Based out of Kingston, Jamaica, Moonshine Recordings sit as one of the most forward thinking dubwise imprints out there, constantly pushing the boundaries of that unique space between newschool dubstep and nostalgic reggae flavour. Having seen their first full release hit the shelves back in July 2009, the label has amassed a fantastic combination of podcasted content and high quality original releases, making their catalogue an extremely enjoyable journey through the old and new. The roster of artists they have pulled together also remains extremely impressive, with the production styles of 6Blocc, Radikal Guru, Babylon System, Vibration Lab, Numa Crew, Bukkha and more all making regular contributions to their fantastic back catalogue. The label also houses some of the best in the business when it comes to digital reggae vocalists, with the likes of Mr Williamz, Parly B, Junior Dread, Solo Banton, YT, Earl 16 and a tonne more all making regular contributions over the years. With new projects releasing every month, they show no signs of slowing down any time soon!
Review: Originally released in November 2012, "Dancehall Rock" saw Bristol the bass veteran apply his riddim skills to Rick Rankin's distinctive tenor. His rolled 'r's mirrored by the thunderous percussion, it was an instant smash. Now back with two stunning remixes, DJ Madd adds a more robust, minimal halfstep to proceedings, giving the tune a sharper, big room punch. HoT, meanwhile, conjure up a D&B soundsystem slayer. With a soft skank on the chords and classical jungle amens, like the original, it's an instant smash.
Review: A cheeky teaser from Radikal Guru's forthcoming album, "Warning" is a kindly reminder of how respectful dubstep can be to the roots when it's in the right hands. Echo Ranks plays the consummate Eek-A-Mouse with his emphatic scat-style delivery and conscious lyrics while Polish Guru polishes up some of the warmest tubular bass you've heard all month. In classic Moonshine form, both remixes accentuate different aspects of the track with bona fide clarity; Violinbwoy constructs a stark steppy arrangement while Dubkasm goes for a deeper, authentic dub version, all spaced out and riddled with mesmerising studio techniques. Each cut a smouldering example of contemporary dub. You have officially been warned.
Review: It's become quite a rarity for us to see a brand new drop from the Moonshine Recordings team land and us not be impressed with it, a theme we see continue here as Radikal Guru and Lady Skavya join forces for a weighty new dubwise epic entitled 'Lost & Found'. It's a perfect combination of silky singalong vocal patterns and aquatic instrumentation, guiding forward creeping melodic twists and subtle eskimo-style synthesizer action. It's a wicked combination of sounds that truly works wonders, also coming complete with Radikal Guru's full instrumental version for good measure!
Review: Moonshine's manoeuvres in the deep continue to impress with this highly accomplished collaborative remix album. A throwback to their original Steppin' Forward album - released March 2014 - the Jamaican label have given each contributor the parts to a fellow label mate's tune and asked them to get creative. The results are as consistent and progressive as the original. Every track is a highlight but stand-out essentials include the bubblesome digidub of Bukkha's juicy switch on Tuff & Powa's "Outlaw Music", Adam Prescott's sinewy shakedown of RSD's "Know U 2" and the foamy subs and wriggling melodica on Roommate's version of Alpha Steppa's "Shinkansen".
Review: Polish premier league dubster RG takes us on one of his best version excursions to date. The YT-fronted "Stay Calm" is one of the many highlights from his second album Subconscious and here it comes complete with three brand new reflexes: the "Digitalizer Dub" is a straight up digi-dub instrumental twist, "Sound System" sees him teaming up with Irish don Cian Finn once again for a raw, club-focused repurpose while El Fata adds a softer, more soulful vocal polish that's not dissimilar to that of Horace Andy.
Review: Now as a label; we have been absolutely loving what the Moonshine team have been putting forward recently, constantly expanding the realms of modern dub music with some incredible results. This latest masterclass from Tubby Isiah is a testament to that as he rolls out 10 new dubwise scorchers, overspilling with system-ready subs and delicious spacey drum arrangements. There really is something for everyone on this one, from the hypnotic delays and brushing drums of 'Silverback' alongside Versa, to the traditional horn reverbs of 'Only Me' and almost dubstep style rhythmic approach of 'Do It Jah'. We also think the collaboration with Bukkha entitled 'Hold On Driver' is nothing short of outstanding, combining long spacy breakdowns with glistening instrumentation to create something truly special.
Review: Dubstep Aussie style, Sekkleman steps forth with two crisp originals. "Lightman" is a graveyard marauder as Baptiste's well applied vocal guides us through the tombs and vaults with clarity, while "18 Dromilly Ave Dub" leans back on a classic digidub flex with warm keys, captivating vocal licks from Serocee and deep space reverb and drums that evolve faster than technology. Remix-wise Dread flips "Lightman" into an incredible Om Unit-style dub & bass workout. Step towards the light.
Review: Poland-born Radikal Guru is a past master at blending the grizzled, bassbin-bothering sounds of dubstep with deep dub and soulful roots influences. As a result, his releases have an easy accessibility and effortlessly breezy vibe that's almost impossible to dislike. This second full length (his first dropped in 2011) offers more of the same, delivering a mix of dubwise steppers ("Spaced Out", "Different Dub", "Indra"), delay and echo-drenched dancefloor dubscapes ("Subconscious", "Outernational"), and sweet, conscious, roots-influenced songs ("Stay Calm", featuring YT, and the superb Echo Ranks hook-up "Warning!"). It's a blend that guarantees a pleasing, laidback listen.
Review: Bubbling from the dub motherland, Kingston Jamaica, Moonshine Recordings deliver a 15-track heavy adventure into the finest contemporary dub sounds. Uniting artists from all sides of the oceanic dub pool, Steppin' Forward documents bass music and dub culture's furthest, most expansive potential. From Compa's undulating bass wriggles and reverb synth shots on "One Lion" to the heavy, gurgling low-end menace of Violinbwoy's "Echo Park" this is guaranteed to resonate with all sides of the dub spectrum.
Review: A second record to this Junior Dread name comes in remix form, with Moonshine Recordings plucking versions from Joseph McGann & Sam Barrett's Gorgon Sound project. The two Peng Sound artists deliver a harmonic remake of cheerful flutes, light backing vocals and walking basslines with keys to match. Hungarian producer DJ Madd, who has close ties with the Bristol's Black Box, sits Junior Dread's vocals deeper in the mix which lightly expels the word 'freedom' behind a wall of bass and 808 kicks, while frenetically designed percussion will keep the feet moving while the heads are down.
Review: As always with Moonshine Recordings, we are very excited to jump into this new release which once again gives us a very modern take on dubwise themes and reggae in general. D-Operation is the artist in question who heads up two exclusive remixes of 'Liberation', the first of which features Vale as an official 'Trumpet Version', combining potent basslines and marching drum-lines with powerful horn performance to spin any system. On the flip, Babe Roots and Don Fe give the track a much different feel, slowing everything down and focussing on haunting flute lines and powerful subs below for a much more ethereal vibe. Incredible stuff!
Review: Established bass bin botherer 6Blocc teams up with low end newbie Bungalow Dub for a fantastic four pack on Moonshine. Traditional dub vibes with a surging dancefloor twist, both "Revolution" and "Pressure" are instant festival smashers with bottom ends so large they'll shade you from the sun all summer. Jamalski's vocals work perfectly over "Revolution", adding a great sense of urgency and party-hard reality as the bass-driven melody twists from classic to dubstep to a driving 4/4 hybrid. Vocal free versions of both cuts have been included to ensure all selectors as happy with the package; "Revolution (Version)" is particularly mischievous with its darkened riff and maximised twists. Seek and support!
Review: Ireland isn't the first place you'd think of when it comes to sturdy soundsystem dub flavours, but Cian Finn is quickly changing this perception with some deep, driving conscious mic craft. It's clear his years as front man for Irish festival faves Intinn have paid off as we're treated to a series of versions, each one paying attention to a different aspect of dub. Highlights include the sonorous hollow tones of Radikal Guru's version of "Ireland Dub" and the raw stomp of Alpha Steppa's "9 Years Dub". Serious soundsystem material!
Review: After something dub-fresh and deeply gorgeous? Numa Crew have rolled together some serious phat ones for your delectation, created to rumble subs throughout the feel good lands. With enough oldschool vibes to satisfy the purest of dubstep puritans while adding enough sunshine-soaked melody to create the perfect summer playlist, the whole EP screams instant classic from start to finish.
Review: Polish Violin-snapping badman steps up to Moonshine with an album-level dispatch of authentic contemporary dub. Each cut is coated with a conscious vocal sheen and comes complete with a heavier, floor-primed version. Those looking for their souls to be soothed should jump straight on the beautiful "Hold Unto Jah" while those eager for something a little more carnal and blatantly weighty should get acquainted with the fittingly titled "Mammoth Dub". Bass bliss.
Review: Here we have a truly international project, with Belgium's Digid teaming up with London's Squarewave for the reggae-tinged Rooftop Stepper EP. It's a mix that works, with these three instrumentals brimming with good vibes. The title track sets the pace with its techy-bass reggae leanings, going downstairs we get "Basement Stepper" which is a tougher digi-bass affair and finally "Space Station Stepper" takes things even slower for the rarest of things- a modern take of instrumental dub.
Review: Straight out of Kingston, Jamaica, Moonshine Recordings team up with the unstoppable force of Bukkha for a melodic masterpiece of an EP. Featuring multiple original vocal performances, this EP entitled 'Unity' sees Bukkha delve deep into his dub roots, especially with the vibrancy of the first track 'Unite' featuring Clinton Sly. The combination of dub-style drum arrangement and airy woodwind melodies on this and 'A Burial' featuring Don Fe makes for very enjoyable listening. The stripped back dub-reggae stylings of 'Peacemaker' alongside Blind Prophet and the murky drum and bass switch ups of 'Dark Future' round the EP off perfectly. This is another fantastic look at dub music from a different angle, a scenario that Moonshine Recordings have become synonymous with in recent times!
Review: It's always exciting to see new music from Radikal Guru hit the shelves. This release see's two classic works recreated in remix form none other than dubstep heavyweight DJ Madd and Melbourne's own bass maverick: Sekkleman. Madd steps up first with his gutter twist up of 'Back Off' featuring exhilarating vocals from the legendary Solo Banton. On the flip, Sekkleman builds an explosive steppers recreation of 'Raggamuffin Soldier', which of course features a lively vocal performance from Echo Ranks.
Review: Fresh off a string of very cool releases, we are pleased to be welcoming back Dubstep royalty in Radikal Guru, who teams up with Moonshine Recordings for a a very punchy project indeed. The title track 'Tell Dem Fi Run', is an electronic dub monster, driven by oldschool, moogy triplet bass stabs and haunting organ melodies, topped of course with a very high energy vocal performance. This one also comes with two official remixes, the first being a future dub infused Steppa Remix, the second being a full dub version, making this a must have for any reggae enthusiast.
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