Dub Colossus – Dub Me Tender Vol. 1 + 2

Dub Colossus - Dub Me Tender Vol. 1 + 2

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Dub Colossus – “Crazy in Dub”
Dub Me Tender Vol. 1 + 2

Dub Colossus is a refreshing expansion of dub music. Assembled by Nick Page (aka Dubulah), Dub Colossus mixes 70s Jamaican dub reggae with the sounds of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. After traveling there in 2006, Dubulah began to work with musicians in Addis to explore traditional Azmari styles, 60s Ethiopian pop and Ethiojazz. He quickly stumbled upon some amazing talent. Vocalists Tsedenia Gebremarkos and Sintayeh ‘Mimi’ Zenebe joined up with Dubulah along with pianist Sameul Yirga (whose Guzo album we reviewed in November), saxophonist Feleke Hailu and mesenqo violinist Teremage Woretaw to form Dub Colossus.

After the critical success of Dub Colossus’ previous album, Addis Through the Looking Glass, the band decided to put together a couple of volumes of remixes. The resulting Dub Me Tender Vol 1 + 2 is available now in the U.S. on CD from Real World Records. The collection features Dub Colossus songs that have been reworked to great effect. The cast of Addis Through the Looking Glass are back along with Steel Pulse singer Mykaell Riley, drummer Nick Van Gelder (Jamiroquai), the Horns of Negus brass section, bass master Dr Das (Asian Dub Foundation), and double-bassist Bernard O’Neill (Syriana). While these songs have been dubbed up courtesy of Dubulah and a Sound City Echomaster 1, the music still retains a strong live element and the material was performed in Europe and the UK with a full band last year.

Listen to “Crazy in Dub” and check out an excellent live performance of “Uptown Top Ranking.” Look for Dub Me Tender Vol. 1 + 2 wherever fine music is sold.

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