New releases last eight weeks: Dub

Review: This third volume of instrumentals continues the faultless Isle of Jura label's deep dive into dub versions and beyond. Side one takes in references from UK street soul and reggae and features two late-'80s tracks by Howard Hill with machine-led rhythms, rudeboy reggae skank and soulful pads. Protek's 'I Love to Dance With You' is a proto-house gem featured in a Jura Soundsystem mix and here it gets a loving re-edit by The Nightlark. Side B includes an instrumental-driven track with spacey FX from The Cool Notes' and Ilija Rudman's 'Dub 4 Love' which is a knowing nod to acid house's golden era.

Review: The genesis of this album was three soundsmiths getting together in Brother Sound Studio in March 2024. It's a room full of synths and instruments and mics and in there they set about their work with Martin Dread responsible for the composition. What results is a bunch of proper chunky dubs with a very modern production edge. Synths have a clean digital shine that brings a future feel, the toasting though is traditional so brings authenticity and the melodies are perfect for getting lost in after a hefty toke.

Review: DJ Python burst onto the scene with an all new type of go-slow, dubbed-out take on reggaeton that mesmerised dancers all over the world. He has since evolved his sound into all sorts of different niches and for this outing on XL the US innovator looks to ambient and downtempo worlds. 'Marry Me Maia' is a soundtrack to a middle-of-the-night meditation, gazing up at the stars, 'Dai Buki' has spoken word musings adding depth and 'Coquine' has a little more tension in the synergic sounds, pop, crackle and fizzes with pepper the cavernous dub rhythm. 'Besos Robados' and 'Elio's Lived Behind My House Forever' bring more propulsive rhythms but are still defined by the deftness of their sound designs.

Review: Roots Garden Records is back with another highly anticipated reissue of celebrated releases from their archive. This time they look to Brighton-based singer-songwriter Cate Ferris and producer Manasseh who has done the business at his West London "The Yard Studios." The reissue has been carefully remastered and includes two alternative and previously unreleased dub mixes. Fans of Manasseh's signature sound will especially appreciate the addition of his dubs which showcase his ability to twist reggae and dub into new forms. This one offers a fresh take on these timeless tracks while preserving their original charm.

Review: Originally released in 1985 on Jo & Neville Carnegie's Brixton-based Dove Records, the wonderful 'Flying' returns on 12" and has been cut from the original master tape so could not sound better. Jo wrote the track while imagining the world from above and in an attempt to escape the tensions of war and political unrest. Amid Britain's lovers rock explosion, the song offered a breath of fresh air and truth be told, with so much raw still raging across the world, it still does. "Back in the day, sound systems would string up giant speakers, and that's when the dances were the best," Jo once recalled. This tune revives the spirit of an era when music provided solace and freedom and will help you soar high above the negativity of the times.

Review: Originally released on a Partial 10" in 2019, 'Mediation' became a staple in the underground roots and dub sound system scene and got heavy plays from the late Jah Shaka and others. This 12" includes the original vocal and dub versions along with two previously unreleased dubplate cuts. Eva Keyes, a rising artist from Limerick, Ireland, brings a distinctive and powerful voice, reminiscent of Sinead O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan. This one has deep roots but offers a fresh take on classic sounds.

Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.

Review: Prince David, Aba Ariginal and I Jah Saloman are some serious names when it comes to reggae. Their attest outing comes the Salomon Heritage label. First up is Prince David's original 'Solid As A Rock' with its plucked guitar riffs and endless echo doing sauce to the rolling drums and wooden hits. His stylish vocals are effortlessly cool up top, and then comes a nice deep dub version. Flip it over and you get the more rousing sounds and stepping rhythms of 'Majestic Melody' with its brassy horn leads. A raw dub of this one dials things right back to the bare essentials and it makes a different kind of mark as a result.

Review: King Shiloh is back with more heavy and modern dub sounds from a range of talents who all add their own spin to a couple of heavy rhythms. Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel's 'Rastaman Vibration' gets underway with some bold, brassy horns and natty pianos that make for a full fat sound. Jah Works gets to work on the mixing desk and dubs it out to perfection while Lavosti brings a more modern sounding digital synth sheen and rousing vocal top line to the delightful 'Real Reggae Warrior.' Again it is Jah Wrks who steps up to do his thing and strip it back to deep dub vibrations.

Review: Wayne Smith is a lesser-known reggae name compared to some of his peers but he sure knows how to lay down a jam. His 1982 release 'Life Is A Moment In Space' is proof of that and now gets a reissue on Black Joy. Best known for pioneering Sleng Teng, Smith delivers a captivating roots reggae interpretation of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman In Love' with the sone and his soulful vocals and deep, meditative rhythms transform the classic ballad into something entirely unique. It's the sort of tune that is always going to standout and get people locked in for the rhythms.