Review:
Achtung baby! Cologne's Brain Brainstorm returns to Liondub with this powerful seven-piece collection. Dubby flavours, hazy skanks, junglist beats and toxic levels of bass all play a lead role throughout: "Kill A Drum Pan" hits with tidal textures, "Forward" strips us back even further to the drum groove, "Moving On" fuses some expert cosmic drum work and sensual soul from Lady D-Zire, "Inside The Vaults" is all about the contrast between the euphoric pads and sizzling Lomax-style bass riffs while "Red Eyes" hits with an emphatic and heavily conscious vocal. Finally we're treated big horn magic on "Let It Go" (don't worry it has nothing to do with the Frozen song of the same name) before concluding with the rippled waves and tightly plucked guitar of "Brooklyn Dub Pt 2". An impeccable collection of modern jungle - this is close to a whole album. No filler in sight.
Review:
Brain-basher number one: German heavyweight Brian unleashes the parts of last year's massive "Forward" EP to a whole host of super-respected peers. The results are every bit as forward-thinking as you'd hope. Highlights include Bassface Sascha & Phlex maintaining the piano-laced vitality of "Inside The Vaults", Serial Killaz adding heavy layers of jungle murk to "Kill A Drum Pan", Bou continuing to show expert trippy science on his take on "Red Eyes" and DJ Hybrid stretching the elements for a roomy skanked out jungle twist on "Moving On". That's the tip of the remix iceberg. Time to push things forward...
Review:
Supporting the long-awaited debut album from Italian bass mainstays Numa Crew, Liondub International presents a double-A side featuring the one and only Dub FX on the mic. "Bass Hater" is a Frankenstein's monster of classic drum & bass and hip hop with its fusion of half-tempo rhymes and up tempo drums, showing off ultramodern production built around tightly wound bass burbles, minimalist drums and fine musical details. The instrumental flipside "B.M.X" leads with plucked strings suddenly run into the digitizer once the beat drops, a tense track of modern beat science at its finest to show off the Crew's most experimental side. Get involved.
Review:
Featuring a debut vocal appearance from original ragga badman Daddy Freddy, Liondub presented the talents of Mexican producer Isaac Maya earlier this year. Returning to the scene with remix pressure from Nu Elementz and Profile and Portugal's own Dirty Skank Beats, the digital carnage unfurls with Nu Elementz and Profile's remix, which opens in a classic reggae style that turns dirty in all the best jump-up ways. The next reinterpretation is left to Dirty Skank Beats, who removes the original production entirely and replaces it with down and dirty heaviness and hard hitting horns, leaving the majority of the vocals intact. Nicely does it.
Review:
From Mexico to Jamaica to London, "Original Jungle Sound" covers serious ground with a serious sound. Isaac Maya's rifle-like beats and teeth-baring bass reference jungles roots with futuristic production flourishes while Daddy Freddy gets guttural with forked tongue toasting in a way only he knows how. Remix-wise we head to Canada as Marcus Visionary adds his own brutal take on the original. Massive.
Review:
Soul quenching jungle juice from a veritable don on the Liondub label. Digital continues to kick seven shades of sonic shizzle out of the year with these two unruly shakers! "Sound Bizness" is a straight up power jam, all rusty amens, tight edits and even tighter twists on the drums. "Come Again" takes us back to the hardcore era with instant-impact detuned synths, bubbling basses and a snare that slaps so hard it needs an ASBO. Heaviness.
Review:
Dub Force teams up with longtime Ray Keith cohort Bladerunner on this latest slice of junglist action from the Liondub crew. No surprises here as we are taken deep in with the familiar "Jah Jah is coming" sample offset with some seriously hefty bass pressure and liberally sprinkled hectic amens on "Jah Jah Dub". "Give Me Your Love" slows the pace with hammond organ, reggae chops and dubwise samples all framing a Lover's Rock style yearning vocal and oscillating bass. One for the jungle soldiers.
Review:
What's a better cure for the February blues than a bit of Marcus Visionary and Interface rocking up with Jah Cure? There isn't one. First up is Interface's remix of "Never Find" and he's taken it to bits, revving up the tempo and adding a touch of pitch-shifting insanity to the lung-bursting chorus. Marcus Visionary takes a different path, reimagining Jah Cure's club favourite with a laid-back junglist twist. If you're not smiling by the end of this tune, you might need another Red Stripe.
Review:
Jahdan Blakkamoore and Metric Man have some serious fiscal fears. So they decided to team up with leading bass-smith Liondub to get their message out there. Thanks to the rich warm skank, gargling bass licks and sprightly synths, their thoughts about the evil paper are made loud and clear. With remixes from Noah D and Marcus Visionary, their broadcast is galvanised furthermore. The former adds a cool, funky west coast synth slides to the vibe while the latter gets slap happy with a cheeky dancehall riddim. Heavy.
Review:
LA junglists Noah D and No Thing get AAA access to the Liondub vaults and are told to do their damage with their unique fusion of dancehall, digidub, jungle and bass. Subverting 11 of Liondub's wide-reaching releases, the album-sized results are exciting, unique and full of surprises such as the vocalised synth layers on "Control", the rich vocal focus of Bunny General on "Soundwar" and the out-and-out badmanisms of "Nuke A Soundboy". A really interesting remix concept that works just as well as whole as it does as a collection of serious floor-firers.
Review:
Expect quintessential modern day jungle/D&B vibes in this collab between Navigator and Bladerunner. New York imprint Liondub can always be relied upon to deliver the goods and this is no exception. A crisp, crunchy intro with prerequisite reggae vocal leads into a lovely, lilting track, with a velvety bassline snaking below as jungle chirrups and fast paced vocals add to the Serial Killaz vibe. Spreading the age-old message of "Peace, Love & Unity" this is an essential track whether you choose the vocal version or the unadorned riddim. Time to skank out!
Review:
Reggae drenched jungle vibes here from Navigator and Noah D on the Lion Dub imprint. "Inequity Worker" kicks off with an evocative Jamaican style vocal spitting politicized lyrics in an urban, stripped back context, though the rattling breaks and a modern day bass boom bring it firmly into the present. There's a big nod to the rave in the remix version with rallying cries "Yo, junglists!" and "Junglist massive" and smashing drum kicks which will ensure D&B fans stand up, salute and skank out all night. The riddim retains a more heads down, hoods up potency, with the beats left to breathe alone. Big.
Review:
Another huge release from Liondub - seriously guys, keep 'em coming. This little slice of nasty comes in first off with Code Red's remix of "Kingston 11", a track you'll have heard smashing up systems around the country if you've been stepping hard enough. Next up to the plate Code Red rips "Inequity Worker", another one with sub-heavy bass and dark weighty sounds fit to send entire cities into the dance. This is a monster straight from the underground ragga and dub influences of Kingston 11 dragged screaming into the harsh strobes of D&B - you're gonna love it.
Review:
Four massive remixes and the original "Inna Mi Draw" reach our eager ears in this blazer from Liondub Int. Messing with the smooth reggae and dancehall vibes of the original stylings, Potential Badboy add a swagger and sway for the first rework. The legendary Serial Killaz push their junglist flex, Curfew Steppas take things a little bit leftfield with on-point off-beat riddims and finally, Voltage twists the original into his own jump-up fantasy. A blistering release from one of the best labels of its type out there - get on it!
Review:
Supporting the debut album from Italian heavy-hitters Numa Crew, this five-track sampler showcases their diversity to the next level. First off, dancehall legend Mr. Lexx comes correct with a heavy vocal delivery on the high-powered "Kill the Whole a Dem". Proper bashment beats and legendary vocal style make this one a solid pick for dancehall reggae DJs everywhere. "Bass Hater" featuring rising star Dub FX, references classic drum & bass and hip hop hybrids, while "Control" is a steady half-time, minimal hip hop-infused track, laden with dub delays and circling synths. "Impossible" is proper jungle with skanking keys, heavy sub bass and classic breaks and finally, "B.M.X" leads off with pitched strings and digitised melodies that become quickly surrounded by heavy 808 sub pressure. High diversity, low-end sounds.
Review:
Lining up for their first LP since they emerged in 2005, Florence's Numa Crew are the latest lethal addition to Liondub International's family. As pioneers of the scene in Italy, their sound explores all aspects of global bass music including reggae, dubstep, jungle, and hip hop. New Underground Massive Alliance bursts out of the gates as a take-no-prisoners affair, rolling rugged Coki-style bass grunge, burning dancehall, proper jungle, and a slew of vocal guests including Mellow Mood, MC Kwality, Kg Man and more into a high-potency herbal cocktail for the global bass music massive. Mellow to dirty, sweet to breakneck, this is a collection for the true heads.
Review:
Version excursion: Liondub return to Numa Crew's 2014 album and issue a selection of on-point artists with remix orders. The sharp steppy jump-up of "Bass Hater" gets an added muscular murking from Sub Killaz, a classic jungle roll from Brian Brainstorm and a heads-down growl twist from Samy Nicks. Meanwhile on the dubstep side of Numa Crew's output, "Control" enjoys even more remixes from the likes of Piezo & D Operation Drop (rolling paranoia vibes that border on thoroughbred techno), Lost City (mystic dancehall business) Badjokes (dark style breaks), Liondub (grimy skanks with added voicing from Dirty Smirks) and Meeku (classic jungle Omni Trio feels) Genuinely something for everyone here.
Review:
The first volume of remixes to come from Numa Crew's 2014 debut album New Underground Massive Alliance, Liondub take the skank-spanked opening tracks and commission a brace of on-point versions. "Impossible" version highlights include the classic bubble-bass jungle flare of Brian Brainstorm's twist, the sheets of overwhelming distorted bass on Samy Nicks' shake-up and Numa Crew's own dubwise strip down. "Kill A Whole A Dem" version highlights come from none than Vadim (piano-wise hook with Nextmen levels of funk), Serial Killaz (hype-charged steppery) and Upgrade (straight-up unashamed dancefloor hair-raising). As far as remix packages go, they don't get much heftier.
Review:
Featuring album lead-off track "Impossible" and the dark hip-hop & dancehall hybrid "Control" with Robert Dallas on the mic, "Impossible" starts off with sweet vocals and skanking keyboards. "Control" features Kwality on the microphone in a half-time hip hop style, laden with dub effects and circling synthesizers. Contrast comes from Kwality's dancehall-style vocals flowing around the sparse drums while getting wrapped into the delay effects that run through the center of the production. Showcasing two contrasting sides of the Numa Crew on this deadly drop, Liondub is bringing International pressure on the bass scene for 2014.
Review:
Legendary reggae and dancehall vocalist Johnny Osbourne has been one of the most distinctive voices on the roots reggae scene since the late 70s. Combine his perfect pipes with Toronto's original jungle henchman Marcus Visionary and you end up with a totally tropical drum and bass insta-classic in a rub-a-dub style. Marcus has chosen to release two versions of this banger on Liondub International, and it's not hard to see why; the virtual flip sees the original dubplate version gain a meaner work-over for 2013, adding an edge that will surely have dancefloors skanking from here to Kingston. A little bit a sunshine for us all.
Review:
Liondub isn't messing around with this one - the label has invited the legendary Johnny Osbourne to the fold for this swinging slice of authentic jungle. Harmonic, sweet-toned and warm as toast, Osbourne's ode to the raving crew is crystalline and, with enough air time at the raves, will be very easy to sing along to. For more Marcus and less Johnny jump on the bubbly dub version. Bona fide jungle business.
Review:
Prescott's sound has certainly matured since he emerged in 2010. Breaking through on Nice Up with raw bootleg badness, his gradual movements into authentic contemporary dub have proven his skills as both a musician and a man who understands successful dub dynamics. Highlights across this deep and meditative Liondub debut include the spooked out echoes and trembles of "The Eight Devils", the lonely oriental flutes and strings of "A State Of Mind" and the dark, pensive drama of "Moving In The Shadows". A true dub ninja, Prescott's rise is one that commands complete respect.
Review:
Liondub International come through with their usual bag of ragga jump-up goodness, and this time it's a mash up of the legendary Ranking Joe! "Ram Dance Selecta" is a serious body groover packed full of crunchy breaks and that inimitable Jamaican vocal twist - a true lesson in rub-a-dubbin'! "Jungle General" is another slice of mutant ragga funk, but a touch deeper and a little more sensual. All together, a true flash job. Run it!!
Review:
As LionDub International charges into 2014 with new releases and a newly-unveiled Street Series, we welcome their latest newcomers, REDS, a recently-minted East London drum and bass duo who proudly offer their solo debut featuring vocals from India's Delhi Sultanate and remixes from Canada's jungle don Marcus Visionary, the inimitable Mungos Hi Fi out of Scotland, and Dublin's Dirty Dubsters. Switching through bouncy dancehall vibes to the deep, dubby sway of Von D's delightfully filthy dubstep mix, there's plenty to get those feet moving here. Raise your hands and lower your caps, it's about to get messy.
Review:
Jungle dons from over the Atlantic Liondub & Marcus Visionary are finally back in the studio producing under their Rumble alias, creating riddims to showcase talented vocalists from NY to JA. The result is the infectious Skandal Bag Riddim which is toasted to a cinder by Blackout JA for the ganja tribute track "weed weed". The bin busting sub bass of the jungle mix is bound to get pulses racing as the offbeat skank lends itself perfectly to the tempo change. Both instrumental versions are strong enough to hold their own in any soundcash, with bass hooks that you wil be humming all the way through your 20 sack.
Review:
It's always a joy to hear of a new release from the mighty Rumble (aka Marcus Visionary and Liondub). Yes back they are, and they're brandishing a brand new weapon, "Gyalis", strengthened by the help of Mr Lexx, Suku Ward and their mics. The original tune sees the latter pair duel, with the former's dominant bassy tones and the latter's higher, toaster shout-outs actually working together perfectly. Underneath the vocals is an electronic dancehall bassline with light, DnB-meets-ska beats, and there's even a "Riddim" dub version thrown in for good measure.
Review:
NY x TO x JA! The international link up continues as Marcus Visionary and Liondub hook up once again under their Rumble alias. Recent beats have been graced by young upcoming talents whereas their latest workout "Sound Gangsta" has been created especially for a man that is somewhat of a veteran and legend in the game; Red Fox. The Jamaica raised New York resident has a breathless flow and a unique talent for effortlessly switching tones, flows and dynamics. All of his skills are on show for this one.
The A side Dancehall mix gives an interesting polished production take on Rumble's brand of dancehall with plenty of contemporary rap and hip hop influences. Think Mr. Collipark meets Tarik "Rvssian" Johnston.
Liondub's signature sounds are evident in the NYC mix, which swaps claps for snares and the modern polished sounds are swapped for stripped back for old school New York HipHop sounds in a constantly fluctuating 8 bar dancehall form. There is a tasty jungle mix that time stretches the vocal and synth hook and under lays it with booming sub bass and rattling tribal beats. Red Fox's slowed flow sits perfectly on top of jungle beats which probably tells you that all these dance promoters like Jungle Mania are missing a trick not booking him! There is a whole set of instrumental mixes for when you have vocalists on set and we are looking forward to hip hop and dancehall vocalists jumping on these for freestyles and ciphers over the next few months.
Review:
Rumble is the new team of Marcus Visionary and Liondub. Their plan is to showcase vocalists from Jamaica, New York and the UK and to fuse the sounds of dancehall, hip-hop and DnB. Siren is their first offering and they've started with a banger - roping in the legendary soundclash MC Suku (aka Ward 21 of Kingston, Jamaica). The original of "Siren" is a buzzy, high-energy electronic skank that's guaranteed to get the place totally lit. Elsewhere the club mix gets looser with dem riddims, the DnB mix is what it says on the tin, but the dancehall version is totally pure joy.
Review:
Even just glancing at the amount of killer collaborators Saxxon's recruited for his odyssey you know this is a huge album: Navi, Coppa, T>I, DJ Limited, AK1200, Jaxx, Blackout JA and Liondub all play a role in this ambitious affair. And that's before we even address the music itself; rollers, slappers and vibers hanging from every corner like ill fitting suits, highlights include the heavily rotated bassline bust up "Rollcall", the trippy tripletty swing, strange buzzes and piano bliss of "Way Back", the woozy soul and fat wobbles of "The Night Before 420", the loose limbed jazz of "The Dopest" and pant swinging bassline slappery of "Wile E Coyote". And that's just the tip of the Odyssey iceberg. Huge respect to Saxxon, this isn't an album, it's a statement and way of life.
Review:
Saxxon lets rip with a balls-out collabo fest loaded with the highest level vocal touches; T>I and Blackout Ja are the first to arrive at the party with a snaking funk bag of a jam that celebrates the sticky-icky while Saxxon goes it alone with Navi on the bubbling, happy-slapping sub bumper "Rollcall". Finally we have "Real Sound Killa" with Professor Liondub himself; a ripped and ready roller with guttural calls from Capital D, it lands just in time for your end-of-summer skank-ups. Need a 1up? Jump on Saxxy's killer VIP. Action stations!
Review:
Saxxon's "Jungle Odyssey" continues with four more firestarting burn ups. The EP kicks off in earnest with "Way Back". A hook up with DJ Limited, it's one of those holy grail tracks that's hard, soulful, funk and deep all at the same time thanks to a fine tuned bounce on the wobbles and those jazzy chords. Meanwhile "Yo Yo" brings even more wobble and jazz to the mix with a rampant sense of early 2000s funk and the final two tracks bring the MC to the fore; "Ignition" with Blackout JA is a forthright shredder with some incredible distortion and restraint on the bassline while "Roll Through" sees Coppa spitting over a rubber band bassline and subtle mid 90s Headz references. This album is going to be massive.
Review:
Mysterious transatlantic duo SHDWS make their debut on Liondub with a caustic, spooked-out shredder that lives up to its spellbinding title. Heavily MC-led, and loaded with metal-like aggression, there's a sharpness and sense of momentum to the track ensuring you won't forget it in a hurry. And for those who can't handle the mic-snapping frontman energy there's also an instrumental. Don't have nightmares.
Review:
Futuristic reggae champions Liondub International make a fabulous return here as they bring together three highly rated newschool toasters for some fresh heat over the 'Sticky Riddim'. We kick off with Sotto Bless's moody vocal stylings and and almost chanted lyricism on his cut entitled 'Sticky'. Following this we plunge into Suku Ward's intense vocal cut by the name of 'Global'. Both artists bring a unique take to the riddim, of which the instrumental version is also included in the full release package, making this a must have for any fan of future reggae music.
Review:
Version science: Prescott explores some of reggae's most discerning classics and subverts them over an unfailing digidub riddim. A classic one-track album mission, the bubbling bass beats are a consistent spine while an all-star cast appear over the groove to great effect. Highlights include Ranking Joe's Eek-A-Mouse chats on "Ganja Pipe", Jahdan Blakkamoore's nasal dancehall chants on "No Bad Vibes" and Pad Anthony's softer soul melodic style on "Murder". One track, eight vibes - this one's special in all directions.
Review:
Proper drum and bass full of ragga twists to lose your mind to on this compilation thanks to Lion Dub label head Marcus Visionary. This release moves from the rolling reggae rhythms of "Ruff & Tuff" to the frenetic throwabouts of "Original Jungle Sound". Tear out vibes are to be had on "Born To Fly", and to be honest this release doesn't let up at all, and for a real weapon check out the anthem that is Navigator's "Sound The Alarm". But for something to potentially wind down to, relatively speaking, it's all about Marcus Visionary's VIP version of Jah Cure's "Never Find".
Review:
Established Jamaican super-producer Di Genius has spent the best part of a year compiling this bumper release of jungle refixes alongside the hugely respected jungle badman Liondub. As the beats remain the same throughout (hence the "Moving Riddim Jungle Refixes" portion of the title) they feature a massive array of classic and contemporary reggae and dancehall names, from Anthony B's "Give Praises" and Freddie McGregor's "Be Alright" to the undeniable vocals of Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths in her strong, uplifting track "No No No". Plenty of ammo for jungle and brighter jump-up sets.
Review:
Given the glowing reception to last year's Jungle To The World compilation, it makes for no surprise that Liondub have called on the curatorial skills of all-round junglist scholar, Marcus Visionary, to compile a second volume. The blend of legends and innovators alike is present once more, as Visionary pulls together 14 tracks from an all-star cast of producers renowned for pushing forth the reggae-infused jungle sound. Naturally the highlights come thick and fast, but Bladerunner's fierce "Guidance Dub" and Marcus Visionary's own collab with iconic reggae vocalist Jonny Osbourne, "Lend Me", stand out. Some killer sampling of the classic "Armagideon Time" abounds in this latter cut. E for essential!
