Released
September 2015, August 2015
- Portland's ZamZam Sounds is something of an anomaly: a dub label that releases new music from new producers and appeals to purists and neophytes alike. They're fine sticking to roots sounds, but also unafraid to step outside of those boundaries, as evidenced by recent releases from Beat Pharmacy and DJ Madd, AKA Peter Simon. The latter artist returns with a two-tracker for ZamZam, which works like a one-two punch along with Danny Scrilla's debut 7-inch. The records highlight dance music producers who don't typically make straight-up dub.
Of the two, Madd is most comfortable working with this sound. His dubstep productions have always owed a debt to reggae. (He even started a label focused on reconciling dubstep's ancestors with its descendants, appropriately called Roots & Future.) His ZamZam debut from last year had a flair for traditional stuff with hints of digi-dub, and Interstellar Dub / Spook Dub is a worthy follow-up. His dubstep history comes through in the 140 BPM tempos, though it's more obvious in the way the music swings. What's striking about these tracks is the way Simon weaves the bassline through the melodies themselves, pushing it all forward rather than hobbling on low-end zig-zags. "Interstellar Dub" snakes through its runtime, while "Spook Dub" sits on hollow percussion as circus organs add an eerie tint.
German producer Daniel Pirkl brings a more dramatic perspective on Higher Plane / Maroon, upping the tempo past 150. The flute-driven "Higher Plane" blends old and new sounds as long melodica notes sigh over rhythms that kick and sputter like footwork. The slightly faster "Maroon" hints at DMZ-style dubstep, with a broken bassline complementing some classic dub horns. As with Simon's 7-inch, these tracks approach old-school dub with fresh arrangements and sonics.
TracklistDanny Scrilla - Higher Plane / Maroon
A1 Higher Plane
B1 Maroon
DJ Madd - Interstellar Dub / Spook Dub
A1 Interstellar Dub
B1 Spook Dub