Dub Reviews
Artist: Aldubb Cover scan:
Title: Dubfiles.03
Label: One Drop
Catalogue Number: ODEP002
Format: 12", MP3
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Result: Steely Dan in the Lions Den
Review date: 2008-07-15
Detailed review:
Just have I finished reviewing Aldubb's "Dubfiles.02", there is already the 3rd part out. Man, this guy really sets the pace at the moment. ;)

One thing I soon realised was that Aldubb definitely likes to play a wide variety of reggae styles. I don't say that he wants to please and reach as many people as possible, I claim that he just likes all dem styles himself so much. In a way, this is something, an old-fashioned dogmatic like me could look up to. Or should. But I'm so stubborn (ask my girlfriend, haha).

So, while Dubfiles.02 satisfied me to the fulles (5 stars), this time, it's too much away from what I like, so it leads to a 3 star rating which makes a nice average of 4 stars. I suppose everyone can live with that. :)

Why only 3 stars this time? It's just that there are now two songs here which are in the range of songs that don't work for me: "Roll With You Dub" and "Bigger Time". Both are based on heavy steel drum rhythms and I don't stand steel drums at all. I cannot explain why but the sound of steel drums cause my tummy to hurt badly *sniff*. Also, steel drums usually go hand in hand with a certain Caribbean coconut flavour. I love the snow. I love minus 30 degrees when breathing starts to hurt. And I prefer music that reminds me of that. White beaches, turquoise water, hulahoop girls (I don't think this is a correct English expression though)? Not for me, please.

Luckily, this 12"/MP3 EP has two sides. And I don't mean the A- and B-Side but the fact that there are two totally different tunes here as well. That saves the day (for me). These tunes feature Ras Perez who is also living in Berlin and who I managed to have met only once in my life (on a Dub Syndicate concert many years ago). Sometimes the world is so small. Sometimes, it can be so big. Anyway, together with Aldubb, he delivered two crucial pieces of rootically stepping dubs. Could still live with a bit less melodies but I will turn a blind eye this time. ;)

"Overcome Dub" is by far the deepest tune on this record and it has these icecold skanks wobbling in the background which make it for me. You know, it's the sound of the Northern Lights for me. In combination with some echoes, I feel like transfered to a big white plain somewhere in Lapland where it's just me, the wind and the ice. That makes me happy. And so does the music since it reminds me of it.

"Roll Cost" is a bit sunnier but has a demanding riddim section which easily makes you want to move your feet. It's not likely a lovely song but luckily a lively one. (Now, who gives me kudos for this great sentence? OK, maybe the content is stupid but the structure at least... oh well, never mind.)

Final note: This release is limited to "only" 500 copies. Is it so, that today, 500 is considered as limited again? I remember that not so long ago, labels were happy to sell 500 copies of a release. I was more than happy (and seldomly achieved it)... maybe I do something completely wrong. Could anyone enlighten me, please?

For all others: www.one-drop.de (find this and other nice releases in different formats here)