RhoDeo 1251 Roots

Hello, as mentioned previously there's been a big influx of Jamaicans in the UK these last decades and they seeded a vibrant reggae/dub culture, reason enough to post some of the results of exploring '90s U.K. Anglo dub.  Having been so prolific these past decades another Alpha & Omega posting today.

Alpha & Omega emerged as part of the '90s U.K. dub school, but the approach favored by Christine Woodbridge and John Sprosen is far more deeply grounded in dub's original Jamaican bass & drum roots foundation, than 'better modern living through sound science and mixing board effects.' It's dub as a rhythm of life to live by, minimal grooves with a sparing but savvy application of electronic touches, and melody instruments to avoid sameness.... N'joy

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As the duo, Alpha and Omega, Christine Woodbridge and John Sprosen have created a style of dub, the remixing offshoot of reggae, that is uniquely British. While they were initially influenced by original dub recordings by Lee "Scratch" Perry, King Tubby and Augustus Pablo, Woodbridge and Sprosen have continued to evolve their own sound. "Option" magazine explained, "through minimal manipulation, (Alpha and Omega) deliver the listener to a place of great sonic peace". According to "The Wire", "The compelling presences at the hear of these airy sonic worlds have a harder edge than some of their ancestors'. "Pulse!" dug even deeper into their explanation of Alpha and Omega's sound, which they described as, "massively thunderous bass lines, galloping drum tracks and a willingness to tastefully adorn dubs with digital flutes and various electronic sounding washes". Bassist Woodbridge, one of reggae's few woman instrumentalists, and keyboardist Sprosen began working together after meeting in the southwestern coastal city of Plymouth in Devon, England. Both musicians had previously played in various reggae bands and Sprosen had worked with the Roaring Lion Sound System. Pooling their resources, Woodbridge and Sprosen spent several years recording rhythm tracks prior to releasing their debut album, Daniel in the Lion's Den, as a cassette that they released on their own label, A & O, in 1990. Two years later, the duo signed with Greensleeves, keeping the imprint A &O as part of the agreement. Alpha and Omega have continued to collaborate with other British reggae bands. The duo supplied rhythm tracks for Jah Shaka and appeared on the indie-dance band Flowered Up's single, "The Reggae Song". The duo was accompanied by the Disciples on their 1997 album, Sacred Art of Dub; Mystical Things followed three years later and the brilliant Dub Philosophy appeared in summer 2001. They produced a steady output in the following decade: Serious Joke (02), Spirit Of The Ancients (03), Trample The Eagle And The Dragon And The Bear (05), City Of Dub (07), Songs From The Holy Mountain (09), culminating in Blessed Are The Poor (12) their most recent album.
 
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Dub Magic is Alpha & Omega's second U.S release and It features unreleased versions of classic Alpha & Omega tracks such as The Roots, Rastafari, Pure And Clean, David And Goliath and more. Selected and mastered exquisitely by Zions' Gate Records label from Seattle USA"
this album has an amazing sound too it which is both rythmic and somewhat melodic. This album breaks new ground and at the same time stays true to classic dub rhythms and beats.

Alpha and Omega ‎- Dub Magic (flac  365mb)

01 The Roots
02 Pure And Clean
03 Night And Day
04 City Of Dub
05 Sacred Realm (Rmx Disciples)
06 Eternal Dub (Rmx Disciples)
07 Rasta Far I
08 Words Of Thy Mouth
09 Merciful Jah
10 Rightful Ruler
11 Tree Of Life
12 Who Dub Bless
13 David's Stone
14 Under Contention
15 Seven Seas
16 Africa Ethiopia

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The echoes you hear in Alpha & Omega's reverb-soaked mixes come straight from the Black Ark and King Tubbys. This program opens showcase style, with the dreamy sufferer's lament "It Hurts," followed by a fine dub version, then gets down to the business of serious and primarily instrumental dub, with steppers anthems like "Wounded" and dark one-drop excursions like "Poor Man's Dub." The mix is always dense and claustrophobic, but in a good way; the bass and drums cut through the smoke with melodic precision and the supporting parts waft through the mix like cumulus clouds and desert wind. Highly recommended.

Alpha and Omega - Mystical Things (flac  314mb)

01 It Hurts
02 There Must Be A Dub
03 Wounded
04 Is This A Dream?
05 Sea Of Dub
06 Cry From Shanty Town
07 Poor Man's Dub
08 King Lion
09 Elephant Dance
10 Back Against The Wall Of Babylon
11 Mystical Things
12 Grasshopper

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Leading UK Dub Duo Alpha and Omega coming with 2 vocals and 10 Dub Shots to enhance the musical atmosphere with their mystical vibes and to make you move and groove from the top to the very last drop. It's their 19th album and this one has the potential to appeal to a broader public the "just" the Dub lovers. Serious Joke stands out among other current Dub releases. On many tracks, Alpha and Omega created a middle-eastern atmosphere by using melody lines and structures from that region, and integrated it into the concept of DUB without any problem. The basses remain very heavy, the drums stay on top, effects are galore. The riddims are catchy and original. If there is one thing that would describe Alpha and Omega, it would be their intense dubs. Many Reggae and Dub albums are in fact a collection of singles, but this album is one complete thing. You can't really use their music as "sound-wallpaper", it has to be played loud..

Alpha and Omega - Serious Joke (flac 275mb)

01 The Dub Is Out There
02 Alchemy
03 Survivor
04 Serious Joke
05 Elementary My Selector
06 One Love
07 Only One Dub
08 In My Dreams
09 Who Jah Bless
10 Bless This Dub
11 Wolves In Sheeps Clothing
12 Dub Files

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