bill Dahl."

Altered Zones blog has a nice freebie from the release.

Go there to read more about Syl Johnson and grab the tune: "I'm Talkin' Bout' Freedom."

Sonic Headlines

Some music and news from the electronic, beats, world and rock world:

Bristol, UK producer Pinch celebrate his label Punch Drunk's fifth anniversary with an excellent 2CD compilation. Worth The Weight sees music by PD vets Pinch, Jakes and Peverelist presented next to the label's latest roster additions Guido, Hyetal and Dubkasm plus established associates like Appleblim and Joker.

Punch Drunk's sound has walked parallels with South London's DMZ: The two labels share a passion for presenting sparse, reggae-influenced sub-bass laden tracks on vinyl releases. But Punch Drunk has also branched out into techno and lazer bass territory, allowing experimental expressions into their fold. The comp is a great overview of all of this and more. Read my upcoming review in XLR8R (Dec/Jan) for more on the background and offerings.

New York breaks and dub crew Sub Swara bring forth their new album Triggers November 9 on Low Motion Records with guest appearances from Dead Prez, Lyrics Born, Freddie Mills and more.

Here's a download preview of the excellent, high energy hybrid dubstep track "Bend You" (courtesy of The Fader via Terrorbird).

Fans of their previous album Coup d'Yah will note a significant evolution of their sound, its more intricate and headphone friendly yet still as potent for the club setting.

Another cat who should be making a lot of noise in electronic circles real soon is outstanding Denton, TX producer Blixaboy. His sound marries lush electronics, abstract dub and bassy sounds in a bluesy twilight soundtrack.

Download the killer single "Sci-Fi Jack" (via XLR8R).

Listen to a stream his whole new album Kliks & Politiks (self released on Oct 19) here.

His music credentials are deep too: He founded the Laptop Deathmatch competition in Dallas, TX, and was crowned champion at the 2010 SXSW Laptop Battle. He runs Dallas' Ableton user group and has performed with Glenn Branca's 100-guitar ensemble numerous times.

How about those LA boys B+ and Coleman over at Mochilla. The film and music company have gone east and brought us the Sounds of Al-Mashriq: The Land Where the Sun Rises, a mix of music from Arabic North Africa and and Middle East. From the press release:

Mochilla has had the opportunity to visit Lebanon and Jordan twice within the past year, as well as Egypt most recently. We were invited by our friends Nasser Kalaji and Laith Majali of Immortal Entertainment to play our music in Beirut and Amman, and to experience for ourselves how life is at this incredible cultural crossroads. Read more here...

And get the free audio download here...