ROOTS OF DUB FUNK 5. Artist: Various. Label: Tanty Records

Still the only dub series showcasing the best of the underground dub scene from dub producers from around the globe. Dub it is a global phenomenon! With tracks from Brazil USA Italy UK Netherlands Australia Canada Sweden and France North South East and West dub communities are reaching out and making contact across land and sea. We are presenting to you today’s global dub warriors.

Review: Firstly hats off to Tanty Records boss Kelvin R for getting to number 5 in this series. He is I suspect a committed individual that keeps doing what he`s doing motivated by the love of the music in what is today a hard world for the small specialist labels. Once again Kelvin has scoured the world for dub in all its flavours. The names may not be familiar to me at least! with the exception of Mad Professor but as Kelvin has hand-picked them from hundreds of potential tracks it is guaranteed these are some of choicest cuts around. All styles are represented here: jazzy African old school high steppers low super stoners and unsurprisingly funky. Always drawn as I am to the slower end of the bpm scale the opener Secret Selector Dub by Maka Ron feat Jarex from Canada caught me by surprise with its 120 bpm and had me jigging around the kitchen. This continued with the UK`s Vibronics and their Right Phase Dub. However normal service was resumed by the Bamjimba Vs Mad Professor on the 72 bpm acid squelch infused Wake Up Dub. There are plenty of standout tracks amongst the pleasing diversity including: the languorous Praising Dub complete with delicious hammond organ echoing the Wailers classic sound; a track from 4 Series UK called Fire In the Skies; Sweden`s Social Living Sounds with Guide I Dub; I n I Rise from France`s Reggae Remedy Riddim Section features some slinky brass and reminds me a perfect outdoor community festival - sunshine smiles and a distinctive buddy aroma carried on a gentle breeze; Abassi All Stars with their Danger Dub wouldn`t have sounded out of place in a Don Letts set at the Roxy in the mid 70s, finally and most off kilter is Tchinb` in Dub by French outfit Faya Dub is a track that could have been written as a TV sleuth theme from the late sixties albeit set in Kingston! Stay with me on this one! - jazzy flutes vibes a back bone of trombone and cheeky Mr Benn-like melody would have made this one a surefire contender for top TV themes 1971 on the mfp label. Criticisms are slight and for dub aficionados well for anyone for that matter Roots of Dub Funk 5 doesn`t disappoint and is probably the best in the series. The Big Chill – Edited Dub has always been in touch with a certain considered spiritual expressiveness thanks in no small part to its foundation borne from its religious and sufferer’s roots from Reggae music. Experience the power of this dub! Creating music which pushes the parameters of dub’s definition even wider to include Jazzy African and Funky vibes built on a solid concrete foundation of heavyweight reggae. Creating music which pricks the social conscious but which can be dance floor friendly. Spread the word about dub’s real power! Sound System dub culture is growing beyond the UK France Germany USA and Japan.

Enjoy