Hip-Hop News

Hard love, from Junior. Big Tip on the great 5 Gate Temple... Limited copies. Dogs.

We are delighted to announce our first 12" single release in collaboration with Lion Vibes Record Shop, mixed and produced by our brothers Brainless and Cultural Youths!!

LIMITED STAMPED WHITE LABEL

* A limited 10” featuring the ever-reliable Alpha & Omega with a track called `Shuruaat Aur Ant’ from 1991.
* The A-side was previously an LP-only track while the B-side, a dub versiappears on vinyl for the first time.
* Features a haunting Hindi-sampled vocal.
* 300 copies only

Roots reggae stepper released on B.B. Seaton's album Reggae Land. Strong actual lyrics, heavy dub "The People's Dub". Previously unreleased on 7inch. "B.B. Seaton is a musical veteran, having begun his career in the 60s as one of the Gaylads – finding himself harmonizing with the likes of Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson – while this track is lifted from his 2005 long-player, Reggae Land. Bottom-end booming, it`s an impassioned Jah Shaka-esque steppers. A warning of revolution, which calls out the rich, the greedy, the heartless and callous – as a plaintive guitar figure unwinds in the
distance. It`s flipped by a version, suitable for disciples and bush chemists, that shifts between banging and ethereal. A flute floating in amongst the righteous thunder." (by Ban Ban Ton Ton)

After several apparitions of the modern electronic scene, Warzou strikes again, here on the Lyon based Mystery Booms Records for a détour dub called "J'irai dormir chez Mouss"! Tripping to a digi-dub exercice with two silent and ritual songs, from aerian flutes to pop arrangements composed with cheap instruments, including an MPC 2000, keyboard Casio VZ-1, Digital Delay and Mother Reverb. Tribute to the old way with this futil contemporary feeling! Expected red eyes' soundboys tunes to play them loud on your system!

Red eyes sound boys from Lyon strike again with this second record from Warzou. After several apparitions on the modern electronic scene, the local producer plays a digi-dub exercice for a detour dub called "J'irai dormir chez Mouss ». Tripping on two quiet and ritual songs, composed with MPC 2000, keyboard Casio VZ-1, digital delay and spring reverb, as the tradition! To play loud on your system!

2023 Backstock

New album of one of the biggest Reggae/Dub french soundsystem starring MacGyver, Rooty Step & Pupajim (who worked with Alpha Steppa, Biga Ranx, High Tone, Mungo's Hi-Fi ...).

Since their inception at start of the 2000s, Stand High Patrol have rocked sound systems to their own riddim, assimilating and re-purposing the codes of the genre in their own unique style. From tiny bars in Brittany to huge festival stages, on independent radio or across national airwaves, the crew have quietly trod their own path, never compromising their core value of independence. Connoisseurs have long recognised Stand High’s credentials both as a dub group and a leading sound system, but they stand out from the crowd because of their ability to deliver the unexpected, whether live or on record. Their ability to draw such a diverse audience is testament to this atypical approach to making music.

In 2020, almost 20 years since their humble beginnings, the collective presents their fifth album, “Our Own Way”. As with their first two albums “Midnight Walkers” and “Matter Of Scale”, now considered as classics in their genre, this new opus asserts itself as the latest representation of the crew’s versatile approach to crafting sound. Their music, a blend of its own known as “Dubadub”, has always borrowed influences from multiple sources, and over the course of their career their roots in dub and reggae have intertwined with hip-hop, jazz, new wave, trip-hop and numerous other genres. The ‘Dubadub Musketeers’ have never ceased experimenting, forever seeking to increase the sonic territory they cover, day after day. Both live and recorded, they’ve made it a point of honour to never offer up the same thing twice. Any resemblance that “Our Own Way” might bear to those first two albums is a consequence of this obvious creative continuity, rather than of going “back to basics”.

In contrast to the last two Stand High Patrol records, the hip-hop inspired “The Shift”, or the Bristol indebted “Summer On Mars”, “Our Own Way” doesn’t have a unifying concept or theme. Rather than being limited to a single aesthetic, the LP pays respect to the entire canon of Jamaican music, all unified under Stand High’s inimitable production values. With the wealth of experience gained during the recording of their last two records, the collective decided to aim for a freer project, letting themselves be guided by their own music and their own instincts. The end result is a musical portrait of what Stand High Patrol is in the present moment.

The tracks that make up the new LP burst out of the studio, each born out of unbridled, impulsive creativity. Previously unheard compositions and specially re-tooled dub plates have been assembled into a tracklist that shifts and moves like a classic Dubadub Musketeer live set. Each step of the process has been refined by years of practice : composition, effects, and the final mix. Throughout “On Our Way”, the brutal dub stepper, though still a favourite for sound system sessions, is noticeable by its absence. Instead, it’s the full weight of the crew’s reggae heritage that’s expressed in the mix. It's not just the depth and weight of each tune that strikes the listener, but also the spaces heard between the notes that grab and hold their attention.. The sense of a trip, whether musical, internal or geographic, is omnipresent throughout the LP, linking each track to those before and after. “Our Own Way” finds Stand High Patrol exploring as usual, yet also narrating their journey as they’ve rarely done before.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 18th release: The Sacred Art Of Dub! Featuring two of the UK Dub top legends and pioneers; Alpha & Omega and The Disciples! This killer album was originally released only on CD format in 1998, and now on vinyl for the first time - over 20 years later + 2 bonus tracks!

This album includes the killer ‘Roaring Lion’ known by everyone across the Dub and sound system scene! Played heavily by all top sound systems!

This release will be a one-time limited edition on white colour vinyl for Record Store Day April 2020.

"Lost Ark Music" proudly present to you another labour of passion "Praying for the Angels" by Pura Vida. 'The heart of the Last Ark' is beating on the riddim of the drums" ... Play it loud!

"Crawling" is about Puraman's personal struggle in life (...) trying to blend a stepping, jazzy reggae groove with some psychedelic stuff, Pieter De Naegel & Mathieu Vilain provide some "Last Ark Fyah Horns". "Song to Bob" is Puraman's tribute to Bob Marley, with a haunting Bassline provide by Aston "Familyman" Barrett, Orginal Wailer (...) His son Aston Barrett Junior hits the drums like Lightening!

"When the right time come" was recorded in an oldschool fashion, Recording the riddim in one take (...) Puraman on Vocals and Guitar, Boris Perck on the bass, Xan Albrecht on the drums, Wouter Rosseel on Lead Guitar. Bos Debusscher provides a wicked synthline!
Are you ready?

"Pretty Stranger I wrote this song for you... You shurely look like danger but that's what I like about you". Pura Vida goes Psychedelic Rock (...) "Les Eaux Sauvages" is a Love-Song with the Wonderfull voice of Nina "Vitalia" Schelfthout!

"O sopro de Inae" features the warm voice of Alessandra De Queiroz...Straight from Brazil she came to the Mare Altar forest under the guidance of Maarten Rosa in search for the "Arka Perdida".
This song has Portugese Lyrics, praying for the Spirits of Iemanja and Inae (...) The Spirits of the Ocean! "Find a way Home" is a Soultune features Alessandra De Queiroz!

The Title Track "Praying for the Angels" is another combination of Puraman & Alessandra's voice. In a Sixties Psychedelic Spirit (...) Singing about the Lost Souls dwelling the streets of the Ancient City! It was recorded on Puraman's Birthday (...)

"And the lights of the city, drive them crazy. And there's nowhere to run (...) And they're praying, hear them praying for the Angels...".

"Blessings from the Last Ark" features the amazing voices of Roydel "Ashanti Roy" Johnson, Derrick "Watty" Burnett & Kenroy "Tallash" Fyffe from 'The Congos'. Ashanti Roy provides the Bassline and Percussion. Watty & Tallash provide extra magic percussion. Puraman on Vocals, Melodica & Guitar. Pieter De Naegel & Mathieu Vilain play humble and bright on this Deep Roots Tune. Blessings from the Ark. Beyond Time & Space (...)

"Ancestor Spirit Dance" is an Afrobeat inspired tune features the voice of Puraman's Great-Grand-Mother Mathilde Spruytte, who
was a local folk singer.

Second slice of Channel One
Disco Purpose Rhythm Excursion.
Back to back classics from the Hookim brothers Maxfield Avenue outpost.
Pressed on opaque vinyl and housed in a limited edition Channel One disco bag.

Repress

After over five years since we've released the first chapter, we are nearly ready to drop "Steppin' Forward" 2, which will be our final release of 2019. This time the compilation includes 16 previously unreleased tracks from 27 artists and will be out on the 29th of November across 3x12" vinyl and digital.

Artwork by FromTheTrunk crew.

After their much heralded debut on the label with last year’s Music Mission EP, Italian collective Babe Roots returns to V.I.V.E.K’s System Music with a brand new four track project entitled Through We EP.

Holy Tongue (Al Wootton and Valentina Magaletti) return for their second outing exploring the outer realms of dub and psychedelic post punk. This EP sees them further focusing the sounds of their debut release with the addition of saxophonist Ben Vince adding another element to the swirling spree. Heavyweight basslines, driving rhythms, layers of percussion and FX all collide to create a psychedelic-spiritual dub-dance trance meditation. Look out for Holy Tongue live this year.

Oregon sextet Elite Beat continue their dubwise world-groove mission with a two track 12" of what sounds like organic, in the moment live takes with an intro count to boot. Layers of psychedelic sax and drums ebb and flow alongside heavy low end, building on their compilation of 'healing and hypnosis' inspired jams Selected Rhythms Vol. 2. Despite being based across the ocean, big Jah Shaka dance vibrations occupy the A-side with a steady house tempo combining with the woodwind across ten minutes of proper body music. The slower, introspective approach to side B takes in elements of post-rock with flourishes of electric guitar yet grounds itself in the dub mentality through pulsing sub-bass and swirling synth work. The wide-reaching bed of influences present in Portland's bands, shops and labels shows itself time again in Elite Beat's work, evident through recent collaborations with Mdou Moctar and past outings here at Research.

6 tracks including two new wigged out re-dubs from Paolo Baldini 'Dubfiles', demonstrating the effect of dropping an echo chamber down
a sink-hole. Upsetter magic at its finest. Comes in a grey house bag.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 15th release: Dubs From Zion Valley LP. This killer LP was originally released in 1994! One of the most prolific songs from the album includes ‘4 Min Dub’ and ‘Meditation Rock’ which have been anthems on Aba Shanti sound system since the 90s and still playing it heavy in sessions today.

Side A of the LP contains songs produced by UK Dub pioneers The Bush Chemists, and on the flip-side contains produced by Jonah Dan. This LP was one of the UK Dub ground-breaking LPs from the early days, which was a favourite amongst sound systems and all Dub fanatics.

The original artwork of the cover and labels have been maintained to keep the authentic look of the original pressing from the 90s. As well as the original master tapes to keep the audio at the best quality possible!

Dub, the breaking down and rebuilding of the reggae rhythm, is a uniquely restorative music. And it is with this in mind, that Mungo’s Hi Fi have created their latest long-playing release.
Antidote is a ten-track album of dub remixes to existing and yet to be released Mungo’s produced anthems: inspired by dub pioneers such as King Tubby, Scientist and Errol Thompson, crafted with a futuristic edge. This is an album designed for inner reflection, non-physical travel and communion with nature. In short, it’s an Antidote to all the stress and restriction of modern life.

Throughout Antidote, you’ll hear snatches of vocals from Mungo’s favoured collaborators. The other- worldly voice of France’s Pupajim graces the time-bending Time Traveller. UK lyricist Solo Banton powers the chest-rattling Pulsating Dub. The ethereal Hollie Cook’s Sugar Water gets a haunting mixdown for Intravenous Dub, while Jamaican dancehall legends Jah Thomas and Lady Ann’s Doctor Doctor is reimagined as NHS 24 Dub. The unmistakable vocal tone of London’s Kiko Bun finds its way through a forest of crashing snare drums during Escape from the City.

Rain Keeps Falling, Mungo’s 2017 Record Store Day release with Jamaican roots icon Johnny Clarke, reappears, ominously on the horizon as Murky Dub. The immortal King Jammy relick Total Disaster by Shanti D is given robotic treatment to become Epic Fail.

The ancient voice of Rasta chanter Prince Alla anchor Miracle Cure, a new flipside to his 1979 Freedom Sounds composition Only Love Can Conquer. Two generations of UK emcees, Charlie P and Daddy Freddy, give sparing performances amidst the sparse yet deeply textured Border Patrol.
Perhaps the purest distillation of the project’s message is vocal-free final track, Birds Of Pleasure, a blissful meditation on the recent rise in birdsong across the world.

Antidote is a dub album that will appeal to lovers of the classic Jamaican artform and contemporary bass music in equal measure. It’s a sonic journey that will leave all who enter cleansed and replenished on the other side.

Second single and opening song from the upcoming showcase album by Spanish singer, engineer, producer LONE ARK (Roberto Sánchez) and Switzerland finest reggae studio band THE 18TH PARALLEL, Fruits Records proudly present ‘DEFEND’. On a militant stepper riddim graced by magnificent horns, Roberto Sánchez and the Swiss band send a strong political message to the world: “The longer we fight, the stronger we get, and so we defend the rights of our brothers and sisters who cannot defend themselves.” A few weeks after ‘Get You’, here comes another sound system anthem available on black wax 7” vinyl or on a limited blue ocean clear vinyl with screenprinted and numbered sleeve (only 90!) on July 30th. An essential record for this summer sound system parties!

Comment to come

* Restless Mashaits hailing from Geneva are based around the core of Jil and Stuf.
They released a sizeable amount of new roots classics throughout the 90s and 2000's.
* This set comprises of the bulk of the instrumental sessions they recorded in Kingston, Jamaica in the mid/late 90 and early 2000’s with legendary musicians such as Dean Fraser, Flabba Holt, Deadly Headly, Dwight Pinkney, Bongo Herman and more.

Flynn Ryder announces himself to the world, launching into the chasm and resurfacing with two crucial cuts. Drawing on both the pressure of the deep and distant memories of the Sun, Flynn’s expertly crafted debut 12” is an essential addition to the Challenger Deep arsenal.

Dubquake Records proudly present a new version from Samity, Sofia-based producer and multi- instrumentalist ina modern roots style! Voiced by Turkish singer Orçun Sünear, mixed by Victor Rice in Brazil.

New 2x12" on Ear Clip Series.

E.N.M. steht fur Endlich Normale Menschen (E.N.M. stands for finally normal people, editor's note). This double opus, compiled by Low Bat, can be considered as a collection of friendships and encounters, where phlegmatism and melomania are intertwined. It includes tracks by F. Æmbient or Vamilienfa†er, two sheet metal artists from the Berlin experimental scene with their respective labels, Kashual Plastik and Bohemian Drips, as well as a track by Dame Area, a Barcelona duo that Low Bat booked during their 4 years of Berlin penitence.

The nine tracks oscillate between two main lines. The first record offers to discover a palette of more introspective feelings, where twilight layers cross broken rhythms and almost acidic progressions. The second, on the other hand, allows one to step by step to break away from this approach and look at introspection in a different way, alternating between unbridled joy (4K - Schabernak) and consistent melancholy (3H by Blume Attempt).

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present their nineteenth collaborative-release in their Mania Dub series. The Disciples were formed in 1986 by brothers Russ and Lol. Together they played a significant role in the UK dub scene and produced some of the most distinctive instrumental dub music in that era, which shows significant influence in today’s dub and electronic music. They were given the name by Jah Shaka, after producing exclusively for him.

Return To Addis Ababa: a heavyweight 90's production and one of the most iconic UK Dub anthems ever! Originally released on Boom Shacka Lacka, it now finally gets a re-issue / re-master for RSD 2021 on Mania Dub! Played by all the big sounds through the years: Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti, Iration Steppas, and many more! Serious piece of soundsystem & UK-Dub history!

Fearless: hard and hypnotic melody, Disciples signature style, this tune is guaranteed to get any session going! This 12” also includes a previously never released-before mix 3!

A one-time-pressing for RSD 2021, PLAY LOUD!

Mystic Fyah Sound System hailing from Portugal delivering 2 cuts for this 008V release. 'Righteous'. Pure, solid Vibes. B-Side 'Nebula' steppin things up.

Livity 10'' series 01

Stepper roots

Dreadwise Music is proud to present: Massive Dub Corporation, “Time Collapse” & “Vent Solaires” with 2 heavyweight remixes from Digid and Dubbing Sun. Taken from the second studio album (The Event Horizon) by French Dub sensation Massive Dub Corporation. Both feature tracks on this 12” breath new life into the realms of dub and jazz with MDC's unique blend of electronic squelch and soundscapes, coupled with a musicianship un-matched and un-paralled within the current Dub landscape.

Big Science‘s Singles Series continues with a producer probably better known for mixing film scores than soundtracking a dancefloor. Victor Praud might be one half of Parisian techno outfit Society Of Silence, and a considerable filmography shows he’s no slouch, but a debut solo outing has been a long time coming. This is the product of countless studio sessions during lockdown 1.0. Turning attention to the A-side cut, Praud assumes a new alias to ditch the dancefloor hypnosis in favour of dread-laden, sub-heavy aesthetics. A dub version to its insistent counterpart on the flip, the glitching brand of broken techno and Warzou-helmed label make a good fit"

Special limited edition in transparent red vinyl and black label.

Dub Shepherd's fine version of classic italian revolutionnary song "Bella Ciao" from 1951. Includes clean dub version for DJ's and MC's pleasure.

For our first release of the year we present to you our fourteenth 7”, a new collaboration between Ojah and Don Fe.

The A side contains the track “Lockdown Hope”, which was written and recorded during the first lockdown of 2020. It’s an uplifting track that invites the listener to dance and dream, bringing optimism with a mix of tough yet alluring militant drums that contrast with the ethereal and inspiring melodies of Don Fe’s flute.

On the B side we find “Lockdown Dub” a stripped down dub version mixed by Ojah that we hope will give you that Sound System dance vibe that we’re all missing (we can’t wait until those days are back!)

Hand-stamped and served in a thick custom reversed kraftliner sleeve.
Produced by Ojah, recorded at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London.
Flute by Don Fe, recorded at Don Fe Studio, Murcia, Spain
Mixed & mastered by Oscar Pablos “Ojah" at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, 2020.
Graphic design by Victor Castro.

For our twentieth vinyl release, and fifteenth 7”, we present to you a new collaboration between Ojah and Nik Torp.

The A side contains the track “Over Yonder”, an instrumental track featuring wonderful melodica melodies courtesy of Nik Torp, keyboard player from The Specials. It’s an introspective and meditative track with a positive twist that was written during the first UK lockdown, and that invites the listener to look to the future, to the other side, to look over yonder.

On the B side we find “Over Yonder Dub”, a minimalist dub version mixed live by Ojah with analog effects that takes you on a trip deep down the echo chamber.