Reviews
 Echobeach.de
D_B...FDC...FFR .... !?? The first part of the French D_B Connection series was given an enthusiastic reception on dance floors the world over; so it was a joy for us to compile a worthy successor from - once again - extremely intriguing sound files. French music of course still enjoys an excellent reputation, especially with regard to a certain progressiveness on the dance floor. This is no pure roots or dub reggae production, but rather a new experience of global dubsterness with stylistic elements from a wide variety of musical directions. The trip through French cities like Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg leads to a sweet dancefloor-oriented house -, trip-hop -, breakbeat -, afro -, club -drum`n`bass -, roots - beat. For this second compilation it has again been part of the approach to try and present French music culture with all its diversity while at the same time creating a homogeneous musical experience, and to offer impeccable packaging (designed by Frederic Voison - e.g. On-U Sound) as well as, once again, cooperation with a renowned French music magazine. This time we have managed to gain 'CODA' (in the UK comparable with 'Wire') as our partner, which lends additional luster to the 13 tracks and 77:54 minutes of FRENCH DUB CONNECTION 2. Highlights include Aleem (of the French House label Pro Zak Trax) with their super-relaxed 'Yoga Dub', St. Germain (of F.Communication/Paris) with their enigmatic 'Dub Experience', Paris based LAB with their excellent PIL-meets-ChemicalBrothers-in-d'n'bass-heaven sound, as well as Hammerbass label's Djins (well remembered from the first compilation) with an amazing hip hop dub - "...don't believe the hype". New talent such as Oto Elektrik from Strasbourg, Paris based Eye'n'Ear or Bordeaux's Kayla with a neat Brazilian dub, surprise and complement the picture just like the dreads of Bordeaux's Improvisator Dub or their Lyon based colleagues of High Tone with a massive trip hop roots dub. Dub Syndicate's keyboarder contributes a trancy house mix of Paris' Dub Wiser and does a clever set-up for The Arrangers - a side project of Seven Dub with Aleem's Emanuel. Their 'Fast One' is a smoothly produced tribute to old reggae heroes and producers, sophisticated funky cross-over house. Last but not least and totally impressive: Tony Allen (formally drums with Fela Kuti) and at the moment extremely successful in France and the rest of Europe with Black Voices. The remix of the title track of his album - up until now available only as 12" version - was expertly done by England's Funky Lowlives - a fearless dubby afro house with, well, Black Voices! Admittedly, this musical journey with its seventy five minutes is a lot shorter than a trip with the Concorde from Paris to New York, but - it's cheaper, more exciting AND you are allowed to smoke: ENJOY! |
