Khaliphonic

Release Date: 1st November 2019

Bristol’s Dubkasm is an absolute pillar of the worldwide roots, dub, and sound system movement. In fact it’s hard to imagine the contemporary UK dub scene without them. Massive releases on Peng! Sound, Bristol Archive, ZamZam, and especially their own Sufferah’s Choice and Dubkasm labels have made Stryda & Digistep household names among lovers of contemporary sound system reggae. Holding down and forwarding traditional dubplate culture for 25 years now, “Two X Two” showcases two slices of two different tunes and demonstrates why they are among the world’s most beloved groups, a link back to the elder generations of Bristol sound, and a beacon to the younger.

“Discipline,” presented in two pieces, cuts to the chase with a massive, relentless, fully saturated digital bassline blasting straight into the future of dubwise. No surprise that it has a ‘Year 3000’ vibe, as it was, in Stryda’s words “originally built for Iration Steppas to run at Teachings In Dub against his pupil Sinai Sound. All those who remember the dubplate special version “schooool him iyaaaah..!!” If the main mix, "Discipline", feels extra heady for a ‘Part 1,’ the "Lights On Mix" charts a course even further into reverb space with the tape echo running mad and the snares ricocheting to infinity.

Opening with a beautifully resonant piano figure, “The Key” featuring Ashanti Selah is a propulsive steppers, also presented in two pieces, this one with a galloping live-drums feel, Digi’s sax surfacing majestically through the flurry of syndrum and rim shots. Of “The Key” Stryda says “it’s been played by Aba Shanti-I on dubplate for the past couple of years, and there is a Keety Roots vocal and horns cut which rumour has it will see the light of day next year…” Stay tuned!!

Strictly limited to 600 copies for the world. No digital, no repress. Art and design by Polygon Press. Mastered by Sam Precise. Releasing first week of November, 2019.

a1. Dubkasm - Discipline

a2. Dubkasm - Lights on Mix

b1. Dubkasm - The Key ft. Ashanti Selah

b2. Dubkasm - Version

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Dubkasm - Two X Two

Khaliphonic

£10.53 (£12.64 Inc VAT)

Release Date: 1st November 2019

ZamZam’s first encounter with the music of Diggory Kenrick was “The Lion Flute,” a wind-led cut to one of Jamaican music’s toughest riddims, the Mighty Diamonds’ “Africa.” Years later it still hasn’t left the box, and it led us on a quest to acquire as many of his tunes as possible… E3 became obsessed with reaching out to him for a collaboration, and “Temple Duel” b/w “Temple Dub” is the resulting plate. Collaborations with legends including Bunny Lee, Lee Perry, and Jah Wobble have resulted in an extraordinary catalog of 7”, 10”, and 12” singles, to say nothing of producing an outstanding documentary on Mr. Lee, “I Am The Gorgon,” and countless liner notes and production credits for the untouchable Pressure Sounds label.

Kenrick’s signature sound is haunting and richly melodic, phased and distorted, lending an ancient-to-the-future vibe to everything he touches, whether rootical collaborations or left-field version excursions.

Alter Echo & E3 and Headland had been wanting to collaborate for some time, and Kenrick’s high-plains-meets-far-east vibes seemed the perfect opportunity to build something truly unique.

The scene takes place deep underground, in blackened chambers untouched by the sun, ancient halls where reverb space is the guide and ritual combat is the only way out. Subsonic 808 bass undergirds a near-industrial mid-range bass guitar groove, stiff snares, stick-fighting percussion, and the melody an ever-present narrative arc through the dark. “Temple Dub” strips down the flute and widens the cinemascope, with claustrophobic panning and vertiginous detuning echoes creating ghostly traps for the unwary.

Strictly limited to 700 10" copies for the world. No digital, no repress. Art and design by Polygon Press. Mastered by Sam Precise. Releasing first week of November, 2019.

a1. Alter Echo & E3 Meet Headland & Diggory Kenrick - Temple Duel

b1. Alter Echo & E3 Meet Headland & Diggory Kenrick - Temple Dub

Alter Echo & E3 Meet Headland & Diggory Kenrick: Temple Duel 10"

Khaliphonic

£9.82 (£11.78 Inc VAT)

Release Date - 12th July 2019

Ophir Kutiel AKA Kutiman is a multi-instrumentalist from Tel Aviv, a “psychedelic space funk architect” to quote Straight No Chaser. When we were approached by his label Siyal about recruiting ZamZam/Khaliphonic artists for a remix project, we loved the idea right away - dub without borders or boundaries is our passion, and getting our hands on Kutiman’s freeform analog explorations felt like an amazing opportunity to push that passion further. All four remixes revel in the freedom of the original tunes, and each, while anchored in dubwise techniques, are totally unhindered by tempo or other genre constraints.

Alter Echo & E3 open with a remix of “Unknown,” the set’s only 140 tune, full up with a bubbling cauldron of bassline and flutes, esoteric vinyl archaeology, spring reverb shocks, and swung percussion.

J:Kenzo, known for 140 and 160 bpm sound system bangers, here takes the chance to stay deep - but in a chill mode - unfurling a beautiful journey of syncopated drum work and slapping percussion framing the lush, meandering melodies of the original “Behind The Noise."

Gulls’ rework of “Mineral” rocks with an offbeat feel, technically in four, but swaying like it’s in three. Plucked guitar figures recall the African roots of contemporary bass music, and tape hiss buffets the listener back and forth through a sonic hall of portals and passages.

Perhaps the most surprising of all four four versions is Headland’s closing “Lucid Dream” remix, which sets course for dub techno country and never looks back. Combining the best of the producer’s masterful sound design and sense of build-and-drop dynamics with the idiom’s 4/4 pulse and focus on immersive space, Headland closes a set as inspired as the album it was based on.

a1. Kutiman - Unknown (Alter Echo & E3 Remix)

a2. Kutiman - Behind The Noise (J:Kenzo RemIx)

b1. Kutiman - Mineral (Gulls Remix)

b2. Kutiman - Lucid Dream (Headland Remix)

Kutiman - Don't Hold Onto The Clouds: The Khaliphonic Versions

Khaliphonic

£12.49 (£14.99 Inc VAT)

Beat Pharmacy - Dub Purpose EP

Khaliphonic

£11.46 (£13.75 Inc VAT)

Release Date - 26th October 2018

Known for a broad swath of genre-obliterating club tracks on crucial labels including Critical, Exit, and 50Weapons, Sam Binga approached us earlier this year with a radically different kind of project, a collaboration with Welfare, true junglist and label boss at D&B bastion Rua Sound. The result of their team-up is Conamara Fieldworks. Its unique inspiration and patient process are best described by the duo themselves:

"In early November 2016, we set off through the bleakness of an Irish November into the wilderness that is Conamara, County Galway, Ireland, with about half an idea of what we wanted to do. Our friend Laney had been kind enough to allow us the use of a 300 year old cottage overlooking the sea, itself belonging to her family through generations which she was bit by bit restoring to its former glory. The isolation was perfect - very little in the way of creature comforts, no network coverage, but plenty of turf for the stove and Guinness for the belly.

Our routine for the next few days consisted of trudging the length of the rugged coastline in search of interesting sounds we could potentially process into usable elements for some kind of dub/dub techno-inspired composition...This took us inside tidal caves and abandoned ruins, across sheep fields, up and down mountains and winding country lanes, in and out of the odd pub, under upturned boats and (carefully) across huge washes of seaweed-covered shoreline. Using our handheld recorder (shouts Danny Scrilla for the lend) we assembled a palette of varied noises, constantly battling with the peaking and distortion created by the incessant Atlantic gusts.

Each evening, following some intense huddling around the stove and vital Irish home cuisine and stout, we'd examine and dissect what we had collected that day, sometimes discovering the most interesting material firmly planted in the background of the soundscapes. A certain amount of (but not too much) processing later we had the bones of a few short loops of each sound which made some kind of musical sense when played alongside each other.

Binga suggested staying true to the craft and keeping the rawness to the foreground by attempting to develop the loops into full compositions via live desk mixing, arrangement and effects. We said our goodbyes to Conamara and a month or two later said our hellos to the Dubkasm shedio. Following a crash course from the dynamic duo, we set to work for the day, learning as we went along and enjoying to the full the unpredictability, intuition and sheer vibes a dubbing session can bring, particularly in a studio kitted out with some fine analogue gear which undoubtedly helped us to keep that damp, saturated feeling that Conamara had sown."

The resulting collection of music speaks for itself, and does so in its own language. It is meditative, deeply textural, and richly saturated, with awesome sound design, generous bass weight, and dubwise finesse. Referencing ambient, concrete, and dub techno while never letting any genre dictate its path, Conamara Fieldworks is a deeply rewarding and intensely involving listen. A restrained yet transporting remix from the one Ossia completes the set.

a1. Sam Binga & Welfare - Trá na Feadóige

a2. Sam Binga & Welfare - Muirbhigh (Ossia Remix)

b1. Sam Binga & Welfare - Cloch Na Rón

b2. Sam Binga & Welfare - Iorras Beag

b3. Sam Binga & Welfare - Muirbhigh

Sam Binga & Welfare - Conamara Fieldworks

Khaliphonic

£12.91 (£15.49 Inc VAT)

Strategy - Dub Mind Paradigm LP

Khaliphonic

£14.15 (£16.98 Inc VAT)

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Various Artists - Sounds from the Well: Collection 1

Khaliphonic

£12.99 (£15.59 Inc VAT)

Due End Of January 2017

Jerome Meyer AKA Von D is a master craftsman, well-known for releasing dubstep and bass music since 2009. On an increasingly prolific trajectory since last year, recent 12”s on Infernal Sounds, Trojan Audio and Scotch Bonnet have signaled his renewed focus on dubwise productions. We are proud to say that Von D’s Khaliphonic debut sees him fully committing to reggae and dub - in his words, “going back to my musical roots.”

“Politricks” is a masterwork, cut from the same living rock as the classic Cuss Cuss riddim, a simply huge bass and drum workout that is truly one for the ages. Politricks is an anthem for now, a call to avoid the dead-end of politics-as-usual and a warning to beware of the lies politicians tell to keep themselves in power - full of promises but changing nothing. Von D says that “working with Don Cotti was very natural,” and their easy relationship is audible - the tune fits the vocal like a glove, and Cotti’s instantly-recognizable singjay style gives even more gravitas to an already heavy track. The dub version spools out Von D’s signature saturated echoes even further, and opens up spectral chambers of reverb that shimmer and glow.

The B side “Ygrec” is an equally massive tune, just as compelling if more meditative and mysterious, coming in both one drop and power-steppers mixes for maximum versatility and vibes. Both tunes and their versions feature an incredibly robust, warm, human sound - one that simply can’t come from machines alone - live drums, bass, and kete drum among other instruments maintain the tradition of live musicians in dub - to say nothing of expert desk-based mixing and deployment of live analog effects the way the elders intended. Both tunes dial in at 140 making them perfect for roots and dubstep selectors alike.

Von D got his start as a drummer and engineer outside Paris, in the heady days of original jungle. Early releases on Disfigured Dubz, Hench, Boka, Black Acre and the seminal V Recordings, as well as his reggae-oriented Liquid Wicked project, cemented his reputation. Don Cotti is a prolific producer, DJ and MC with releases stretching back to 2006 on labels as varied as Bass Face, Studio Rockers, and Soul Jazz.

Mastered by Lewis at Stardelta. Art & design by Polygon Press.

a1. Politricks ft. Cotti

a2. Poly Dub

b1. Yrec Dub

b2. Yrec Dub 366

Von D - Politricks

Khaliphonic

£9.57 (£11.48 Inc VAT)

Released 29th January 2016

ZamZam 19, Alter Echo & E3’s “Nubian Dub” backed with “Warning Dub” was an underground hit that sold out its run of 600 copies almost instantly, and has been in constant demand ever since. It is consistently named as many completists’ top ZamZam release. Championed by selectors as diverse as The Bug, J:Kenzo, Alpha Steppa and Joe Nice, both tunes developed lives of their own, spawning remixes that we are now extremely proud to release as a pair of limited 10”s: Khaliphonic 05 (Nubian Dub Remixes) and 06 (Warning Dub Remixes).

Egoless’ live dubbing of the tunes in his sets early last year morphed into heavyweight remixes of both cuts. His Nubian version is a funkdafied 140-affair with added clave, cyborg saxophone flavor, retooled low-end and a strangely uplifting mood animated by his unique sense of spatial dynamics and movement. ZamZam veteran DJ Madd brings the 85 bpm slow-jungle rockers vibrations with his signature 808 depth drops, spacious synths and tuned tablas anchoring the original atmospherics in a completely different and unexpected riddim matrix.

Microphone commando Rider Shafique introduces Ishan Sound’s refix, which began life as a special for Ishan, Alter Echo, and E3, but demanded a wider release. A militant steppers of the highest order, a haunting melody floats above the pounding kick and galloping percussion while machine-gun snares cut through the miasmic swirling textures. Egoless’ Warning remix seemingly pitches the entire original tune up an octave to make room for the monstrous, swollen, lurching bass, kick & claps that has become a swaggering anthem that demands multiple reloads wherever he performs it.

Raising the visual aesthetic bar once again, in-house design & print master Polygon Press blesses each 10” with a striking, complementary geometric construction, teasing 2 and 3D in and out of each other in a captivatingly original style. Screen printed by hand on heavy chip board jackets.  Design + Print by Polygon Press. Mastered & cut by Lewis at Stardelta, Devon, UK.

Strictly limited to 800 copies each – No repress – No digital

a. Alter Echo & E3 - Warning Dub (Ishan Sound Special)

b. Alter Echo & E3 - Warning Dub (Egoless Remix)

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Alter Echo & E3 - Warning Dub (Ishan Sound Special & Egoless Remix)

Khaliphonic

£7.49 (£8.99 Inc VAT)

Released 29th January 2016

ZamZam 19, Alter Echo & E3’s “Nubian Dub” backed with “Warning Dub” was an underground hit that sold out its run of 600 copies almost instantly, and has been in constant demand ever since. It is consistently named as many completists’ top ZamZam release. Championed by selectors as diverse as The Bug, J:Kenzo, Alpha Steppa and Joe Nice, both tunes developed lives of their own, spawning remixes that we are now extremely proud to release as a pair of limited 10”s: Khaliphonic 05 (Nubian Dub Remixes) and 06 (Warning Dub Remixes).

Egoless’ live dubbing of the tunes in his sets early last year morphed into heavyweight remixes of both cuts. His Nubian version is a funkdafied 140-affair with added clave, cyborg saxophone flavor, retooled low-end and a strangely uplifting mood animated by his unique sense of spatial dynamics and movement. ZamZam veteran DJ Madd brings the 85 bpm slow-jungle rockers vibrations with his signature 808 depth drops, spacious synths and tuned tablas anchoring the original atmospherics in a completely different and unexpected riddim matrix.

Microphone commando Rider Shafique introduces Ishan Sound’s refix, which began life as a special for Ishan, Alter Echo, and E3, but demanded a wider release. A militant steppers of the highest order, a haunting melody floats above the pounding kick and galloping percussion while machine-gun snares cut through the miasmic swirling textures. Egoless’ Warning remix seemingly pitches the entire original tune up an octave to make room for the monstrous, swollen, lurching bass, kick & claps that has become a swaggering anthem that demands multiple reloads wherever he performs it.

Raising the visual aesthetic bar once again, in-house design & print master Polygon Press blesses each 10” with a striking, complementary geometric construction, teasing 2 and 3D in and out of each other in a captivatingly original style. Screen printed by hand on heavy chip board jackets.  Design + Print by Polygon Press. Mastered & cut by Lewis at Stardelta, Devon, UK.

Strictly limited to 800 copies each – No repress – No digital

a. Alter Echo & E3 - Nubian Dub (Egoless Remix)

b. Alter Echo & E3 - Nubian Dub (DJ Madd Remix)

Sold Out

Alter Echo & E3 - Nubian Dub (Egoless & DJ Madd Remixes)

Khaliphonic

£7.49 (£8.99 Inc VAT)

Summer of 2014 at Reconstrvct, Brooklyn NY - Ishan Sound was pummeling the capacity crowd with hi-powered steppers, cut after cut on beautiful acetate. Suddenly a huge sonic space opened up with a tune that was like a blast of cool air through the suffocatingly hot room… ZamZam’s E3 was instantly captivated by the track, and knew we had to have it… but first we had to find out what it was!

The tune that had the crowd heaving and rocking in delight was Peaman’s “War” - a legendary dubplate by a mysterious producer, controlled by only a few including Ishan, Kahn and Bristol’s DJ Dad. Massively warm sub-bass, uncompromisingly sparse one drop riddim, sublime horns and pads, and masterful control of reverbs define this understated killer. Powerful in its restraint and minimalism, War touches all the right marks in the frequency spectrum, making it an unforgettable hit with every sound system it’s flexed on.

Khaliphonic 04 offers up the original tune alongside three versions on 12” vinyl. “Horns of War,” an extended saxophone version excursion featuring James Morton soloing on the horn offers up pure, sparkling dubwise jazz like none we’ve ever heard. Two remixes by Bristol producer Rhumius on the B side bring War into steppers territory with a more insistent kick drum and oh-so-sweet fuller horn melodics.

Peaman shares the story of Horns of War’s first play this summer in Bristol, and Babylon’s reaction:

"Every year since we’ve been building our soundsystem, me and my sound system crew, ‘Heathen’ have managed to run at St Pauls Carnival and 2015 was no exception despite the event's official cancellation. We got a last-minute spot with a half stack, playing in the courtyard at legendary Bristol Soundman Froggy’s Birthday party on Argyle Road. We put the boxes outside and ran cable all the way down through the garden and into the basement of the house, so far away we could not hear the rig. It was a mid sized event and most of our crowd were old school Bristol Roots scene so we were all buzzing and we ran the sound louuuud!

A couple of hours in, I pulled out my newly mixed version, 'Horns of War', and played it out for the first time. I quickly made my way up through the garden and out into the courtyard. We had drawn a nice crowd and when the bass rolled in, everyone started to step heavy, the stack was pushing War like I’d never heard it and I was feeling sweet! We got about half way through the tune when five of Babylon’s finest strolled into the courtyard, requesting a wheel up with no second play. The nerve. After some failed mass negotiation, the police threatened to take the sound and we had to pack down. In spite of the party being cut short, the day had been a success: we turned up, tuned up and my version was the last thing the police heard before leaving!"

Mastered and cut at wide 33 rpm for maximum bass warmth by Lewis at Stardelta, Devon UK. Limited to 600 copies for the world, no digital, no repress. Design & screen print by Polygon Press.

a1. Peaman - War