Jah Wobble – Dub Volume One
Dub Volume One, an album that bass virtuoso Jah Wobble wrote, played, and arranged himself, is a brave solo statement. While jazz sounds and psychedelic atmospheres are incorporated into the record, its core roots lie deeply in the expansive rhythms and low-end concentration of dub. Wobble’s signature bass takes center stage, acting as a bridge between the solid, frequently cheerful beats and the ethereal synth sounds in addition to holding down the groove. His uniquely deep tones lead the music through smoky, strange landscapes, guiding each track like a spiritual guide. The funk-inspired guitar riffs in “Existential Dub” are particularly interesting because they provide the dub base an ethereal polish while also adding extra speed and rhythm. The song seems both solid and hanging due to to the surreal character that this funk and psychedelic mix adds to the mix. The vocals in “Lovers Rock Dub” follow the same euphoric, traveling path as the rest of the sound, despite the majority of the record being instrumental. The vocals are not the main attraction; rather, they work more as a form, a component of the hazy dreamscape, than a focal point. Throughout Dub Volume One, there is a sense of serious exploration. Instead of aiming for pompous intricacy, Wobble leads listeners to a hypnotic world where dub turns into a kind of musical meditation and repetition turns into hypnosis. The album has an air of live improvisation in its dub chambers thanks to the hidden jazz components, which are more noticeable in the arrangements’ flexibility than in the soloing. All things considered, Dub Volume One is an engrossing listen, an album that crosses the line between groove and meditation.
Photo Credit: Jah Wobble photo by David Guttridge
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