Brainpower - Dub & Dwars
Brainpower is Holland's most successful Dutch lyrics hip hop artist to date. The platinum
selling rapper has steadily released his flow of singles since 1999 and he scored his first
number one hit in 2002 with 'Dansplaat'. Brainpower has always had a soft spot for reggae
and after four hip hop albums and a greatest hits compilation he now gives in to his reggae
urge.
For his upcoming first English language album Brainpower recently visited Jamaica and there
his idea for a reggae release really took shape. Amazed by the endless recycling and
reinterpretations of reggae's themes and riddims he decided to recycle some of his own
biggest hits on reggae riddims, resulting in this seven track Dub & Dwars EP.
Only the first track, the album's title track 'Dub & Dwars', is completely new. On this
tune he explains his passion for reggae and the relation between that genre and hip hop over
a delicious bass line. The other six tunes are lyrically recycled hits with some alterations.
Where in the original hip hop versions Brainpower bigs up other rappers he now mentions those
reggae icons he listened to growing up. Brainpower's lyrics and producer Asher E's reggae fit
excellently and bring out the best of both. Brainpower's flow is crispier than ever and Asher
E's sound and dubs that accompany six of the seven tunes, are heavier than on any of his
previous outings.
The riddims of both 'Dans Ska', a reworking of the previously mentioned 'Dansplaat', and
'Alles Dub' were laid in Jamaica by the riddim section of one of Jamaica's finest backing
bands the Fire House Crew. Legendary bassie Donald Dennis and drummer George Dusty Miller
spoil us first with a mean ska shuffle, followed by the original bassline of 'Alles Dub'.
Spiced up with a horns section, melodica, scratches and dubs both tracks are examples of
excellence, yet they do not stand out on the set since all tracks simply hit home hard.
For fans of Brainpower this EP is interesting because of the different feeling and flow on
old favourites and the new title track. For reggae lovers and especially those that
understand Dutch the 'Dub & Dwars' set is a real treat. Excellence in lyrics and riddims!
(Teacha Dan, July 2010)
|
Brainpower - Dub & Dwars
CD
(BSRCD2010001)
| 1. | Dub & Dwars |
| 2. | Non Stop Dub |
| 3. | De Vierde Kaart Dub |
| 4. | Je Moest Waarschijnlijk Gaan Dub |
| 5. | Dans Ska |
| 6. | Alles Dub |
| 7. | Boks Ouwe Dub |
|
