Ashtech - Walkin Target (2007) & Zenzile - Modus Vivendi (2005)
Since the 90s dub has inspired countless bands outside Jamaica who have
sought to reinvigorate a rock movement that was running out of steam.
Heavy baselines, the use of digital technologies to distort and echo
sounds, and stripped off lyrics were key in the maturing of electronica
and its branching out as an identified music form.
From this is
born a hybrid flavour of dub, mid-way between its originating Jamaican
root and experimental electronic music. The debut album of Italian
born producer Ashtech fits in that style. This fusion is also very
well illustrated by the French dub scene and its flag ship band Zenzile.
Ashtech - Walkin Target (2007)
Ashtech
is a producer, bass player, DJ and solo artist. An established figure
in the Italian mainstream music industry, he has collaborated on 14
different albums both as a producer and as a composer. He has toured
across Europe with his Italian band, Almamegretta, playing in large
festivals and sharing the stage with international acts such as Tricky,
The Wailers, Mory Kante, Compay Segundo, Groove Armada and Asian Dub
Foundation. Now living in London, Walkin Target is his first
solo production.
DNA, the opener for Walkin Target is a slow
paced digital appetizer that gets us into the atmosphere of the album
and leads to more interesting variations and experimentations. The
production is slick and the bass, played by Ashtech gives the album a
great deal of depth and rhythm.
Zenzile - Modus Vivendi (2005)
Originating
from Angers in France, Zenzile gets its name from an anti-apartheid South African poet. Since it formed in 1995 the band has become a well
established bastion of the French underground dub scene, gaining
mainstream media attention in the last couple of years. They also
perform as a sound system and have produced the 3 Big Singjays Pon A
Riddim for the Irie Ites label where you'll find artists such as
Turbulence, Spectacular, Lutan Fyah, Chezidec and Ras MacBean.
Modus
Vivendi, released in 2005, is their fourth album. The album starts with Wow, a subtle mix of heavy drum and bass and guitar, all led by the
melody of a flute that allows the track to pause, breathe and take you
to wonderland. This track is probably the highlight of the album.
Other successful and more brutal tracks include Hippo, a
mix of African percussions and samples of industrial rattles or Basic which will surely make your head nod and your toe tap.
Vocals
Surprisingly
perhaps for dub albums, the masterpieces from each of these two
albums are vocal tracks. The voice on the Ashtech album is Cheshire Cat, a
MC from Birmingham who performs on roughly a third of the tracks.
Cheshire Cat places his subtle and lively voice, almost like a
ghostly apparition, on Essential Credential and Earthforce - my
favorite track - to take the album to another level.
Zenzile
has invited Jean Gomis aka Sir Jean. A singjay originating from Lyon,
Sir Jean is a well known character of the French dub scene, having
participated in albums from Peuple de l'Herbe, Ezekiel and previous
Zenzile's productions. He makes an impact on the very political War
Still A Run. Starting on an accordion melody, the track takes off with
fast, weighty drums and the African sounding voice of Sir Jean
haranguing against religious intolerance and its impact in Afghanistan
or Palestine.
Verdict
These
two albums are robust illustrations of what 21st century dub is about -
production, experimentation, cross overs and messages. Check them out for their own merit and
as a gateway to other genres. And if you happen to be in Europe
sometimes soon check these two artists on stage - their live performances
are known to be real crowd shakers.
Antoine
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