Dub Tonic

I have to be honest and say that I had never heard of the Dubtonic Kru before hearing this album, but with a quick google I found their website. It would appear from there that they have been going for around a decade and a half and have been touring and recording with the likes of old time greats Max Romeo, U-Roy, Burning Spear, and The Mighty Diamonds as well as modern day artists such as Bushman, Junior Kelly, Richie Spice, Lutan Fyah and Voicemail to name a few. They are also the people responsible for the I Swear riddim, featured on Chuck Fenda’s ‘I Swear’ and Richie Spice. Still back to business with this album. It starts off quite misleadingly with the over long, repetitive keyboard driven, pub piano, rock guitar riffing, corny instrumental ‘Vibz Time’, however don’t let this put you off as what follows is a fine and competent collection of roots reggae tunes with a twist, as they add little sprinklings of Latin, jazz and pop flavours throughout that give them a diverse sound. Lyrically positive, conscious and at times forthright this is a band that can be thought provoking, while still keeping you moving with their well crafted riddims and this album should find them getting more attention for sure.