Long-awaited release of Kayhan Kalhor and Toumani Diabaté collaboration
The album is a spiritual meditation by two culture bearers of centuries-old musical traditions.
Fri, 24 March 23
Dub Me Tender
Released 06 February 2012
- Dub In A Time Of Cholera
- Dub Me Tender
- Satta Massagana (Yeka Dub)
- I'm In Dub With A German Film Star
- Falling In Dub Again
- Uptown Top Ranking (Negus Dub)
- Stop! In The Name Of Dub
- This Is Not A Dub Song
- Crazy In Dub
- I Dub The Sound Of Breaking Glass
- What TIme Is Dub?
- Living In The Dub Of The Common People
- It's Friday, I'm In Dub
- Bizarre Dub Triangle
Liner notes
Following the critical success of Dub Colossus’ second album, Addis Through the Looking Glass in 2011 and two fantastic headline sets at the WOMAD festival at Charlton Park, Dubulah made a dub-heavy album, reworking existing Dub Colossus album tracks and including four previously unreleased tracks.
It’s a more personal approach for Dubulah, who “turns the dub element in Ethiopian fusion up to 11 —applying heavy one-drop pressure to hypnotic effect.” (Metro UK)
The original aim of Dub Colossus was to combine the golden years of Ethiopique beats and Ethiojazz with the dub reggae styles of the early 70s groups like Abyssinians and Mighty Diamonds. The dub element on Dub Me Tender, ever-present in the group’s first two albums, has been pumped up —giving these tracks a full Dubulah work-over, in the tradition of Joe Gibbs’ African Dub series and Dennis “Blackbeard” Bovell.
Dub Me Tender Volume 1 was also released in a limited edition on green vinyl. It features the cast of Addis Through The Looking Glass; the original Ethiopian musicians are joined by the reggae singer Mykaell Riley (Steel Pulse), drummer Nick Van Gelder (Jamiroquai), the Horns of Negus brass section, bass work from Dr Das (Asian Dub Foundation), and double bass from Bernard O’Neill (Syriana).
Reviews
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The shimmering Ethiojazz elements remain, but Dub Colossus mastermind Dubulah applies heavy one-drop pressure to hypnotic effect. Metro (UK)
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This is a solid yet bracingly air-filled effort that pays its respects to the dub tradition while simultaneously moving things along. Songlines (UK)
Further Listening
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Addis Through The Looking Glass
Released 24 April 2011
The second chapter of Dub Colossus is a varied and sophisticated album bolstered by a growing trust and confidence within the band. Recorded mostly in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian contingent play a greater role in the proceedings, though this is still an experimental fusion set, not a straightforward recording of Ethiopian songs. -
Released 12 October 2008
Dub Colossus collaborate with some of Ethiopia's finest performers. Utilising Azmari and traditional styles as well as the popular singing styles of the 60s and 70s the album seeks to combine the golden years of Ethiopique beats and Ethiojazz with the dub reggae styles of early 70s groups like the Abyssinians and the Mighty Diamonds.
Further reading
Classic Sheila Chandra trilogy set for re-issue
British Asian World Music pioneer Sheila Chandra’s landmark trilogy of albums set for re-issue.
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