Electric Lion´s Den: Dub-and-Bass-infected Mixtape Culture

RockSteady Highschool Dance

As a popular musical style, rocksteady was short-lived; its heyday only lasted about two years, from 1966 until spring 1968. Around this time, young people from the Jamaican countryside were flooding into the urban ghettos of Kingston — in neighborhoods such as Riverton City, Greenwich Town and Trenchtown. Though much of the country was optimistic in the immediate post-independence climate, these poverty-stricken youths did not share this sentiment. Many of them became delinquents who exuded a certain coolness and style. These unruly youths became known as rude boys (so Wikipedia says). Now follow me into the night and enjoy Switch Docta´s RockSteady Highschool Dance. Please note: all trax are taken from vinyl. So, here´s the playlist:

1. Freddy McKey - High School Dance 02:18
2. Monty Morris - Put on your best dress 02:32
3. the Paragons - Wear you the ball 02:38
4. U-Roy - Wear you to the balls 02:31
5. Clency Eccles Allstars - C.N. Express 02:24
6. Byron Lees Allstars - CC Riders 03:07
7. Marshall Williams - Norwegian wood 02:12
8. Dobby Dobson - Carry that weight 02:43
9. Dobby Dobson - More weight 02:33
10. the Conquerers - I fall in love 02:21
11. Junior Byles - Mumbling and grumbling 03:15
12. Duke Reid - The Rudeboy 02:53
13. Alton Ellis - Big bad boy 04:55
14. the Jamaicans - Things you say you love 02:40
15. U-Roy - Things you love 02:36
16. the Paragons feat. John Holt - The tide is high 02:37
17. Derrick Morgan - Got you on my mind 02:57
18. Scotty - Sing along 03:07
19. John and Joya – I`ll be lonely 02:10
20. Ken Boothe - Crying over you 03:21
21. Keith and Tex - Stop that train 02:45
22. the Chrytalites - Stop that man 02:35
23. Derrick Morgan - Tears on my pillow 02:44

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. June 2011. Problems with downloading or/and listening? Click "HERE" or push the button below and visit the archive:

DUB is the TEACHER, DUBSTEP is the PREACHER Vol.2

A sound without roots is like garbage in a storm. Come and rock to another clash of the musical generations. So, here´s playlist:

1. Abijah - Rootsman Take Over (dubstep rmx) 02:17
2. Alborosie - Polizia Dubstep 03:52
3. Paul Bassrock - Dub Hooligan (Matta Remix) 02:41
4. Chimpo - Children Of Israel 04:11
5. Dub Inc. - Rude Boy (Fokus Dubstep Remix) 03:01
6. Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse (Dubstep Refix) 06:36
7. Dutty Ranks - Reggae Ambassador 04:32
8. Mattty G - Rockers Dub (Queen Majesty riddim dubstep remix) 04:47
9. OSC - Fuss `n´ fight 04:35
10. Pawn ft. Sonic D - Roots 04:32
11. Radikal Guru - Dread commandments 05:36
12. Scientist - Dance of the Vampires (Dubstep Remix) 04:24
13. The Clipse - Grindin (Double Deuce Dubstep Remix) 03:56
14. Dread Dub - Dubstep 2010 02:38
15. Kion & Murda ft. Bushman - Easy 04:49
16. RSD ft. Barrington Levy & Beenie Man - Murderation 04:55
17. Fat Freddy's Drop - Ernie (UK Beat Cartel Dubstep Remix) 06:19

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. April 2011. Problems with downloading or/and listening? Click "HERE" or push the button below and visit the archive: By the way: "DUB is the TEACHER, DUBSTEP is the PREACHER Vol.1" is still availbale at the archive.

Inside Thunderdome (Tribute to Original Dub Gathering)

Another first class DubNetLabel. If you liked "DUB is the TEACHER, DUBSTEP is the PREACHER", you will enjoy this one, too. Be sure to play this set on high volume. They say: Original Dub Gathering is a French net label created by Ondubground. You can download or listen to a lot of dub creations from various artists around the world. Original Dub Gathering is also a sound system formation which promotes all sorts of dub music. Inspired by UK Sound Systems and Jamaican roots, Original Dub Gathering offers an always evolving DJ set ranging from Roots, Dub, Stepper and Dubstep. Find it out: Original Dub Gathering

1. U.Stone - Long way 05:27
2. No Name Dub - Era Mesianica 04:03
3. Ondubground - Chapter six Remix 05:52
4. Ondubground - No more 05:43
5. King Singha - Forward 02:07
6. Pandadub - Brutal Stepper 04:46
7. Vastur - Cycladic Dub 05:41
8. Drydeck - HolyD.Deck RMX 04:55
9. Ondubground - 6 Million Wayz 04:00
10. Dub Wiser - ParaDub 04:24
11. Pandadub - Warrior Step 04:21
12. Ondubground - Axion Esti RMX 04:08
13. Ondubground - Justice 04:23
14. DawaHifi - Lionstep 04:15
15. The Blackstarliners - Roaring Lion 05:32
16. Ondubground - The Youth RMX 03:47
17. Ondubground - Echtyma 04:46
18. Dani Ites - Grass Valley 02:55

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. April 2011. Problems with downloading or/and listening? Push the button below and visit the archive:

Tuna: Hard Trippin´(from my Heart Pagoda)

Digging in my tape archive I found this real gem. My long time brother-in-arms Tse (music collector and Berlin Dub veteran : Sub Dub Sound System, High Rise Audio, Sound & Vibe Control, Berlin Dub Club) recorded in his DJ-incarnation as "Tunaman" this trippy freestyle selection in December 2001, I released it on my "e-lion mc" tape label. Dub? Trip-Hop? Big Beat? You name it. Rare trax and live vocals. So here´s the playlist:

1. Intro 00:35
2. Indian Ropeman - Chairman at the board 02:55
3. Ekova - Sabura rmx 05:40
4. Joi - Tocadin 05:26
5. Suns of Arqa - Kopeikin mix 05:49
6. Pressure Drop - Rhudeboy Rhapsody 05:02
7. Leftfield - Dusted 04:16
8. Faithless - We become one 02:32
9. Kosheen - Hide u rmx 09:26
10. Tricky - Unknown title 04:32
11. Terranova - X Files 04:55
12. Rockers HiFi - Fling mi Ting 07:10
13. Sly and Robbie - Superthruster 03:27
14. Digital Jockey feat. Joseph Grant - Sheriff 06:50
15. Baby Namboos - Persist to reminisce 03:51
16. Gabriel Le Mar - Error Minus 666 06:57
17. Coil - The Hills Are Alive 06:51
18. Doctor L - Sticky Dirty Box 06:52
19. Outro 00:47

Selektion and aditional vocals by Tunaman Tse. Original recorded as an audiotape December 2001 at Asia Futura (Berlin). Artwork based on original tape cover. Artwork and digital rework made by Switch Docta at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. March 2011. Problems with downloading or/and listening? Push the button below and visit the archive:

Best of Version Big-Fi and guests

One of my favourite DubNetLabels. The crew: Tone396 - Dubs & Drums / Gary Taylor - Skanks & Bass / Papa Sparks - Samples & Tea / Darius - Vocals They say: "It's A Digital Dub Ting ... most of the time". Find it out: Version Big-Fi tone396 Dubtronic Records So, here´s the playlist:

1. Version Big-Fi - Top Of The World (Big-Fi Dub) 05:08
2. Version Big-Fi - Rocket (Big-Fi Dub) 06:08
3. Version Big-Fi - Stalag-A-Go-Go 04:25
4. Version Big-Fi - Time To Be Happy (Part 3) 02:29
5. Version Big-Fi vs. Feral - Dskasting (Big-Fi Dub) 03:40
6. Version Big-Fi - Serious Sounds 05:25
7. Version Big-Fi - Serious Dub 05:17
8. Ape Man Skank - Dub Boy Ghetto 03:20
9. Version Big-Fi - The Hip Gahn Drop (Version) 05:17
10. Version Big-Fi - I Make The Hits (Riddim) 03:06
11. Version Big-Fi - Hands Up (Dub) 02:47
12. Papa Grey - Kate Dub 03:25
13. Version Big-Fi meets Little Anthony - Out Of My Head (Extended) 03:13
14. Version Big-Fi vs. Massive Attack - Protection (Big-Fi Remix) 06:22
15. Version Big-Fi ft. Reggae Crusaders - Bring The Kutchie Come 02:57
16. Version Big-Fi - Give It To Zumbah 04:05
17. Bob Marley vs. Lionel Richie - Easy Waiting (Dreadtone Mix) 05:44
18. Version Big-Fi - Youth (dub) 05:28

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. February 2011.

Reggae Explosion

This labour of love contains some of the greatest Reggae anthems I ever heard. Look at the playlist and you will know. Most of them include version. This is hardcore reggae music, made at such famous places like Black Ark or Studio 1 in the late 70s and very early 80s. From the bottom of my heart to the dancefloors of your city! Come, get Switch Docta´s Reggae Fever (and spread the virus)! So, here´s the playlist:

1. the Jay Tees - Come To Me 03:11
2. the Jay Tees - Come To Me Version 02:43
3. Lord Creator - Such Is Life (Extended) 04:08
4. Horace Andy - Got To Be Sure 02:19
5. John Holt -Hooligan (Extended) 06:40
6. Gregory Isaacs - Babylon Too Rough 03:06
7. Gregory Isaacs - Babylon Too Rough Dub 03:13
8. Jackie Mittoo - Ghetto Organ (No, No, No ridim) 03:51
9. Johnny Osbourne - Truths And Rights (Extended Mix) 05:40
10. Bunny Lie Lie - Babylonian (12" Mix) 04:38
11. Alton Ellis - If I Could Rule The World (12" Mix) 06:15
12. Joseph Hill & Culture - Mr. Music (Long Version) 04:17
13. Jackie Mittoo & Sir Coxsone Dodd - Tribute (Crazy Baldhead ridim) 06:15
14. Gregory Isaacs - Black A Kill Black 02:42
15. Gregory Isaacs - Blacker Shade of Dub 03:04
16. Dennis Brown - Jah Can Do It 03:02
17. Johnny Osbourne - Purify Your Heart (12" Mix) 06:27
18. Solomonic Reggae Star - Killer (Armageddon ridim) 03:38

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. June 2010. Problems with downloading or/and listening? Push the buttons below and visit one of the archives:

Electric Darkness in Dub

Darkness is well known in Dub since 1974, when Keith Hudson gives us " Flesh of my Skin, Blood of my Blood". So follow me into the Electric Darkness made of Dubstep, Jungle, Dub and Ambient. This sound is dangerous, so keep it away from children. So, here´s the playlist:

1. Ratman - Judas 05:08
2. Jungleneck - General 06:13
3. Nostramus - Babel 07:08
4. G. Corp - 7799 04:21
5. Dubclash - Dubs Dark History 04:05
6. Version Big-Fi - Stardust Skankjak 02:14
7. Version Big-Fi - Stardust Dubjak 02:33
8. Unitone HiFi - Guiding Star (Gusty Grooves Rerub) 04:45
9. Automaton - Astral Altar (the gateway of Legba) 09:14
10. Goldie - Jah The Seventh Seal 06:22
11. King Midas Sound - Surround Me 03:57
12. Benga - Zero M2 02:57
13. Babylon System & Noah D - Examination Of Time 05:05
14. State Of Emergency - Babylon Meltdown 04:28
15. Unitone Hifi - Babylon (Muslimgauze´ Babylon Iz Iraq remix) 06:54
16. Deadbeat - Habitat for heavy hearts (Switch Docta´s Electric Destruction remix) 03:59

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. June 2010. .

Under the Tree of Dub Vol.2

Another tree planted in my Dubyard, hanging full of fruits flavoured with Dub, Reggae, Jungle and Dubstep. Thanks to DJ Dubstrong, the Discodevil (http://dubstrong.blogspot.com/) for inspiration. And: Take a advice from the Docta: Wear headphones or/and dancing shoes. So, here´s the playlist:

1. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Spottie 04:31
2. the Chequers - Get Up, Stand Up 06:42
3. Alice Russell - Seven Nation Army (Grant Phabao Remix) 05:24
4. Upstate Remixes- - Raise up 03:14
5. Prince Fatty feat.Little Roy - Curious 03:33
6. Nick Fantastic & Digital Ancient - Proverbs Version 04:26
7. Mos Dub - Kampala Truth Work 02:34
8. Dub Gabriel feat. U Roy - Luv n’ Liv ( Ming vs. Subatomic Sound System Remix) 03:58
9. Piratedub - Jungle Rockers 03:22
10. Avatars Of Dub - Uptown Jungle 06:08
11. Two Tone Club - Nuh tell me what to do 02:28
12. Framix - No War 04:11
13. Zafari - Addis Ababa 03:40
14. The Butch Cassidy Sound System - Coming Storm 03:33
15. Baroquedub - Wearing nothing but attitude 05:38
16. Adrian Sherwood - Silly Billy (Activator Remix) 04:41
17. Adrian Sherwood - Silly Old Dub 04:25
18. Dub Syndicate - It's Blessed 05:51

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. June 2010. .

Dubcore Rebellion

I made this Mix in the mid 90s. It was recorded by using two turntables, a tape deck, two cd players and an effect unit. All overdubs are played in real time. Live mix, no tricks. The sound is dark and rough. The raw riddims are taken from several Wordsound tracks and related sources. This is pure Dubdrone, no sunshine reggae: so wear bass protections.

Artwork (March 2010) and Selektion (1996?) by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany.

 

DUB is the TEACHER, DUBSTEP is the PREACHER

In this mix you find two ways: Dubstep versions of roots tunes and Dubstep tunes inna roots style. Old school meets next school in perfect harmony. Everything started from "Scratch" and so it will be in the end. Tribute to the musical genius Lee "Scratch" Perry, the Upsetter! And to all of his disciples, seen. So here´s the playlist:

1. G. Corp meets Lee “Scratch" Perry & Dubblestandart - Dubstep Devil 05:57
2. Max Romeo & Prinze Jazzbo - One Step Dub (Matty G remix) 04:56
3. DJG vs. Don Carlos- Late Night Blues Bootleg 05:26
4. Rogue State feat. Daddy Freddy - Very Dangerous 03:44
5. Warrior Queen alongside Dub Terror - Reload Warrior 04:33
6. Joe Ariwa & The Trixsters - Swagga Dub 04:17
7. Brown & Gammon feat. Eek-A-Mouse - Ganja Smuggling 05:32
8. Synkro - King of Kings 04:40
9. Daweh Congo - Dubsteppin` 03:26
10. Intoccabile - Meditation 05:34
11. the Widdler - Positive Vibes (HD4000 Remix) 06:17
12. Albarosie - Kingston Town (Bassnectar remix 2009 ) 04:45
13. Jahdan Blakkamoore - The General (Marcus Visionary Remix) 04:51
14. Subatomic Sound System, Dubblestandart, Lee “Scratch" Perry & Jahdan Blakkamoore - Respect My Dub (12" -Alternate Mix) 06:16

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. March 2010.

Skatape 1989

Ska, early Reggae and Rocksteady from the 60s via the 2tone area to the third wave in the late 80s. The very first tape for my wife, mixed to impress with all the energy of a Rudie in love. It was released on my first tape label called "komA studio". >Get up and skank to the original street sound.< So here´s the playlist:

1. Spanishtown Skabeats - Stop that train 02:31
2. ? - In the backyard 02:13
3. Scotty - Draw your breaks 03:10
4. the Busters - Don´t worry be happy 02:58
5. the Pyramids - Drunk and disorderly 03:35
6. Ken Boothe - Old fashioned way 02:30
7. Dennis Alcapone - Spanish amigo 02:53
8. the Beat - Hands off... she´s mine (extended Mix) 04:32
9. Prince Buster - Rough rider 03:18
10. the Trojans - The spirit 03:04
11. Too True - Free South Africa 04:10
12. Second Step - Oppurtunity 03:53
13. the Maytals - Pressure drop 03:36
14. Bad Manners - Sally Brown 03:05
15. the Boilers - Brighter days 04:25
16. Madness - Swan Lake 02:34
17. Desmond Dekker - Reggae recipe 02:46
18. Boris Gardiner - Elisabethian Reggae 02:40
19. the Loafers - Melancholy Sally 02:35
20. Skaos - Struggle 03:11
21. Arthur Kay - Ska-wars 03:45
22. Dandy Livingston - Reggae in your jeggae 02:55
23. the Pioneers - Mama look 03:04
24. the Bluebeat - Safety guards 03:19
25. Busters All Stars - Pipeline 02:45
26. Simaryp - Phoenix City 03:41
27. the Specials - Monkey man 03:06
28. Culture Shock - Open mind surgery 04:48

Selektion by Switch Docta. Original recorded as an audiotape March 1989 (created for Mrs. Melody with love). Artwork based on original tape cover. All digital rework made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. December 2009.

Echobeach: Logical Dubgression

Echobeach is one of the hard to find labels, that keeps on releasing very interesting stuff over years. In Dub they trust, fi true.  And they are not afraid to touch the rest of the musical universe. I bought every KSD (since 1995) and I was never disapointed. So this is my tribute to King Size Dub compilations. So here´s the playlist:

1. Dub Syndicate - Let The Spirit Rise (The Mix) taken from KSD 1 07:41
2. Unitone HiFi - Unitone HiFi (Bonus Dub Mix) taken from KSD 2 06:01
3. Dissidenten - Path Of Rhythm (TVS Mix) taken from KSD 3 04:45
4. Jehlisa - Galactica Dub taken from KSD 4 04:46
5. Simply Red - Ghetto Girl (Blood & Fire Sound System Mix) taken from KSD 5 03:34
6. Seeed - Million Dead Tongues taken from KSD 6 05:04
7. State Of Emergency - Banks Of Babylon taken from KSD 7 04:12
8. Dubble Standart - Planet Egalica (Vienna Scientist Rmx) taken from KSD 8 05:51
9. Manasseh meets The Equalizer - Step Like Pepper (Dub) taken from KSD 9 03:09
10. Prince Alla - Sun Is Shining (Don Air Extended Rmx) taken from KSD 10 05:19
11. Math Doly - Back 2 Badjam taken from KSD 11 03:03
12. Sista Gracy Feat. Sugar Minott - My Praises (Dub) taken from KSD 12 04:51
13. Sam Ragga Band - Why Dub taken from KSD 13 aka 69 04:45

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. July 2009.

Development

From Roots to Dubstep. All taken from 45ers. Different styles with same attitude: strictly Bass Culture. Enjoy diversity, variaty and development.
 
So here´s the playlist:

1. Cornadoor - Here I am 04:05
2. Cornadoor - Here I Dub 04:06
3. Bounty Killer & Sugar Minott - Tune in 03:28
4. Taxi Gang - Tune in Rhythm 03:22
5. Cotti ft. Doctor - Calm down 04:28
6. Cotti, Doctor, Jammer Slickman & Pmoney - Calm Down (remix) 04:17
7. Pacheko -Tryouts (Cardopusher RMX) 03:53
8. Pacheko -Tryouts 04:42
9. Pacheko - Bi-Polar (Starkey RMX) 06:27

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. July 2009.
Also available here: 

Forward - Inna Roots Direction

Never forget: Radical means from the Roots! Universal Egg, Twilight Circus, Mad Professor, Versin Big-Fi, Mikey Murka, Michael Rose, Horace Andy and many more are joining forces in Reggae and Dub. Bringing back the spirit again. So, here´s the playlist:

1. Mungo's Hi-Fi feat. Mikey Murka - Old Time Dance 04:13
2. Kanka feat. Brother Culture - Revolution 04:47
3. U-Roy & Ernest Wilson - Know Yourself 03:44
4. Clinton Fearon - Run Come Rallly 04:43
5. Dub Fanatic - Malawi Style 05:30
6. Bob Marley - Don't Rock My Boat (Dub Version) 04:32
7. Mikey Murka - Downpressor Man 03:31
8. Mikey Murka feat. Disrupt - Oppressor Man 03:40
9. Dub Terror feat. Horace Andy - Mr. Terror 04:22
10. Wadadda - Elders Refix 04:20
11. Ras Amerlock - Elders (Trinity Station Mix) 04:15
12. Sly & Robbie - Dub The Government (Original) 02:50
13. Mikey Murka - War 06:17
14. African Simba - Alternative Power 03:53
15. Tiger Hifi - Music 04:20
16. Version Big-Fi - I Make The Hits 03:04
17. Twilight Circus feat. Michael Rose - No Burial (Manasseh Remix) 06:21
18. Dubblestandart - Player Hater (Mad Professor Mix) 04:29
19. Twilight Circus feat. Big Youth - Love Is What We Need (Gcorp Disco Roots Remix) 06:13

Artwork and Selektion by Switch Docta. Made at Electric Lion´s Den. Berlin-Kreuzberg. Germany. June 2009.