Presenting A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection

PRESENTING A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION
MESSIAN DREAD MUSICAL UPDATE JULY 28 2014

WWW, June 28 2014 - With 16 Tracks released and another 14 already done and scheduled for release, the year 2014 is definitely one of my most productive these last five or so. In this update, I would like to expand a little bit on these releases and my "Ariwa Sessions" (work title!) project as well as a number of other things.

Yesterday was the official release date of a virtual 7" featuring Ras Kitchen, which included an official videoclip as well, the second official video clip I did with one of my productions. I'm hoping that this release will raise at least a little bit of support for this remarkable Jamaican brethren.

This year is a productive one thusfar, that's something I can safely say. Both in quantity and, I hope, in quality. I've been sharing some unreleased tracks with some producers and I got positive feedback. A couple of brethren who are close friends of mine could not even recognize my mark, which is, well, remarkable. 

It's not just the fact that I've been shopping licenses (and attached recordings) that made my music change significantly, or the fact I'm using different effects and a lot of additional techniques that were previously unavailable for me. Not just the fact that all of this is enormously inspiring as I am able to reach deeper (or higher, if you will) levels. It's not just the fact that I am absolutely learning enormously, just by trying and applying things.

It's also the new hardware: 64 Bit, 8 Gigabytes of RAM and some more impressive computer tech-know that goes beyond my comprehension but something to do with dual core Intel whatever. The system is now running more or less smoothly after an initial two weeks of enormous frustration with hanging sound devices, Windows 8 with bizarre ways of denying you access to your own computer's hard drive locations and what have you. For an old-skool guy who started with MSX computers and MS-DOS back in the 1980's, it can be very frustrating to have to deal with gadgets designed for people who do not know how to deal with hard drives, programs, even files, and not knowing how to bypass these gadgets or "apps" as they're called. 

But I did it.

My programs (not "apps") are functioning, the few programs that do not work on this one do work on an older computer which I have here, so I should be technically ready to produce.

In fact, I am.

Even more: I'm grateful for the music that is already out there. 

Thus far, I have only released a couple of discomixes, one of which a mini one. The rest is stricktly dubwise. It's absolutely my intention to release more full length lyrical tracks with Dub mixes and I can say that because I already have the full length lyrical recordings plus licenses right here in the Dubroom. I'm not going to drop names here, because that's a thing I do in an upcoming album that is already mixed and mastered. It has the truthful title MESSIAN DREAD PRESENTS A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION, about which more later in this update.

I've been uploading my music at a number of Online Music Distributors (OMD's) these last weeks as well and wrote an article featuring some of them. They all have their pro's and con's, but that is what that article was about and I know the difference between a repeat and an echo, at least I think I do, so I'll leave it at that. Just one little thing, though: that article will -Jah Willing- definitely get a follow-up. 

Here is where the current musical productions can be found, if you want to take a look:

ICOMPOSITIONS.com - CLICK
LAST.fm - CLICK
REVERBNATION.com - CLICK
SOUNDCLICK.com - CLICK
VERSIONIST.net - CLICK

Next to a number of tracks which are scheduled for release in the coming weeks, and the many vocal tracks which I hope to be able to produce later this year, I felt myself drawn hard into what I privately call my "Ariwa Sessions". It's just a private work title so don't take it too literal. It's the result of my purchase of Mad Professor's Reel To Reel Reggae Volumes One and Two, the latter just released by Loopmasters this last July 2014. For the non-technical reader: this is a wealth of material straight out of Ariwa's studio's to be used in own productions. 

I already released a three track EP with extended Dubs called "Reel To Real Dubwise", but at this moment I have fourteen different riddim tracks which -after just a little bit more tweaking here and there- should be ready to be transformed in a full length Dub album. This album will sound like a combination of Mad Professor's work and that of myself, which it actually is. A virtual Ariwa session for me. I want to take my time with this, because this is material that not just deserves to be treated with respect, it simply demands it.

All this work in the studio that I'm kind of busy with since around May this year is now starting to show public fruit. I'm not really promoting my releases like I used to do, just through the various OMD's and a forum here or there, but I'm really grateful to see that sometimes as quick as twenty minutes after a new release is published at the Dubroom, the downloading starts from all over the world right here at the Dubroom server or it's mirror at Kim Dotcom's MEGA.co.nz. 

One of the planned releases is a full length Dub album entitled MESSIAN DREAD PRESENTS A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION. It's a rather lengthy and little bit theatrical title, but truthful. This is a twelve-track Dub album which has many, many vocal parts in the tunes and definitely gives an indication to things I hope to be able to release later this year.

The album features well known and even legendary names like U Roy, Kojak, Dillinger, Trinity, Prince Jazzbo, Dennis Alcapone and Horseman. Also featured is Iration Steppa's Dan Man plus singers like Seamus, Ras Khaleel, Tallis and a female DJ called Piracy. At a later stage, the Dubroom will pay in-depth attention to these vocalists but for now I just mention these names. 

Then there is what I consider to be a more than excellent backing vocals by a UK based Dubstep singer called Aiva and another non-Reggae UK based vocalist called Mandy Edge. Both singers definitely give a touch to the music, because they are talented and skillful where Reggae by it's very nature can absorb elements from other musical ways without even losing a millimeter in authenticity. I like to think that this is an accomplishment in my more recent material.

Here is the track list:

TRACKS:
1. Dennis Alcapone - Dub The Dub You Dubwise (4:15)
2. Dan Man - Blaze The Dubwise (3:41)
3. Dillinger - Dwell In Love And Dubwise (3:45)
4. Trinity - Light Of This Dubwise (3:55)
5. Kojak - Prevailment Of Dubwise (3:43)
6. Messian Dread - Loving Dubwise (3:46)
7. Prince Jazzbo - Rastafari Dubwise (3:29)
8. Seamus - Babylon Dubwise (5:15)
9. U Roy - Mash Down Satan Dubwise (4:00)
10. Horseman and Dan Man - Robber Dubwise (3:39)
11. Messian Dread - Crazy But Dubwise (3:43)
12. Lone Ranger - Rock And Come in Dubwise (3:48)

In fact, I am so happy with and grateful for the fact I'm able to release this work that I'm currently looking into several possibilities of having the material presented on physical CD as well as (free) download. Just a service for people who would like a CD with full artwork wrapped in cellophane sent to them by mail. The CD, by the way, will have a few extra tracks which are already released to make it into a full 70 minutes Dub experience.

BONUS TRACKS:
13. Messian Dread - His Imperial Dubwise (4:03)
14: Dennis Alcapone - Dub To Be Conscious (3:54)
15. Horseman and Dillinger - Dangerous And Dubwise (4:16)
16. Dillinger - Dwell In Love And Dubwise (Ext.) (5:26)

The Artwork is already made and at the moment I write this, I've just concluded an upload to AMAZON.com since they have this print-on-demand service just like REVERBNATION.com, where the CD is already available. However, Shipping and Handling costs for one CD there are 15 dollars to get it in the Netherland where I live. I'm not going to actively promote the CD at Reverbnation since I think 22 dollars is a bit too much and this is only a service to people who would like the extra dimension of having the physical CD with Artwork (click to enlarge a little). 

Since I have to wait about ten days before the CD can go live at Amazon, I'm just mentioning the whole CD project here in this newsletter. I've probably made a mistake or two as well in my Amazon submission, so it might even take longer than that before I myself have a copy and can decide if it is ready for promotion or in need for change.

Something else that was on my mind but never really possible is to work on video clips. 

Thus far I've done just one, and a promo for my Reel to Real Dubwise EP, but Jah Willing there will be more as I'm trying to discover just what you can do simply by using Windows Movie Maker. Making a YouTube video is a good way of getting something across, like a musical track or a message or both, and hopefully this will be a regular with new musical releases.

Well, hopefully I've summed up about everything and added some new information as well concerning the current musical projects I find myself involved in. Looking forward to your feedback!

One Love,
Messian Dread

 

Ras Kitchen - Anything Inything/Stay When it Dubs (Virtual 7")

RAS KITCHEN - ANYTHING INYTHING/STAY WHEN IT DUB
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE

WWW, July 2014 - Visitors and readers of Studio Dubroom will have had the opportunity to get to know RAS KITCHEN, whose voice is used for this two-track Dubwise release. Now is the time for all readers and visitors of the Dubroom to get acquainted with this remarkable Jamaican brethren as we humbly present almost eight minutes of Ras Kitchen In Dub!

Ras Kitchen lives a humble life with his family in the hills of Jamaica. At times, he welcomes visitors in his yard and introduces them to this life, giving them a wealth of knowledge and insight that they would never have gotten if they would just have visited the tourist places. Another thing the Ras is known to do is to introduce Ital Cooking and Jamaican Cooking to the world wide audience and nation-wide on Jamaican television. His video's are priceless, even when you are not into cooking!

In order to raise a little bit of money, for just a a little bit more decent living if you will, Ras Kitchen released two free vocal sample packs from his website. They are reviewed for Studio Dubroom, a sub-site of the Dubroom where producer of (DUB) Reggae can find information and download things. It's not really something for people who are not actively involved in producing Reggae Music, but when Ras Kitchen comes with two Dubwise tracks produced in the Dubroom Studio especially for the Ras things obviously change.

The first "side" of this "virtual 7 inch" is the more relaxed one. As Ras Kitchen speaks about Rastafari and how the music will "just gwaan, right on and on" while the -excellent- backing vocals speak about "no regrets", the drum and bass leads us all the way from the top to the very last drop while some heavyweight Dub mixing goes on, at times completely scattering the chords into a thousand pieces.

"Stay When It Dub" has a much more intense vibe, both in the hints to JAH, the Source of Living Water, as well as the music and mixing. The effects are layered on top of each other, while the heavyweight bass and drum keep on playing. Every now and then they make room, sometimes for a flute and at other times something different happens.

The music is created and mixed with JAH love and respect for RAS KITCHEN. When you at least like the music a little bit and you have a little bit of money to donate, please visit his website and use PayPal to donate. And tell them the Dubroom sent ya. Or don't.

With Backing Vocals of Dan Man and Aiva.

 

 

TRACKS:

1. Ras Kitchen - Anything Inything
2. Ras Kitchen - Stay When It Dub

Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this release is © Messian Dread/Dubroom. Available for free: 128 Kbps/320 Kbps MP3 Files, CD Quality Wave Audio.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOWNLOAD PAGE

Messian Dread - Reel To Real Dubwise EP

MESSIAN DREAD - REEL TO REAL DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE

WWW, July 2014 - Three extended Dub mixes, coming from a collection of fourteen different riddims created for an upcoming album featuring the sounds of Mad Professor's Ariwa Studio and even his voice. Along with many others, that is. This is the first fruit of my purchase of Mad Professor's Reel To Reggae Part One and Part Two, and apart from the effects and vocals everything you hear is taken from this two-part Sample treasure. Deliberately, to show the musical power of Ariwa's sound and to give weight to the title of the EP itself.

It's very difficult to say where Mad Professor's work ends and my work start in these three mixes without getting technical. All three tracks are obviously Ariwa sounds but in the same time my own styles and techniques can easily be recognized as well. I took drums, bass, keyboards and horns and made them fit. Sometimes this would work "instantly", other times I sliced loops and completely re-arranged them. Sometimes, I changed pitch of a loop to make it match the chords and the bassline. But never did I add an instrument or even soundscape from my own library. I did with vocals, though...

Actually, this is part of a larger project that I found myself drawn into after I purchased Mad Professor's Reel To Reel Reggae Volume Two and wrote the first review on it, only a day after it was released. I found the material so inspiring, that I started to construct some riddims and before I knew it I had fourteen different riddims plus a lot of ideas in my head. Let me just say: album.

At the moment this is written (July 15th, 2014) the riddims are still under construction. There will obviously extra elements like instruments and soundscapes, but since I am so enthusiastic about Reel to Reel Reggae I thought it would be a good idea to release three extended Dub tracks carrying only the musical/instrumental sounds from the two volumes. I promote Reel To Reel Reggae without apology and the best way I can do that is to do release this music. This is the kind of music that can be constructed from the sample packs with a little bit of effort and work.

Since I'm currently still working on the riddims, I can -and will- only give some personal impressions and feelings about working with Ariwa material. I remember as a teenager in the early 1980's I bought Mad Professor's Dub and phoned the number that was on the sleeve of the albums. I have spoken with Mad Professor just as a teenager who wanted express my happiness with his music and he did take the time for me even though I wasn't a business man or manager, just a teenager with love for the music. This remains is a precious memory for me, and now when my body approaches it's 50th year I know how decisive that half hour or so was for my later years as online (DUB) Reggae producer.

Of course I thought about this moment a couple of times while I was working on the material that now gave birth to this EP and -JAH Willing- later to an album (or more). It gave a special vibe as I was getting the different instruments to match each other, creating my own personal touch. Putting my soul to the music, if you will. Using elements of tracks that I love or well-known riddims like "Africa Must Be Free By 1983", which you can hear back in "Dub Weh Senseless Killahs", and make my own patterns of them. 

A deep sense of respect rises, when you have a little ear for the richness of the sounds. Working with this material is like a DIY seminar from Mad Professor. Where for example I pay great attention to my bass lines musically, I am working now with bass lines that musically I would never even consider. But simply because of the sound of the bass, these lines become crucial in themselves. This is a lesson that all Dub producers have to learn, especially when they have a little musical background and want to put a lot of effort in the music. In the end it is about the sound and a boring bassline can become a bomb, where a musically interesting bassline can become like a toy-sound when stuff is not done correctly.

There, I said it before: I had to get into the tech-know a little bit.

Now, back to the music.

Three extended Dub mixes, especially created for this EP. Three different riddims that -JAH Willing- will also be used for an upcoming Dub album that will have extra content other than "just" the vocals and also eleven other riddims as well. I sincerely hope you like Reel to Real Dubwise! CLICK HERE for the official release notes at the Dubroom's Net Label pages.

TRACKS

1. Dub Weh Blasphemer (6:17)
2. Dubhorse Lane (5:33)
3. Dub Weh Senseless Killahs (6:16)

Please do not re-publish the actual music, because unlike Dubroom releases before 2014, this EP is © Messian Dread/Dubroom. Available for free: 128 Kbps/320 Kbps MP3 Files, CD Quality Wave Audio.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOWNLOAD PAGE

Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 2: Messian Dread Plays Bunny Wailer And Solomonic Sounds

MESSIAN DREAD PLAYS BUNNY WAILER AND SOLOMONIC SOUNDS
RADIO DUBROOM EXTRA CHAPTER 2

WWW, July 2014 - In the second chapter of Radio Dubroom Extra, Messian Dread plays some of his favorite Bunny Wailer tracks plus two relatively rare selections from Jah Bunny's Solomonic Sounds label. Some tracks from Dubd'sco, Rock 'n' Groove, Gumption and Rule Dance Hall plus an alternative version of Rise and Shine as well as some 12" and 7" versions. Cool Runnings!

Bunny wailer is a favorite singer of the Dubroom's webmaster even though his favorite tunes are not the ones generally considered his best. Where many love Bunny Wailer's Roots Rock a' la "In I Father's House", Messian Dread prefers the more dubby parts captured on one of his favorite albums: Rock 'n' Groove. No surprise this mix features a couple of tracks from that album. There's also a healthy portion of relatively unknown tracks by Jah Bunny and a couple of selections from his albums Gumption and Rule Dance Hall.

PLAYLIST

01. Bunny Wailer - Mellow Mood Dub
02. Bunny Wailer - Rock and Groove Discomix
03. Bunny Wailer - Galong So Dub
04. Bunny Wailer - Galong So
05. Bunny Wailer - Another Dance (Discomix)
06. Bunny Wailer - Boderation
07. Bunny Wailer - Rise and Shine (7" Version!)
08. Bunny Wailer - Camouflage
09. Bunny Wailer - Rule Dance Hall
10. Bunny Wailer - See and Blind
11. Bunny Wailer - Warrior
12. Bunny Wailer - Liberation
13. Marcia Griffiths - Woman a Come
14. Wadada and Solomonic Players - Reggae Sunsplah (Wadada)
15. Wadada and Solomonic Players - Reggae Sunsplash Dub (Wadada)
16. Bunny Wailer - Conqueror
17. Bunny Wailer - Conqueror Dub
18. Bunny Wailer - I Stand Predominate Dub
19. Bunny Wailer - Hypocrites
20. Bunny Wailer - Hypocrites Dub
21. Bunny Wailer - Walk The Proud Land Dub
22. Bunny Wailer - Rootsman Skanking (Discomix)
23. Bunny Wailer - Cool Runnings (Discomix)
24. Bunny Wailer - Rule This Land Dub

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Radio Dubroom Extra features music which cannot be played on the Radio Dubroom podcast for legal copyright reasons. The shows cannot be downloaded. All tracks in this show (C) by artists and labels. This show (C) by Dubroom. The actual mix is hosted on www.mixcloud.com/dubroom and should be completely legal. For copyright issues visit http://support.mixcloud.com/customer/portal/topics/70420-listening/articles

Messian Dread - Reel To Real Dubwise EP - Official Release Date July 20 2014

MESSIAN DREAD - REEL TO REAL DUBWISE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE JULY 20 2014

MORE INFO HERE

HORSEMAN WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR DILLINGER - MUSICAL 45 2 KEEP U ALIVE

HORSEMAN WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR DILLINGER - MUSICAL 45 2 KEEP U ALIVE
DUBROOM NET LABEL RELEASE

WWW, July 2014 - Two full-length Discomixes and three Dubs: yes, with almost 30 minutes of music this is the first EP from the Dubroom Studio in the new 2014 sound. Featuring Horseman and Dillinger as well as a number of singers delivering a conscious message, this release brings you both a Steppers Roots and a Rub a Dub vibe. Here is a Musical 45 to keep you alive!

The concept of a DJ chanting over a riddim and singers jumping in and out is not new, not original, not uncommon. Where many styles and genres have incorporated the concept, no one can take away the fact that this all started in Jamaica during the 1970's and even before that. No one can deny that Roots Reggae music, mixed in Dub style, is a perfect foundation for a DJ to chant over and exactly that is what you can find in the two Discomixes. The first one (Love Not War) is a pumping Rub a Dub style, the second a joyous yet serious Steppers Roots. 

The concept of a vocal track followed by it's Dub version in a non-stop mix isn't anything new, original or even uncommon either. Neither is Dub mixing. Both have been developed in Jamaica as well, a fact nobody can deny and therefore many will simply ignore. Not so in the Dubroom, where we are aware that we owe Jamaica a lot, if only for the musical and cultural upliftments. Therefore, two authentic Discomixes and two authentic Dub mixes, plus one bonus Dub just because music is nice.

All five tracks carry the voice of Horseman, who has been chanting since the 1980's and was released on the Greensleeves label. Two tracks carry the voice of Dillinger as well. The man who brought the world "Cokane in my Brain" and a flood of Roots Reggae DJ Tracks even a decade before Horseman came to the (UK) scene. Both deliver a musical message, a Conscious message like Reggae and Rastafari have been doing for decades and will keep doing.

All five tracks are original Dubroom productions. The vocals are legally obtained and licensed, the music and vocal arrangement created and mixed by Messian Dread using the new Dubroom 2014 sound with real horns, real this-and-that and of course real, authentic Dub mixing. Feel free to include the music in your podcast or broadcast, but please do not put the actual mp3 files on your website blog or other distribution format.  

TRACKS:

1. Horseman - Love Not War (Discomix)
2. Horseman - Dub Not War
3. Horseman ft Dillinger - Dangerous & Famous (Discomix)
4. Horseman ft Dillinger - Dangerous & Dubwise
5. Horseman - Dub Controler

This two track release is presented as 128/320 Kbps MP3 Files or true CD Quality WAVE Audio, as usual with releases out of the Dubroom Studio. Click "DOWNLOAD" to go to the Download Page. All Rights reserved © 2014 Messian Dread/Dubroom 

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOWNLOAD PAGE

Sites For Your Musical Productions: Messian Dread Reports For Studio Dubroom

SITES FOR YOUR MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS
MESSIAN DREAD REPORTS FOR STUDIO DUBROOM

WWW, July 2014 - During these last months, the Dubroom has been releasing new original music in a new original sound. This music has been put on the Dubroom website, and equally -without too much noise on the Dubroom about this- put on a variety of sites that enable producers, artists and/or labels to present their music online. Why? Just to see what these sites are doing in themselves for your average online (DUB) Reggae artist. Messian Dread reports how over 10,000 of ads on sites only led to 8 free downloads...

Let's call them free Online Music Distributors or OMD's for the sake of this article, shall we? For that is what websites like SOUNDCLOUD, REVERBNATION and others we're going to take a look at, actually do. You upload your MP3/WAV file(s), some pictures and write a little bit of info and voila, there's your page. Ready to be viewed by what many sites call "fans", your music available for download and/or streaming and/or purchase.

This is exactly what I've been doing during these last months. I've been uploading the new Dubroom music to a number of sites, just to see what would happen. An experiment, of which some results are not yet available which in itself makes a point. Yes, that first. There is no website that will instantly give you "fans" or even views. You'll have to use the OMD's as part of your own route, like they do with your music. You see them as distributor of your music where they see you, us, as content provider for their websites. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing to overlook either. 

Indeed: gone are the days where just one website could boost an artist and could even become a threat for established musical industrialists. Gone are the days where you could reach out to that large audience by committing yourself to one OMD. This here is a scattered Internet, where listeners have to look for the good music using all kinds of websites and we, music creators, have to do the same. We have to use all the websites or at least three or four, and we have to have a website for ourselves as well. Even a facebook page won't do. 

With all this in mind, I took a look at some websites. Just because I hadn't released a track in years, even the websites where I already had an account needed some serious work. It was kind of an opportunity to see the various websites through the eyes of a new artist. Other websites needed me to make an account, so there was my chance to get a quick discovery look at them. Here they are, in a particular order:

CLICK HERE TO READ FURTHER