Are You Experienced
Dubblestandart / CD / 2006
http://shop.mtv.com
Many reggae albums are recorded in more than one studio -- but relatively few are recorded partly in Vienna and partly in Kingston, Jamaica. That strange dichotomy is par for the course for Dubblestandart, an Austrian band whose blend of downtempo electronica, atmospheric dub, and roots reggae reflects its slightly schizophrenic love of both modern European and old-school Jamaican music. After 16 years of both studio recordings and road work as a backup band for the likes of Dillinger, Top Cat, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, Dubblestandart return with their fourth release, a two-disc set consisting of one disc of new recordings featuring a variety of guest vocalists and a second disc of previously unreleased versions and remixes (along with three music videos). If Are You Experienced doesn't completely measure up to the high standard set by the band's previous release (Heavy Heavy Monster Dub), it makes up for the occasional eruptions of boredom with such stellar material as the dark and trippy "Message" (on which the band sounds remarkably like a Teutonic version of Dub Syndicate), the excellent Ari Up feature "Island Girl," and the dub version of "Heights of Paranoia," which handily redeems the original version's banal Rastafarian Luddism. The remix album is a similarly mixed bag, with disappointing contributions by Sly & Robbie and brilliant entries from Mad Professor, Sounds from the Ground, and the always reliable Keith LeBlanc. Overall, a very sound value for the money. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Are You Experienced
by Quentin B.Huff www.popmatters.com
In the United States, an automobile company used to air car commercials with the slogan, “Who could ask for anything more?” That very question could easily accompany Dubblestandart’s 2006 release, Are You Experienced. Want music from a talented and experienced band? Dubblestandart’s been making music since the ‘90s; they just want to know if you’re experienced. If so, are you interested in dub and electronica? Well, they’ve got it covered. Worried that dub and electronica songs on a given album will sound alike and lack variety? It won’t happen here. Pure dub tracks ("Heights of Paranoia”, “The Message”, “The Rhythm") keep company with the flavors of rock, R&B, and house ("Everything is Go”, “Love Can Grow”, “Preemptive Dub"). How cool would it be for Are You Experienced to feature skilled vocalists to mix things up? No problem. They’ve got Noa More on “Love Can Grow” and “Angels Fly”, Gudrun on “Senses of Woman” and the spectacular “Summer Rain”, Ari Up on “Island Girl”, and G. Rizo on “The Rhythm”. What’s more, Dubblestandart offers Are You Experienced as a two-disc set. The first disc comprises the new album, while the second disc showcases unreleased versions and remixes. Who better to create remixes than hot talents like Sly & Robbie, Mikey Dread, Mad
Professor, and Dreadzone? For greedy listeners—like myself—who, in spite of all these goodies, still want more, the second disc contains three bonus videos. In a word, the entire package is delightful, from the intriguing cover right down to the engagingly strange dub outro of sound effects titled “Star Spangled Dub”. On disc 2, there are two versions of Heavy Heavy Monster Dub)—the Dreadzone Instrumental Remix, the Manasseh Instrumental Remix, and the Sly & Robbie Remix. All three are well done and they’ve been reinterpreted so that each one sounds completely different from the others. Dubblestandart hit the jackpot here. What more can you ask for?
Dubblestandart - Are You Experienced
Created On November 14th, 2006 by PieroRuzzene
From its psychedelic artwork to the blatant Hendrix reference of the album’s title, one gets that certain notion that this is going to be a tripped out, dubbed up affair from Austrian outfit Dubblestandart. It is certainly a smoky, hazy ride pitching diverse dub music and it pushes the right genre buttons, but it is furiously inconsistent in quality and as result the album as a whole comes across as fairly unimpressionable.
If you can get past their rather lame ‘MC’ Camel, album opener Heights of Paranoia is deeper that the Gregorian abyss and thick as you like. But with lines like, “well it’s the age of hi–tech, the age of information technology. Information everywhere, observation,” it’s hard not to snigger. There is a lot of criticism around at the quality of vocals and lyrical intelligence within the dub genre, and there are a lot of moments on Are You Experienced that induce serious cringes. Why can’t artists take a leaf from the lyric book of Sly and Robbie, or even Roots Manuva, and really think about what they are saying as oppose to pushing half assed, badly written lyrics so stained with bong resin they continue to perpetuate notions that dub has no brain?
However, the intelligence in the actual music is outstanding, but from a band that has been together almost twenty years you would expect that. Dubblestandart know how to push the boundaries of dub without upsetting the ‘heads’. The mesmerising Dub at Hurricane Hotel is an exercise in patience, gradually allowing the layers of reverb, spooky strings and echoed sirens to bleed into your ears. And the two mostly instrumental tracks The Message and Everything Is Go are tight, twisted dub gems.
It’s the vocal tracks that let down Are You Experienced, with either really naff MCs or high pitched female wailing that is inaudible through the thick, heavy dubscape. Dubblestandart need a strong vocalist to compliment their highly accomplished, full sound, and no one here cuts it. Even the mighty Ariup from The Slits sounds washed out and disinterested on the meandering and forgetful Island Girl dub.
www.globalrhythm.com
Dubble Standart is the moniker of the noted Austrian production duo comprised of Paul Zasky and Robbie Ost, who are also the occasional European touring band for reggae pioneers Lee Perry and Dillinger. In spite of their unexpected cross-cultural street cred, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED is no mere purist genre exercise. Taking cues from the aggressive dub mixing style of Adrian Sherwood, the album's songs unfold organically amidst a wash of echo and pitch effects. True to the cribbed title, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED seems as much indebted to the psychedelic '60s as it does to King Tubby's echo chamber. Mixing acid-guitar riffs with lyrics that decry the loss of values in a technologically minded society, Dubble Standart have created highly original modern dub with a socially conscious pulse.
Global Rhythm (Publication) "The group's embraced and continues to celebrate its rebellious image within the conservative Austrian pop scene."
Dmute.net
DubblestandartAre you Experienced(
Depuis Heavy Heavy Monster Dub, peu de nouvelles de Dubblestandart nous étaient parvenues. Et un matin, le plus grand plaisir du chroniqueur : recevoir un album dont on n'avait pas du tout entendu parler dans la boîte aux lettres et surtout qui se révèle être une réussite unanime. En effet, le groupe Viennois se réaffirme par ce double album atypique, piqué au vif par une production dotée d’atouts de taille: son originalité et sa dimension. Car oui, la dimension de cet opus dépasse largement ce que le band nous avait fait découvrir auparavant. Possédant une expérience d’une dizaine d’années, de plusieurs concerts en tant que backing band pour Dillinger ou Lee Perry, il est clair que leurs créations n’avaient jamais été mises assez en avant sur leurs albums précédents.Propos désormais obsolète, Are you experienced a un tracklisting frais et agréable qui a tout pour redorer le blason du band. Hormis la superbe The message, la très rock Everything is Go, Dub at Hurricane Hotel ou Heights of Paranoia version live, le groupe s’est laissé, une nouvelle fois, accompagner de voix.La féminité est de mise puisque que les femmes sont à l’honneur (sauf l’intro de Camel sur Heights of Paranoia). Leurs chants reflètent leurs personnalités, leurs cultures et leurs charmes dont elles sont toutes dotées. Noa More préfère un chant plus profond et chargé d’émotion (moyennement représentatif sur Angels, le raté de la galette), G.Rizo opte pour un attirant spoken word, Gudrun se laisse aller à la délicatesse et à la douceur, puis Ari Up, une approche plus roots. Toutes s’expriment franchement sans jamais dénaturer la musique de Dubblestandart. Entièrement composées par le groupe, leurs productions s’offrent à nous avec sincérité.Et une surprise ne vient jamais seule, le deuxième cd contient des perles inédites remixées (Manasseh, Mad Professor ou Sounds From the Ground), plus quelques vidéos et goodies (accessoires certes, mais jamais désagréables). Une bonne surprise gratifiée d’une succulente production pour vous faire découvrir ou redécouvrir ce groupe, venu tout droit de la scène viennoise.
www.dubzone.org
J'ai suffisamment eu le loisir d'écrire sur ce site à quel point la scène viennoise pouvait parfois se montrer ennuyeuse pour lui rendre justice lorsqu'elle ne l'est pas, et le nouvel album de Dubble Standart, "Are you experienced", en est une excellente occasion. Loin des habituelles rythmes midtempo dubbés trop proprement pour être honnêtes, Dubble Standart, backing-band scénique de pointures du genre de Dillinger ou Lee Perry, a mis à contribution son expérience du live pour construire des morceaux d'une grande qualité, sur tous les points de vue: composition, technique, production... un sans faute qui évoque souvent Dub Syndicate pour le son, mais aussi pour la démarche. Les voix de Ari Up, G.Rizo, Noa More et Gurdun & Camel se partagent la liste des featurings sans jamais atténuer le caractère instrumental de chaque morceau, qui ne sont jamais des chansons, mais bel et bien des morceaux de dub avec des voix dessus. Il en ressort plusieurs tubes imparables ("the message", extraordinaire), qui définissent au final un disque authentique, généreux et original, autant dire une des plus belles réussites de l'année. Cerise sur le gâteau, pour le prix d'un seul disque, l'acheteur repart avec un deuxième CD plein de remixs inédits, dont certains plus qu'honorables, ce qui est assez rare pour être signalé. Bref, un disque hautement recommandé.
Des roots à l’infini
Big Youth, Dubble Standart, Brain Damage
Le reggae n’est pas juste la musique la plus fédératrice de la planète, qui rassemble au-delà des frontières, des religions, des ethnies, comme le souhaitait son plus célèbre avocat, Bob Marley. C’est aussi un rythme qui se reconnaît entre mille avec son contretemps si particulier. Un rythme qui se décline à l’infini.Big Youth, le meilleur DJ jamaïcain (avec U Roy), l’utilise dans sa version traditionnelle pour y poser sa voix caverneuse de Barry White rasta. Lui qu’on avait l’habitude d’entendre scander ses paroles révèle ici des talents de mélodiste raffiné aussi à l’aise dans le reggae roots que dans le style rockers (crooner).Les Américains de Roots Tonic, trio accompagnant la star du reggae hassidique Matisyahu, ont, eux, décortiqué le rythme jusqu’au trognon pour en faire ressortir et exploiter toutes les aspérités dans un dub dépouillé qui célèbre à merveille l’entente basse-batterie. Un modèle du genre aux vertus hypnotisantes. En activiste combatif de la scène dub viennoise sous influence électro, Dubble Standart se fait fort de réformer le fameux contretemps pour le fondre dans les profondeurs d’un beat répétitif imprégné de soul. Et quand les voix aériennes de plusieurs chanteuses viennent orner l’ensembleà la manière d’une Sinéad O’Connor, on se laisse happer par une transe que prolonge à merveille le second disque, truffé de remix signés par d’excellents spécialistes du genre (Mad Professor, Manasseh, Dreadzone…).Enfin, si le « skank » (aller-retour de la guitare en reggae) n’apparaît qu’en filigrane sur Spoken Dub Manifesto, des Stéphanois Brain Damage, il n’en demeure pas moins la base cachée, l’élément qui permet à cette poésie héritée de Linton Kwesi Johnson et Prince Far I d’asseoir son débit en toute sérénité. Car derrière cette musique électro-acoustique aux airs expérimentaux, c’est toujours le reggae qui frétille.
Frédéric Péguillan
http://www.thefestival.bc.ca/
Announcement for the 2006 apparence of the dubblestandart Band live at the Vancouver Folk Festival at Jericho Park Vancouver city:
It's a long way from Kingston to Vienna. It's closer than Tokyo, though, and there's wicked good dub there, too. Like hip hop or rock 'n roll, dub has become a global culture and if you're prepared to learn your history, work your butt off and bring it forward with respect, there will be ears listening and heads bobbing.
Dubblestandart began in 1990, working as a collective to craft a new style of dub. In the day, not many would have. Creating dub music in the hometown of Mozart and Haydn, a part of the world where race has been a flashpoint for decades, is a political action. Dubblestandart's music honours the roots of dub, speaking to the world and broadcasting resistance from Vienna. All of which would count for little if the music was weak. This music is not weak; it is deep. Dub with a dash of Bristol, a spoonful of OnU, more than a nod to electronica pioneers Kraftwerk, and 16 years in the studio and on the road, all bubbling into a distinctive sound style, founding their own planet of Dub.
Throughout all is a positive, positive message. Just as the echoes spread across the world from Studio One and Black Ark in Kingston, the echo comes back from cities around the world, up and down tempo, deep, sweet and hard. -DS
http://www.westzeit.de/
DUBBLESTANDART - Are You Experienced?
Collision / Groove AttackZwei CDs, drei Videos, 139 Minuten Laufzeit - Dubblestandart verwöhnen ihre Fans. Und man kann gewiss sein, dass hier nichts verramscht oder zum x-ten Mal aufgekocht wird. Auf der ersten CD sind 12 brandneue Tracks, während sich etliche Remixes und Raritäten auf CD 2 befinden. Dubblestandart haben es immer noch drauf. Fette, breite, ausladende Sounds, manchmal jenseits von Reggae, aber immer spannend und gekonnt. Spätestens bei "Everything Is Go" wird auch der letzte Tanzmuffel zumindest mit dem Kopf im Takt wippen. Und das ist erst Track 3 ... Dubblestandart gelingt es auch nach über 15 Jahren im Geschäft neu und aufregend zu klingen. Heavy heavy Monster Dub - that's the spirit!*****
http://www.dub-o-rama.de/
DUBBLESTANDART"Are You Experienced"(Collision Cause Of Chapter 3/Groove Attack - 2006)
Für Dubblestandart ist es das nunmehr 9. Studioalbum, das ihre Zusammenarbeit mit dem Hamburger Select Cuts/Echo Beach/Collision Label fortsetzt. Nach den Highlights "Streets Of Dub" und "Heavy Heavy Monster Dub", setzt "Are You Experienced" den beschrittenen Weg konsequent fort und trägt uns erneut in psychedelische Gefilde - ganz so wie es der an Jimi Hendrix angelehnte Albumtitel suggeriert. Die Österreicher zeigen erneut, dass sie glänzend in der Lage sind, das weite Spektrum Dub tiefgründig auszuloten. Danei werden sowohl die ruhigeren Seiten bedient als auch Tracks serviert, die wie "Everything Is Go" direkt das Adrenalin und die Beine in Bewegung setzen. Da kann man nur auf die nächste Dubparty hoffen! Gerne reichern Dubblestandart auch ihre Tracks mit härteren Gitarrenriffs an. Rock meets Dub zu postulieren wäre zu viel, aber die gewisse Härte sorgt für euphorisierenden Druck!! Insgesamt zeigen sie zudem erneut ein Händchen für atmosphärisch dichte Sounds - nachzuhören u.a. bei "The Rhythm" feat. Grizo. Das Ganze kommt im Doppelpack: CD 1 präsentiert 11 neue Studiotracks, auf CD 2 finden sich Remixversionen der eben genannten Vorgängeralben. Als Remixer haben hier unter anderem Dreadzone, Keith Le Blanc, Manasseh und Sly & Robbie Hand angelegt. Und auch eine Begegnung mit dem guten alten Mikey Dread wird einem bei "Dub Is The Roots" ermöglicht. Eine insgesamt sehr gelungene Zusammenstellung, die darüber hinaus noch mit Videos angereichert wird. Tipp!
Karsten Frehe
By David Dacks
EXCLAIME MagazineJuly 25, 2006
I’m still not sure who Dubblestandart are. They’re from Austria and play dub, obviously. Beyond that, they are subsumed, Darth Vader-style, under layers of collaborations and remixes. Is the original band still there or has the dark side of the studio taken over? The genuine article must be in there somewhere because could a machine have come up with one of the best couplets of 2006: “one time it was all about female/nowadays it’s all about email”? But vocal samples and guest appearances add much of the colour to each track rather than such words of wisdom delivered in an anonymous monotone. Lou Gehrig drives “The Message” home on top of a robo-steppers groove, whereas label-mate Ari Up livens up “Island Girl,” surpassing much of what she did on her own album last year. Musically, Dubblestandart draw from the Dub Syndicate school of future roots. Syndrum sounds and clean, robotic bass lines abound, while keyboards are timbrally related to Sly & Robbie’s equally cyborg-ian productions of the mid-’80s. The Riddim Twins contribute a couple of remixes on disc two, which I suppose is like a dog chasing its tail… Somehow, there’s a whiff of nostalgia around the project — starting with the title to the album. For all the futuristic, heavy-duty grooves, there’s a love for the ’80s (check out the hyper-compressed buzzsaw riffs on guitar!) that recalls those who have been more experimental with these songs. But, as with so much average nu-dub, a large sound system will still turn these tracks out.
Are You experienced
Echo Beach/Groove Attack
paderborner stadtmagazin
Dubblestandart aus Österreich sind schon seit einigen Jahren als feste Größe im internationalen Dub- und Reggaezirkus etabliert. Mit ihren bisherigen Releases, und vor allem mit den darauf enthaltenen Kollaborationen mit renommierten Artists wie Sly & Robbie oder Dreadzone, haben sie sich eine beachtliche Reputation erspielt. Vorliegendes Album „Are You Experienced“ kommt gleich als Doppel-CD daher. Auf der ersten Scheibe gibt es 12 brandneue Tracks, die zum Großteil in Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen bandexternen Vocalists entstanden. Besonders der erste Track „Heights of Paranoia“ sollte Fans von Seeed aufhorchen lassen. Die Produktion erinnert auffällig an beste Zeiten von Adrian Sherwoods ON-U Sound Label. Die zweite CD bietet 11 interessante Remixes bereits bekannter Tracks, für die sich u.a. Mad Professor, Keith LeBlanc und andere verantwortlich zeigen. Alles in allem ist „Are You Experienced“ eine Scheibe, die den Sommer auf jeden Fall verschönern wird.L. Diefenthal
ROOTZ.NET magazine
Dubble Standart machen mit dem neuen Album ihrem Namen Ehre und veröffentlichen eine Doppel-CD. Das Kollektiv des Neo-Dubs aus Wien präsentiert auf der ersten CD 12 neue Tracks (68 Minuten) zum Chillen und Tanzen und auf der zweiten CD 11 Remixes und Versions (68 Minuten) der besten Stücke ihre letzten beiden Alben mit drei Videotracks als Bonus.
„Are You experinenced“ lautet der Titel der neuen CD in Anlehnung an Jimi Hendrix. Die Frage, die bei der langen Präsenz des unglaublich produktiven Wiener Kollektivs eher lakonisch klingt, bezieht sich aber auf die rockigen Elemente und natürlich das Cover des neuen Albums. Tanzbare Upbeat-Tracks wie „Everything is Go“ „Love can Grow“ beziehen rockige Gitarrenelemente in die Synthese aus House, Techno und Dub mit ein. Tracks wie „Senses of a woman“ feat. Gudrun, “Island Girl Dub” feat. Ariup oder “Dub at Hurricane” sind Beispiele für chilligen Sound, der zum Entspannen einlädt.
Die zweite CD enthält längere Remixe und Versions aus den letzten beiden CDs von Dubble Standart. Klassiker wie „Heavy Monster Dub“ oder „Return from Planet Egalica“ tauchen hier direkt mit mehreren Versionen mit Remixen von Dreadzone oder Freedom Satellite auf. Besonders gut ist natürlich „Dub in the Roots“ als Mad Professor Dub feat. Mikey Dread.
Review AMG – All Music Guide
In the early days of roots reggae, it would have been difficult to imagine that someday the best bands playing in that style would be made up of Aryans. And yet, sure enough, in the early 2000s the center of gravity for dub and modern roots seems to have shifted decisively to Germany, where the Echo Beach label is located. Not that Germany has a corner on the market, mind you -- the mighty Dubblestandart hails from Vienna, former home base of Mozart and Haydn, both of whom had enough of a sense of humor (and of rhythm) that they're almost certainly looking down benevolently from music heaven, smiling and skanking as Dubblestandart rock that graceful, ancient city with echo-drenched guitars and elephantine grooves. On their latest they team up with an impressively long list of first-call collaborators including Sly & Robbie (on "Heavy Heavy Monster Dub" and "Preemptive Dub"), Mikey Dread ("Dub Is the Roots"), Keith LeBlanc (the brilliant "Terrorists and Inhalers"), and Sounds from the Ground ("10 Tons of Dope," "Evil Empire"). Carl Douglas comes out from retirement to help out with a massively funked-up remake of his disco classic "Kung Fu Fighting," and veteran DJ Dillinger makes an appearace as well, as do several lesser-known names. But as always, the star of the show is the Dubblestandart sound itself: a rocking vibration that combines elements of European, British, and Jamaican rhythms to create something true to the reggae tradition but fresh and new at the same time. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
www.brainwashed.com
This Austrian band's prior release, the spectacular Heavy Heavy Monster Dub, revitalized my interest in dub reggae and made its way into my "best of" chart in 2004. So why does their new one leave me less than enthused?
Don't get me wrong. I have much love for Dubblestandart as well as Collision, the Echo Beach imprint whose burgeoning catalogue includes contributions from such quality artists as Africa United, Dub Syndicate, and Keith LeBlanc. Yet I question whether the band's latest two-disc effort quite meets the challenge of producing what one could call "outsider dub" in the 21st century. Much like kindred spirit George Evelyn's Nightmares On Wax did with mixed end-results on 2002's Mind Elevation, Dubblestandart here veers into poppier territory. Judging from the material, they might have done better to journey towards Kingston instead of Vienna.Nowhere is this Achilles' heel syndrome more apparent than in the group's selection of vocalists, most of whom are woefully detached from the spirit of the music, to say nothing of its roots. Noa More and major label singer Gudrun reach for the radio dial on their four respective tracks, doing a disservice to the groovy bass, guitar, drum, and synth arrangements that zealously toil below their voices. The lackadaisical G. Rizo seems far more at home on electroclash throwaways (she has recorded for Gigolo) than on "The Rhythm," as evidenced by her seemingly disinterested take. Thankfully, Ari-Up, an infamous performer who has previously impressed with her work in New Age Steppers and seminal act The Slits, unsurprisingly represents well, albeit minimally, on her sole contribution, "Island Girl Dub."
Although technically a remix album, Heavy Heavy Monster Dub shone a spotlight on the band's capabilities, and fortunately there are cuts on Are You Experienced that similarly display that strength. "Everything Is Go" has a classic vibe to it, while the dub of "Heights Of Paranoia" reaches cosmic levels, with the players jamming freely while maintaining listenability, a testament to their undeniable talent.
The spacey "Star Spangled Dub" closes the album out with uncharacteristic beat less brevity, a strange segue into the "bonus" second disc of generally unnecessary and, at times, redundant remixes of previous material. It's good to have the two mixes of "Return From Planet Egalica" on CD, but was it really necessary to include previously released cuts like Keith Leblanc's take on "Terrarists and Inhalers" and the Sounds From The Ground remix of "Evil Empire" again? In a perfect world, I would've been thrilled over such an extensive package of new Dubblestandart material and remixes, yet taking into account all of these flaws I can't help but wonder whether the band has lost its way.
Written by Gary Suarez for www.brainwashed.com
FM4Dubblestandart Die Wiener Formation DUBBLESTANDART gibt es seit den frühen 90ern. "Are You Experienced" ist ihr neuntes Album, und das erscheint als Doppel-CD. Disk 1 zeigt das aktuelle Update von DUBBLESTANDART Sound 2006, Disk 2 enthält Remixes und unveröffentlichtes Material. Themen wie Kapitalismuskritik und Auflehnung gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit haben eine lange Tradition in der Reggae Musik. Daran knüpfen DUBBLESTANDART an. Ihnen geht's nicht nur um den Spaß an der Musik allein, sondern auch um die Message - kritische Alltagsbetrachtungen und politische Anliegen. (Roman Schilhart)
www.mkzwo.de
Dubblestandart aus Österreich sind schon seit einigen Jahren als feste Größe im internationalen Dubzirkus etabliert. Mit ihren bisherigen Releases, und vor allem mit den darauf enthaltenen Kollaborationen mit renommierten Artists wie Sly & Robbie oder Dreadzone haben sie sich eine beachtliche Reputation erspielt. Auch auf zahllosen Samplers erschienen schon Tracks von den Alpendubbern. Vorliegendes Album Are You Experienced (welches aus unerfindlichen Gründen vom Design her stark an das gleichnamige Debütalbum der Jimi Hendrix Experience von 1967 erinnert) kommt gleich als Doppel-CD daher. Auf der ersten Scheibe gibt es 12 brandneue Tracks, die zum Großteil in Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen bandexternen Vocalists entstanden. Die zweite CD bietet 11 interessante Remixes bereits bekannter Tracks, wobei für die Neuauflagen neben den oben bereits erwähnten Künstlern auch Mad Professor, Keith Le Blanc und Andere sich verantwortlich zeigen. Darüber hinaus gibt es noch drei Videos zu bestaunen. Alles in allem ist Are You Experienced eine solide Dubproduktion, randvoll gepackt mit leckeren audiovisuellen Dub-Häppchen für die chillende Käuferschaft.
Julian Bohne www.mkzwo.de
www.discshopzero.com JAPAN
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‚¨‹x‚Ý’†‚ÌSELECT CUTS‚©‚ç‚àƒVƒ“ƒOƒ‹‚âƒAƒ‹ƒoƒ€‚ðƒŠƒŠ[ƒX‚µ‚Ä‚¢‚Ä‘åD•]‚¾‚Á‚½AƒEƒB[ƒ“‚̃_ƒuEƒNƒ‹[DUBBLESTANDART‚Ì06”N‹‰Ø2–‡‘gBƒGƒŒƒNƒgƒƒjƒbƒNEƒc[ƒ‹‚à‘½—p‚µ‚½KETHLEBRANC‚É’Ê‚¶‚éƒqƒbƒvƒzƒbƒv`ƒuƒŒƒCƒNƒr[ƒcˆ¤‚àž‚ß‚½‰‰‘t‚Í\“ñ•ª‚É‘¶ÝŠ´‚ª‚ ‚èALEE PERRY‚âDILLINGER‚̉¢BƒcƒA[‚ł̓oƒbƒNƒoƒ“ƒh‚𖱂߂Ă¢‚½‚»‚¤BV‹È‚Å\¬‚³‚ꂽDISC 1‚É‚ÍARI-UP‚àŽQ‰ÁA‚»‚Ì‚Ù‚©‚É‚àCAMELANOA MOREAG RIZOAGUDRUN‚Æ‚¢‚Á‚½ƒ”ƒH[ƒJƒ‹w‚àƒtƒB[ƒ`ƒƒ[‚µ‚ÄASMITH&MIGHTY‚É‚à’Ê‚¶‚錆ì‚É‚È‚Á‚Ä‚¢‚Ü‚·BDISC 2‚É‚ÍA‘OƒAƒ‹ƒoƒ€§ìŒã‚ɃRƒ‰ƒ{ƒŒ[ƒg‚µ‚½”X‚̃A[ƒeƒBƒXƒg‚Ì–¢”•\ƒŠƒ~ƒbƒNƒX‚ð’†S‚ÉŽû˜^BLITTLE TEMPO‚àuU AND DEMv‚ðƒJƒ”ƒ@[‚µ‚½SEVEN DUBi7 DUBj‚ÆSLY & ROBBIE‚É‚æ‚éƒRƒ‰ƒ{‚Ì2‚ÍAƒwƒ“ƒeƒR‚ŃXƒyƒCƒV[‚È4‚‘ł¿`ƒhƒ‰ƒ€ƒ“ƒx[ƒXEƒŠƒYƒ€‚ÉAMORE ROCKERSuRAINBOWv‚ðŽv‚킹‚é—«ƒ”ƒH[ƒJƒ‹‚ªˆóÛ“I‚ÅGˆíB‚»‚µ‚Ä8‚ÍAƒXƒeƒbƒp[ƒYEƒŠƒYƒ€‚ÉMIKEY DREAD‚ðƒtƒB[ƒ`ƒƒ[‚µ‚½‚ ‚Ì–¼‹È‚ÌMAD PROFESSORƒ~ƒbƒNƒXB‚±‚̃ŠƒYƒ€‚̃cƒbƒRƒ~‹ï‡‚ªƒTƒXƒK‚Å‚·Bƒ‰ƒXƒg‚É‚Í3‚‚̉f‘œ‚àŽû˜^‚µ‚ÄA‘å–ž‘«‚Ì‘å„‘EìIiMAKI
Dubblestandart Streets Of Dub Select Cuts/EFA By Judson Kilpatrick Published April 26, 2006
This dub collective from Vienna (yes, Vienna!) may not be well known on this side of the Atlantic, but they’ve been opening for and backing major reggae stars while fighting racism and right-wing politics in Austria for 14 years. Led by Paul Lasky, they’ve put out occasional recordings, but this is their first full-length to be widely available. As with past efforts, it includes both new dubs and remixes by outsiders. And although those guests include such fine producers as Mad Professor, Rootsman and Waldeck, some of the best stuff is by Dubblestandart alone. They have a fine grasp of the classic, earthy dub basics, and are very inventive with their melodies and arrangements. And though the remixes come in blocks of four or five at a time—often involving the same song—the album flows together as a whole very well. Those interested in the Austrian downbeat scene or new dub in general should check this out, and even purist fans of classic King Tubby and Lee Perry may find it appealing.
Dubblestandart / CD / 2006
http://shop.mtv.com
Many reggae albums are recorded in more than one studio -- but relatively few are recorded partly in Vienna and partly in Kingston, Jamaica. That strange dichotomy is par for the course for Dubblestandart, an Austrian band whose blend of downtempo electronica, atmospheric dub, and roots reggae reflects its slightly schizophrenic love of both modern European and old-school Jamaican music. After 16 years of both studio recordings and road work as a backup band for the likes of Dillinger, Top Cat, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, Dubblestandart return with their fourth release, a two-disc set consisting of one disc of new recordings featuring a variety of guest vocalists and a second disc of previously unreleased versions and remixes (along with three music videos). If Are You Experienced doesn't completely measure up to the high standard set by the band's previous release (Heavy Heavy Monster Dub), it makes up for the occasional eruptions of boredom with such stellar material as the dark and trippy "Message" (on which the band sounds remarkably like a Teutonic version of Dub Syndicate), the excellent Ari Up feature "Island Girl," and the dub version of "Heights of Paranoia," which handily redeems the original version's banal Rastafarian Luddism. The remix album is a similarly mixed bag, with disappointing contributions by Sly & Robbie and brilliant entries from Mad Professor, Sounds from the Ground, and the always reliable Keith LeBlanc. Overall, a very sound value for the money. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Are You Experienced
by Quentin B.Huff www.popmatters.com
In the United States, an automobile company used to air car commercials with the slogan, “Who could ask for anything more?” That very question could easily accompany Dubblestandart’s 2006 release, Are You Experienced. Want music from a talented and experienced band? Dubblestandart’s been making music since the ‘90s; they just want to know if you’re experienced. If so, are you interested in dub and electronica? Well, they’ve got it covered. Worried that dub and electronica songs on a given album will sound alike and lack variety? It won’t happen here. Pure dub tracks ("Heights of Paranoia”, “The Message”, “The Rhythm") keep company with the flavors of rock, R&B, and house ("Everything is Go”, “Love Can Grow”, “Preemptive Dub"). How cool would it be for Are You Experienced to feature skilled vocalists to mix things up? No problem. They’ve got Noa More on “Love Can Grow” and “Angels Fly”, Gudrun on “Senses of Woman” and the spectacular “Summer Rain”, Ari Up on “Island Girl”, and G. Rizo on “The Rhythm”. What’s more, Dubblestandart offers Are You Experienced as a two-disc set. The first disc comprises the new album, while the second disc showcases unreleased versions and remixes. Who better to create remixes than hot talents like Sly & Robbie, Mikey Dread, Mad
Professor, and Dreadzone? For greedy listeners—like myself—who, in spite of all these goodies, still want more, the second disc contains three bonus videos. In a word, the entire package is delightful, from the intriguing cover right down to the engagingly strange dub outro of sound effects titled “Star Spangled Dub”. On disc 2, there are two versions of Heavy Heavy Monster Dub)—the Dreadzone Instrumental Remix, the Manasseh Instrumental Remix, and the Sly & Robbie Remix. All three are well done and they’ve been reinterpreted so that each one sounds completely different from the others. Dubblestandart hit the jackpot here. What more can you ask for?
Dubblestandart - Are You Experienced
Created On November 14th, 2006 by PieroRuzzene
From its psychedelic artwork to the blatant Hendrix reference of the album’s title, one gets that certain notion that this is going to be a tripped out, dubbed up affair from Austrian outfit Dubblestandart. It is certainly a smoky, hazy ride pitching diverse dub music and it pushes the right genre buttons, but it is furiously inconsistent in quality and as result the album as a whole comes across as fairly unimpressionable.
If you can get past their rather lame ‘MC’ Camel, album opener Heights of Paranoia is deeper that the Gregorian abyss and thick as you like. But with lines like, “well it’s the age of hi–tech, the age of information technology. Information everywhere, observation,” it’s hard not to snigger. There is a lot of criticism around at the quality of vocals and lyrical intelligence within the dub genre, and there are a lot of moments on Are You Experienced that induce serious cringes. Why can’t artists take a leaf from the lyric book of Sly and Robbie, or even Roots Manuva, and really think about what they are saying as oppose to pushing half assed, badly written lyrics so stained with bong resin they continue to perpetuate notions that dub has no brain?
However, the intelligence in the actual music is outstanding, but from a band that has been together almost twenty years you would expect that. Dubblestandart know how to push the boundaries of dub without upsetting the ‘heads’. The mesmerising Dub at Hurricane Hotel is an exercise in patience, gradually allowing the layers of reverb, spooky strings and echoed sirens to bleed into your ears. And the two mostly instrumental tracks The Message and Everything Is Go are tight, twisted dub gems.
It’s the vocal tracks that let down Are You Experienced, with either really naff MCs or high pitched female wailing that is inaudible through the thick, heavy dubscape. Dubblestandart need a strong vocalist to compliment their highly accomplished, full sound, and no one here cuts it. Even the mighty Ariup from The Slits sounds washed out and disinterested on the meandering and forgetful Island Girl dub.
www.globalrhythm.com
Dubble Standart is the moniker of the noted Austrian production duo comprised of Paul Zasky and Robbie Ost, who are also the occasional European touring band for reggae pioneers Lee Perry and Dillinger. In spite of their unexpected cross-cultural street cred, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED is no mere purist genre exercise. Taking cues from the aggressive dub mixing style of Adrian Sherwood, the album's songs unfold organically amidst a wash of echo and pitch effects. True to the cribbed title, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED seems as much indebted to the psychedelic '60s as it does to King Tubby's echo chamber. Mixing acid-guitar riffs with lyrics that decry the loss of values in a technologically minded society, Dubble Standart have created highly original modern dub with a socially conscious pulse.
Global Rhythm (Publication) "The group's embraced and continues to celebrate its rebellious image within the conservative Austrian pop scene."
Dmute.net
DubblestandartAre you Experienced(
Depuis Heavy Heavy Monster Dub, peu de nouvelles de Dubblestandart nous étaient parvenues. Et un matin, le plus grand plaisir du chroniqueur : recevoir un album dont on n'avait pas du tout entendu parler dans la boîte aux lettres et surtout qui se révèle être une réussite unanime. En effet, le groupe Viennois se réaffirme par ce double album atypique, piqué au vif par une production dotée d’atouts de taille: son originalité et sa dimension. Car oui, la dimension de cet opus dépasse largement ce que le band nous avait fait découvrir auparavant. Possédant une expérience d’une dizaine d’années, de plusieurs concerts en tant que backing band pour Dillinger ou Lee Perry, il est clair que leurs créations n’avaient jamais été mises assez en avant sur leurs albums précédents.Propos désormais obsolète, Are you experienced a un tracklisting frais et agréable qui a tout pour redorer le blason du band. Hormis la superbe The message, la très rock Everything is Go, Dub at Hurricane Hotel ou Heights of Paranoia version live, le groupe s’est laissé, une nouvelle fois, accompagner de voix.La féminité est de mise puisque que les femmes sont à l’honneur (sauf l’intro de Camel sur Heights of Paranoia). Leurs chants reflètent leurs personnalités, leurs cultures et leurs charmes dont elles sont toutes dotées. Noa More préfère un chant plus profond et chargé d’émotion (moyennement représentatif sur Angels, le raté de la galette), G.Rizo opte pour un attirant spoken word, Gudrun se laisse aller à la délicatesse et à la douceur, puis Ari Up, une approche plus roots. Toutes s’expriment franchement sans jamais dénaturer la musique de Dubblestandart. Entièrement composées par le groupe, leurs productions s’offrent à nous avec sincérité.Et une surprise ne vient jamais seule, le deuxième cd contient des perles inédites remixées (Manasseh, Mad Professor ou Sounds From the Ground), plus quelques vidéos et goodies (accessoires certes, mais jamais désagréables). Une bonne surprise gratifiée d’une succulente production pour vous faire découvrir ou redécouvrir ce groupe, venu tout droit de la scène viennoise.
www.dubzone.org
J'ai suffisamment eu le loisir d'écrire sur ce site à quel point la scène viennoise pouvait parfois se montrer ennuyeuse pour lui rendre justice lorsqu'elle ne l'est pas, et le nouvel album de Dubble Standart, "Are you experienced", en est une excellente occasion. Loin des habituelles rythmes midtempo dubbés trop proprement pour être honnêtes, Dubble Standart, backing-band scénique de pointures du genre de Dillinger ou Lee Perry, a mis à contribution son expérience du live pour construire des morceaux d'une grande qualité, sur tous les points de vue: composition, technique, production... un sans faute qui évoque souvent Dub Syndicate pour le son, mais aussi pour la démarche. Les voix de Ari Up, G.Rizo, Noa More et Gurdun & Camel se partagent la liste des featurings sans jamais atténuer le caractère instrumental de chaque morceau, qui ne sont jamais des chansons, mais bel et bien des morceaux de dub avec des voix dessus. Il en ressort plusieurs tubes imparables ("the message", extraordinaire), qui définissent au final un disque authentique, généreux et original, autant dire une des plus belles réussites de l'année. Cerise sur le gâteau, pour le prix d'un seul disque, l'acheteur repart avec un deuxième CD plein de remixs inédits, dont certains plus qu'honorables, ce qui est assez rare pour être signalé. Bref, un disque hautement recommandé.
Des roots à l’infini
Big Youth, Dubble Standart, Brain Damage
Le reggae n’est pas juste la musique la plus fédératrice de la planète, qui rassemble au-delà des frontières, des religions, des ethnies, comme le souhaitait son plus célèbre avocat, Bob Marley. C’est aussi un rythme qui se reconnaît entre mille avec son contretemps si particulier. Un rythme qui se décline à l’infini.Big Youth, le meilleur DJ jamaïcain (avec U Roy), l’utilise dans sa version traditionnelle pour y poser sa voix caverneuse de Barry White rasta. Lui qu’on avait l’habitude d’entendre scander ses paroles révèle ici des talents de mélodiste raffiné aussi à l’aise dans le reggae roots que dans le style rockers (crooner).Les Américains de Roots Tonic, trio accompagnant la star du reggae hassidique Matisyahu, ont, eux, décortiqué le rythme jusqu’au trognon pour en faire ressortir et exploiter toutes les aspérités dans un dub dépouillé qui célèbre à merveille l’entente basse-batterie. Un modèle du genre aux vertus hypnotisantes. En activiste combatif de la scène dub viennoise sous influence électro, Dubble Standart se fait fort de réformer le fameux contretemps pour le fondre dans les profondeurs d’un beat répétitif imprégné de soul. Et quand les voix aériennes de plusieurs chanteuses viennent orner l’ensembleà la manière d’une Sinéad O’Connor, on se laisse happer par une transe que prolonge à merveille le second disque, truffé de remix signés par d’excellents spécialistes du genre (Mad Professor, Manasseh, Dreadzone…).Enfin, si le « skank » (aller-retour de la guitare en reggae) n’apparaît qu’en filigrane sur Spoken Dub Manifesto, des Stéphanois Brain Damage, il n’en demeure pas moins la base cachée, l’élément qui permet à cette poésie héritée de Linton Kwesi Johnson et Prince Far I d’asseoir son débit en toute sérénité. Car derrière cette musique électro-acoustique aux airs expérimentaux, c’est toujours le reggae qui frétille.
Frédéric Péguillan
http://www.thefestival.bc.ca/
Announcement for the 2006 apparence of the dubblestandart Band live at the Vancouver Folk Festival at Jericho Park Vancouver city:
It's a long way from Kingston to Vienna. It's closer than Tokyo, though, and there's wicked good dub there, too. Like hip hop or rock 'n roll, dub has become a global culture and if you're prepared to learn your history, work your butt off and bring it forward with respect, there will be ears listening and heads bobbing.
Dubblestandart began in 1990, working as a collective to craft a new style of dub. In the day, not many would have. Creating dub music in the hometown of Mozart and Haydn, a part of the world where race has been a flashpoint for decades, is a political action. Dubblestandart's music honours the roots of dub, speaking to the world and broadcasting resistance from Vienna. All of which would count for little if the music was weak. This music is not weak; it is deep. Dub with a dash of Bristol, a spoonful of OnU, more than a nod to electronica pioneers Kraftwerk, and 16 years in the studio and on the road, all bubbling into a distinctive sound style, founding their own planet of Dub.
Throughout all is a positive, positive message. Just as the echoes spread across the world from Studio One and Black Ark in Kingston, the echo comes back from cities around the world, up and down tempo, deep, sweet and hard. -DS
http://www.westzeit.de/
DUBBLESTANDART - Are You Experienced?
Collision / Groove AttackZwei CDs, drei Videos, 139 Minuten Laufzeit - Dubblestandart verwöhnen ihre Fans. Und man kann gewiss sein, dass hier nichts verramscht oder zum x-ten Mal aufgekocht wird. Auf der ersten CD sind 12 brandneue Tracks, während sich etliche Remixes und Raritäten auf CD 2 befinden. Dubblestandart haben es immer noch drauf. Fette, breite, ausladende Sounds, manchmal jenseits von Reggae, aber immer spannend und gekonnt. Spätestens bei "Everything Is Go" wird auch der letzte Tanzmuffel zumindest mit dem Kopf im Takt wippen. Und das ist erst Track 3 ... Dubblestandart gelingt es auch nach über 15 Jahren im Geschäft neu und aufregend zu klingen. Heavy heavy Monster Dub - that's the spirit!*****
http://www.dub-o-rama.de/
DUBBLESTANDART"Are You Experienced"(Collision Cause Of Chapter 3/Groove Attack - 2006)
Für Dubblestandart ist es das nunmehr 9. Studioalbum, das ihre Zusammenarbeit mit dem Hamburger Select Cuts/Echo Beach/Collision Label fortsetzt. Nach den Highlights "Streets Of Dub" und "Heavy Heavy Monster Dub", setzt "Are You Experienced" den beschrittenen Weg konsequent fort und trägt uns erneut in psychedelische Gefilde - ganz so wie es der an Jimi Hendrix angelehnte Albumtitel suggeriert. Die Österreicher zeigen erneut, dass sie glänzend in der Lage sind, das weite Spektrum Dub tiefgründig auszuloten. Danei werden sowohl die ruhigeren Seiten bedient als auch Tracks serviert, die wie "Everything Is Go" direkt das Adrenalin und die Beine in Bewegung setzen. Da kann man nur auf die nächste Dubparty hoffen! Gerne reichern Dubblestandart auch ihre Tracks mit härteren Gitarrenriffs an. Rock meets Dub zu postulieren wäre zu viel, aber die gewisse Härte sorgt für euphorisierenden Druck!! Insgesamt zeigen sie zudem erneut ein Händchen für atmosphärisch dichte Sounds - nachzuhören u.a. bei "The Rhythm" feat. Grizo. Das Ganze kommt im Doppelpack: CD 1 präsentiert 11 neue Studiotracks, auf CD 2 finden sich Remixversionen der eben genannten Vorgängeralben. Als Remixer haben hier unter anderem Dreadzone, Keith Le Blanc, Manasseh und Sly & Robbie Hand angelegt. Und auch eine Begegnung mit dem guten alten Mikey Dread wird einem bei "Dub Is The Roots" ermöglicht. Eine insgesamt sehr gelungene Zusammenstellung, die darüber hinaus noch mit Videos angereichert wird. Tipp!
Karsten Frehe
By David Dacks
EXCLAIME MagazineJuly 25, 2006
I’m still not sure who Dubblestandart are. They’re from Austria and play dub, obviously. Beyond that, they are subsumed, Darth Vader-style, under layers of collaborations and remixes. Is the original band still there or has the dark side of the studio taken over? The genuine article must be in there somewhere because could a machine have come up with one of the best couplets of 2006: “one time it was all about female/nowadays it’s all about email”? But vocal samples and guest appearances add much of the colour to each track rather than such words of wisdom delivered in an anonymous monotone. Lou Gehrig drives “The Message” home on top of a robo-steppers groove, whereas label-mate Ari Up livens up “Island Girl,” surpassing much of what she did on her own album last year. Musically, Dubblestandart draw from the Dub Syndicate school of future roots. Syndrum sounds and clean, robotic bass lines abound, while keyboards are timbrally related to Sly & Robbie’s equally cyborg-ian productions of the mid-’80s. The Riddim Twins contribute a couple of remixes on disc two, which I suppose is like a dog chasing its tail… Somehow, there’s a whiff of nostalgia around the project — starting with the title to the album. For all the futuristic, heavy-duty grooves, there’s a love for the ’80s (check out the hyper-compressed buzzsaw riffs on guitar!) that recalls those who have been more experimental with these songs. But, as with so much average nu-dub, a large sound system will still turn these tracks out.
Are You experienced
Echo Beach/Groove Attack
paderborner stadtmagazin
Dubblestandart aus Österreich sind schon seit einigen Jahren als feste Größe im internationalen Dub- und Reggaezirkus etabliert. Mit ihren bisherigen Releases, und vor allem mit den darauf enthaltenen Kollaborationen mit renommierten Artists wie Sly & Robbie oder Dreadzone, haben sie sich eine beachtliche Reputation erspielt. Vorliegendes Album „Are You Experienced“ kommt gleich als Doppel-CD daher. Auf der ersten Scheibe gibt es 12 brandneue Tracks, die zum Großteil in Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen bandexternen Vocalists entstanden. Besonders der erste Track „Heights of Paranoia“ sollte Fans von Seeed aufhorchen lassen. Die Produktion erinnert auffällig an beste Zeiten von Adrian Sherwoods ON-U Sound Label. Die zweite CD bietet 11 interessante Remixes bereits bekannter Tracks, für die sich u.a. Mad Professor, Keith LeBlanc und andere verantwortlich zeigen. Alles in allem ist „Are You Experienced“ eine Scheibe, die den Sommer auf jeden Fall verschönern wird.L. Diefenthal
ROOTZ.NET magazine
Dubble Standart machen mit dem neuen Album ihrem Namen Ehre und veröffentlichen eine Doppel-CD. Das Kollektiv des Neo-Dubs aus Wien präsentiert auf der ersten CD 12 neue Tracks (68 Minuten) zum Chillen und Tanzen und auf der zweiten CD 11 Remixes und Versions (68 Minuten) der besten Stücke ihre letzten beiden Alben mit drei Videotracks als Bonus.
„Are You experinenced“ lautet der Titel der neuen CD in Anlehnung an Jimi Hendrix. Die Frage, die bei der langen Präsenz des unglaublich produktiven Wiener Kollektivs eher lakonisch klingt, bezieht sich aber auf die rockigen Elemente und natürlich das Cover des neuen Albums. Tanzbare Upbeat-Tracks wie „Everything is Go“ „Love can Grow“ beziehen rockige Gitarrenelemente in die Synthese aus House, Techno und Dub mit ein. Tracks wie „Senses of a woman“ feat. Gudrun, “Island Girl Dub” feat. Ariup oder “Dub at Hurricane” sind Beispiele für chilligen Sound, der zum Entspannen einlädt.
Die zweite CD enthält längere Remixe und Versions aus den letzten beiden CDs von Dubble Standart. Klassiker wie „Heavy Monster Dub“ oder „Return from Planet Egalica“ tauchen hier direkt mit mehreren Versionen mit Remixen von Dreadzone oder Freedom Satellite auf. Besonders gut ist natürlich „Dub in the Roots“ als Mad Professor Dub feat. Mikey Dread.
Review AMG – All Music Guide
In the early days of roots reggae, it would have been difficult to imagine that someday the best bands playing in that style would be made up of Aryans. And yet, sure enough, in the early 2000s the center of gravity for dub and modern roots seems to have shifted decisively to Germany, where the Echo Beach label is located. Not that Germany has a corner on the market, mind you -- the mighty Dubblestandart hails from Vienna, former home base of Mozart and Haydn, both of whom had enough of a sense of humor (and of rhythm) that they're almost certainly looking down benevolently from music heaven, smiling and skanking as Dubblestandart rock that graceful, ancient city with echo-drenched guitars and elephantine grooves. On their latest they team up with an impressively long list of first-call collaborators including Sly & Robbie (on "Heavy Heavy Monster Dub" and "Preemptive Dub"), Mikey Dread ("Dub Is the Roots"), Keith LeBlanc (the brilliant "Terrorists and Inhalers"), and Sounds from the Ground ("10 Tons of Dope," "Evil Empire"). Carl Douglas comes out from retirement to help out with a massively funked-up remake of his disco classic "Kung Fu Fighting," and veteran DJ Dillinger makes an appearace as well, as do several lesser-known names. But as always, the star of the show is the Dubblestandart sound itself: a rocking vibration that combines elements of European, British, and Jamaican rhythms to create something true to the reggae tradition but fresh and new at the same time. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
www.brainwashed.com
This Austrian band's prior release, the spectacular Heavy Heavy Monster Dub, revitalized my interest in dub reggae and made its way into my "best of" chart in 2004. So why does their new one leave me less than enthused?
Don't get me wrong. I have much love for Dubblestandart as well as Collision, the Echo Beach imprint whose burgeoning catalogue includes contributions from such quality artists as Africa United, Dub Syndicate, and Keith LeBlanc. Yet I question whether the band's latest two-disc effort quite meets the challenge of producing what one could call "outsider dub" in the 21st century. Much like kindred spirit George Evelyn's Nightmares On Wax did with mixed end-results on 2002's Mind Elevation, Dubblestandart here veers into poppier territory. Judging from the material, they might have done better to journey towards Kingston instead of Vienna.Nowhere is this Achilles' heel syndrome more apparent than in the group's selection of vocalists, most of whom are woefully detached from the spirit of the music, to say nothing of its roots. Noa More and major label singer Gudrun reach for the radio dial on their four respective tracks, doing a disservice to the groovy bass, guitar, drum, and synth arrangements that zealously toil below their voices. The lackadaisical G. Rizo seems far more at home on electroclash throwaways (she has recorded for Gigolo) than on "The Rhythm," as evidenced by her seemingly disinterested take. Thankfully, Ari-Up, an infamous performer who has previously impressed with her work in New Age Steppers and seminal act The Slits, unsurprisingly represents well, albeit minimally, on her sole contribution, "Island Girl Dub."
Although technically a remix album, Heavy Heavy Monster Dub shone a spotlight on the band's capabilities, and fortunately there are cuts on Are You Experienced that similarly display that strength. "Everything Is Go" has a classic vibe to it, while the dub of "Heights Of Paranoia" reaches cosmic levels, with the players jamming freely while maintaining listenability, a testament to their undeniable talent.
The spacey "Star Spangled Dub" closes the album out with uncharacteristic beat less brevity, a strange segue into the "bonus" second disc of generally unnecessary and, at times, redundant remixes of previous material. It's good to have the two mixes of "Return From Planet Egalica" on CD, but was it really necessary to include previously released cuts like Keith Leblanc's take on "Terrarists and Inhalers" and the Sounds From The Ground remix of "Evil Empire" again? In a perfect world, I would've been thrilled over such an extensive package of new Dubblestandart material and remixes, yet taking into account all of these flaws I can't help but wonder whether the band has lost its way.
Written by Gary Suarez for www.brainwashed.com
FM4Dubblestandart Die Wiener Formation DUBBLESTANDART gibt es seit den frühen 90ern. "Are You Experienced" ist ihr neuntes Album, und das erscheint als Doppel-CD. Disk 1 zeigt das aktuelle Update von DUBBLESTANDART Sound 2006, Disk 2 enthält Remixes und unveröffentlichtes Material. Themen wie Kapitalismuskritik und Auflehnung gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit haben eine lange Tradition in der Reggae Musik. Daran knüpfen DUBBLESTANDART an. Ihnen geht's nicht nur um den Spaß an der Musik allein, sondern auch um die Message - kritische Alltagsbetrachtungen und politische Anliegen. (Roman Schilhart)
www.mkzwo.de
Dubblestandart aus Österreich sind schon seit einigen Jahren als feste Größe im internationalen Dubzirkus etabliert. Mit ihren bisherigen Releases, und vor allem mit den darauf enthaltenen Kollaborationen mit renommierten Artists wie Sly & Robbie oder Dreadzone haben sie sich eine beachtliche Reputation erspielt. Auch auf zahllosen Samplers erschienen schon Tracks von den Alpendubbern. Vorliegendes Album Are You Experienced (welches aus unerfindlichen Gründen vom Design her stark an das gleichnamige Debütalbum der Jimi Hendrix Experience von 1967 erinnert) kommt gleich als Doppel-CD daher. Auf der ersten Scheibe gibt es 12 brandneue Tracks, die zum Großteil in Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen bandexternen Vocalists entstanden. Die zweite CD bietet 11 interessante Remixes bereits bekannter Tracks, wobei für die Neuauflagen neben den oben bereits erwähnten Künstlern auch Mad Professor, Keith Le Blanc und Andere sich verantwortlich zeigen. Darüber hinaus gibt es noch drei Videos zu bestaunen. Alles in allem ist Are You Experienced eine solide Dubproduktion, randvoll gepackt mit leckeren audiovisuellen Dub-Häppchen für die chillende Käuferschaft.
Julian Bohne www.mkzwo.de
www.discshopzero.com JAPAN
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Dubblestandart Streets Of Dub Select Cuts/EFA By Judson Kilpatrick Published April 26, 2006
This dub collective from Vienna (yes, Vienna!) may not be well known on this side of the Atlantic, but they’ve been opening for and backing major reggae stars while fighting racism and right-wing politics in Austria for 14 years. Led by Paul Lasky, they’ve put out occasional recordings, but this is their first full-length to be widely available. As with past efforts, it includes both new dubs and remixes by outsiders. And although those guests include such fine producers as Mad Professor, Rootsman and Waldeck, some of the best stuff is by Dubblestandart alone. They have a fine grasp of the classic, earthy dub basics, and are very inventive with their melodies and arrangements. And though the remixes come in blocks of four or five at a time—often involving the same song—the album flows together as a whole very well. Those interested in the Austrian downbeat scene or new dub in general should check this out, and even purist fans of classic King Tubby and Lee Perry may find it appealing.
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