REVIEW: SINGER BLUE - Do Jah Works (The Dubateers)

UK label and sound system The Dubateers came out hard in 2006 as a production unit to keep ones eyes on. With minimal digi roots productions recorded at Conscious Sounds studio they really made a place for themself on the dub scene. A string of strong 10:inch vinyl releases came one after another which featured a fairly unknown singer with a raw and unique voice on nearly everyone of them. The singer simply named Singer Blue may seem like a new comer for those who don't know but Singer Blue has been around for years. He cut his first tune "Longtime I No Smoke" as a teenager in the late eighties at King Tubbys studio in Jamaica where he also originates from. In the late ninties he teamed up with Dougie "Conscious" Wardrop of Conscious Sounds to feature on the Hydrophonics albums "Let The Light Shine" and "Songs From The Growing Room" together with Culture Freeman, Chazo and Kenny Knots. In 2004 he released "If I No Jah" riding a reggae relick, of hiphop artist Dr Dre's, "The Next Episode" courtesy of Dougie Conscious. The 45 sold out faster than fast but you can still get it on a compilation called "Nice Up The Dance". From what I heard Singer Blue is a bonafide rootsman helping others in front of himself at times which explains the long wait for new material which now has emerged. Singer Blue and the Dubateers got linked up through Dougie Conscious and it's great to hear the results of the Dubateers family really believing in Singer Blue's talent to the limit where they recorded and put out a whole album with him which in these days are quite rare for an underground roots artist in the UK.

Soundclip - Singer Blue - Have No Fear

The album starts off with the slow and mystic "Have No Fear" which rides a truely original recut of Ken Boothe's "Artibella" rhythm. Then leaps into the uplifting "Taking My Chances" and "Life Goes On" before coming up to the real heavy weights. With its marching rhythm tempo and trumpet blows "Take Control" sets the level for how the rest of the album sounds. This is music meant to be played loud with its basslines tearing up the venue when being dropped by the selector who waits half a minute before lifting up the needle to start it from the top again as the crowd bawls out in enthusiastic cheer. I reckon Singer Blue had exactly that in mind when writting "Dancehall Tonight" which is simple in its vocal delivery but surely does the work. Same goes for "Get Up" which was Dubateers first release with Singer Blue that suprisingly didn't get that much attention when released. Last half of the album all consists of material which has seen release on 10:inch vinyl like "Do Jah Works", "Broken Arrow" and "Jah Jah Riddim" (worth noting is "Jah Jah Riddim" dub cut is different from the 10:inch version) and for the attentive dub follower needs no introduction. Only non Dubateers track on the album is the late eighties vibrant "Run Come Come" who's production credits are in courtesy of the bush "master" chemist, Dougie Wardrop. All tracks are followed by its dub counterparts which I as a lover of dub appriciate to the max.

Soundclip - Singer Blue - Take Control

This is a album I truely recommend both to them already into the UK dub vibe and to those who might just be interested in hearing what all the fuss is about. Minimalistic digi roots with great melodies and thunderous basslines topped by Singer Blue's chanting vocals of struggle, right doing and praises unto almighty Jah.

/Jakob Levi - 4/3 - 07

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