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REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS - Roots Of Dub Funk 5 (Tanty Records)

Tanty Records main focus is dub music. Not necessarily strict reggae type of dub but still with that kind of to it. The label is run by dub enthusiast Kelvin R who's been compiling excellent dub compilations since a couple of years back. The "Roots O Dub Funk" series has always included a broad selection of dub music with creators from all over the world which is equally present on this volume as well. You got well known UK dub acts like Alpha & Omega, Vibronics and Mad Professor sharing time with new comers like Social Living Sounds from Sweden and The Technician from Australia among others. Dub creators from a total of eights countries are to be found which all have a sound of their own.

The CD is very versatile in its choice of artists and styles. You got chill out dub from Maka Ron feat Jarex with "Secret Selector Dub", which strongly reminds me of Thievery Corporations soundscape, and 4 Series "Fire In The Skies" which gets me thinking of Primal Scream's dub ambient project "Echo Dek". Also some semi etno/funk dub thing called "Rebel Style" from Eastern Dub Tactik. As for some real knobbtwisting dub from Bajimba and Mad Professor which takes you on a dub roller-coaster. There are some real strong dub pieces from the UK roots massive present on here as well. Like Vibronics "Right Phase Dub", who you might recognize since it's using the rhythm of Jah Marnyah's "Anoited One" which tore up at dances last year. Same goes for Alpha & Omega's "Bush Ganja Dub" who's simply a dub version of their Gregory Isaacs collaboration "Bush Canta". More UK styled dub can be found by Dutch dub master Dubcreator with the fast and furious stepper "Freeman Dub" as for Abassi All Stars hornfuiled steppers "Danger Dub" featuring some vocals flying around and about by newcomer Jr Kigwa. Swedish dub duo Social Living Sounds also does well with their meditational "Guide I Dub". You can find more of the same vibe on their showcase album "Social Living Sounds meet Gary Dub" on Dub Flash which came last year.

soundclip - Dubcreator - Freeman Dub

If you're into more traditional reggae dub using live instrumentation all the way through than Groundation's slow and steady "Praising Dub" or Reggae Remedy Riddim Section's thunderous "I n I Rise" might be something for you. Both also features little bits and pieces of vocals from foundation vocalists Apple Gabriel (former Israel Vibration singer), on "Praising Dub", and the international farmer Peter Broggs on "I n I Rise".

soundclip - 4 Series - Fire In The Skies

The grooviest track though goes to French dub band Faya Dub for their "Tchinb´ In Dub" which includes some serious flute going all out while the rock solid bass keeps on. A jazzy kind touch to its sound and production but nevertheless very good and tight. Worth to mention is also Digitaldubs Soundsystem which is the only Brazilian dub I've ever heard of, but hopefully not the last. Their contribution "D´ Oxum Dub" sounds like a mixture between early Jah Warrior productions and traditional bossanova chants.

As you must have imagined by now this is a good compilation taking you through the many different realms of dub coming from all angles and regions of this world we call planet earth. Dubwise and no otherwise.

/Jakob Levi 1/6-06