Baroque Dub Mixtape Fourty [bdmx0040] Massive!

We kick things off with a suitably chilled out track from Polish tech-dub netlabel Qunabu. It's been a while since I've included this kind of electronic dub on one of the mixtapes. Then Army Of One pick up the pace with a wonderful reworking of Horace Andy's Every Tongue Shall Tell.

Next up is the first of many selections from the Africa Beat label - I'm just loving the bouncy good vibes of their dancehall releases! The screw dem riddim here appears as an instrumental by Dreadsquad followed up by Perfect's take.

Then we're back to more traditional baroquedub vibes with Nick Holder's upfront UK steppers anthem followed neatly by a dubstep-ish offering from Bdum Bdum Sound. Regular listeners will be well aware of my slight loss of faith in the dubstep scene, but this track's got all the bassbin defying, floor shaking, head nodding fun I used to like in the genre. Top work!

Legends of the sound system, Iration Steppas represent with a classic conscious lyrical outing. At a time when many are thinking about their New Year's resolutions, it's a timely reminder that dreads is an attitude not a fashion. Be it, live it - it ain't about what you look like but about who you are.

Perfect is up again with another riddim from Africa Beat, this one entitled Bad Boys 2009. I so wish I'd found this track a few months ago before my set at Shambala's Roots Yard - this one's made for blasting across fields of tents at a festival! :) Burro Banton jumps on the riddim without dropping a beat before switching to the Cherry Pie riddim with No problem. This is dancehall as party music rather than gangster slackness. As it should be!

Junior Cony was a relatively recent discovery for me. I can't recommend his blend of upfront dance dynamics and big dubs enough! This one grooves and powers along before propelling us into Little John's floor pleaser. After what some purists might find a little too mainstream it's time to get back to some classic roots with Freddie McKay's timeless sermon and a perfect Johnny Osbourne double. You might say that they don't make 'em like that any more but the Mad Professor's mix of assorted Negus Roots backing tracks is a great example of the next generation taking on the reggae mantle and reinventing it in exemplary style.

I couldn't end this 40th anniversary selection without a nod back to the global perspective and world beats and breaks that have peppered previous compilations. What better example than Caliajah hip-hop/reggae crossover, or Djosos Krost's wonderfully funky MPC workout, followed by some chilled beats from Yonderboi?

We finish off with the ever prolific M. Ward whose She & Him duets with actress Zooey Deschanel, I'd particularly recommend to fans of 50s nostalgia. Here he wraps things up neatly with a nearly seasonal ditty. Here's to the next One Hundred Million Years...

[01] Experimenthal Dubbing Sessions - Broke Mi Nekk (00:00)
[02] Army Of One - Revelation Dub (06:08)
[03] Dreadsquad - Screw Dem (version) (11:23)
[04] Perfect - Reggae Music (13:11)
[05] Nick Holder - Moments in Dub (16:03)
[06] Bdum Bdum Sound – The 7 Solution (19:05)
[07] Iration Steppas feat. Tena Stelin - Locks (22:34)
[08] Perfect - 10 Pound of Ganja (27:14)
[09] Burro Banton - Nah Drop Di Ting (30:48)
[10] Burro Banton - No Problem (34:17)
[11] Junior Cony - Originally Dub Mix 1 (37:24)
[12] Little John - Block Traffic (41:47)
[13] Freddie McKay - I'm A Free Man (45:19)
[14] Johnny Osbourne - Truth And Rights (47:52)
[15] Johnny Osbourne - Black Starliner (vocal) (50:30)
[16] Negus Roots meets the Mad Professor - Wicked Skank (54:08)
[17] Caliajah - Es El Tiempo (feat. Breda Ghatto)(58:17)
[18] Djosos Krost - Cover Me (feat. Little Tasha) (61:42)
[19] Yonderboi - Tameless (64:34)
[20] M. Ward - One Hundred Million Years (70:51)

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 Nine [bdmx0039] Heavy, Heavy Culture

We kick things off with a heavy, heavy dub from an experimental Welsh band who are equally versatile in rap, reggae, hip hop, and punk before getting back to more familiar baroquedub territory thanks to Linval Thompson's roots classic followed by DEB Music Players, produced by the legendary Dennis Brown, laying down the perfect groove.

From Jamaica we take a trip to the Hawaiian island of Kahalu'u with reggae band Natural Vibrations, before heading off to the land of the long white cloud and two choice remixes of the already wonderful Cay's Crays. We're now truly in digi-dub territory with Radical Guru's steppers anthem leading the way for Israeli DJ Kukan Dub Lagan here sampling what sounds to me like an uncredited Ari Up, being as upfront and raw as only she can be. Regular favourites Radikal Dub Kolektiv pull off a neat 'half time da riddim' trick on the classic steppers beat, which brings us neatly back to some conscious one drop lyrics from Ras Michael, followed by more wise words courtesy of Rod Taylor.

Sly & Robbie Meet The Mad Professor with a psychedelic mix perfect as an introduction to Heavyweight Dub Champion and Brooklyn-based Dr Isreal. The ever prolific Dubmatix lightens the mood (check out the new album and his contribution on the forthcoming on Dub Side of The Moon remix album) then things start to wind down with Beres Hammond's Last War. From one great singer to another and a little bit more with a Michael Rose dancehall killa. Time to call it a day with Max Romeo's crowd pleaser.

[01] Llwybr Llaethog - Mynd Adre' Dub (00:00)
[02] Linval Thompson - Jah Jah Dreader Than Dread (04:44)
[03] DEB Music Players - Ragga Muffin Style (08:15)
[04] Natural Vibrations - Reggae Singer (11:58)
[05] Fat Freddy's Drop - Cay's Crays (Digital Mystikz remix) (15:59)
[06] Fat Freddy's Drop - Cay's Crays (Kalbata remix) (20:19)
[07] Radical Guru - New Decade (original mix) (25:21)
[08] Kukan Dub Lagan - What a Day (30:05)
[09] Radikal Dub Kolektiv - Sackaj (36:26)
[10] Ras Michael - None a Jah Jah Children No Cry (43:33)
[11] Rod Taylor - Don't Give It Up (47:20)
[12] Sly & Robbie Meet The Mad Professor - Cool Dude (51:14)
[13] Dr. Israel - Survivor (54:07)
[14] Dubmatix - Aint Got No Love Dub (59:28)
[15] Beres Hammond - Last War (63:36)
[16] Michael Rose - A Little Bit More (67:39)
[17] Max Romeo - Chase The Devil (72:00)

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 Eight [bdmx0038] Rub-a-Dub Stylin'

After last month's marathon DJ session, this mixtape has been stripped back down to a lean and mean selection of nothing but the very best in bass heavy anthems. From modern digi-dub workouts to classic roots grooves, there's something here to please even the most demanding of dub fans. Definitely one for the purists. Enjoy!

[01] Sola Rosa - Dual 35 (00:00)
[02] Asian Dub Foundation - Tu Meri (04:49)
[03] Fish & Goat At the Controls - Dub Warming (10:56)
[04] Deadbeat - Roots and Wire (16:14)
[05] Noiseshaper - The Only Redeemer (Groove Corporation Remix) (21:23)
[06] Desi All Stars - Leicester Dub (26:36)
[07] Horace Andy - Love Hangover (29:46)
[08] Cornell Campbell - Brothers Killing Brothers (34:00)
[09] John Clarke - Creator (36:53)
[10] Augustus Pablo - Thunderclap (39:57)
[11] Eek-a-mouse - Stadium Hot (42:16)
[12] Karmine - Jamrock (45:17)
[13] High Tone - Rub-a-Dub Anthem (50:02)
[14] Augustus Pablo And The Simplicity People - K.G.'s Half Way Tree (54:58)
[15] Noel Ellis - To Hail Salassie (58:15)
[16] Barrington Levy - One Foot Jo-Jo (64:29)
[17] Johnny Clarke & Jah Shaka - Babylon (12 inch version) (67:28)
[18] Rod Taylor & The Soul Syndicate - Ethopian Version (76:18)

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 Seven [bdmx0037] 5 hour Live DJ Set

At nearly five hours in length, this marathon DJ set is a warts and all live mix guaranteed to get any party pumping to the very best in dub and reggae sounds. Enjoy this eclectic mix of upfront soundsystem anthems, roots classics, and much, much more, all infused with live dubwise FX and nothing but uplifting conscious vibes. Dread at the controls!

This one's dedicated to Robin, Damon and the rest of the Jam Jah crew / Friendly Fire soundsystem who each year bless the Shambala festival with the one and only Roots Yard. Thanks for having me play this year :) Shout out also goes out to Chris, John, Dan and all of the Shambala family for all the hard work that goes into organising such a wonderful event.

[01] Singer Blue - Never Stop Praise Jah Jah (00:00)
[02] Manasseh - No Bad Mind (vocal) (03:22)
[03] Dubmatix - Blessing of Compassion (feat. Alton Ellis) (06:53)
[04] Basscamp - Honour Bound (Basscamp Remix) (11:02)
[05] Dubmatix - Champion Sound (15:51)
[06] Oluge - Istanbul Yard (20:06)
[07] The Circles - Mammy Blue (24:08)
[08] Devon Russell - You Found Heaven (26:42)
[09] Cutty Ranks & Lightning Head - The Stopper (Richard Dorfmeister Meets Markus Kienzl Vocal) (29:47)
[10] Thievery Corporation - Warning Shots (34:23)
[11] Radar - Ya Rayah (38:53)
[12] Stefan Obermaier - Inna Fat Dub Combo (42:36)
[13] Razoof & O'Finken - Spirituality (Stefan Obermaier Dub) (46:38)
[14] Katchafire - Collie Herb Man (Sola Rosa 'Run Come For You' Mix) (52:07)
[15] Rodney Hunter ft. Paul St. Hilaire - Vampire (56:16)
[16] Zentone - Crash Test (60:04)
[17] Digital Analog Band - Mystical (63:34)
[18] Fat Beat Sound System (feat. Hosni) - Baba Sheriff (67:54)
[19] Mad Cobra - Must Get Ahead (71:42)
[20] A Man Called PJ - Sound like (feat. Bongo Chilli) (74:10)
[21] Black Grass - Nice Up (77:01)
[22] Dubmatix - War, Peace & Dub (82:26)
[23] Dreadzone - Mean Old World (85:12)
[24] Bajofondo - Pa'Bailar-Bailarin En El Tren (91:18)
[25] Boozoo Bajou - Killer (feat. Top Cat) (93:52)
[26] D.O.P. - On No (98:21)
[27] Uptight Sound System - Righteous Dub (102:44)
[28] Sardinia Bass Legalize - Leaves (106:27)
[29] Bob Skeng - The Lion (110:43)
[30] Bob Skeng - The Lion (Version a de Principle) (113:48)
[31] Culture Iron - Sharpen Iron (116:55)
[32] Earl 16 - Niyabinghi (120:35)
[33] Sandoz - Strike Fire (123:38)
[34] Slimmah Sound - Thanks & Praises Dub (128:41)
[35] Dreadzone - Once Upon a Time (in Jamaica) (132:29)
[36] Dreadzone - Once Upon a Time (Breaks Mix) (137:28)
[37] Code M.D. - Higher (142:55)
[38] AMP feat. Echo Ranks - Mr Warmonger (149:30)
[39] Kion & Murda - Dub Cinderella (Feat. Errol Dunkley) (152:39)
[40] Prince Alla - Captive Birds (157:29)
[41] Noiseshaper - Bushmaster (Kid Kenobi Session RMX) (feat. MC Shureshock) (161:06)
[42] Capital Letters - UK Skanking 12 disco mix (166:22)
[43] Respek I-Spek - Touch I Heart (173:42)
[44] Soul Tops - Warning Sound (180:32)
[45] Bim Sherman - Golden Locks (182:39)
[46] Ini Kamoze - World A Music (185:33)
[47] Michael Rose - No Burial (190:55)
[48] Movements - Seid Auf Der Hut (Dub) (195:04)
[49] Alpha & Omega - Dub Flute (197:51)
[50] Jah Shaka - Throne Of God (201:07)
[51] Ava Leigh - Over The Bridge (205:07)
[52] Professor grizzly - fight the professor (209:32)
[53] Tenor Saw - Pumpkin Belly (213:03)
[54] Reggie Stepper - Cu-Oonuh (216:04)
[55] Confucius and Mysterious D - Dangerzone V.I.P. (Dancehall Rmx) (219:08)
[56] The Gladiators - Hearsay (222:58)
[57] Prince Buster - Nothing Takes the Place of You (225:07)
[58] The Freedom Singers - Get You Off My Mind (228:36)
[59] The Interns - Nothing is Impossible (230:44)
[60] Robert Lee - Put Down Your Guns (234:01)
[61] Eek-A-Mouse - Rude Boy Jamaican (241:11)
[62] The Heptones - Through The Fire I Come (Ext. Mix) (245:03)
[63] Benny Page - Can't Test (251:06)
[64] Benny Page - Can't Test (Kenny Ken remix) (256:25)
[65] Big Bud - Children Of Jah (266:04)
[66] Big Bud - Rice 'n' Beans (272:38)
[67] Kenny Ken - Everyman (Benny Page remix) (277:48)
[68] Dub Syndicate - Wadada (Means Love) (282:48)

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

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[bd0014 Side B2] Baroque Dub - Valley of Dub (Roots Dub)

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[bd0014 Side B1] Baroque Dub - Valley of Dub (Original Mix)

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[bd0014 Side A2] Baroque Dub - Soundtest

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[bd0014 Side A1] Baroque Dub - Washboard Stepper

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Thirty Six [bdmx0036] Righteous & Upfront Dub

People get ready for some upfront and righteous dub - the Upright Sound System gets the party started before Tone396 (the first of two contributions from the legendary Version Big-Fi producer) takes the reins and propels the mix into proper dance territory.

We take a slight breather with Prince Jammy before Dan-I and King Kietu get us back to more sound system goodness. Slimmah Sound's deep, soulful anthem is a beauty to behold and flows into yet more conscious sounds from Ijahman - a cut from the fascinating Time Warp Dub Clash (Old School vs. New School) compilation LP. At which point it seems a good time pay our respects to the originators with The Revolutionaries' Outlaw Dub before morphing back to the new school with a Manasseh mash-up.

Israel Vibration's sweet, sweet harmonies lead on to more pure roots majesty from Peter Broggs & Jah Warrior. Then Brother Culture's digital dancehall sound reminds us of how far we've come from Don Carlos and the Roots of Dancehall. Time to ease into Dub Scientist's wonderfully melodic Creation, before Barry Brown heats things up again with Fire, Fire and Lone Ranger rattles off his extraterrestrial shaggy dog story. More vocal bliss courtesy of Prince Alla with a track that's simply awesome in the depth of both its production and its message, followed by further conscious lyrics from AMP Outernational featuring Echo Ranks on vocal duties.

Version Big-Fi represent again with their up-for-it take on The Bug's Skeng, leading us neatly into a sprinkling of dubstep and the Phokus remix of Jazzsteppa's Five. Dubsteppers are still peddling their wobble bass but this one's got more than enough charm in its use of rootsy horns to let the track rise above some of the unoriginality of the genre. Someone who certainly couldn't be accused of doing things by numbers, trailblazer Disrupt makes yet another appearance on a baroquedub mixtape with a suitably over-cooked yet sizzling production.

We're nearly home. It could have all ended with Linval Thompson's A Wicked Dub but Espers provide just one more track to cleanse your pallet and let you drift off to where ever you're heading. Until next time...

[01] Upright Sound System - Righteous Dub (00:00)
[02] Tone 396 vs Bob Marley and the Wailers - Exodus (04:20)
[03] Prince Jammy - Throne of Blood (10:10)
[04] Dan-I and King Kietu - Perfect Love (Dubplate) (13:05)
[05] Slimmah Sound - Thanks and Praises Dub (15:54)
[06] Ijahman - Whip That Tarantula (19:59)
[07] The Revolutionaries - Outlaw Dub (23:13)
[08] Manasseh - Last Call Pub (24:31)
[09] Israel Vibration - Unconquered People and Dub (28:55)
[10] Peter Broggs & Jah Warrior - Lef Babylon and Dub (32:23)
[11] Brother Culture - Tru De Valley (35:56)
[12] Don Carlos - Roots Man Party (40:10)
[13] Dub Scientist - Creation (43:12)
[14] Barry Brown - Fire Fire (45:40)
[15] Lone Ranger - U.F.O. (48:50)
[16] Prince Alla - Captive Birds (51:26)
[17] AMP feat. Echo Ranks - Mr Warmonger (55:11)
[18] Version Big-Fi vs The Bug - Skeng (Big-Fi remix) (58:19)
[19] Jazzsteppa - Five (Phokus remix) (63:24)
[19] Disrupt - Chip On Fire (69:10)
[20] Linval Thompson - A Wicked Dub (73:07)
[21] Espers - Black Is the Color (76:44)

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

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[bd0013_side_b2] Baroque Dub - Skanking Version

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[bd0013_side_b1] Baroque Dub - Burning Version

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[bd0013_side_a] Baroque Dub - Badness Can't Work

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[bd0012_side_b] Baroque Dub - Tezter

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[bd0012_side_a] Baroque Dub - Southside Dub

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Baroque Dub Mixtape Thirty Five [bdmx0035] Soundsystem Goodness

Singer Blue & The Dubateers kick off an hour long mix full of soundsystem goodness, with the Atiko Minus Project from Greece and Energy Crew, from France, both doing a great impersonation of the UK Dub sound. On to more of a Jamaican dancehall vibe with Papa San, Super Cat and Eek-A-Mouse representing - but not forgetting a slight detour to Trinidad (via Toronto) courtesy of Kobo Town's exquisite take on traditional calypso rhythms.

A personal favourite, Disrupt's 8bit reggae brings the proceedings back up to date before we launch into Gü-Mix's jump-up, club-friendly sound (more of which later...) Dubmatix take things straight back to the roots with reggae veteran Alton Ellis guesting on vocals then Waldeck gets us back to the dancefloor with a wonderfully wonky conscious techno stomper that would make Rhythm & Sound proud. Next up is the highly recommended glitch-hop dub of Automaton followed by Dub Li Cut's sub-heavy junglist/breaks mash-up.

Rodney Hunter is the third Viennese-school producer on this mix (Gü-Mix and Waldeck also both come from the city that gave us Kruder & Dorfmeister) Featuring stalwart Paul St. Hilaire, this Dub Club classic is an anthem worthy of this hallowed club (started by none other than Gü-Mix way back in 1995).

Having travelled from underground soundsystem to the mainstream of club culture, it's time to wind up the proceedings with the Clancy Eccles All Stars literally taking us back to the root of it all; Kingston Town.

Turn up the bass and enjoy the ride.

[01] Singer Blue & The Dubateers - Never Stop Praise Jah Jah (00:00)
[02] Atiko Minus Project - The Warriors Are Moving Version (03:29)
[03] Energy Crew ft. Genese - Judgement Day (07:02)
[04] Energy Crew - Dub Vibration (Judgement Day with Rico) (10:20)
[05] Papa San - Stay Far (13:36)
[06] Kobo Town - Abatina (17:02)
[07] Super Cat - Oh It's You (21:49)
[08] Eek-A-Mouse - Rude Boy Jamaican (25:14)
[09] Disrupt - Second Hand Dub (29:03)
[10] Gü-Mix - Get Up Man (31:46)
[11] Dubmatix ft. Alton Ellis - Blessing of Compassion (37:14)
[12] Waldeck - Love Dub (41:40)
[13] Automaton - Digidub (Linton Kwesi Johnson Mix) (46:02)
[14] Dub Li Cut - Konzerto (51:09)
[15] Rodney Hunter ft. Paul St. Hilaire - Vampire (55:00)
[16] Clancy Eccles All Stars - Kingston Town (58:44)

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 Four [bdmx0034]

Cold, Sad Times

Settle yourselves down in front of a roaring fire for a journey through some of the more melancholy reaches of dub infused soundscapes. Feeling the effects of a long cold UK winter...

[01] Etherealites - Embers (00:00)
[02] Lee Perry & The Upsetters - Dub and Praise (05:03)
[03] Cool Breeze Sound System - A Little Rain (07:36)
[04] Israel Vibration - Unconquered Dub (12:07)
[05] Earl Sixteen - Reggae Sound (15:40)
[06] Dub Trees - Mountain Dub (21:47)
[07] Messenjah - Mr Politician (27:20)
[08] Disrupt - Kozure Okami (30:54)
[09] Fairmont - Coloured In Memory (34:58)
[10] Hallucinogen - Spiritual Antiseptic (Minty Fresh Confidence Mix) (37:27)
[11] Goldmaster Allstars - Push Harder (45:00)
[12] Alpha & Omega - Rastafari (49:31)
[13] Movements - Seid Auf Der Hut (Dub) (52:59)
[14] The Paragons - Indian James (Man Next Door) (56:26)
[15] Sacred System - Black Lotus (59:33)
[16] Mogwai - Cody (69:24)

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

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