Album Review: Direct-to-Dub, Scientist

80s dub heavyweight Hopeton Overton Brown AKA Scientist’s newest offering in conjunction with Night Dreamer Records is a dub delight. The 64-year-old Brown (King Tubby’s protégé) stands at the helm of a band that reads like the who’s who of the London reggae scene. Along with saxophonist Finn Peters and trombonist Salvoandrea Lucifora, they have created a live session for the ages.

The album was recorded at Artone studio, Netherlands, where Night Dreamer specialise in direct-to-disc recordings, and live performances are cut straight to acetate. In this case, Scientist engineered and dubbed the set straight onto lathe to be taken to Record Industry pressing plant downstairs to press. Awesome stuff.

Direct to Dub opens with “Jail House” and we are instantly in smooth dub heaven, vocalist Donovan Kingjay telling us prison is not that sweet whilst the heavy kick drum and that bass (would love to have been in that studio) makes us sway side to side. An accidental juxtaposition? Probably not.

“Tribute to King George” is an instrumental that sets the pulse for the EP. Right in the middle, “Missing You” brings the vibe of the session together, and again how I would have loved to be sitting on that floor.

Rounding off the EP is “Cosmic Dust”. If I had to choose it would be today’s standout, though tomorrow I might choose differently. And the joyous “Higher Meditation” pans left to right and finishes things perfectly. Well played!

This six-track EP flows beautifully and with over 60,000 recordings under Scientist’s belt, no wonder Direct to Dub has been on repeat since I first came across it. A must for any reggae/dub loving fan.

Out now through Night Dreamer.