out now: L.B. Dub Corp – Unknown Origin [Ostgut Ton]

Artist:
L.B. Dub Corp

Title:
Unknown Origin

Label:
Ostgut Ton

Cat#:
OSTGUTCD29 | OSTGUTLP15

Release Date:
11th November 2013

Format:
CD, vinyl & digital

Tracklist CD:
01)
Take A Ride
[feat. Benjamin Zephaniah]

02)
Nearly Africa

03)
Ever And Forever

04)
L.B’s Dub

05)
No Trouble In Paradise

06)
I Have A Dream
[feat. Benjamin Zephaniah]

07)
Turner’s House

08)
Generation To Generation

09)
Any Time Will Be OK

10)
Roller
[feat. Function]

Tracklist Vinyl:
A1)
Ever And Forever

A2)
Take A Ride
[feat. Benjamin Zephaniah]

B1)
No Trouble In Paradise

B2)
Generation To Generation

C1)
Nearly Africa

C2)
L.B’s Dub

D1)
Roller
[feat. Function]

D2)
Any Time Will Be OK

Info (English):
Ostgut Ton presents “Unknown Origin” the debut album from Luke Slater’s L.B. Dub Corp moniker. The ten tracks recorded at Spacestation Ø form a hymnal intent on transporting you back to the roots. Digging deep into the history of dance music, “Unknown Origin” dares to ask the big questions and offers no easy answers. Instead, deep spiritual dubs are side- by-side with slices of piano house, and handsome slabs of techno contrast with the words of the silvertongued poet Benjamin Zephaniah.

In L.B. Dub Corp’s capable hands this examination of what has gone before is in absolutely no way nostalgic. These are tracks informed by the past and rooted firmly in the present. The euphoric early days of house make themselves apparent on “Turner’s House” and the jubilant “Nearly Africa”. They are also the key to the building piano line on “Ever and Forever”. But house’s ability to sooth a mournful soul is far from forgotten and “No Trouble in Paradise” should be kept close when everything’s far from blissful.

Through “Unknown Origin” L.B. Dub Corp makes it clear that his dub influences don’t stop at its rhythms, but extend right into dub poetry. Benjamin Zephaniah, arguably the UK’s premier wordsmith, makes two appearances on the record. He lends twisted turns of phrase to the swung, sensuous opener “Take a Ride”, and returns at the album’s mid-point to fill “I Have a Dream”’s synthesised arcs with wit and word play. Zephaniah’s words and L.B. Dub Corp’s treatments catch you unawares, and this is why they’re such a fantastic pairing. “I Have a Dream” undercuts the closed-down thinking that plagues politics and the us-and-them thoughts that can creep into rallying speeches. Together they create a surreal hymn for our pluralistic times. Equally there’s just as much wisdom to be found in the smooth samples on “Generation to Generation” as there is humour.

Amid the speculative, introspective moments of “Unknown Origin” there is no shortage of tracks to detonate dance floors. “Anytime will be OK” is a grooved masterclass and “L.B’s Dub” operates at jittery high-octane. The record draws to an almighty close with “Roller” featuring another formidable figure, Function. The low-sung, pitch-black “Roller” provides the menacing last twist in the tale, a firm techno cut to end a record which traces dub to its roots and celebrates the heritage of house.

words: Clare Molloy

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