Dub War - Strike it!

Dub War are a band from Newport, where I grew up, and they are the best at what they do!

They pioneered a fusion of reggae and hardcore rock that may have been imitated but never bettered.

Their first album, Pain, is one of my all time favourite albums. But their second didn't really catch the same energy and they faded from my view.

They are one of the few bands I saw live in the 90's and they were just as good in the flesh as on their recordings, if not better.

The album was ideal for getting the adrenalin pumping, but eventually I got rid of the album in one of my, much regretted, cd purges.

Apparently the lead singer, Benji Webbe, went on to form a band called Skindred and carried on the Dub War tradition.



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Now playing: Crystal Lewis - The Beauty of the Cross
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808 State - Pacific State

This track is another of the most influential tracks of my youth.

It began my 12" inch collection (which admittedly never grew very big before CD's took over the world) and showed me music other than the type produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory' (some of which I still like btw!).

It was danceable and also created an atmosphere. I could just close my eyes and lose myself in the music, always the mark of a good track for me. It fired my imagination and was the soundtrack to a lot of my creative endeavours in my teens.

There were a few other tracks of theirs that stood out for me (cubik and one in ten spring to mind) but this had the most impact.



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Now playing: Yusa - La Fabula
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Follow the Leader - Eric B & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim - Follow The Leader
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This is one of the first vinyl's ever bought under my own steam. As a result it got played to death, but I never got tired of it and still haven't!

The rolling bass matches the constant flow of lyrics from the rapper (not sure I ever figured which one was who!) so that there's no let up. It's a great track and one I always find myself keeping pace with, although if I'm not concentrating I do end up tongue tied in parts.

If Rap was included on a karaoke night then this would be my choice (is that actually a recommendation or not?).


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Now playing: The Special AKA - Gangsters
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