Monday, December 08, 2008

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.

[more info]

Saturday, November 15, 2008

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.


[more info]

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Four [bdmx0024]

Digital Reggae

Inspiration for this 2 year anniversary mixtape comes courtesy of Relaxxx who (like so many before him) got in touch to say that mixtape 5 was his favourite so far - what is it with that techdub compilation?! Well he liked the fact that it was more "electro" than usual which got me thinking about early dancehall, and the fact that I hadn't yet featured that more digital end of the reggae spectrum...

I've crammed in too many classics into this special extended mix to mention each one in turn but a special mention goes to Jah Billah for letting me have a special edition copy of his Locobrigida remix and to Rockamovya - a collective of five musicians spanning the roots of Jamaican reggae and American jazz and who's track 'Warrior Sound' off their new album is destined to be the soundtrack to my summer. Get ready to bop your heads and get set for some sunshine reggae festival magic.

Tracklist:

[01] Banco de Gaia - Shanti (Red with white spots edit) [excerpt] (00:00)
[02] Rod Modell - Space Age Mythology [excerpt] (00:43)
[03] Beat Pharmacy - Wata (water) feat. Mutabaruka (02:05)
[04] Clive Hunt and the Dub Dancers - Da Dub Child (09:01)
[05] Prince Douglas - Sunshine Dub (12:16)
[06] Michael Rose - No Burial (16:09)
[07] Nucleus Roots - Militant Dub (20:27)
[08] Jah Shaka meets Pepper - Joyful Dub (25:07)
[09] Rockamovya - Warrior Sound (30:07)
[10] The Abyssinians - Mabrak (36:50)
[11] Professor Grizzly - Fight the Professor (40:32)
[12] Tenor Saw - Pumpkin Belly (43:58)
[13] White Mice - Youths of Today Version (46:52)
[14] Dennis Brown - The Exit (49:43)
[15] Tenastelin - Burial Tonight Version (54:01)
[16] Deepfried Dub - Trouble and Goodwill (57:09)
[17] Two Lone Swordsmen - Beacon Block (64:23)
[18] Jah Billah meets Locobrigida - Stoned on TV (73:02)
[19] Trio Elétrico - Po Donde Vas feat. Don Caramellow (77:07)

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

[more info]

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Three [bdmx0023]

Reggae Dub Wise

Prepare yourselves, this one's more than a little bit special... Following on from the last instalment's appearance by Yabass, I'm very proud to showcase some of more of the artists from the excellent ReggaeDubwise music community website. I'm privileged and honoured to count myself as a member amongst such luminaries of the online reggae scene.

First off, though, Salmonella Dub kicks the proceedings off with the first in a sprinkling of Kiwi acts - still can't get over the wonderful land of the long white cloud. Watch out for more Aotearoa dub courtesy of Basscamp and Pitch Black, later on in the mix.

Don Fe is a don indeed amongst the world wide community of reggae producers at ReggaeDubwise.com. Here he represents with the wonderful Iron Flute Dub, followed up by DUBSYNATICX's super-chilled Treasure Isle Dub. Lackatee's another of my favourite artists at RDW. Here he's in full effect with a choice dub featuring Zacheous Jackson.

The Radikal Dub Collective pick up the pace a little before Version Big-Fi show off the talents which quite rightly earned them a nomination for "Best Dub Recording Or Album" at the 2008 Reggae Academy Awards... we're all proud of you guys!

From the Dub Syndicate's classic Commandment to Stereotyp breaking all the rules, Fruity's Diced and Sliced brings us neatly to Earlywrm, another producer creating waves online with his fresh and truly original productions. Basscamp edge us into more modern, dance orientated styles before Manudub displays his versatility with a hypnotic deep house cut which slips effortlessly into Pitch Black's Alternate State of consciousness. More dance floor action, although this time of a very different type, from Black Grass. The recent album launch party for their forthcoming third Long Player showed a too-cool-to-dance hoxton crowd how to boogie with a very special mix of soul, funk, hip-hop and reggae. Thanks for bringing a little bit of Brighton to the capital :)

Finally, just one more dance floor selection before Big Bud winds up the proceedings with an uncharacteristically downtempo offering.

Tracklist:

[01] Salmonella Dub - Problems (dat little ting dub) son.sine mix (00:00)
[02] Don Fe - Iron Flute Dub (05:16)
[03] DUBSYNATICX - Treasure Isle DUB (08:37)
[04] Lackatee - Weh do deh Dub (Zacheous Jackson in Dub) Drummie Zeb Riddim (11:40)
[05] Ai Bod Dub (To Be Dub) - Llwybr Llaethog Mewn Dyb (In Dub) excerpt (15:26)
[06] RADIKAL DUB KOLEKTIV - DUB is on the move (15:54)
[07] Version Big-Fi - This is the Law (Big-Fi Dub) (20:24)
[08] Dub Syndicate - Roots Commandment (23:47)
[09] Stereotyp meets Al'Haca - Synthesis (feat. Sara) (29:11)
[10] Fruity - Diced and Sliced (33:52)
[11] Earlywrm - Lightfeather and Dread (38:41)
[12] Basscamp - Honour Bound (Basscamp Remix) (42:17)
[13] Manudub - Stop Di Pressure (feat. Sista Da) (47:135)
[14] Pitch Black - Alternate State (53:41)
[15] Black Grass - Nice Up (58:49)
[16] Dubstrible Sound System - Raggatronique (64:12)
[17] Big Bud feat. Hooligan - Super8skank (68:08)


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

[more info]

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty Two [bdmx0022]

Silver Linings

This happy-go-lucky collection starts on a slow burn with Burnt Friedman's inimitable filtered reggae-funk before taking off courtesy of Noiseshapper and Dreadzone, both stalwarts of the live dub scene at festivals across europe and beyond. Big up to Yabass who stands proudly amongst such greats with a huge production which he's made freely available on the excellent community website at reggaeDubwise. Much respect to this veteran of the reggae scene for the good vibes he helps to promote.

Hervé Salters, sometime Quannum Collective collaborator, just missed out on last month's hip-hop special. Here he represents with a great, quirky General Electriks track. Just can't get enough of Rhythm & Sound, whether their vocal version reworkings or, as here, with their clean minimal techno instrumentals. Gare Du Nord provides a nice bluesy interlude before a couple of great digidub offerings from Stefan Obermaier and David Last. Yet more Burnt Friedman, this time in the guise of Flanger, an electronic jazz project with Uwe Schmidt who some might know better as Señor Coconut. After the slightly disappointing re-release of Air's Moon Safari (so-so extra CD, great video documentary), here Rob's Musique Pour Un Enfant Jouet outdoes Godin & Dunckel at their own game, providing plenty of [A]mour, [I]magination and [R]êve. The things you learn on discogs.com...

Early Chemical Brothers circa 1994, off the Fourteenth Century Sky EP, before threatened legal action forced them to change their name. Cue exit planet dust. Time for some disco-electro fun courtesy of Jona Lewie followed up by an intelligent dancefloor filler from ZFO. We head home with Eels' anti-hero anthem. Enjoy the ride.


Tracklist:

[01] Burnt Friedman - Platin Tundra (00:00)
[02] Noiseshaper - Bushmaster (Kid Kenobi Session RMX feat. MC Shureshock) (05:03)
[03] Dreadzone - Once Upon A Time (In Jamaica) (10:30)
[04] Yabass - WaLLs oF BaBylOn (15:46)
[05] General Electriks - Facing That Void (feat. Maroons) (21:17)
[06] Rhythm & Sound - Mango Drive (24:19)
[07] Gare Du Nord - Pablo's Blues (Full Version) (31:05)
[08] Stefan Obermaier - Inna Fat Dub Combo (35:40)
[09] David Last - Cat-Silver (40:03)
[10] Flanger - Bosco's Disposable Driver (44:34)
[11] Rob - Musique Pour Un Enfant Jouet (47:19)
[12] Dust Brothers - One Too many Mornings (50:31)
[13] Jona Lewie - You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties (54:11)
[14] ZFO - P. Funk I & II (57:02)
[15] Eels - Love of the Loveless (63:37)


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


[more info]

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Baroque Dub - It's A Lifestyle Thing (remastered) [bd0008]

Originally released in 1999 (is it really 9 years ago?!) this newly remastered version of the samplelicious classic is finally presented here in all of its unadulterated glory. Predominantly recorded using an AtariST, an E64 sampler and a Mackie mixer these were the days before plug-ins, soft synths and all singing, all dancing timestretching, hard-disk recording DAW's. You can hear the midiverb effects working overtime, the over compressed, over driven buses pumping away, ducking the mix in time to the bass. Let's take it back to the old school!

Conceived as the soundtrack to an imaginary film detailing the exploits of a young man's struggle through the trials of ghetto life, the album is now available as originally intended, in the form of one continuous 54 minute mix.

01. bubble music [00:00]
02. millennium party vibe [03:58]
03. kill for me [07:56]
04. db dub [12:38]
05. le funk [17:17]
06. milton groove [21:06]
07. brown is the new black [25:42]
08. the last of his tribe [30:42]
09. electric city [33:55]
10. king sequence [38:53]
11. call me black [43:46]
12. the comeback special [48:25]

[more info]

[bd_0007_side_a] Baroque Dub - Billy Jean Version

[more info]

[bd_0007_side_b] Baroque Dub - Artibella Dub

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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty One [bdmx0021]

Beats, Breaks and Rhymes

A hip-hop orientated mixtapes's been a long time coming and what better time then as we come of age and turn 21? For the uninitiated, there's nothing to fear; Bill Laswell and the Black Roots start you off on familiar roots territory before DJ Krush breaks out the beats in the most chilled out way possible. First off Prince Paul & Dan The Automator, each legendary in their own right, come together to remind the hip-hop fraternity that the genre can be used to talk intelligently about issues that matter more than women and bling. Next up two cuts from NTM, defunct superstars of the French scene, just to prove that not only do you not have to be American to make great hip-hop, but you can blend in influences as diverse as classical music and reggae toasting. Time now for the greats; Gang Starr and EPMD, the rhymes flowing like poetry followed by backroom genius Tommy Guerrero. The Quannum collective represents in full effect before Jedi Mind Tricks fly the flag for the young contenders. DAC's niga is as close to gansta rap as I get and if you've made it this far then you're probably ready for a reggae/beats mashup as exemplified by the Sofa Surfers, here featuring DJ Collage. Clean breaks from IV My People (more french hip-hop with Kool Shen making the NTM connection) then into electro/pop territory with Fujiya & Miyagi - a sign of just how far hip-hop culture has spread. The Roots' huge The Seed is an absolute classic of the genre, but it's not over yet... The Flirts from '82 predates Herbie Hancock's rockit by a year and (however cheesy) must have been a big electro influence with its HiNRG synth-pop. We finish off with yet another good use for a breakbeat; the funky psychedlic workout. Turn on, tune in , drop out. As far as hip-hop beats and breaks are concerned everything is allowed, everything is permitted.

Tracklist:

[01] Bill Laswell meets Style Scott - Crooklyn Dub Collective (00:00)
[02] Black Roots - Kool Con (07:43)
[03] DJ Krush - Mu-Getsu (10:51)
[04] Handsome Boy Modeling School - The World's Gone Mad (17:11)
[05] Suprême NTM - That's My people (22:24)
[06] Suprême NTM - Ma Benz (26:05)
[07] Gang Starr - The Militia (Feat. Big Shug And Freddie Foxxx) (29:53)
[08] EPMD - Strictly Business (34:32)
[09] Tommy Guerrero - War No More (40:46)
[10] Lyrics Born & The Poets Of Rhythm - I Changed My Mind (44:09)
[11] Jedi Mind Tricks - Raw Is War (48:41)
[12] DAC - Niga (51:33)
[13] Sofa Surfers - Babylon Tymes (feat. DJ Collage) (54:15)
[14] IV My People - Bom Bye Zee (58:52)
[15] Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone (61:32)
[16] The Roots - The Seed (2.0) feat. Cody Chesnutt (65:28)
[17] The Flirts - Passion (69:50)
[18] Chris Joss - You've Been Spiked (78:04)


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

[more info]

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Twenty [bdmx0020]

Deep Down Dubs & Heartfelt Chants

Nothing but solid gold classics on this straight down the line compilation of both old and new reggae and dub tracks. It's a slow burning start with the Butch Cassidy Sound System proving that the best modern productions can easily stand alongside upfront dub greats such as the Mad Professor. KC White's lyrical brilliance takes us neatly into Horace Andy's superfluous reworking of Natural Mystic (maybe best known to some as a Bob Marley and The Wailers original) Ernest Ranglin's timeless dub brings us back to more modern times. Both the Dub Syndicate and, old friends, the G Corp have earned their place amongst the best of the new school, here standing proudly alongside Prince Jammy. Next up a truly heartfelt story from the Brooklyn Funk Essentials before a spicing of hip-hop picks up the pace. Before you know it you're propelled into Andrew Weatherall's massive 'Wilmot' - full of respect for the genre yet a wonderfully creative reinvention of what reggae/dancehall can be. One of my all time favourites. It's time to head home with Toots & The Maytals (this time not a Marley reworking!) and Devon Russel's wonderful 'You Found Heaven'. Then squeeze just one more wafer thin classic from The Exiles and you're done. Proper.

Tracklist:

[01] Senking - Movies (excerpt) (00:00)
[02] Aquizim & Mad Professor - Kunta Kinte Dub (00:30)
[03] Butch Cassidy Sound System - The Putney (05:03)
[04] KC White - Let's Love (08:39)
[05] Horace Andy - Natural Mystic (13:23)
[06] Mike Brooks - Sensie Man (16:32)
[07] Wanachi - Black Root (19:23)
[08] Ernest Ranglin - Surfin (22:15)
[09] Dub Creator - Country Living Dub feat. Ras Milo (24:33)
[10] Dub Syndicate - African Landing (28:36)
[11] Groove Corporation - Drunken Master (34:23)
[12] Prince Jammy - Dub Ites Green & Gold (39:00)
[13] Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Dilly Dally (42:31)
[14] Afu-Ra - D&D Soundclash feat. Cocoa Brovas & Jahdan (47:19)
[15] Coo Coo Cal - My Projects (51:12)
[16] Sabres Of Paradise - Wilmot (55:03)
[17] Toots & The Maytals - Redemption Song (62:04)
[18] Devon Russell - You Found Heaven (65:24)
[19] The Exiles - Fussing & Dubbing (68:52)



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


[more info]

Monday, February 04, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Nineteen [bdmx0019]

Broken Goods

After a deceptively welcoming start, this ninteeth instalment in the baroquedub mixtape series settles into an edgy, bitter sweet journey through deep bass and sparse beats. Psychotic psychedelia and hypnotic breakdowns abound but don't despair, a handful of misshapen pearls have been thrown in there to light your way through the gloom.

Tracklist:

[01] International Observer - Welcome (00:00)
[02] Stereotype and Soothsayer - Dub Club Track (04:34)
[03] Murcof - Memoria (Sutekh's Trisagion Mix) (08:56)
[04] Monkey Mafia - Make Jah Music (13:15)
[05] Gorillaz - Spitting Out The Demons (19:51)
[06] Bomb The Bass - Bug Powder Dust (Dub) (23:45)
[07] Richard Kirk - Oneski (27:56)
[08] Boozoo Bajou - Keep Going (feat. Tony Joe White) (34:03)
[09] Faya Dub - Irie Dub (38:26)
[10] Lee 'Scratch' Perry & The Upsetters - Dread Lion (42:21)
[11] Burning Spear - Jah A Guh Raid (46:55)
[12] Distance - My Demons (53:13)
[13] The Simplicity People - Their Own Way (Version) (57:44)
[14] The Aggrovators - Sun Is Shining Dub (61:01)
[15] Harmonic 33 - Planet 54 (64:20)


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


[more info]

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Baroque Dub Mixtape Eighteen [bdmx0018]

Old School Ska Mix

A number of years in the making, this collection of back to back classics marks a bit of a departure from the usual eclecticism of baroquedub mixtapes. Apart from the two closing tracks when the tempo drops enough to start to hint at more of a reggae beat, this mix consists of 100% unadulterated ska. For the uninitiated, you'll find all the greats together in one bumper 105 minute compilation. As for the connoisseurs, just sit back and enjoy a non-stop party mix, expertly crafted for your dancing pleasure.

Tracklist:

[01] The Maytals - Night and Day (00:00)
[02] Tony Tribe - Red Red Wine (02:38)
[03] Lester Sterling & Stranger Cole - Bangarang (05:35)
[04] The Techniques - Oh Ba-a-by (Sick & Tired) (08:11)
[05] Desmond Dekker & The Aces - 007 (Shanty Town) (10:54)
[06] Tommy McCook & Lester Sterling - Inez (13:29)
[07] Stranger Cole - Rough And Tough (16:39)
[08] Stranger Cole & Patsy Todd - When I Call Your Name (19:33)
[09] Eric Morris & Baba Brooks - Strongman Samson (22:40)
[10] Baba Brooks - Musical Communion (25:09)
[11] Treasure Island All Stars - Alley Cat Ska (28:05)
[12] Roland Alphonso - Feeling Fine (30:37)
[13] Don Drummond - Burning Touch (33:23)
[14] Eric Morris & The Duke Reid Group - What A Man Doeth (36:14)
[15] Lyn Taitt and His Comets - Storm Warning (38:37)
[16] Owen & Leon Silvera and the Skatalite Band - Next Door Neighbour (40:57)
[17] Toots & The Maytals - Monkey Man (43:19)
[18] Baba Brooks & Don Drummond - Ddecker (46:52)
[19] Clive & Naomi - Open The Door (49:32)
[20] The Pioneers - Mama Look Deh (51:31)
[21] Lord Brynner - Congo War (54:09)
[22] Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Carry Go Bring Home (57:25)
[23] Chuck & Dobby - I Don't Need Your Love (60:03)
[24] Don Drummond - Eastern Standard Time (62:45)
[25] Justin Hinds & The Dominoes with the Skatalite Band - Over (65:43)
[26] Justin Hinds & The Dominoes with the Skatalite Band - Corn (67:55)
[27] Roland Alphonso - Phoenix City (70:13)
[28] The Dreamlets - Really Now (72:58)
[29] Tommy Cook & his Skatalites - Silver Dollar (75:11)
[30] Derrick Morgan and the Baba Brooks Band - Guns Fever (78:00)
[31] The Skatalites - Twelve Minutes To Go (80:45)
[32] Shenley Duffus - Rukumbine (83:42)
[33] Duke Reid, Baba Brooks & Drumbago - Night Food (86:12)
[34] The Skatalites - Lucky Seven (88:52)
[35] Eric Morris - Penny Reel (91:38)
[36] Baba Brooks - River Bank, Pt2 (93:58)
[37] Stranger & Patsy and The Skatalite Band - Hog In Cocoa (96:40)
[38] Ken Parker - Jimmy Brown (98:53)
[39] John Holt - Mr Bojangles (101:13)



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