Blogariddims 43 / Deep in Bludgrooves

(Droid sez:) We're limping rather than sprinting to the finish line with this severely delayed epsiode (thanks mainly to my failing organic components) from another Subvert Central regular: 'Sir Loris of Crowthorne'. Loris is another contributor from the non-blogging community who has put up some nice mixes in the past, and this set is no exception, featuring a sweet and mellow selection of roots and dub classics alongside an equally nice write up. Again sorry for the delay with this one, but the good news is that the schedule is (almost) back on track as 44 will hit the stands on Monday, which puts us only a week out of sync with only six episodes left.

Everything you need to know about the cast is here, including a rundown of all the earlier episodes, and you can download this episode by subscribing or getting it direct. Without further ado: Sir Loris presents: Deep in Bludgroves:

Sir Loris - Blogariddims 43 / Deep in Bludgrooves (79.7mb.mp3)

So then, number 43 already and time to present my podcast to the blogging world. As with the majority of music hobbits who lurk on the net, I don’t really dj on a professional level, instead I’ve got into the incredibly bad habit of amassing more records than I know what to do with and not really taking the ‘playing gigs’ part of the job very seriously. Despite all that it is still a huge amount of fun putting collages together from time to time and seeing what a hidden audience make of them.

The weekend before I assembled this mix I’d set my decks back up and dug out all my old reggae to listen to. After a few hours of non-stop listening I’d managed to put aside a worthy pile of favourites that I would later include in a blogariddims mix. Thanks again for inviting me to be a part of it Droid.

The overall theme of the mix was to use a collection of tracks that had some meaning to me. Music I enjoyed and understood. I’m not a devout reggae head but some of what I have picked up over the years I still get huge satisfaction from. This mix centres around dub for the most part but does include some roots and lovers rock in places, albeit quite sparingly.

Techniques - Born To Love
Love Joys - Jah Light
Grandpa Culture - Production Dub
The Travellers - South Africa

Kicking things off we start with the opening track off Winston Riley’s ‘Meditation Dub’ LP. This was first the first dub record I remember buying so using ‘Born To Love’ as an introduction to the mix seemed quite fitting. Fans of Scientist, Jammy and Tubby et al need to check the other side of the fence; this is rocksteady and it ain’t pretty! I followed this track with the Love Joys’ heavenly Jah Light off their dazzling ‘Reggae Vibes’ LP on Top Ranking.

Edging into number three with a classic Revolutionarys production, Sly & Robbie lay down one of their signature drum workouts for us here on the wondrous Production Dub. Unfortunately I can’t find very much info about this 7” other than it was a High Note release without a catalogue number. Moving back into vocal territory with The Travellers’ South Africa, Errol Nelson’s angelic voice is what really runs things on this track. Soul music on another level, you can play this virtually anywhere and it’ll always get a good response.

Ansel Collins – Portebello
Wackie's All Stars - Take Time

The next section features a couple of the more rhythmic, instrumental numbers I chose for this podcast. Ansel Collins’ lively Portebello with that dreamy, seductive melodica running through it and Lloyd Bullwackies’ unrelenting Take Time with its unruly pops and horns peppered over the mix. Complete musicality in these tracks, both of them as infectious each other. Straight up bad tunes – make no mistake.

Morwells Esquire - Never Gonna Give You Up
Barry Brown - Big Big Pollution

I thought we were due some vocals at this point so I opted for a couple of upbeat roots tunes to liven things up a touch. A nice contrast in style on these two with Never Give Gonna Give You Up highlighting the more traditional side of what reggae artists were doing around that time. Barry Brown’s Big Big Pollution is an altogether deeper affair with its lazy riddim and repetitious vocals propping it up. Light hearted reggae that does what it says on the tin!

The Arabs Feat. Prince Far I - Long Life
Linval Thompson - Roll RiverJordan (version)
The Simeons - 16 Track Rock
Dennis Bovell – Scientific

The next few tracks showcase the more experimental side of dub. Far I’s mesmerising Long Life off the amazing ‘Cry Tuff Dub Encounter’ LP was (and still is) like nothing I’d ever heard in reggae before. Drums literally falling over themselves, strings that sound like they’re being plucked from nowhere, and this vibe to it almost like it’ll go on forever. I chose to interrupt things with a version at this point – quite a well known one actually – Roll River Jordan. You only hear the odd glimpse of Thompson’s unmistakable voice in this tune, but that’s all you need, it’s the bassline and depth that really make this work. Deceptively laid back in style, this is relentless, purposeful dub at its best.

Like every other genre out there, occasionally you come across a gem hidden in the sale rack of a charity shop. The Simeons hail from the UK and only ever made one record. I managed to find this in Oxfam on Kentish Town Road a few years ago. Drawn to the cover with a magical Rasta bus on the front, it was pretty obvious this record would have at least a couple of outstanding cuts on it when I picked it up. Well worth purchasing if you ever spot it anywhere. Rounding off this chapter with the cosmic sounds of Dennis Bovell’s Scientific, I felt compelled to include this because of the crazy intro. The vocals are pretty nifty too - if a little cheesy.

Vivian Jackson - Tubbys Vengeance
Thompson Sound - Guide Me In Dub Style
Sugar Minott - International Herb

So, into the final hurdle with some real heavyweight records to round things off with. Vivian Jackson (aka Yabby You) produced some sterling work during the 70s, notably his best material with the late King Tubby. Tubbys Vengeance sits firmly in that bracket. Expertly produced and as deep as it gets. Check the arrangements on this one.

I tried not to double up on the same artist whilst putting this episode together, but felt the ending was lacking something so I bit my tongue and pulled ‘Guide Me In Dub Style’ out of its sleeve. Great percussion on this tune with Scientist doing what he does best behind the mixing desk.

We finish the mix with some downright eerie business from Sugar Minott. Spooky roots reggae at its best this. I had to stick this at the end because of how unsettled it makes me feel. The original version features on his Jamming In The Street LP but was later reissued by Wackie’s on 10”. A slightly different cut I think, though you can never be sure. Personally I’d buy them both…