03.27.09 show

El-B is an artist often mentioned as an inspiration to many of the dubstep producers I listen to. When I first heard the El-B tracks on Dubstep Allstars Vol. 1, I wasn't impressed, in fact a bit disappointed. I expected a more crushing, louder, wobwobwob bass sound similar to Loefah, Skream, Benga, and the lot. Yet, I kept reading his name as one of the originators of the dubstep sound, along with Horsepower Productions and Zed Bias, so I kept his file open, so to speak.

When Tempa records announced the release of the Roots of El-B compilation, and posted audio clips from the vinyl sampler, and cd, I listened to them. And listened again. And again. And then, finally, I understood; the complex drumming, the sub-bass, and the the swing. Nine years late, but that's me.

boomkat.com has a nice description of the soon to be released cd and some history here.

You can listen again to all four songs from the vinyl sampler I played on this weeks show at the start of the 12am hour, 03.28.09, on zbconline.com audio archives.



A few weeks ago, a listener called asking if I could recommend some contemporary dub reggae, and I replied, "um...Twilight Circus?" And then I went blank. So, I've been trying to step up my game and add some more current dub sounds to my playlist. Although I'm finding it difficult to overcome my bias that dub has to be recorded in Jamaica, during the mid 1970's to early 1980's, and remixed by an engineer from master tapes of rhythm tracks, I did find some artists I like.

I started this show off with tracks by Ticklah from 2007, Dry & Heavy with King Jammy from 2000, Twilight Circus from 2003, 4th Avenue Rockers from 2001. I'll continue searching from some good dub from 2009, but it could take nine years.

03.20.09 show

I really need to do more homework before my show, because again I gave incorrect information on-air about a record, only to realize my mistake the next day.

While browsing today at Twisted Village record store, I bought an unlabeled promotional record on H.E.N.C.H. When I got home, I Googled the record catalog number, and found a webpage stating it was by Chasing Shadows, and the description also noted they were the folks behind the track "It Was Written." Whooops. I said the group and the label were both credited to It Was Written. First the mix up with Revolt Op, and now this. Just plain laziness on my part.


Expect to hear more from the Levon Vincent four-song EP "Six Figures," on Novel Sounds, in the coming weeks. He's an New York based musican I recently discoverd by checking out Mary Anne Hobbs February playlist on Juno Records. I haven't heard her play it on her BBC One Experimental show, have I?


When I studied Buddhism back in the day, I was always reminded that possessing objects brings unhappiness through attachment, or something like that. But I felt extreme joy when I received in the mail the Purpleman & Sister Candy lp on Enterprise records this week.

If I share this record with the world via WZBC and the internet, and bring others happiness through the music, isn't that good karma?

I'm a few months late listening to the Matty G full-length release "Take You Back" on Bay Area located Argon records. I'm really liking the way he adds dubstep sub-bass to a rap beat. What if he re-mixed LL Cool J's "Radio?" Oh my, that would be Nirvana.

03.13.09 show

It seems every week I buy a new song from iTunes off 12" Rulers: Linval Thopmson. Last night I played "Gone Water Gone" by Lee Van Cleef (aka Lee Van Cliff). Maybe I'll take the plunge and just buy the whole album. Maybe.


One of the biggest benefits of doing a radio show is that I can play the music as loud as I want in the studio and there are no complaints from neighbors. So yeah, these new stompers got full volume treatment:
Caspa's "My Pet Monster" on Digital Soundboy records


Bar 9 (credited as Unknown) "Selled Souls" on Hot Shit records


and Droid's (aka Kromestar aka Ironsoul aka the most prolific producer in dubstep) "So Wot"

03.06.09 show

Most 12" records come in plain old boring black or white sleeves. But the latest release from Kryptic Minds, One of Us, has some really cool artwork from ashes57. There is on minor gaffe I noticed however. The bicycle in the lower right corner on the back cover has the driveshaft on the left side, not the right side. Maybe it's a special ninja bike.




I've been a fan of Scientist for a long time. He was the first dub record I heard. As I delve deeper into dub reggae, I continue to be amazed at the extensiveness of his work as a mixer and engineer. I discovered this record he shares with Maxie and Barnabas on the Silver Camel label:




Hopefully, some label will re-release it, or I can score a copy on ebay. I played the Maxie track, "Bloodlight", a dub version of a reggae cover of the Stylistics "People Make the World Go Round." I plan on playing a Scientist track off this soon.

I started off tonight's dubstep set with what I thought was an unreleased track by Jakes, which I heard on a rinse.fm show co-hosted by the man two years ago. But I was wrong on both counts. The song is Yout Man by Revolt Op, and readily available on Mode Recordings. But...Mode Recordings is Komonazmuk's label, a member of Jakes' H.E.N.C.H. crew. Has anyone ever seen Jakes and Revolt Op in the same room??