Baroque Dub Mixtape Thirty One [bdmx0031]

A deep and joyful meditation

"Here I come, here I come"... It's straight in, no messing with Lee Perry's take on The Slickers' warning to the shotta bad boys - a selection many of you may know as an entirely different mix from the film 'The Harder they Come'. That's right, this one's my own celebration of Island Records' 50th! We're now in deep dub territory (Cultural Roots and an unknown french? white label) before Kromestar's modern interpretation of the old school acts as a perfect foil to Harry Mudie's visionary 'Dub with a Difference', a genre breaking mix of classical strings that sounds more like a DJ Shadow experiment than the 70s dub classic it actually is.

Then the first of two offerings from The Gladiators - a roots outfit who somehow never quite received the mainstream recognition they deserve - and back to more instrumental nuggets with Pete Chemist and a Bunny Lee production from I-Roy's Dread Baldhead LP. Stalwarts of the genre, Alpha & Omega, on a minimal tip, here represent for the UK soundsystem scene before Misty in Roots get us back to some ital lyricisms. Daweh Congo's not exactly blessed with the best of singing voices but there's a real charm this conscious sermon (nothing to do with the Nick Cave track of the same name!) and finally the Gladiators, again, show us how it's really done with more of their sublime harmonies.

An untitled track from The Soul Syndicate, arguably Jamaica's finest group of reggae instrumentalists takes the mix on a more upbeat slant before some Fresh Moods and the Digital Analog Band getting all Mystical with a joyful and breezy reggae-influenced lounge track perfect for getting in the mood for the summer festivals. More spirituality courtesy of Stefan Obermaier, an up and coming alumni of Kruder & Dorfmeister's Vienna school and another relatively unknown artist/producer well worth keeping a close eye on; A Man Called Pj, a friend from the ReggaeDubwise community who's 'Sound Like' (feat. Bongo Chilli) takes dancehall in all the right directions - conscious, fun and danceable.

All good things come to an end and as Abja's wonderfully slow groove dissolves into Tom Waits' hypnotic marimba it's time to take our leave. Until next time, enjoy.

Tracklist:

[01] The Slickers & Lee Perry - Johnny Too Bad (Disco Style) (00:00)
[02] Cultural Roots - Ghetto People (06:16)
[03] Unknown (from the Se Dub compilation) (09:41)
[04] Kromestar - Demon Slayah (13:52)
[05] Harry Mudie - Dub with a Difference (18:30)
[06] The Gladiators - Chatty Mouth (21:09)
[07] Peter Chemist - Red Stripe Dub (24:08)
[08] I-Roy - Franco Nero (27:17)
[09] Alpha & Omega - Dub Flute (29:46)
[10] Misty in Roots - Poor & Needy (33:06)
[11] Daweh Congo - Mercy Seat (37:10)
[12] The Gladiators - Hearsay (40:37)
[13] The Soul Syndicate - Untitled (Live & Love/Dub Festival LP) (43:35)
[14] Fresh Moods - Big On (46:06)
[15] Digital Analog Band - Mystical (53:38)
[16] Razoof & O'Finken - Spirituality (Stefan Obermaier Dub) (59:00)
[17] A Man Called Pj - Sound Like (feat. Bongo Chilli) (64:52)
[18] Abja - Rebel I Lion (67:54)
[19] Tom Waits - Shore Leave (72:18)

With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Thirty [bdmx0030]

There's no sell by date on quality

This one's more than a little bit special... Beese and Brtschitsch start us off with a slow burning take on the nature of time before we slow things down even more with Chalawa, Creation Rebel and a rare Sir Collins washedelic dub classic. Leroy Smart gets a series of superfluous vocals cuts started, followed by I-Roy's conscious words and the Abyssinians' sweet, sweet harmonies. John Holt's Tribal War, Ernest Wilson, Al Campbell - all great vocalists backed by the best of the best of Jamaica's musicians and producers before Bim Sherman wraps up this round of pure roots gold. We then turn the clock back to the days of rocksteady and early reggae courtesy of Winston Francis, The Freedom Singers and Prince Buster, all reminders that bass culture has a history well worth investigating. This timeless pedigree is more than apparent in The Circle's Mammy Blue - a beautiful groove which flows effortlessly into a more modern offering from Chinese Man. Spy From Cairo spices things up before yet another sublime Richard Dorfmeister mix cranks up the party vibe. The eclectic and highly recommended Fat Beat Sound System bring things right up to date with a cross-cultural dancehall gem then, finally, The Gaylads slip and slide into a never ending, ageless riddim that's at once ska, rocksteady and roots reggae. And did I mention that there's even a hidden track to lull you off to sleep? I hope you enjoy this one as much as i enjoyed making it :)

[01] Beese and Brtschitsch - Time is Like a Horse (00:00)
[02] Chalawa - Picadilly Hop (excerpt) (07:05)
[03] Chalawa - Hop Skip and Jump (08:11)
[04] Creation Rebel - Dub From Creation (13:31)
[05] Sir Collins & His Mind Sweepers - New Cross Fire (17:06)
[06] Leroy Smart - Jah Is My Light (21:24)
[07] I Roy - Wicked Eat Dirt (25:00)
[08] The Abyssinians - Love Comes and Goes (29:32)
[09] John Holt - Tribal War (33:11)
[10] Ernest Wilson - I Know Myself (35:49)
[11] Al Campbell - Take These Shackles (38:54)
[12] Bim Sherman - Judah Dub (42:16)
[13] Winston Francis - Yesterday Me, Yesterday You (45:04)
[14] The Freedom Singers - Get You Off My Mind (47:33)
[15] Prince Buster - Nothing Takes The Place of you (49:42)
[16] The Circles - Mammy Blue (52:30)
[17] Chinese Man (feat. Bionic Man Sound) - Washington Square (55:11)
[18] Spy From Cairo (feat. Alook Mehta) - Zindagi (59:04)
[19] Cutty Ranks & Lightning Head - The Stopper (Richard Dorfmeister Meets Markus Kienzl Vocal) (63:03)
[20] Fat Beat Sound System (feat. Hosni) - Baba Sheriff (67:58)
[21] The Gaylads - Slipping and Sliding (12 inch mix) (72:29)

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Nine [bdmx0029]

Beats Breaks Bass

There's more than a few surprises on this latest collection of bass-driven selections. Watch the ride - the journey starts with Deepfried Dub on a slightly misleading drum'n'bass orientated tone before Pilah (Dub Addict Sound System) half-times the tempo with Learoy Green's musings on the trials and difficulties of life. An early Black Uhuru chant continues the conscious vibes before a dubstep remix of dubious provenance (Collie Buddz remixed by Goodfellaz?) brings things up to date in the form of a phat slice of prime black vinyl. Dub Li Cut follows up with a new take on a classic riddim which leads neatly into the Dub Syndicate's history lesson. Junkyard represent with a jump-up two parter that sets the scene nicely for the Champion Sound of Dubmatix - one of my favourite tracks at the moment, with a wonderful production which effortlessly mixes a reggae soundsystem sensibility with big beat electronica.

We're well and truly in the world of downtempo lounge by the time we hit Roudoudou's hymn to peace and love. Radar throws in a sprinkling of world music then the Thievery Corporation proves once again why they're such masters of this style of modern, outernational reggae-influenced dance music. The original mix of Big Bud's Runaway is more rootsy than many of his usual uptempo productions (something he should do a lot more of imho!) and things continue to chill out nicely with Jambassa's wonderful contribution to the italian dub community (check out the previous two installments for a taste of some Sardinian techdub).

Neil Sparkes, once of Transglobal Underground, has done much of his best work with the Last Tribe. In recent years he's been travelling Africa recording musicians and returning to his studio to brew up ecletic dub infusions like Afrodisia. A surprisingly uptempo, dare I say it, middle of the road breakbeat number from Múm leads into le Peuple de L'Herbe's Dopebeats. By now the party's reached it's peak and it's time to send everyone home with a reminder of what we're celebrating in the first place - the wonderful healing power of the drums and the bass, as demonstrated perfectly by Linval Thompson's seminal Roots Man Dub.

Tracklist:

[01] Deepfried Dub - Submerged (00:00)
[02] Pilah feat. L.Green (Dub Addict) - Conscious Man (04:54)
[03] Black Sounds Uhro (Black Uhuru) - I Love King Selassie (08:38)
[04] Roguestar - Come Around (dubstep remix) (13:03)
[05] Mat Kelly - Equator-x (excerpt) (16:39)
[06] Dub Li Cut - Dreadix (17:17)
[07] Dub Syndicate - Kingston 14 (20:07)
[08] Junkyard Productions - Sister Let Him Go (24:13)
[09] Dubmatix - Champion Sound (30:51)
[10] Roudoudou - Peace Dub and Tranquility (34:56)
[11] Radar - Ya Rayah (40:15)
[12] Thievery Corporation - Warning Shots (44:04)
[13] Big Bud - Runaway (original mix) (47:43)
[14] Dubital - Banana Republic (52:40)
[15] Jambassa - Shining Dub (57:00)
[16] Neil Sparkes and the Last Tribe - Afrodisia (61:47)
[17] Múm - Ad Lie (66:33)
[18] Le Peuple de L'Herbe - Dopebeats (70:55)
[19] Linval Thompson - Roots Man Dub (75:05)

With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Eight [bdmx0028]

A Universal Sound

More deep dub treasures on this slightly darker than usual instalment in the baroquedub mixtape series. Dancehall vibes, sound system dub plates, dubstep and techdub all make an appearance - and all with more than enough of a roots skank to put a big smile on your face. It's a universal sound, a universal love. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

[01] Mikkel Metal - Newson Five (00:00)
[02] Nick Manasseh - The Lion (Version A De Principle) (05:02)
[03] The Twinkle Brothers - Pattoo (08:14)
[04] Scientist - Step It Up (Dan Donovan for Don Letts Dub Cartel remix) (11:06)
[05] Machines Don't Care - Badman (15:30)
[06] Frank Bledermann - Warrior Wasp (Marko Fürstenberg remix) (18:59)
[07] Intrusion - Tswana Dub (Phase90 restructure) (25:56)
[08] A Made Up Sound - Density (29:42)
[09] Sardinia Bass Legalize - Night View (35:08)
[10] Black Uhuru - Rent Man/Rent Board (12" Disco 45 baroquedub re-edit) (39:38)
[11] Thesis - Dub Boy (excerpt) (47:06)
[12] Hi Tech Roots Dynamics - No Root Dub (51:02)
[13] Laroz - Allstar (Kuti remix) (54:51)
[14] Ini Kamoze - World A music (59:26)

With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Seven [bdmx0027]

Back to my roots

This selection is a strictly rub-a-dub, bass heavy return to basics with a massive collection of roots, reggae and dub anthems. Including not one but three exclusive mixes and covering the usual spectrum from 70s classics to modern day disciples, enjoy this carefully crafted low frequency feast. Big up the baroquedub massive!

Tracklist:

[01] Deadbeat - Night Train to Paris (00:00)
[02] Eva Be - into My Blues (feat. Pegah Ferydoni) (04:34)
[03] Molecule - I Dedicate (feat. Nemo) (08:57)
[04] Sardinia Bass Legalize - Leaves (14:04)
[05] Capital Letters - UK Skanking (12" disco mix) (18:50)
[06] Bim Sherman - Golden Locks (26:55)
[07] Ruts DC - Whatever We Dub (30:03)
[08] Sism-X - Land for Everyone (exclusive baroquedub re-dub) (36:00)
[09] Ethnic Fight Band - Pressure Them In Dub (40:07)
[10] Kuba - Give it Time (Indian Summer Mix) (42:32)
[11] Alborosie - Kingston Town (47:55)
[12] Big Youth - Political Confusion (Small Axe) Wood'n'Spoon Remix (50:38)
[13] Jah Shaka - Throne of God (54:18)
[14] Abassi All Stars - Crisis (58:49)
[15] Tippa Irie - Praises / Dubdadda - Screaming terror (baroquedub ROOT021 mash-up) (61:47)
[16] Jahdan Blakkamoore - Varela (66:22)
[17] Wildski - Wonderful World (exclusive baroquedub b-vox mix) (68:49)
[18] The Observer All Stars - Casanova Dub (74:24)
[19] Glen Brown - Do your Thing (77:15)

With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Six [bdmx0026]

Mr DJ's antique box of vinyl treasures (Vol.2)

Another break from the norm with a party-orientated mix of more black plastic blasts from the past designed to keep you entertained this xmas season. Weatherall kicks off the proceedings with a progressive house trance number which neatly dissolves into Sunship's Come True on the Filter label - an absolute goldmine of futuristic filtered disco-funk (see also Box Saga's Blackfly for proof of their pedigree) they just don't make 'em like this anymore! Lil Louis' x-rated French Kiss is an unlikely dance floor filler with its proto-bump-and-grind tempo rollercoaster ride - a Chicago house classic. Denmark's excellent Lulu Rouge take the techdub slant into Rockers Hi-Fi's sublime B-side to the now famous Push Push (another shout-out to Circle of Children Ed for buying me this one to play out). Then it's back to more traditional baroquedub territory with some rootsy cuts from A.N.R and Dreadzone (here reworking Transglobal Underground). I-shensound sets the scene for Bob Skeng's wonderful conscious reggae before Tunng winds up the proceedings with a bittersweet history lesson well worth staying up for. Finally Dollboy's Ringers drifts off into a suitably seasonal tinkle of bells. Merry xmas everybody :)

Tracklist:

[01] Uzma - Yab Yum (Andrew Weatherall Sabres of Paradise remix) (00:00)
[02] Sunship - Come True (Sun Dub) (07:26)
[03] Lil Louis - French Kiss (13:48)
[04] Lulu Rouge - Runaway Boy (Feat. Alice Carreri Pardeilhan) (22:23)
[05] Rockers Hi-Fi - Hash Recall (26:18)
[06] A.N.R. feat. Roots Lepkie - Rockers Rising (32:51)
[07] Transglobal Underground - Lookee Here (Dread at the Controls) performed by Dreadzone (38:44)
[08] Box Saga - Blackfly (47:14)
[09] I-shensound - Geronimo (54:34)
[10] Bob Skeng - The Lion (50:00)
[11] Tunng - Shove It (62:12)
[12] Dollboy - Ringers (66:09)

With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Five [bdmx0025]

Mr DJ's antique box of vinyl treasures (Vol.1)

Back from the brink with a jump-up musical extravaganza ranging from krautrock workouts to beats, breaks and the usual heavy dose of dance-dub selections. Subtle by Design's 1st Movement in C minor is dedicated to the wonderfully generous and kind hearted Ed (it's his record after all!) and to the rest of the Circle of Children crew who used to let me DJ this kind of in-your-face ecclecticism at their scene setting semi-legal DIY club nights circa '95. Due respect! Other highlights include The Rootsman's take on club meets dub with a wonderfully bouncy steppers anthem. Watch out for the two slabs of heavy, heavy vinyl which close the set. The 'rocket' white label I bought literally hot off a backroom press from a record shop on Berwick street, London - I've no idea who it's by although the Herbie Hancock sample is hard to miss. If anyone knows anything more about this gem, please get in touch. The final track by the Deadly Avenger is off a 1998 vinyl EP for Illicit. It took Damon Baxter an eternity to come out with a proper Long player (the 2002 album Deep Red) by which time he'd managed to overproduce much of the life out of his trademark b-boy style. This is the real deal and it still sounds as fresh today as it did back then. Enjoy.

Tracklist:

[01] Eine Kleine Nacht Musik - Ertrinken (00:00)
[02] Subtle By Design - 1st Movement in C minor (Orchestral Soundclash) Original Club Mix (04:26)
[03] Alias - West End Moon (11:32)
[04] 100th Monkey - Hoffman Dub (16:25)
[05] The Rootsman - Bind Us Together (22:45)
[06] Andreas Tilliander - She Don't Cry (29:35)
[07] Sanchez Dub - Dance Hall (34:50)
[08] Laroz - Justin (feat. Ruben Cambell) (39:54)
[09] Harmonic 313 - Word Problems (44:03)
[10] Zombie Zombie - What's Happening In The City (48:30)
[11] Blue Foot - Under Pressure (51:17)
[12] Lionrock - Packet of Peace (Chemical Brothers remix) (56:36)
[13] Unknown 12inch (Rocket label???) (63:01)
[14] Deadly Avenger - Charlie Don't Surf (68:48)


With thanks to the original artists for their music and inspiration.
Support them by buying their music.

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