DUBKASM
‘BRIXTON REC’
Released 8th October 2012 on LP (Limited Edition), CD & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
Leading lights in the 21st century UK digi dub/roots scene Dubkasm have built themselves a worldwide following for their brand of reggae since launching their own Sufferah's Choice label in 2003. What many fans may not realise is that even before that first Sufferah's Choice release, Dubkasm had nearly a decade's worth of recordings behind them. Unfortunately, other than a track on the 1996 “Dub Out West Volume Two” compilation album, those early recordings were the preserve of leading UK sound systems such as Aba Shanti and Jah Shaka and could only be heard played off dub plates at dances.
Dubkasm have finally decided that the time is right to share the story of those early years and make a selection of those formerly exclusive tracks available for everyone to enjoy. Being proud of their Bristolian roots, Dubkasm found the perfect partner for the project in Bristol Archive Records and the label's ongoing programme to document and make available Bristol's reggae heritage. As if a selection of previously unreleased tracks from Dubkasm wasn't enough, these particular tracks were all played by leading sound system operator Aba Shanti and the versions were all personally mixed by him to achieve the ideal sound balance on his sound system. Once Dubkasm's Digistep had finished initial mixes of the tracks, he would deliver the multi track master to Aba Shanti who would then mix down his own exclusive versions.
It's the Aba Shanti connection that inspired the album's title, for it was at Aba's legendary sessions at the Brixton Rec that these tracks could be heard to full effect. The album is named in tribute to those great sessions and hopefully the music captures a bit of that magic as well as bringing back some great memories for those who were there, or even those who were only there in spirit through the medium of sound tapes.
Thanks to DJ Stryda's long standing Sufferah's Choice radio show Dubkasm are in contact with many of the scene's leading players and four of the vinyl's eight tracks are vocals with contributions from Tena Stelin, “The Soul” and “Spiritual Warrior Time”, the deeply missed Lidj Xylon, “The Order” and Bristol's own, and Dubkasm regular Ras Addis, “Jah Bible.” Each of the vocals is accompanied by its dub counterpart and each track is UK roots of the highest order.
The CD and download version contain three bonus tracks, a melodica cut to “The Soul”, “106.2FM” a track that captures the vibes as Aba Shanti both mixes and sings live and finally “Earth Rocker” which is actually a recording captured in a dance at Brixton Rec; about as authentic as we could get even if the audio quality leaves a little to be desired. Bristol Archive Records take the story of reggae in the city forward into the 1990s with this essential and previously unreleased selection. complete with sleeve notes, telling the story of Dubkasm's early years including rare archive photos. “Brixton Rec” is released on Limited Edition Vinyl, CD and digital download October 8th 2012
www.bristolachiverecords.com /
www.dubkasm.com
released October 8, 2012
Dubkasm are: Digistep & DJ Stryda
Track Listing:
1. The Soul (ft. Tena Stelin)
2. Soul in Dub
3. The Order (ft. Lidj Xylon)
4. Dub Order
5. Spiritual Warrior Time (ft. Tena Stelin)
6. SIM Dub
7. Jah Bible (ft. Ras Addis)
8. Biblical Dub
9. 106.2fm
10. The Soul (Melodica Piece)
11. Earth Rocker
TRACK INFO:
1. The Soul (ft. Tena Stelin)
Composed and performed by Digistep (Ben Glass) and Tena Stelin (A. Robinson)
Vocals: Tena Stelin
Keyboards, programming, melodica – Digistep
2. Soul in Dub
Composed and performed by Digistep and Tena Stelin
Vocals: Tena Stelin
Keyboards, programming, melodica – Digistep
3. The Order (ft. Lidj Xylon)
Composed and performed by Digistep and Lidj Xylon
Keyboards, programming and percussion – Digistep
Bass – Johnny T
4. Dub Order
Composed and performed by Digistep
Keyboards, programming and percussion – Digistep
Bass – Johnny T
5. Spiritual Warrior Time (ft. Tena Stelin)
Composed and performed by Digistep and Tena Stelin
Vocals: Tena Stelin
Keyboards, programming, saxophone – Digistep
6. SIM Dub
Composed and performed by Digistep
Keyboards, programming, saxophone – Digistep
7. Jah Bible (ft. Ras Addis)
Composed by Digistep, DJ Stryda and Ras Addis
Vocals: Ras Addis
Keyboards, programming - Digistep
8. Biblical Dub
Composed by Digistep, DJ Stryda and Ras Addis
Vocals - Ras Addis
Keyboards, programming,– Digistep
9. 106.2 FM
Composed and performed by Digistep, DJ Stryda and Aba Shanti-I
Keyboards, programming and percussion – Digistep
10. The Soul (Melodica Piece)
Composed and performed by Digistep
Keyboards, programming, melodica – Digistep
11. Earth Rocker (Sound Tape)
Composed by Digistep, DJ Stryda and Ras Addis
Vocals: Ras Addis
Keyboards, programming - Digistep
Credits:
Produced by Digistep (Ben Glass)
Mixed by Aba Shanti-I at Falasha Studios, London
Executive producer: DJ Stryda
Vocals: Lidj Xylon, Tena Stelin, Ras Addis
Keyboards, programming, saxophone, melodica, percussion: Digistep (Ben Glass)
Bass guitar: Jonny T (Dennis Bovell Dub Band)
Backing vocals on Jah Bible: Digistep
Produced 1996-1999 at University of Westmister studios using:
Soundtracs Solo console
Yamaha DX11 Synthesizer
Emagic Notator
Roland JV1080
Akai S1000
Alesis Quadraverb
Yamaha NS10 monitors
Ghost Tube
All songs published by Copyright Control 2012
All tracks mastered by Steve Street July 2012
All Rights Reserved
P&C Bristol Archive Records 2012
All recordings owned by Dubkasm/Sufferah’s Choice Recordings exclusively licensed to Bristol Archive Records
Original cover illustration by Chris Molan
With regard to this collection and this period Dubkasm would like to thank…
Aba Shanti-I, Blood Shanti, Humble Lion and all Shanti-Ites/Falasha Recordings family, Bro Asher (MessenJah), Kama Dread, Ras Addis, Ras B, Ras Umi, Jah Shaka, Mark & Dennis (Iration Steppas), Skelly Roots, Nicky Ezer at Culture Promotions, Dr Gaffa (Armagideon Sounds), Jabulani (Nubian Records), Milton & Terry (Jah Trinity), David Judah (Solardub), Aqua Levi, , Ephraim Sound, Malcolm X Centre, Trinity Hall, Malaap Club, Judah & Steve at the University of Dub, The Brixton Recreation Centre, The Rocket, Ragga FM and Passion FM. Also to the artists who contributed to Dubkasm’s earliest work: Lidj Xylon, Tena Stelin, Ras Natural, Ras Iyah, Afrikan Simba and Dub Judah……
And last but by no means least; the Glass and Howard families.
This album is livicated to the memory of Lidj Xylon, Sis Rowena and The Rock.
Thanks to Chris Molan and Sara Glass for the cover illustration, ‘Brixton Rec’.
Photo Credits: Thanks to the original photographers and artwork designers with whom copyright remains on their work
Contact:
www.dubkasm.com
Live bookings:
info@dubkasm.com
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
Email:
mike@bristolarchiverecords.com
Released on Limited Edition Vinyl, CD and Digital Download
ARC262CD
