Скачать или смотреть CRUCIAL BUNNY & SCIENTIST - DUB DUEL: 1982 U.K. HAWKEYE RECORDS

Reggae dub legend Scientist returns to the spotlight with a reissue of the 1982 ‘clash’ album, Dub Duel. Originally released on the UK’s Hawkeye label, the album features Scientist’s and Crucial Bunny’s dub treatments of productions by Roy Forbes-Allen (aka Hawkeye). This 2019 reissue, spearheaded by Scientist’s own Dubmusic Productions and Berlin-based Buyreggae.com, brings Dub Duel back to vinyl with a stunning visual refresh. Featuring an eye-catching cover and insert, the reissue offers a chance for both longtime fans and newcomers to experience the album’s dub wizardry.

SCIENTIST/CRUCIAL BUNNY
While the title Dub Duel might suggest a head-to-head clash, the opposite is true. Both Crucial Bunny and Scientist had appeared on numerous other dub ‘clash’ albums before and this particular release brings together the talents of these two iconic reggae artists. Scientist, a legendary figure in the world of reggae, has been a key figure at Channel One Studios for many years. His innovative approach to sound engineering has left an enduring legacy. Crucial Bunny, also known as Anthony Graham or Bunny Tom Tom, was a skilled engineer at Channel One, contributing to countless classic reggae recordings.

CRUCIAL BUNNY
While the peak of the dub craze had passed by 1982, the tracks on this set still offer a compelling listening experience. Recorded at Dynamic Sounds Studios and mixed at Tuff Gong, the album features five captivating dub tracks mixed by Crucial Bunny. One standout track is Ernies Request, a recognizable dub version of Ruddy Thomas’s hit Key To The World. This track incorporates snippets of the original’s horn arrangement and vocals, resulting in a catchy and engaging dub mix. The album opens with Lethal Stepper, a solid dub workout featuring powerful horn accents and unidentified vocal samples. Crucial Movement’s continues in a similar vein, while ‘Bunny’ On Top offers a more modern and experimental sound with another unidentified vocalist. No Animosity concludes his set with a strong horn section that elevates the dub experience.

SCIENTIST
Scientist recorded and mixed his six tracks at Channel One Studios, a place he considered his second home. He mainly gets to work on a number of tracks by Desi Roots, a prominent artist at the time. Jeremiah’s Special is a quirky dub adaptation of Desi Roots’ He Ain’t Coming. Lab Explosion is a truly unique track, featuring sounds that resemble a distorted rock guitar solo intro and a repetitive, otherworldly synth sound. Scientist’s reinterpretation of Desi Roots’ hit Weedfields is titled Burn Them, showcasing his ability to deconstruct and reconstruct a song. Unassailable Lead offers a more melodic and mellow approach, contrasting with the intense energy of Burn Them, while the closing track, Take The Fight, is another Desi Roots-inspired dub. Scientist’s masterful dub arrangement, complemented by horn sections that set the mood, brings the album to a fitting close.