Matumbi
Dub Planet Orbit 1

Studio Rockers: ...After Prince Fatty's involvement in the production of the original project, he was the perfect person to help update the record with five decades of experience for a new audience to enjoy. The ten tracks of "Understand What Black Is" depict a relevant, historical philosophy of identity and race that has followed The Poets over the last 50 years. Since the origins of the civil rights movements back in the late 60's, Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan (two of the longest-standing group members) have provided social commentaries and a voice to African-American consciousness that has now been heard on a global scale.Their raps, exploitations and insights quickly evolved into the origins of hip-hop in Harlem, New York back in 1968, and now in 2019 they continue to voice their dedication to the cause with the backing of slick rock-steady infused beats to keep things moving. Having had their work sampled by the likes of NWA, Dr Dre, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and countless others is just a testament to the timeless sounds and prophecy they have created, and now Prince Fatty has stepped up to put his stamp on it.Prince Fatty's ever-reliable work gives "Understand What Black Is" another lease of life as he maintains an undeniably slick groove throughout. Both therapeutic and warm, the soulful rhythms of "Understand What Dub Is" provide the perfect platform for The Last Poets to delve into everything from Trump's inauguration, nods to Biggie Smalls and respect to Prince. The calm, collective and downright thought-provoking words go hand-in-hand with the roots-driven reggae medleys with ease - this is dub in its rawest form.Not only do these songs explore personal struggles and individual endeavours, they also represent a collective of deprived aspects of humanity and socialism, that perhaps now need to be pointed out more than ever. Although there is a variation of sound, the overlying topics remain a constant - it is time to "Understand What Black Is" once more.

RWD-FWD: ...After teasing out a handful of Test Pressings at the end of last year, it is now time for the full drop of the G36 bomb on Hotline Recordings.It’s been a hot minute since the last release dropped on the Hotline, but we're back now with two ultra-gully, ultra-heavyweight dystopian steppers cuts from mysterious anarcho-dub-punks out of Japan – G36.Last seen on The Bug’s PRESSURE label, producing riddims for Nazamba and unleashing another deadly 12″ of their own – this is their most devastating pair of traxx yet…No Escape rings off natty Sleng Teng memories via Blade Runner futurism and 10tonne bassbin war cries… Black Mass is the lonesome street sweeper post nuclear war – no mercy, no survivors.Absolutely tough soundsystem gear, probably the loudest plate on the label yet -if you like the sounds of The Bug, Emptyset, Loefah, Iration Steppas, Aba Shanti-I, TNT Roots -Then this will feel good to you.