Dennis Bovell - Wise Music in Dub (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

Dennis Bovell – aka Blackbeard – has changed the face of UK music. A bold claim, and one he might be shy to agr with, but true nonetheless. Born in Barbados in 1953 and moving to South London when he was 12, after forming his band Matumbi in the 70s, guitarist, singer, bass player and producer Dennis went on to work with a Who’s Who of modern music and was a key figure in UK Lover’s Rock while he was at it. Now as he celebrates his 72nd birthday, Dennis is releasing a brand new album that shows he’s in the best musical form he’s ever been.

Featuring tracks that are neither strictly dub nor instrumental but manage to incorporate elements of both, Dennis brought together a peerless team of musicians to collaborate on Wise Music In Dub. In full splendour here are vocalists Carroll Thompson singing on a cover of Minnie Riperton’s Les Fleurs, Imagination’s Leee John providing vocals on The Stylistics You’re A Big Girl Now, Papa Dee on Don’t Stay Out Late, while Winston Francis and Brinsley Forde feature on My Heart Is Gone and Black And White respectively.

Included here also are drummer Perry Melius, who has contributed to Aswad and African Headcharge and is a member Billy Ocean’s current live band, Robin Hopcraft on trumpet and trombone and Idris Rahman on saxophone, both of whom are members of Soothsayer’s. Sarah Tobias played flute, Nick Straker was on keyboards, John Kpiaye on guitar, Duke Baysee on harmonica and Ras Happa on repeater. Swizz The Panist played steel pans on Dutchie dUb and dUb Delight, Fabio Marchiori played organ on dUb hEaD, and Ian Alleyne provided acid guitar for dUb Season.

By blurring the distinctions between dub, vocal and instrumental music, Dennis has breathed new life into the genre. He explains, “I wanted to give the listener an insight into what dub means in the 21st century, so I pushed and pulled on all the right stops to create a bang up to date but unmistakable dub record.”

On Wise Music In Dub Dennis proves his enthusiasm for new challenges and musical escapades, combined with his irrepressible talent and playfulness, remains undiminished.

Tracklist:
1. Train to dUbville (3:21)
2. dUb Season (4:05)
3. Dutchie dUb (4:39)
4. dUb Together (3:09)
5. Don't Stay Out Late (3:35)
6. My Heart is Gone (4:36)
7. Black and White (Extended Mix) (4:27)
8. dUb hEaD (5:26)
9. You're a Big Girl Now (3:30)
10. Les dUb (3:22)
11. dUb Delight (6:49)


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