baroquedub news

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of dub...

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:26:01 +0100

A deep and melancholy affair compared to the last up-for-it netlabel release, but there's plenty here to keep the dubheads happy.

Two versions of the contemplative title track are backed by two huge productions with pristine sub tones designed to get those bass cones working. It's a warm, thick valley fog well worth getting enveloped in.

[go to release]

Get out there and do it

Mon, 03 May 2010 18:22:19 +0100

Time to celebrate May Day with another very special instalment in the baroquedub mixtape series.

May Day's more than just the coming of spring, it's also an international celebration of political activism and solidarity. I'm certainly not affiliated to any one party or political doctrine but I'd like to mark the occasion with a request to all who live in the UK, or anyone with a vote to cast in the upcoming general election: get out there and vote! Vote green, vote Lib Dems, but whatever you do vote and vote with your conscience.

We seem to be at a crucial time in this country's history when the public mood is turning against the monolithic, antiquated two party system. Make your voice heard and cast your vote for a change in the electoral system, and for a fairer representation of the broad spectrum of public opinion rather than the self-serving interests of the old political elites.

[go to release]

Keeping productive

Mon, 17 May 2010 02:17:17 +0100

As promised, today sees the release of not one but two new singles on the baroquedub netlabel.

First up is a duo of electro-dub workouts that spontaneously came out of the time I had to spend in hospital recently.

As Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck will attest, MRI scans make for some pretty inspiring retro-electro sound effects so prepare yourselves for plenty of synthetic riffs, and atonal bleepery.

The medically trained amongst you will notice that this MRI scan shows someone who's in need of emergency spinal surgery... Patient ID is indeed yours truly. Well at least the enforced time off work has enabled me to be more productive musically...

[go to bd0012 release]

Next up is a selection of version excursions on a more familiar dub tip.

Featuring the vocal talents of Ruffneck, Sizzla and Big Youth (thanks to the many reggae acapellas that do the rounds on the net) this selection is a prime piece of heavyweight black plastic that follows in the soundsystem inspired footsteps of this month's mixtape.

Enjoy.

[go to bd0013 release]

Pump up the vibes

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:22:32 +0000

It's time to wake up the neighbours with a brand new addition to the baroquedub mixtape series. Designed to put a spring in your step and certainly more upbeat than the last instalment, there's plenty here to keep even the most ardent dub-heads happy.

Enjoy, and stay tuned for some new netlabel releases coming out very soon...

[go to release]

Stay in, stay warm

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:43:50 +0000

This'll make no sense to anyone in the southern hemisphere but the long cold winter is taking its toll on the those of us braving a particularly snowy January in the UK...

The first of this year's mixtapes is a chilled, slightly melancholy affair with little of the exuberance of other baroquedub compilations. Don't despair though, it's a sonic blanket of the highest TOG rating and it comes drenched in the deepest bass.

Tuck yourselves in, stay warm and stay happy. It's not too much longer until the Spring...

[go to release]

A Mixtape Double

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:07:03 +0000

Who'd have thought it, I've been busy getting married and, logistics aside, enjoying life and letting things slowly get back to normal again... Big shout-out to Robin, Damon, Keir, Pablo Rider, Dougie and all at JamJah/Friendly Fire, as well as Nobby and Sister (Gayle) Henry and the Prescriptions, for making it a great party. And last but by no means least Fly and Annie (hearts of gold!), and all who came from far and wide to celebrate with us (and those who couldn't make it but were also there in spirit...)

Now down to business... just in time for the December party season, get your glad rags on for a bumper selection of all-new bass-driven gems. There's more than enough variety here to please all tastes so get stuck in and enjoy this thirty-third instalment in the baroquedub mixtape series.

[go to bdmx0033 release]

And just when you thought xmas had come early and you'd already had all your presents, it gives me very great pleasure to offer you something a little bit extra for your stockings....

Daquta (aka DJ Samu44) got in touch recently asking if I'd mind if he made a best-of mix of his own, using selections from the various tracks that have appeared on the baroquedub mixtapes. Got to say I was honoured that someone cared enough to be that much of a fan! It's something I'd thought about doing many times, but never actually got round to doing...

The result is a truly inspired journey of epic dub proportions. Some of the tracks you'll have heard here before, others are new to me (exactly what the best mixtapes are all about!) and all are pure quality.

On its own merits this selection comes highly recommended to all baroquedub listeners but it's even more amazing when you find out that Daquta is none other than an 11 year old DJ from Norway. Nuff respect!

[direct download] 92MB mp3

[go to Daquta's website for the tracklist ] And watch out for The Best of BaroqueDub Vol.2 which I'm told is coming out very soon...

A netlabel double

Mon, 17 May 2010 02:27:45 +0100

It's been way too long since the last time some baroquedub music saw the light of day... the monthly-ish mixtapes are all very well and good but it's always good to get some fresh new tunes out into the world. So I'm delighted to announce not one but two new releases on the netlabel.

First off the Dark Side Dubs digital 7" is a no-holds-barred piece of upfront experimental ragga infused with a sprinkling of dubstep. My thanks go out to Mr.Doll for providing a quite incredible vocal performance that's at once menacing and full of the conscious roots spirit.

Jah is my guide indeed!

[go to bd0011 release]

Next up is a very special release of baroquedub mixes and remixes of tracks originally by the funk phenomenon that is the P-Theory.

Featuring the vocal talents of Kevin Goins, brother to the sadly deceased Glen Goins of Parliament/Funkadelic and led by the p-funk genius of Alex Campbell and Graham Kay, this is one unstoppable machine steeped in the tradition of 70s funk/rock but with a deep commitment to passing on the message to the next generation.

Welcome to a world of deep dubby southern funk in the style of Funkadelic's first album, together with dance remixes heavily influenced by Tim Goldsworthy and James Murphy's DFA label.

My thanks go out to The P-Theory for letting me loose on their music - truly an honour to metaphorically walk amongst such giants of the funk.

[go to bd0010 release]

Travelling on...

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:10:42 +0100

Good to be back with another bumper selection after a v busy summer. This one's for Nuno who got in touch from Aveiro, Portugal requesting a bit of a re-run of mixtape 13's global journey.

I've shied away from the more obvious Afro-Cuban selections (even after my recent travels!) and gone down what Robert Frost called The Road Not Taken although it's often mistakenly remembered as the Road Less Travelled.

Expect a bit of a bumpy ride with plenty of surprises and cherish this releases as what used to be a regular monthly mixtape is becoming more and more difficult to fit in to a busy schedule. You never know when I'll get round to the next instalment...

Get in touch, say hi. and have fun. Until next time :)

[go to release]

Currently taking time out in Cuba

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:52:16 +0100

Image source: the very wonderful Jan Sochor Photoblog

It's that time of year again...

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:27:38 +0100

Been a while coming but well worth the wait. Sun's out, everyone's getting in the mood for the summer festivals and here's another smooth, downtempo selection of dub infused tracks perfect for lazing in the sun or chilling on the sofa.

Whatever's your thing.

My thanks, as always, to all who've taken the time to say thank you or hello. The feedback and encouragement is always much appreciated.

[go to release]

Another birthday

Sun, 16 May 2010 22:32:04 +0100

The big 'three, oh' comes as a bit of a shock to a lot of people but this anniversary is a celebration of all that's best and timeless in the world of Jamaican bass culture.

There's plenty to learn from our elders and this month's mixtape goes out with a special dedication to the crew of the Jurassic Soundsystem whose You and Me On A Jamboree blog is a veritable treasure trove of Ska, Rocksteady, early Reggae, Calypso and rare Dub. Anyone seeking an education in roots culture owes it to themselves to check them out.

Muito obrigado Sono, Jurassico, Luis, Greg and Danilo.

[go to release]

Not gone or forgotten

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:17:27 +0100

After a month off we return with a very special compilation which spans the usual 70s roots classics to head-nodding reggae-influenced party beats.

My thanks to those who took the time to get in touch with messages of support - it's always good to hear the mixtapes are being enjoyed.

[go to release]

February mixdown

Sun, 16 May 2010 22:42:28 +0100

Judging by your emails and comments, you all enjoyed the last 'back to basics' mixtape as much I did... so why change a winning formula?!

We're back with another hour long journey into the deepest, warmest bass. Shoutout to Thesis who got in touch to let me know about his music and who makes it into this mix with a fresh take on samba dubstep. We like to keep things interesting :)

[go to release]

Circuit bending genius

Sun, 16 May 2010 22:41:24 +0100

Big shout out to the circuit bending genius of Mr Lee Stowers. I don't ever use this website for commerce but I wanted to make an exception for a great friend and a truly inspirational artist. For a limited time only his latest circuit bending creation is available for sale on eBay. As the man says:

"Inside dwells circuitry that is sure to melt your brain. The disentangled flurry of noises that fart from this thing makes me sure that this box contains some of the mysteries of the universe.
It is simple to operate. The main controls are the three red buttons. These open up the bends that trigger random sounds from the unit. Spin the 'Wheel of Fortune' and you may catch it cheekily smiling at it's own abstractions through the 'chance' sounds it produces. Pressing a button and holding will make the machine flick through various sounds. When the operator releases the button the machine will pause on what ever sound it landed on. This is where it gets interesting as the sound can start to loop and self generate, giving an assortment of electronic garble, odd beats and rhythms, even odder beats and rhythms, avant-garde bleeps and drones, primitive stomping bass sounds and radiophonic soundscapes. Punctuated by other sounds that don't loop, most often shorter, disintegrating, synth sounds.
Have a listen and see what you think"

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=320332755124

Back to basics

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:49:29 +0000

After a couple of leftfield dancefloor orientated excursions we're back to strictly rub-a-dub bass-heavy territory with a New Year deep sub special.

A true celebration of the dub massive, with a sprinkling of roots and plenty of good vibes. I hope you've all got yourselves a subwoofer and some new speakers for xmas because you're going to need them... :)

This one's especially dedicated to all of baroquedub's regular listeners - you know who you are - and with a special shout-out to Robin and Damon (& Christine!) and the mighty Jam Jah Sound, Ian, Nobby and the rest of Munchbreak's extended family (for your friendship and musical inspiration), Lee & Debbie (true artists), Messenger Douglas (this one's your year Dougie), Pecker and Juggla (who keep the good vibes going wherever they party), Jacci (for being such a good friend), and Nigel (still one of the best song writers in the biz... but I do want to hear that electronic album you've been threatening for a few years...), Gez, Steff & Tim and the rest of the Faceshaper family (how long until the new album?!), Alice, Nick and Alfie, Jonny and Geoff and the Eclectic Method (it's been too long guys), Databass Dave (talking of far too long...), and Paul B, and Tone (always an inspiration) and the rest of the friends I never seem to find enough time to be with.

All the best for 2009!

[go to release]

Party on dude

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:47:30 +0000

More dancefloor orientated party music for your delectation and enjoyment this festive season... I hope you enjoy this second instalment in my crate digging exploration through old favourites.

Regular listeners might be glad to hear that I'm currently working on a more reggae/dub flavoured mix for release early next year. There's only so much four to the floor disco music I can take. I'm already partied out and xmas hasn't even happened yet!

Very best wishes to you all. :)

[go to release]

The comeback kid's amazing box of tricks...

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:00:48 +0000

The boxes are finally unpacked and I'm going through vinyl I haven't seen for ten years. A lot of this is stuff I've never seen released on CD or out and about on the blogosphere so count yourselves lucky to get your ears on these gems :)

It's been a long while coming but all good things come to those who wait - and guess what, the next instalment's already in the bag so stay tuned for part two of this very special comeback extravaganza which is due a couple of weeks before xmas.

A very big shout out goes to Chris A, Rootsfinger, Pata, and all those who took the time to wish me well during my enforced sabbatical - this one's for you!

[go to release]

Moving house...

Mon, 17 May 2010 02:19:51 +0100

My apologies to anyone who's anxiously waiting for the next instalment in the baroquedub
mixtape series...

I've very recently moved house and (apart from not having had broadband connected in my new home until last week) I'm just too busy unpacking boxes.

Stay tuned, normal service will be resumed very soon :)

Happy birthday(s)!

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:25:28 +0100

If you're good at maths you'll realise that mixtape 24 marks a very special two year anniversary. Who'd have thought it when these monthly podcasts started off way back in 2006?

Regular listerners will be glad to hear that I've shied away from an obvious 'best of' compilation. Instead I'm serving up the usual collection of nothing but the best old and new reggae/dub-flavoured tracks I'm currently listening to.

My thanks, as always, to all those who've taken the time to get in touch either by email or by posting a comment. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think people were listening - so this one goes out to all those who made the effort :)

A huge debt of gratitute must also go to all of the artists who've featured on these compilations. I hope to promote their work. Support them by buying their music, going to their gigs and spreading the word.

But wait - it's not the only birthday celebration to be had... I'm delighted to pass on the news of the birth of Alice and Nick's little baby boy Alfie. Welcome to the family!

[go to release]

Worth the wait...

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:39:18 +0100

Just back from Po and James' wedding reception near Carcassone in France - thanks guys for a wonderful party. Many congratulations and best wishes for your new life together!

This month's mixtape's a very special tribute to the members of a community of artists, producers and fans who love and understand reggae and dub in all of its many incarnations. I've never been a huge fan of social networking sites - I find it hard enough to keep in touch with my real-life friends to find time for virtual ones - but these guys are fast becoming a second family with their feedback, enthusiasm and support, not to mention the priceless inspiration of their music. There just aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with all of the quality releases on the site! Big up the ReggaeDubwise massive.

[go to release]