Tag Archives: Reggae

Fable – ‘Deeper Than Roots’ EP

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Art

 

1. Dub Fiend
2. Dynamic Vibrations
3. Home Dub
4. King Crumble

I’m sure most reading this have been familiar with Fable from his past releases with Loft Party Records and Phantom Hertz but, I haven’t seen anything surface from him in some time.  Needless to say, it was a very pleasant surprise when I discovered this release in my inbox.  Fable has been tasked with representing the inaugural release for Nottingham based label, Deeper Than Roots.  It’s great to see a surge of labels resurfacing the love for dub- and reggae-infused bass music, as, well…we wouldn’t be involved in the scene we love so much without it.  A bit of homage is always nice, in my mind at least.  Deeper Than Roots might appeal to many listeners out there who haven’t been able to own music due to many labels who have pursued this avenue sticking to a strict regiment of limited vinyl releases, and this can be both costly and impractical for some.  Now is your time.

Fable sets the tone for the label perfectly.  Capturing a nostalgic analog aesthetic, you can almost smell the dust plumes pouring out of the speakers.  The EP kicks off with ‘Dub Fiend’ and will surely satisfy the cravings of any dubhead with the prominent horn melodies and potent wall of sub-bass.  ‘Dynamic Vibrations’ carries on through a hollow abyss of drone basslines and reverb-soaked snare slams – it’s almost like having a dub party inside the hull of a submarine (?).  ‘Home Dub Zion’ is without a doubt the one for me.  The percussive variation and crisp swing of the drums get an astounding spliff in the air from me, while I nod my head to the rolling sub notes.  Fable ends the EP with ‘King Crumble’, which sends us off in a very suiting fashion as subtle pads and ghostly melody close the book.

RELEASE DATE:  1ST MAY 2014

FABLE || DEEPER THAN ROOTS || BUY LINK – JUNO

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Thanks for checking in, I’ll catch you lot next time.  One love.

– Kinman

 

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Moonshine Recordings – ‘Steppin’ Forward’ LP [VA]

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MSLP002 digital cover

As the Moonshine back catalog continues to grow in both size and undeniable quality, the imprint has launched one of the finest campaigns to date with the ‘Steppin’ Forward’ VA LP.  The anticipation of this release has been surging through the underground community, listeners and bloggers alike.  Having been fortunate enough to receive an early copy, I don’t think there has been a day in the past three weeks that I haven’t played at least half of the album.  During my long commutes home from university, sitting in the standard Los Angeles traffic, this album has played an integral role in me not wanting to roundhouse-kick nearly everybody on the highway while simultaneously throwing hand grenades during my acrobatics.  For that, I thank Moonshine and every artist featured deeply.  ‘Steppin’ Forward’ brings a plethora of new – to Moonshine – talent (Compa, OSC, Numa Crew, Adam Prescott, and Dubsworth, among others)  under the label’s umbrella, which is likely an indication of what us listeners can expect to see in the coming year as far as releases.  I’ve mentioned a couple of my favorite tracks below, but make sure you bag this LP, whether you’re a vinyl or digital head, because each track is top-shelf business.

My absolute favorite off this release is Numa Crew’s ‘Knowledge’.  The swinging halfstep percussion provides perfect avenue for the syncopated collection of delayed vocals and horns to drift in and out of the mix.  The LFO pressure on the sub is immense and injects a lasting amount of energy into the listener with its single bar presence.  Compa’s ‘One Lion’ is another one of my favorites.  It’s spacious aesthetic and rolling bongo hits invoke a seamless listening experience, while the vocal processing adds an element of introspect that always gets my mind moving in the right direction.  The last I’ll mention is Hatti Vatti ft. Cian Finn – ‘Education’.  This one will prove to be a prolific anthem simply due to the profound message of Cian Finn’s vocals.  Everybody, including myself, would be wise to remember these words when in times of defeat or struggle.

Make sure to listen below, as Moonshine has put up clips of the entire album to preview.  I’ve also included links to pre-order (vinyl) or keep your eye on for the release date – March 24th.

MOONSHINE RECORDINGS | PRE-ORDER VINYL | JUNO

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That’s it for today, I’ll catch you soon, fam’.  One love.

– Kinman

Digid – ‘Dub 2 Babylon’ EP [Mindstep]

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MSEP012---Dub_2_Babylon_EP-[artwork]

Ez everyone.

I hope all is well with the fam’.  I wanted to take some time to highlight the most recent chapter from Mindstep Music, coming from Belgian producer, Digid.  Already maintaining a healthy release catalog with imprints like Warriorz and New World Audio, Digid follows up on Trashbat’s ‘Hanako’ EP in a strict dub vein.  It’s really nice to see labels like Mindstep pushing an eclectic spectrum of sound rather than isolating their reach within the bounds of a particular offshoot/sub-genre – something that I strongly believe will provide an upper-hand for Mindstep’s longevity in today’s market.

The ‘Dub 2 Bablyon’ EP features seven tracks, three of which are ‘Dub’ edits of the EP’s primary tunes ‘Positive Vibration’, ‘March 2 Babylon’, and ‘Righteous Soldier’.  Halfstep rhythms, horns, and a lush array of delay compliment the hefty degree of sub-weight that Digid has put forth in this superb collection of digi-dub.  Have a listen below and enjoy the soundboy elevation, compliments of Digid and Mindstep.  Available exclusively through Juno until the 10th of March, at which point it will hit all major digital retailers.  Also, make sure you snag the whole album to receive the ‘Dub’ edits, as they’re not available individually.

Release Date:  10 March 2014

DIGID || MINDSTEP MUSIC || PURCHASE VIA JUNO

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I’ll catch you soon.  One love.

– Kinman

DJ Madd – ‘High Grade/Judgement Time’ [1DROP002]

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White Label ARt

 

DJ Madd returns to his white label vinyl-only imprint, 1DROP, with another Jah-infused single for any rudebwoy looking to smash up the dance.  Pre-orders are now up via the Roots & Future Surus Store.  Be quick as this one won’t last long…

DJ Madd || Roots & Future || Surus Store

RELEASE DATE:  27TH JANUARY 2014

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– Kinman

Horace Andy – Cuss Cuss – DJ Madd Remix / TMSV Remix [MS011]

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moonshine

EZ everybody.

With the recent launch of J:Kenzo’s label – Lion Charge – and the announcement from DJ Madd that he will also be launching a label called ‘Roots & Future’ it seems that there is a surge of appreciation and nostalgia being aimed at the massive amount of influence that dub-reggae played in the inception of the ‘foundation sound’ of dubstep.  Not that it had gone away or anything, but with the evolution of the genre the influences became less explicit, and are also being taken from a vastly greater pool of musical styles.

Moonshine Recordings has also taken it upon themselves to pay homage to the dub in dubstep with their most recent catalog addition.  Both DJ Madd (seems to be a pattern here with him lately) and TMSV have taken a legendary reggae song from the 80’s and injected their interpretation with modern-day production quality and weight.  Both of these producers are dons in their own right, and Madd is my most respected producer within the dubstep framework – EVER.  Both interpretations are top-notch with TMSV utilizing a more percussive approach with his bongos weaving in-and-out, and DJ Madd coming correct with a wall of pulsating bottom-end that could be felt from blocks away.  If you were quick enough, you would have been able to grab the single-sided 10″ release of DJ Madd’s version a few weeks back, out to those that did (like me).

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The release is set to drop on March 11th and will be available at all good record stores, in both vinyl and digital format.  Don’t sleep!

Stay connected:

DJ MADD |  FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD || TWITTER

TMSV |  FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD || TWITTER

MOONSHINE RECORDINGS | FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD

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This post was taken via a feature I published on my other blog at Sub.Mission Dubstep, I just wanted to get it out there for as much exposure as possible, so I’m re-blogging it here.  It’s a seriously massive release so be sure not to sleep on it!

It drops March 11th.

You can pre-order it through Surus right now and if you purchase the vinyl, you get the digital copies for free!  Killer deal, so support the scene and buy some good music 🙂  Link below…

SURUS STORE

I’ll catch you guys next time.

– Kinman