Best 2014 releases

[vlad]

Gboubard

Can you give us a few insights on the Dubrising album: was there a concept driving the work, are the riddims new etc.?

Also, since you write "Gregory forever", I assume you're fan - can you recommend post 80's recordings - I also think he is THE ruler

Tx

[gbougard]

Hi vlad

for details on Dubrising, check out my blog

http://tabou1records.wordpress.com/2014 ... h-version/

the concept was to get Groucho involved in a dub project just like in the 80's when he produced those marvelous dub mixes of Sly & Robbie (B;ack Uhuru, Ini Kamoze, etc...).

But to do dub versions of my cuts would have been a bit unsufficient and we wanted to have some sort of story, to unify each dub version so the end result would be an album, a score to a movie about the

1. oppression
2. rebellion
3. war between good and evil
4. victory of good over evil
5. peace and reign of good

those themes are reflected in track names and the album cover
I had one problem with that: the atmosphere of each track should have positioned each track differently. For instance, track 1 is peaceful, and should have been the last one if I had followed my logic 100%.

However, when we finished the mastering and it was time to sequence the tracks, I didnt like how the album sounded. So I changed the running order to make it a better listening experience. When you drop the needle on track 1, it has to flow nicely, transitions have to be harmonious, etc...

The tracks used were taken from the following albums

1 Satan Fall (Zion Gate) - Horace Andy Livin' it up (2006)
2 Freedom Ring (Accused) - Khalifa G.Riot 2013 (2013)
3 Drone Snipers (Rastafari Prophecy) - Horace Andy Livin' it up (2006)
4 Bully Tactics (Devil You Can't Bully Me Out) - Chezidek I Grade (2009)
5 To The Rescue (Holy Mount Zion) - Horace Andy Livin' it up (2006)
6 No Surrender (Surrender) - Chezidek I Grade (2009)
7 Flame Thrower (King Of Kings) - Horace Andy Livin' it up (2006)
8 Dub-ble Agent (Rumours) - Bunny Rugs Rumours (recorded in 2011, not yet released)

The Chezidek and the Bunny Rugs riddims were recorded during the sessions with Horace Andy at Harry J. So all except the Khalifa riddim were recorded in February 2006 at Harry J

Before mixing the dub versions, we asked Bunny McKenzie and Dan Donovan to record overdubs to unify the tracks and make them reflect the overall atmosphere of the project. I chose not to dub the heck out of the tracks because I wanted the album to be a mix between dub and instrumental album.

To me, it's a symphony like a Pink Floyd album and not like a Scientist album if you see what I mean

[vlad]

Very nice insights, thank you, love it!! Interesting to learn how the concept makes place to being pragmatic when simply listening to the tunes, hence making you re-shuffle the tracking.

Were Sly and/or Robbie part of the making of the dub album following the original sessions?

By the way, since you mention the Horace Andy Livin' it up album, do you know where I can get an LP version of this album?

[gbougard]

Post 1980 Gregory:

obviously you want to start with Night Nurse
More Gregory
then Out deh
and all the singles released on African Museum during that period

Private beach party is nice
Easy
All I Have Is Love, Love, Love
Victim (but Style Scott trying to sound like Sly Dunbar sounds ridiculous with syndrums)
Pardon Me! with a killer cover of House of the rising sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kFt4wICRhY
Private Lesson


Digital sounds
it is less interesting according to me, because I dont like digital sounds

Red rose for Gregory
Call Me Collect is OK
Yesterday is killer
Brand New Me is his last studio album, I like it quite a lot, much better than his albums just before that one

Clash albums

Dennis Brown / Gregory Isaacs - Judge Not
Sugar Minott / Gregory Isaacs - Double Dose ‎
Gregory Isaacs / Dennis Brown - No Contest (digital)

Live albums

Live At The Academy
The Reggae greats live

soon you'll be able to buy online the 1985 concert in Holland with Sly & Robbie, I've just finished the mastering

[vtov]

yes guillaume - that's a well written blog entry

looking forward to reading the French parts as well

[Mick Sleeper]

Only two stood out in 2014 for me: the Willi Williams collection on Shanachie and the stunning Lee Perry album Back On The Controls.

[flashman]

Scientist - The Album They Didn't Want You To Hear LP
Jah Life In Dub LP
Chronixx - Dread & Terrible LP
Kalbata & Mixmonster - Congo Beat The Drum LP
Willi Williams - Unification CD
Vernon Maytone - On the Right Track (I can't remember if this one is in early 2014 or 2013 but very underrated album) LP
Popcaan - Where We Come From CD

Wow, I probably would have never known about that Vernon Maytone lp without you mentioning it. Downloaded it. It's excellent! He's one of my favorite singers, and he's still got it.
Agreed on the rest, as well. Except maybe Popcaan. Can't seem to get into him.

[SalmonRiverGanj]

Bugle- Anointed

[jahkob]

this year I haven't even checked for anything but re-issues as some crucial ones have been released this year. there´s too much music out there so there´s plenty I haven't heard or most defiantly missed out on plus if it doesn't hit me at once I leave it to later. so that being said. my votes are:

scientist - jah life dub
yabby you - deeper roots vol 1
yabby you - deeper roots vol 2

[gbougard]

yes guillaume - that's a well written blog entry

looking forward to reading the French parts as well

I wont write the thing in French. French people better learn to read and write English and look outside their little self centered so called conformist culture.