Real World Records

Dub Me Tender Vol 1 + 2

• by Dub Colossus
• Real World Region: Africa, Europe
• Feb 2012

Following the critical success of Dub Colossus� second album, "Addis Through the Looking Glass" (March 2011), and two fantastic shows at WOMAD Charlton Park, Dubulah has now made a dub-heavy album, reworking existing Dub Colossus album tracks plus four previously unreleased tracks.

It�s a more personal approach for Dubulah, who �turns the dub element in Ethiopian fusion up to 11 � applying heavy one-drop pressure to hypnotic effect.� (Metro)

The original aim of Dub Colossus was to combine the golden years of Ethiopique beats and Ethiojazz with the dub reggae styles of the early 70�s groups like Abyssinians and Mighty Diamonds. The dub element on Dub Me Tender, ever-present in the first two albums, has been pumped up � giving these tracks a full Dubulah work over, in the tradition of Joe Gibbs� African Dub series and Dennis "Blackbeard" Bovell.

Dub Me Tender Volume 1 was released as a limited edition green vinyl. Volume 2 is scheduled for release later this year.

Dub Me Tender features the cast of Addis Through The Looking Glass; the original Ethiopian musicians are joined by the reggae singer Mykaell Riley (Steel Pulse), drummer Nick Van Gelder (Jamiroquai), the Horns of Negus brass section, bass work from Dr Das (Asian Dub Foundation), and double bass from Bernard O�Neill (Syriana).

Dub Colossus Sound System will be performing this album live in 2012 in UK and Europe as a real-time dub experience, live dubbing tunes with full FX. The live band will include The Horns of Negus, Dr Das, Nick Van Gelder, Ramjac and vocals from Mykaell S Riley and PJ Higgins.

Credits

Reviews

Remarkable... Highly recommended...

...hazy King Tubby-style echo effects, laid back jazzy rhythms and hallucinatory soundscapes, occasionally reminiscent of Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Arkestra, that don't quite sound from this planet. When dub's produced right, it can place the listener in an almost meditative state. Dub Me Tender achieves this, helped in no small part by its jazz undertones. Highly recommended, even to purists.

Press review from: Morning Star (UK)

The music is very much in the lineage of the beautifully crafted albums from the UK's very own dub master ...

...Dennis Bovell (aka Blackbeard) with hints of the Mighty Two, Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson, in the use of sound effects.

Press review from: UK Vibe Online (UK)

This is a solid yet bracingly air-filled effort...

This CD has the woozy, vertiginous vibe of an authentic Jamaican dub mix of the mid 70s, but also the crisp definition one expects today... This is a solid yet bracingly air-filled effort that pays its respects to the dub tradition while simultaneously moving things along.

Press review from: Songlines (UK)

All told, a real winner...

stunning new piece of music that stands up in its own right but definitely does not ignore the music that originated it.

...tunning Ethojazz of the originals but adds in fabulous bass from Dr Das and Bernard O'Neill (Syriana).

The music is incredibly rich and full, never plodding and due to the quality of the original numbers, never feels as though the dubs are pointless or overblown.

...if you are into Dub Colossus then it is a great companion to the albums. All told, a real winner for me.

Press review from: Musicnews.com ()

The shimmering Ethiojazz elements remain...

...but Dub Colossus mastermind Dubulah applies heavy one-drop pressure to hypnotic effect.

Press review from: The Metro (UK)

Do not allow this release to pass you by...

...extraordinary Ethiopian essence that gives the tracks on this album a unique edge.

...Dub Colossus is just an outstanding sound and concept that one can't allow to pass them by.

Press review from: Globetronica.org ()

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