Dubbed out sounds from and influenced by Jamaica and beyond
featuring artists like
Timewarp • Eddie C • Kiko Bun • Mungos Hi-Fi • Weekend Sun • Liam Bailey • Hollie Cook • London Posse
About this playlist
My first few years using streaming service were looking back into all the music I’d missed from the 60’s though to the 80’s, then 90’s up to current day, but not seriously focusing on the present and then in 2019 I decided to search out more new music, the start of this playlist features a selection of tracks from that year and some favourites from 2018 when I discovered the exhaustive reggae and dub discography on Spotify.
It’s not the easiest genre to find music in, at least specific to how I want it to sound, I’m guessing there was literally 1000’s of new releases across the year but maybe less than a hundred have got that exact vibe, Jamaican dub rhythms, soulful vocals and jazz elements, all these combined make the perfect song for me, so let’s get started…
It wouldn’t be right to have a reggae list without some Prince Fatty, Fatty’s specialty is old school reggae and dub, which he records using seasoned UK session players, ‘Deep Sleep’ is a proper sing-along style song with vocals from Sh’niece McMenamin.
‘Restart’ by Timewarp is from the LP ‘Theory of Revolution’ another great album that is not necessarily a reggae album, Timewarp inc (aka Angelos Timewarp Stoumpos) manages to include everything from dub and reggae to funk and disco, downtempo to house, and from soul to tropical electronica, all produced and based on wide range and borderless music concept, surrounded by some well-cooked Mediterranean characteristics.
The Hempolics are prolific musicians and have a lot of tracks on our full list, but my favourite is ‘Play On’ another vocal driven track with just the right amount of vibes attached.
The Blood Shanti remix of ‘Time Million’ by ‘Feater’ is the first truly dub track and a great example of how modern dub can sound, taking influence from the Jamaican sound but with a modern edge in the production.
‘Champion’ by Liam Bailey, an English singer and songwriter from Nottingham with Jamaican roots but a style and sound completely his own, this reggae tinged banger is designed to bust up woofers and blow out dance floors.
‘Time’ by Ash Walker with vocals from a shake a hoof favourite Laville comes from a great jazz album ‘Aquamarine’ but this version is given the dub treatment by The Scientist or Overton Brown he was an apprentice of the legend King Tubby and one of the leading dub artist of the 80’s.
From the last album I listened to 2019 ‘Caught in a Machine’ by Weekend Sun two tracks stood out, not just for the quality as the whole LP is a musical delight, the band have released two previous albums of retro soul, funk, acid jazz flavours and was surprised to come across two tracks with reggae and dub rhythms ‘Nomad’ and ‘Moonlight on the Ocean’ both with soul and jazz influences and sublime vocals by new singer Karlene Gomez. Karlene’s love of old skool dub and reggae like the sound systems such as Jah Shaka has influenced the band’s change of direction and keys player Rob has also played for many reggae bands including the ‘Equalisers’. Both tracks are favourites of the bands live set and are primarily live bass and drums, with overdubs recorded after. The band’s bassist Phil Smith tells me there is more to come, can’t wait to see where they go next.
More great music follows on the playlist from DJ Vadim, WrongTom (more on him later), Max Clouth Clan, more Prince Fatty and then some hypnotic SKA rhythms from The New Mastersounds recently featured on our soulful list, Morcheeba, yes remember them, the ‘Merther Hum’ remix of ‘Love Dub’ from the under the radar album from last year ‘Blaze Away’.
‘Dancin Music’ is another bit of dub that was found on an album by Eddie C, ‘‘Green Space’ was full off short downtempo beats and mellow house beats but I came across this gem.
Reggae and dub music always lends itself well to cover versions or interpretations and what better way to present that with a classic song ‘Never Too Much’ by Luther Vandross remixed by reggae legends Sly and Robbie, it’s by Soul Sugar with solid soulful vocals by Leo Carmichael.
Mungo’s Hi Fi another band that have been a go to act this year when looking for music, take on the ‘Beats International’ 90’s classic with ‘Dub Be Good to Me’ superb version and them vocals by Eve Lazarus🔥
Next on the version excursion and another artist featured previously here Hollie Cook with ‘Dub in the Sunshine’ this being a dub version of the track ‘Dance in the Sunshine’
Some deeper sounds now from Brother Culture with ‘If There Were Goods’ real authentic vibes and then Nicodemus and Wilton Irie here I show my lack of knowledge in the genre, I know this is a re-release or first time to digital or the streaming services but not sure what era it probably sometime in the 80’s.
More traditional dub with a modern slant from Dubkasm the ‘Phaeleh’ remix of ‘Missao’, some more Mad Professor with ‘Cry Dub’ onto a track from a great dub LP from none other than UB40, a Shake a Hoof favourite Steve Cobby with ‘Dis & Dat’ from the Soothsayers remix LP, some funked up dub sounds from ‘Afro Dub’ and ‘Dub Street’, spy movie instrumental dub stylee.
Finishing off with London Posse and ‘Money Mad’ from a compilation from producer, DJ and reggae mastermind Wrongtom released on Tru Thoughts. Continuing the legacy of the legendary Wrongtom Meets…series, his latest output is a double digital LP showcasing a cohesive and curated anthology of his finest original material and remixes to date, alongside a handpicked selection of some of his favourite artists to have remixed him.
So enjoy the Hoof’s dig around 2019 and 2018 then see what he what music he discovered in 2020 here