Fruits Records and A-Lone Productions, two respected European record labels, share a dedicated mission to uphold the authentic spirit and values of Jamaican reggae. This shared commitment has fostered an ongoing collaboration, once again showcased in the latest release from Roots Architects: From Dub ‘Til Now.
The album marks the next chapter in an ambitious project spearheaded by Swiss musician and producer Mathias Liengme, which successfully took off with the acclaimed all-instrumental album From Then ‘Til Now in 2024. Liengme’s vision took shape in early 2017 when he traveled to Kingston, determined to record reggae’s most legendary veteran musicians. With the support of iconic artists such as Robbie Lyn, the late Fil Callender, and the late Dalton Browne, he assembled a powerhouse of over 50 top session musicians, ranging in age from 60 to 85, to create nine instrumentals. The tracks were later mixed at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio by Roberto Sánchez. (Check the review HERE.)
Given the album’s deep roots in the golden era of reggae, a dub counterpart feels like the natural progression, paying homage to the rich, experimental sounds that flourished alongside reggae in the 1970s. Following the mixing of From Then ‘Til Now, A-Lone’s Roberto Sánchez, who has spent the past two decades refining his craft into that of a highly respected mixing engineer, once again took the helm at his A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Santander, Spain. With masterful precision, the Spanish dub master elevates the artistry of Roots Architects, crafting bold, imaginative sonic explorations that immerse listeners in the timeless soundscapes of classic Jamaican dub albums from the 1970s. The result? From Dub ‘Til Now faithfully captures and reinterprets that legendary sonic essence, as though stepping into a time machine bound for reggae and dub’s golden era. Finally, what better way to complete this project than with a third chapter featuring vocal cuts on the riddims by seasoned Jamaican singers? Raising the question already affirms the answer!