Brain Damage meets Big Youth : "Beyond The Blue" 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

... a story in History

… or how to condense in a sound bite, the incredible and terrible journey, experienced by Martin Nathan and his longtime friend Samuel Clayton Jr, both gone to Jamaica in March 2020, for a collaboration with the legendary Big Youth. The context of a first and unprecedented world lockdown has only left them very little time to record the takes with the famous DJ, before they both contracted the virus. Martin Nathan was lucky enough to be able to get back to France, although had to remain confined and to take care of himself alone in his studio during five weeks upon his return. Samuel Clayton Jr, however, did not come back, struck down by the disease in Kingston.

The iron determination of the producer, supported by his label Jarring Effects and the Jamaican producer Stephen Stewart, did nonetheless bring the project to completion.

For his part, one thing is certain, Big Youth is in great shape! He brilliantly signs his return with that album, made up almost exclusively of new pieces, the first in many years! In the very words of the numerous prominent musicians and singers who witnessed the takes at Anchor studios in Kingston, he has lost none of his verve: « …you still get it, man! ». Sparkling and inexhaustible, distilling an amazing variety of vocal styles, that he created himself, he recalls at once “the old days”, the golden age of Jamaican reggae in the 1960 & 70’s, performs his version somewhat conspiracist, of the sanitary crisis, evokes his faith and tells about love … while perfectly merging into each universe offered by Brain Damage.

As if we are delighted to hear the elder’s shape and inventiveness, Martin Nathan is definitely not outdone and overhauls his style once again for the occasion. Always more musical, his compositions integrate diverse influences, hitherto untapped by him, like jazz, blues, ska, rock-steady … enhanced by the wonderful and smooth horn arrangements signed by Franck Boyron and his sidekicks, Baptiste Sarat and Fred Roudet. The whole, drawing on a production that left nothing to chance, surely is a new cornerstone of Brain Damage rich discography that keeps us wondering how far it will take us anew.

Samuel Clayton Jr, however, will be deeply missed. If one can hear him regularly and clearly as samples, throughout what will remain the last album he worked on, it is above all his mindset that Martin Nathan
strove to respect with that new musical and human adventure.

The emotion is audible, tangible.

- - - 

Credits : 

• Composed by Martin Nathan
• Written by Big Youth
• Recorded by Samuel Clayton JR & Stephen Stewart at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
• Mixed by Martin Nathan at Rumble Inn in Lyon, France
• Mastering by Kobe at Loaded Studio in St Etienne, France
• Artwork by Ben Hito
• Production : Jarring Effects Label

Brain Damage meets Big Youth : "Beyond The Blue"

Extracted from the album « Walk the Walk »
October 16th 2015 • Jarring Effects
Recorded, for the voices, at legendary Harry J Studio
in Kingston, Jamaica.
Featuring Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I & Ras Michael.


At the controls of the Brain Damage project since 1999, and through a rich discography of more than 10 albums, Martin Nathan already explored my facets of his favorite style: the dub. After having contributed to settle its Brain Damage foundations in France, he remains consistently involved in its evolution, suggesting various versions, alternatively urban, atmospheric, experimental, and recently way closer to some models developed in the UK.

This time, that’s in Kingston that he realizes the main part of this new opus, to delve more deeply into the dub origins. His friendship with Samuel Clayton Jr, sound engineer and internationally respected producer (Steel Pulse / Toots & the Maytals) was decisive in the choice of this destination. This essential figure in Jamaica indeed opens the doors of the mythical Harry J Studio (Bob Marley / Burning Spear) to Brain Damage, and enables improbable connections with legendary artists for unforgettable studio sessions.

The initial idea of the project was to involve certain actors of this famous generation that contributed in the 1960s / 70s to create what reggae is, and by extension, the dub. Five veterans of the genre line then up behind Jamaicathe microphone, all contemporaries, but with totally diverse sensibilities and backgrounds. Nowadays still superstar for some of them like Horace Andy whose tone is recognizable miles away, and who is used to collaborate with Massive Attack, kind of forgotten for some others like Kiddus I that yet was, in 1978, the hero if a key scene in the cult film « Rockers », all of them have kept their talents unimpaired. This being the case of Willi Williams, author of the timeless hit « Armagideon Time », covered by The Clash as so many others did, but also of Winston Mc Anuff who Harry J Studio Sessionsnever ceases to amaze us by collaborating with French artists in a marked contrast to reggae vibes (Camille Bazbaz, Fixi, Java). Lastly, the dean Ras Michael, which was for so many years one of the ambassadors of Nyabinghi traditions on an international scale, continues to blow us away by his vocal interventions imbued with so much spirituality, and by this unique style of percussion-playing.

For the span of one studio session, all of them succeed in blending into the musical universe suggested by Brain Damage, and undertake the stylistic exercise submitted by the artist: writing most of their lyrics on the theme of their childhood, the childhood, youth and education. The outcome of these meetings is unique, a singular combination of maturity and genuineness, doubtless resulting from the open-mindedness and talents of each protagonist.

Brain Damage "Walk the walk"

« Talk the Talk »
• Jarring Effects
Featuring Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, Ras Michael, Sam Clayton Jr, Stephen Stewart and Mc Father Wee Pow from the Mighty Stone Love.

In 2015, Brain Damage presented the album « Walk The Walk » — seen now by many as a centerpiece of his discography —, featuring 10 original songs, composed in collaboration with the legendary Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston Mc Anuff, Ras Michael and Kiddus I, that he met in Kingston, Jamaica, at mythical Harry J Studio. One year later, we therefore welcome the release of « Talk The Talk », gathering the dub versions of these tracks.

To highlight each of them, the producer chose to have them vocally introduced, as it used to be good form to back in the days, calling on another legend in the person of Father Wee Pow, founder of the major Jamaican sound-system Stone Love, that call all the shots on the Island since … 1972 … Each dub version then develops with lots of echoes, Singers Talk The Talkreverberations, surprises, fake accidents and true mastery through sound texture manipulation, sometimes bruitist, juxtaposed with Elders’ firing choruses, appearing here and there as references to the original versions. Also of note is that each track systematically concluded by vocal interventions in the form of the singers’ interview extracts, taken from talks that were conducted following the studio sessions at Harry J Studio, one year earlier, thanks to the complicity of the two producers, Sam Clayton Jr and Stephen Stewart, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Ironically, if Brain Damage is acclaimed for many years as one of the leading activists of the French and international dub scene, « Talk The Talk » feels like his first proper dub album. May it sound like an exercise in style, it is mainly a cornerstone within a wider project, complemented by another essential part to its understanding, this time in the form of a documentary.

Joined during his Jamaican journey by the director Wasaru, it seems obvious to Brain Damage that what they got here with « Walk The Walk » extends way beyond the artistic realm: listening to these living legends telling about their childhood memories has indeed a true heritage significance. Between a photograph of Jamaican life of the 60s & 70s, anecdotes about mythical figures and historic milestones of the Island, and personal confidences, these are as many stories within the history, narrated in this 8 episode documentary series.
The phrase “talk the talk, walk the walk” meaning “backing up one’s rhetoric with deeds”, perfectly reflects this project as a whole, as each of its dimensions has be considered, and intellectualized, before its very completion.


► FATHER WEE POW from the mighty Stone Love

Winston « Wee Pow » Powell founded Stone Love sound system in 1972. Soon well known for its sound quality, it quickly becomes one of the most popular in Jamaica. Still active nowadays, it is a true institution in itself, and by extension, a trend indicator whose influences regularly spread throughout the world, like each musical movement that developed in Jamaica for many years. One of the longevity secrets of Wee Pow’s project seems to stem from his excellence in the art of bringing together around himself, the very cream of the crop of Djs and selecters of the Island, bringing a fresh and young perspective necessary to constantly reinvent itself.

Brain Damage "Talk the talk"

Brain Damage meets Harrison Stafford
"Liberation time"

To gain some grasp of the genesis of this new project, that may seem surprising at first, let’s address what both artists have in common, rather that what differentiates them. Internationally recognized masters in the styles, respectively reggae & dub, that they are developing in parallel for almost 20 years, without BDxHrSfrd_LiberationTimeCover never really meeting each other, the two protagonists strive to challenge their codes in an ever greater respect to their Jamaican roots: two decades furthering a relentless fight against musical orthodoxy, to the benefit of interbreedings that have always been major contributions to music — and arts in general — History. This is evidenced by jazz and Jamaican traditional music fusion in the case of Harrison Stafford, and notably with his amazing adventure with Groundation, as well as by Martin Nathan countless experimentations, over Brain Damage prolific discography, always digging in more unlikely and audacious directions.

From this unexpected collaboration will stem « Liberation Time » album, an LP that will delight many fans of the two artists’ works, all what builds theirBrain Damage meets Harrison Stafford respective uniqueness being there so well intricated. Harrison Stafford unique voice supports, in a most elegant way, the delivery of a uniting message focused on self-empowerment through music and his universalist vision of Rastafarian faith. Brain Damage writing and production, on the other hand, appear always more subtle and personal, intellectualized yet visceral. Solid compositions, hit melodies and classy dub effects are among assets that will undoubtedly confirm « Liberation Time » as one of the most accomplished collaboration project of this year.

Brain Damage meets Harrison Stafford : "Liberation time"

October 19th 2018

Brain Damage
«¡Ya no mas!»
(Jarring Effects/ L’autre distribution)

On Frédéric Péguillan's initiative, Brain Damage performs for the first time in Colombia, within Télérama Dub Festival in 2016. Over there, the encounter with Gatos Negros was decisive. For years, with unflinching dedication of Macky Ruff and La Gaitana, supported by budding or legendary artists, as well as by many socio- cultural coordinators, the collective has been engaged every day in some overlooked districts of Bogotá, towards deprived youths, representing the majority of the population. A common creation was immediately on the table, and fruitful studio sessions spontaneously popped with some of the most atypical artists of the city.
One year later, supported by Jarring Effects label this time, Martin Nathan returns to Bogotà within ‘France-Colombia Year’, with firm intention to bring the project to completion, far from the glitz, accompanied by Romain Etienne — photographer from Lyon-based Item Collective — for an original and subtle illustration of the adventure. New meetings happened during marathon studio sessions, to complete a dream team casting.
Pioneers like Javier Alerta Kamarada or Kontent Thug — who respectively first brought reggae and hip-hop in Colombia in the nineties —, and Jimena Angel — pop icon with a world-class voice, keen on traditional songs —, take turns in the recording booth, alongside with Macky Ruff and La Gaitana, themselves, for militant anthems. Numerous musicians also took part in the sessions : percussionists, trombonist, flautists, harp and marimba players, featuring an ancestral knowledge and a cultural diversity, characteristic of the country.
With this raw material, Martin Nathan returned to his own studio to finalize the project, prompting it into an unexpected direction, as he is used to, at odds with reggae and dub scene current trends that are crushed by UK influences, but also million miles away from electro-cumbia clichés flourishing here and there since a few years.
Yes. A new Brain Damage album is indeed what it is all about : the 14th, never really where expected, always swimming against the tide. Falsely lo-fi latin ballads, unlikely fusions between digital techniques and centuries-old traditions, polished aesthetics to highlight raw texts and incisive lyrics : all the ingredients are there for a new alien album, unique, telling about the constrast between the cultural treasures of a country and its everyday life harshness.

Brain Damage : "¡Ya no más!"

Brain Damage meets Big Youth - "2020 I Pray Thee"
From the album 'Beyond the Blue'

- - - 
Opening this Big Youth album – the first since more than a decade – here is one of his most powerful hymns, « I Pray Thee », unexpectedly revisited by Brain Damage. A padded atmosphere, with languorous jazz melodies, emphasizes the thundering incantations of the legendary Jamaican master. This being a perfect introduction to the unprecedented musical breakout concocted by both artists that, while in the middle of the pandemic, refuse to slump and know no bounds to the vitality of their art.

- - -

... a story in History

… or how to condense in a sound bite, the incredible and terrible journey, experienced by Martin Nathan and his longtime friend Samuel Clayton Jr, both gone to Jamaica in March 2020, for a collaboration with the legendary Big Youth. The context of a first and unprecedented world lockdown has only left them very little time to record the takes with the famous DJ, before they both contracted the virus. Martin Nathan was lucky enough to be able to get back to France, although had to remain confined and to take care of himself alone in his studio during five weeks upon his return. Samuel Clayton Jr, however, did not come back, struck down by the disease in Kingston.

The iron determination of the producer, supported by his label Jarring Effects and the Jamaican producer Stephen Stewart, did nonetheless bring the project to completion.

For his part, one thing is certain, Big Youth is in great shape! He brilliantly signs his return with that album, made up almost exclusively of new pieces, the first in many years! In the very words of the numerous prominent musicians and singers who witnessed the takes at Anchor studios in Kingston, he has lost none of his verve: « …you still get it, man! ». Sparkling and inexhaustible, distilling an amazing variety of vocal styles, that he created himself, he recalls at once “the old days”, the golden age of Jamaican reggae in the 1960 & 70’s, performs his version somewhat conspiracist, of the sanitary crisis, evokes his faith and tells about love … while perfectly merging into each universe offered by Brain Damage.

As if we are delighted to hear the elder’s shape and inventiveness, Martin Nathan is definitely not outdone and overhauls his style once again for the occasion. Always more musical, his compositions integrate diverse influences, hitherto untapped by him, like jazz, blues, ska, rock-steady … enhanced by the wonderful and smooth horn arrangements signed by Franck Boyron and his sidekicks, Baptiste Sarat and Fred Roudet. The whole, drawing on a production that left nothing to chance, surely is a new cornerstone of Brain Damage rich discography that keeps us wondering how far it will take us anew.

Samuel Clayton Jr, however, will be deeply missed. If one can hear him regularly and clearly as samples, throughout what will remain the last album he worked on, it is above all his mindset that Martin Nathan
strove to respect with that new musical and human adventure.

The emotion is audible, tangible.

- - - 

Credits : 

• Composed by Martin Nathan
• Written by Big Youth
• Trumpets by Fred Roudet
• Recorded by Samuel Clayton JR & Stephen Stewart at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
• Mixed by Martin Nathan at Rumble Inn in Lyon, France
• Mastering by Kobe at Loaded Studio in St Etienne, France
• Artwork by Ben Hito
• Production: Jarring Effects Label

Beyond The Blue

2020 I Pray Thee

Brain Damage meets Big Youth - "Beyond The Blue"
From the album 'Beyond the Blue'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

... a story in History

… or how to condense in a sound bite, the incredible and terrible journey, experienced by Martin Nathan and his longtime friend Samuel Clayton Jr, both gone to Jamaica in March 2020, for a collaboration with the legendary Big Youth. The context of a first and unprecedented world lockdown has only left them very little time to record the takes with the famous DJ, before they both contracted the virus. Martin Nathan was lucky enough to be able to get back to France, although had to remain confined and to take care of himself alone in his studio during five weeks upon his return. Samuel Clayton Jr, however, did not come back, struck down by the disease in Kingston.

The iron determination of the producer, supported by his label Jarring Effects and the Jamaican producer Stephen Stewart, did nonetheless bring the project to completion.

For his part, one thing is certain, Big Youth is in great shape! He brilliantly signs his return with that album, made up almost exclusively of new pieces, the first in many years! In the very words of the numerous prominent musicians and singers who witnessed the takes at Anchor studios in Kingston, he has lost none of his verve: « …you still get it, man! ». Sparkling and inexhaustible, distilling an amazing variety of vocal styles, that he created himself, he recalls at once “the old days”, the golden age of Jamaican reggae in the 1960 & 70’s, performs his version somewhat conspiracist, of the sanitary crisis, evokes his faith and tells about love … while perfectly merging into each universe offered by Brain Damage.

As if we are delighted to hear the elder’s shape and inventiveness, Martin Nathan is definitely not outdone and overhauls his style once again for the occasion. Always more musical, his compositions integrate diverse influences, hitherto untapped by him, like jazz, blues, ska, rock-steady … enhanced by the wonderful and smooth horn arrangements signed by Franck Boyron and his sidekicks, Baptiste Sarat and Fred Roudet. The whole, drawing on a production that left nothing to chance, surely is a new cornerstone of Brain Damage rich discography that keeps us wondering how far it will take us anew.

Samuel Clayton Jr, however, will be deeply missed. If one can hear him regularly and clearly as samples, throughout what will remain the last album he worked on, it is above all his mindset that Martin Nathan
strove to respect with that new musical and human adventure.

The emotion is audible, tangible.

- - - 

Credits : 

• Composed by Martin Nathan
• Written by Big Youth
• Horns by Franck Boyron 
• Recorded by Samuel Clayton JR & Stephen Stewart at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
• Mixed by Martin Nathan at Rumble Inn in Lyon, France
• Mastering by Kobe at Loaded Studio in St Etienne, France
• Artwork by Ben Hito
• Production : Jarring Effects Label

Brain Damage meets Big Youth - "Tomorrow Is Another Day"
From the album 'Beyond the Blue'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

... a story in History

… or how to condense in a sound bite, the incredible and terrible journey, experienced by Martin Nathan and his longtime friend Samuel Clayton Jr, both gone to Jamaica in March 2020, for a collaboration with the legendary Big Youth. The context of a first and unprecedented world lockdown has only left them very little time to record the takes with the famous DJ, before they both contracted the virus. Martin Nathan was lucky enough to be able to get back to France, although had to remain confined and to take care of himself alone in his studio during five weeks upon his return. Samuel Clayton Jr, however, did not come back, struck down by the disease in Kingston.

The iron determination of the producer, supported by his label Jarring Effects and the Jamaican producer Stephen Stewart, did nonetheless bring the project to completion.

For his part, one thing is certain, Big Youth is in great shape! He brilliantly signs his return with that album, made up almost exclusively of new pieces, the first in many years! In the very words of the numerous prominent musicians and singers who witnessed the takes at Anchor studios in Kingston, he has lost none of his verve: « …you still get it, man! ». Sparkling and inexhaustible, distilling an amazing variety of vocal styles, that he created himself, he recalls at once “the old days”, the golden age of Jamaican reggae in the 1960 & 70’s, performs his version somewhat conspiracist, of the sanitary crisis, evokes his faith and tells about love … while perfectly merging into each universe offered by Brain Damage.

As if we are delighted to hear the elder’s shape and inventiveness, Martin Nathan is definitely not outdone and overhauls his style once again for the occasion. Always more musical, his compositions integrate diverse influences, hitherto untapped by him, like jazz, blues, ska, rock-steady … enhanced by the wonderful and smooth horn arrangements signed by Franck Boyron and his sidekicks, Baptiste Sarat and Fred Roudet. The whole, drawing on a production that left nothing to chance, surely is a new cornerstone of Brain Damage rich discography that keeps us wondering how far it will take us anew.

Samuel Clayton Jr, however, will be deeply missed. If one can hear him regularly and clearly as samples, throughout what will remain the last album he worked on, it is above all his mindset that Martin Nathan
strove to respect with that new musical and human adventure.

The emotion is audible, tangible.

- - - 

Credits : 

• Composed by Martin Nathan
• Written by Big Youth
• Horns by Franck Boyron  
• Recorded by Samuel Clayton JR & Stephen Stewart at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
• Mixed by Martin Nathan at Rumble Inn in Lyon, France
• Mastering by Kobe at Loaded Studio in St Etienne, France
• Artwork by Ben Hito
• Production : Jarring Effects Label

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Brain Damage meets Vibronics
"Empire soldiers"

Vibronics & Brain Damage teamed up and decided to come together around a concept, a narrative inspiration that will undoubtedly surprise: Anglo-Caribbean and Franco-African soldiers’ experience during the first world war. 
The academic historian, poet & songwriter, Madu Messenger, uses the product of years of study and research, to develop, within that very framework, a series of texts on some key topics such as travel, friendship, war and death. This project thus aims at offering a learning experience about this often little-known period of our history. 
It will draw troubling parallels with some more contemporary considerations on culture shocks, immigration, imperial powers and horrors of war that still affects all of us today. Following their reflection on this sensitive issue, the musicians of the project’s – all of many other origins, Anglo-French, Jamaican or Asian – move towards a cultural alignment, opposite to certain enslaving and communitarian models. 


SUFFERATION  w/PARVEZ


Sufferation we don’t need no more in Babylon

As Britain she stood with her back up against wall
The sons of old India came and would battle and fall.
In there thousands they went off to fight 
for duty they offered their lives
And many would never survive
like a mill grinding corn 
Many thousands now lost
Many thousands now gone
They suffered the pain, mental strain
As bombs fall like the monsoon rain
As brothers they stood side by side
A thin brown line sent to stem up the tide

Sufferation we don’t need no more in Babylon

In this time of the islamophobe
It’s a half that’a seldom is told
With the death in the mud and cold
They showed bravery, were steadfast and bold
Fighting for Europe to be free
But little is written down in history

Sufferation we don’t need no more in Babylon


Brain damage meets Vibronics w/Parvez : "Sufferation (extended mix)"

Brain Damage meets Vibronics
"Empire soldiers"

Vibronics & Brain Damage teamed up and decided to come together around a concept, a narrative inspiration that will undoubtedly surprise: Anglo-Caribbean and Franco-African soldiers’ experience during the first world war. 
The academic historian, poet & songwriter, Madu Messenger, uses the product of years of study and research, to develop, within that very framework, a series of texts on some key topics such as travel, friendship, war and death. This project thus aims at offering a learning experience about this often little-known period of our history. 
It will draw troubling parallels with some more contemporary considerations on culture shocks, immigration, imperial powers and horrors of war that still affects all of us today. Following their reflection on this sensitive issue, the musicians of the project’s – all of many other origins, Anglo-French, Jamaican or Asian – move towards a cultural alignment, opposite to certain enslaving and communitarian models.


DO U REMEMBER ? w/ SIR JEAN


Ah Me seh One, World War One
Two, World War Two
Do U remeber those African soldiers
Who died for your Freedom

Why, why ô why
A me seh why, why ô why
You never mention those African soldiers
Who died for your Freedom

Cuz when U big up de fallen soldiers
U nah name dem at all
Me check out your walls and monuments
Me nah see dem at all
Memorial days a come and U nah call dem at all
Me check out your books of history
We nah see dem at all
It is a shame
U don't remember dem
Dem have given dem youth and dem lives
Just for your Freedom
I come to call out their names
And put a little light pon dem
Their grand sons come to call out their names
And put a little light pon dem
Their African grand sons come to call their names
And put a little light pon dem
Lord of mercy
And put a little light pon dem

CHORUS

Baionets, Fixed !
B company, Fire !
African soldiers on the wire
They were Senegalese, Marocans, or Algerians
They were young, beautiful
And full of strength
They were lions trodding on da battlefield
Now they're lying in complete oblivion
Do U ever, ever remember dem ?
Their grand sons come to call out their names
And put a little light pon dem
And put a little light pon dem

CHORUS

They were fighting with glory
Forgotten at da moment of victory
Ô U used dem as manpower
African warriors
Courageous soldiers
African fighters on da frontline
But inna ya books dem nah have a single line
So we come fe mek de glory shine
Me seh de medal of merit haffi shine

CHORUS


Brain Damage meets Vibronics w/Sir Jean : "Do U remember ? (extended mix)"

Vibronics meets Brain Damage

Extracted from the "Empire soldiers" project :

Strickly limited 10" dublate, mixed by Steve Vibronics :

A1 Do U remember ? w/ Sir Jean
A2 Do U dub ?
AA1 Youts to war w/ M. Parvez
AA2 Youts to dub

----------------------------

Brain Damage meets Vibronics
"Empire soldiers"

Vibronics & Brain Damage teamed up and decided to come together around a concept, a narrative inspiration that will undoubtedly surprise: Anglo-Caribbean and Franco-African soldiers’ experience during the first world war. 
The academic historian, poet & songwriter, Madu Messenger, uses the product of years of study and research, to develop, within that very framework, a series of texts on some key topics such as travel, friendship, war and death. This project thus aims at offering a learning experience about this often little-known period of our history. 
It will draw troubling parallels with some more contemporary considerations on culture shocks, immigration, imperial powers and horrors of war that still affects all of us today. Following their reflection on this sensitive issue, the musicians of the project’s – all of many other origins, Anglo-French, Jamaican or Asian – move towards a cultural alignment, opposite to certain enslaving and communitarian models.

--------------

Vibronics meets Brain Damage w/Sir Jean : "Do U remember ?" (Echo Ranks teaser)

Vibronics meets Brain Damage

Extracted from the "Empire soldiers" project :

Strickly limited 10" dublate, mixed by Steve Vibronics :

A1 Siege Of Kut (sound system mix)
A2 Siege Of Dub
AA1 Neuve Chapelle dub
AA2 Neuve Chapelle version


----------------------------

Brain Damage meets Vibronics
"Empire soldiers"

Vibronics & Brain Damage teamed up and decided to come together around a concept, a narrative inspiration that will undoubtedly surprise: Anglo-Caribbean and Franco-African soldiers’ experience during the first world war. 
The academic historian, poet & songwriter, Madu Messenger, uses the product of years of study and research, to develop, within that very framework, a series of texts on some key topics such as travel, friendship, war and death. This project thus aims at offering a learning experience about this often little-known period of our history. 
It will draw troubling parallels with some more contemporary considerations on culture shocks, immigration, imperial powers and horrors of war that still affects all of us today. Following their reflection on this sensitive issue, the musicians of the project’s – all of many other origins, Anglo-French, Jamaican or Asian – move towards a cultural alignment, opposite to certain enslaving and communitarian models.

--------------

Vibronics meets Brain Damage : "Siege of Kut" (Echo Ranks teaser)

extracted from the album :
Brain Damage meets Vibronics
"Empire soldiers live "
Yes Music / Jarring Effects
2015

brain-damage.fr
vibronics.co.uk
jarringeffects.net
yeshightech.com


Dub Engine (live) - feat Madu Messenger

Youts To Dub (live) - feat M Parvez

Fyah Bun (feat. Willi Williams)

Brain Damage Dub Session "Meets Sir Jean" (Dub) 
Vinyl / Digital (MP3/Flac) 
23 avril 2012

http://www.cd1d.com/fr/album/brain-damage-dub-sessions-meets-sir-jean 
---------------------------

Après plus de 12 ans d’existence, Brain Damage est une nouvelle fois en pleine refonte, prêt à prendre le contre pied, à surgir là où on ne l’attend pas... 
Suite au départ du bassiste Raphaël Talis, c’est désormais seul que Martin Nathan donne une nouvelle direction au projet.

Si le son de Brain Damage reste toujours personnel et identifiable, il se teinte ici d’une couleur résolument plus «roots», à l’image des premiers albums, notamment Ashes to ashes / Dub to dub.

Testée grandeur nature depuis quelques mois dans le cadre de la tournée High Damage, la formule live Brain Damage Dub Sessions est radicalement consacrée à une certaine vision du Sound System.

Pour la création de ce nouveau set, de nombreux intervenants ont été sollicités : Sir Jean, Brother Culture, Madu Messenger, M. Parvez, ainsi que la section cuivres ArtDeko, pour de puissantes et fructueuses sessions de studio.

Comme il se doit, ces rencontres donnent le jour à plusieurs productions discographiques. Première pierre à l’édifice de ce renouveau, un maxi vinyl en compagnie de Sir Jean (Mei Tei Sho, Le Peuple de l’Herbe), qui retrouve ainsi ses premières amours, le reggae.

On avait déjà eu un aperçu de cette heureuse rencontre avec le somptueux Royal Salute sur la FX100, ici décliné en version sound-system. Quatre titres qu’on ne se lassera pas d’écouter en boucle en attendant l’album prévu pour l’automne, chez Jarring Effects.

Après s’être tant éloigné du modèle dub anglo-jamaïcain, Brain Damage Dub Sessions en propose donc finalement sa version en 2012.

Released by: Jarring Effects 
Release/catalogue number: fx988 
Release date: Apr 23, 2012

Brain Damage Dub Sessions w/ Sir Jean : "Royal Salute"

Walk the walk

Birthday song (feat. Winston Mc Anuff)

△ Brain Damage feat. Horace Andy 
"Youts Dub", first extract of "Talk The Talk", LP out oct 21st on Jarring Effects △
#talkthetalk
→ www.brain-damage.fr/music/new-album-talk-the-talk



« Talk the Talk »
• Jarring Effects
Featuring Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, Ras Michael, Sam Clayton Jr, Stephen Stewart and Mc Father Wee Pow from the Mighty Stone Love.

In 2015, Brain Damage presented the album « Walk The Walk » — seen now by many as a centerpiece of his discography —, featuring 10 original songs, composed in collaboration with the legendary Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston Mc Anuff, Ras Michael and Kiddus I, that he met in Kingston, Jamaica, at mythical Harry J Studio. One year later, we therefore welcome the release of « Talk The Talk », gathering the dub versions of these tracks.

To highlight each of them, the producer chose to have them vocally introduced, as it used to be good form to back in the days, calling on another legend in the person of Father Wee Pow, founder of the major Jamaican sound-system Stone Love, that call all the shots on the Island since … 1972 … Each dub version then develops with lots of echoes, Singers Talk The Talkreverberations, surprises, fake accidents and true mastery through sound texture manipulation, sometimes bruitist, juxtaposed with Elders’ firing choruses, appearing here and there as references to the original versions. Also of note is that each track systematically concluded by vocal interventions in the form of the singers’ interview extracts, taken from talks that were conducted following the studio sessions at Harry J Studio, one year earlier, thanks to the complicity of the two producers, Sam Clayton Jr and Stephen Stewart, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Ironically, if Brain Damage is acclaimed for many years as one of the leading activists of the French and international dub scene, « Talk The Talk » feels like his first proper dub album. May it sound like an exercise in style, it is mainly a cornerstone within a wider project, complemented by another essential part to its understanding, this time in the form of a documentary.

Joined during his Jamaican journey by the director Wasaru, it seems obvious to Brain Damage that what they got here with « Walk The Walk » extends way beyond the artistic realm: listening to these living legends telling about their childhood memories has indeed a true heritage significance. Between a photograph of Jamaican life of the 60s & 70s, anecdotes about mythical figures and historic milestones of the Island, and personal confidences, these are as many stories within the history, narrated in this 8 episode documentary series.
The phrase “talk the talk, walk the walk” meaning “backing up one’s rhetoric with deeds”, perfectly reflects this project as a whole, as each of its dimensions has be considered, and intellectualized, before its very completion.


► FATHER WEE POW from the mighty Stone Love

Winston « Wee Pow » Powell founded Stone Love sound system in 1972. Soon well known for its sound quality, it quickly becomes one of the most popular in Jamaica. Still active nowadays, it is a true institution in itself, and by extension, a trend indicator whose influences regularly spread throughout the world, like each musical movement that developed in Jamaica for many years. One of the longevity secrets of Wee Pow’s project seems to stem from his excellence in the art of bringing together around himself, the very cream of the crop of Djs and selecters of the Island, bringing a fresh and young perspective necessary to constantly reinvent itself.

Talk the talk

Youts dub (feat. Horace Andy)

"LOVE DUB" : Brain Damage feat. Ras Michael
extracted from "Talk The Talk" LP, out oct. 21 on Jarring Effects
#talkthetalk #walkthewalktheserie
→ www.brain-damage.fr/music/new-album-talk-the-talk
→ Itunes : http://apple.co/2dcpi9f
→ Video : http://bit.ly/2d8nLBx
→ www.brain-damage.fr/videos/wtw-the-webserie



« Talk the Talk »
• Jarring Effects
Featuring Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, Ras Michael, Sam Clayton Jr, Stephen Stewart and Mc Father Wee Pow from the Mighty Stone Love.

In 2015, Brain Damage presented the album « Walk The Walk » — seen now by many as a centerpiece of his discography —, featuring 10 original songs, composed in collaboration with the legendary Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston Mc Anuff, Ras Michael and Kiddus I, that he met in Kingston, Jamaica, at mythical Harry J Studio. One year later, we therefore welcome the release of « Talk The Talk », gathering the dub versions of these tracks.

To highlight each of them, the producer chose to have them vocally introduced, as it used to be good form to back in the days, calling on another legend in the person of Father Wee Pow, founder of the major Jamaican sound-system Stone Love, that call all the shots on the Island since … 1972 … Each dub version then develops with lots of echoes, Singers Talk The Talkreverberations, surprises, fake accidents and true mastery through sound texture manipulation, sometimes bruitist, juxtaposed with Elders’ firing choruses, appearing here and there as references to the original versions. Also of note is that each track systematically concluded by vocal interventions in the form of the singers’ interview extracts, taken from talks that were conducted following the studio sessions at Harry J Studio, one year earlier, thanks to the complicity of the two producers, Sam Clayton Jr and Stephen Stewart, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Ironically, if Brain Damage is acclaimed for many years as one of the leading activists of the French and international dub scene, « Talk The Talk » feels like his first proper dub album. May it sound like an exercise in style, it is mainly a cornerstone within a wider project, complemented by another essential part to its understanding, this time in the form of a documentary.

Joined during his Jamaican journey by the director Wasaru, it seems obvious to Brain Damage that what they got here with « Walk The Walk » extends way beyond the artistic realm: listening to these living legends telling about their childhood memories has indeed a true heritage significance. Between a photograph of Jamaican life of the 60s & 70s, anecdotes about mythical figures and historic milestones of the Island, and personal confidences, these are as many stories within the history, narrated in this 8 episode documentary series.
The phrase “talk the talk, walk the walk” meaning “backing up one’s rhetoric with deeds”, perfectly reflects this project as a whole, as each of its dimensions has be considered, and intellectualized, before its very completion.


► FATHER WEE POW from the mighty Stone Love

Winston « Wee Pow » Powell founded Stone Love sound system in 1972. Soon well known for its sound quality, it quickly becomes one of the most popular in Jamaica. Still active nowadays, it is a true institution in itself, and by extension, a trend indicator whose influences regularly spread throughout the world, like each musical movement that developed in Jamaica for many years. One of the longevity secrets of Wee Pow’s project seems to stem from his excellence in the art of bringing together around himself, the very cream of the crop of Djs and selecters of the Island, bringing a fresh and young perspective necessary to constantly reinvent itself.

Love dub (feat. Ras Michael)

△ Brain Damage feat. Willi Williams
"Fyah dub", extracted from "Talk The Talk", LP out oct 21st 2016 on Jarring Effects △
#talkthetalk
→ www.brain-damage.fr/music/new-album-talk-the-talk



« Talk the Talk »
• Jarring Effects
Featuring Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, Ras Michael, Sam Clayton Jr, Stephen Stewart and Mc Father Wee Pow from the Mighty Stone Love.

In 2015, Brain Damage presented the album « Walk The Walk » — seen now by many as a centerpiece of his discography —, featuring 10 original songs, composed in collaboration with the legendary Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Winston Mc Anuff, Ras Michael and Kiddus I, that he met in Kingston, Jamaica, at mythical Harry J Studio. One year later, we therefore welcome the release of « Talk The Talk », gathering the dub versions of these tracks.

To highlight each of them, the producer chose to have them vocally introduced, as it used to be good form to back in the days, calling on another legend in the person of Father Wee Pow, founder of the major Jamaican sound-system Stone Love, that call all the shots on the Island since … 1972 … Each dub version then develops with lots of echoes, Singers Talk The Talkreverberations, surprises, fake accidents and true mastery through sound texture manipulation, sometimes bruitist, juxtaposed with Elders’ firing choruses, appearing here and there as references to the original versions. Also of note is that each track systematically concluded by vocal interventions in the form of the singers’ interview extracts, taken from talks that were conducted following the studio sessions at Harry J Studio, one year earlier, thanks to the complicity of the two producers, Sam Clayton Jr and Stephen Stewart, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Ironically, if Brain Damage is acclaimed for many years as one of the leading activists of the French and international dub scene, « Talk The Talk » feels like his first proper dub album. May it sound like an exercise in style, it is mainly a cornerstone within a wider project, complemented by another essential part to its understanding, this time in the form of a documentary.

Joined during his Jamaican journey by the director Wasaru, it seems obvious to Brain Damage that what they got here with « Walk The Walk » extends way beyond the artistic realm: listening to these living legends telling about their childhood memories has indeed a true heritage significance. Between a photograph of Jamaican life of the 60s & 70s, anecdotes about mythical figures and historic milestones of the Island, and personal confidences, these are as many stories within the history, narrated in this 8 episode documentary series.
The phrase “talk the talk, walk the walk” meaning “backing up one’s rhetoric with deeds”, perfectly reflects this project as a whole, as each of its dimensions has be considered, and intellectualized, before its very completion.


► FATHER WEE POW from the mighty Stone Love

Winston « Wee Pow » Powell founded Stone Love sound system in 1972. Soon well known for its sound quality, it quickly becomes one of the most popular in Jamaica. Still active nowadays, it is a true institution in itself, and by extension, a trend indicator whose influences regularly spread throughout the world, like each musical movement that developed in Jamaica for many years. One of the longevity secrets of Wee Pow’s project seems to stem from his excellence in the art of bringing together around himself, the very cream of the crop of Djs and selecters of the Island, bringing a fresh and young perspective necessary to constantly reinvent itself.

Fyah dub (feat. Willi Williams)

first extract taken from the upcoming album
"Liberation Time" to be released on 20.10.2017
www.brain-damage.fr
www.harrisonstafford.com
----------
Liberation time

To gain some grasp of the genesis of this new project, that may seem surprising at first, let’s address what both artists have in common, rather that what differentiates them. Internationally recognized masters in the styles, respectively reggae & dub, that they are developing in parallel for almost 20 years, without BDxHrSfrd_LiberationTimeCover never really meeting each other, the two protagonists strive to challenge their codes in an ever greater respect to their Jamaican roots: two decades furthering a relentless fight against musical orthodoxy, to the benefit of interbreedings that have always been major contributions to music — and arts in general — History. This is evidenced by jazz and Jamaican traditional music fusion in the case of Harrison Stafford, and notably with his amazing adventure with Groundation, as well as by Martin Nathan countless experimentations, over Brain Damage prolific discography, always digging in more unlikely and audacious directions.

From this unexpected collaboration will stem « Liberation Time » album, an LP that will delight many fans of the two artists’ works, all what builds theirBrain Damage meets Harrison Stafford respective uniqueness being there so well intricated. Harrison Stafford unique voice supports, in a most elegant way, the delivery of a uniting message focused on self-empowerment through music and his universalist vision of Rastafarian faith. Brain Damage writing and production, on the other hand, appear always more subtle and personal, intellectualized yet visceral. Solid compositions, hit melodies and classy dub effects are among assets that will undoubtedly confirm « Liberation Time » as one of the most accomplished collaboration project of this year.

Liberation Time

Rebel Music

extracted from the upcoming album
"Liberation Time" to be released on 20.10.2017
www.brain-damage.fr
www.harrisonstafford.com
----------
Liberation time

To gain some grasp of the genesis of this new project, that may seem surprising at first, let’s address what both artists have in common, rather that what differentiates them. Internationally recognized masters in the styles, respectively reggae & dub, that they are developing in parallel for almost 20 years, without BDxHrSfrd_LiberationTimeCover never really meeting each other, the two protagonists strive to challenge their codes in an ever greater respect to their Jamaican roots: two decades furthering a relentless fight against musical orthodoxy, to the benefit of interbreedings that have always been major contributions to music — and arts in general — History. This is evidenced by jazz and Jamaican traditional music fusion in the case of Harrison Stafford, and notably with his amazing adventure with Groundation, as well as by Martin Nathan countless experimentations, over Brain Damage prolific discography, always digging in more unlikely and audacious directions.

From this unexpected collaboration will stem « Liberation Time » album, an LP that will delight many fans of the two artists’ works, all what builds theirBrain Damage meets Harrison Stafford respective uniqueness being there so well intricated. Harrison Stafford unique voice supports, in a most elegant way, the delivery of a uniting message focused on self-empowerment through music and his universalist vision of Rastafarian faith. Brain Damage writing and production, on the other hand, appear always more subtle and personal, intellectualized yet visceral. Solid compositions, hit melodies and classy dub effects are among assets that will undoubtedly confirm « Liberation Time » as one of the most accomplished collaboration project of this year.

Raw Talking Rebels

High Damage - High Tone meets Brain Damage : "Shake up" (feat.Zeb McQueen)


Brain Damage Dub Session "Meets Sir Jean" (Dub) 
Vinyl / Digital (MP3/Flac) 
23 avril 2012

http://www.cd1d.com/fr/album/brain-damage-dub-sessions-meets-sir-jean 
---------------------------

Après plus de 12 ans d’existence, Brain Damage est une nouvelle fois en pleine refonte, prêt à prendre le contre pied, à surgir là où on ne l’attend pas... 
Suite au départ du bassiste Raphaël Talis, c’est désormais seul que Martin Nathan donne une nouvelle direction au projet.

Si le son de Brain Damage reste toujours personnel et identifiable, il se teinte ici d’une couleur résolument plus «roots», à l’image des premiers albums, notamment Ashes to ashes / Dub to dub.

Testée grandeur nature depuis quelques mois dans le cadre de la tournée High Damage, la formule live Brain Damage Dub Sessions est radicalement consacrée à une certaine vision du Sound System.

Pour la création de ce nouveau set, de nombreux intervenants ont été sollicités : Sir Jean, Brother Culture, Madu Messenger, M. Parvez, ainsi que la section cuivres ArtDeko, pour de puissantes et fructueuses sessions de studio.

Comme il se doit, ces rencontres donnent le jour à plusieurs productions discographiques. Première pierre à l’édifice de ce renouveau, un maxi vinyl en compagnie de Sir Jean (Mei Tei Sho, Le Peuple de l’Herbe), qui retrouve ainsi ses premières amours, le reggae.

On avait déjà eu un aperçu de cette heureuse rencontre avec le somptueux Royal Salute sur la FX100, ici décliné en version sound-system. Quatre titres qu’on ne se lassera pas d’écouter en boucle en attendant l’album prévu pour l’automne, chez Jarring Effects.

Après s’être tant éloigné du modèle dub anglo-jamaïcain, Brain Damage Dub Sessions en propose donc finalement sa version en 2012.

Released by: Jarring Effects 
Release/catalogue number: fx988 
Release date: Apr 23, 2012

Brain Damage Dub Sessions w/ Sir Jean : "Royal Salute - version"

Extracted from the still unreleased Jazz'min Tutum album :
"Share the flame"

Vocals and words : Jazz'min Tutum
Music : Brain Damage

Mastered by Neil Perch (Zion Train)

http://www.myspace.com/jasminetutum
http://soundcloud.com/jazzmin-tutum

Jazz'min Tutum w/ Brain Damage : "Mother of a Restless People"

Extracted from the album «¡Ya no mas!»

October 19th 2018

Brain Damage
«¡Ya no mas!»
(Jarring Effects/ L’autre distribution)

On Frédéric Péguillan's initiative, Brain Damage performs for the first time in Colombia, within Télérama Dub Festival in 2016. Over there, the encounter with Gatos Negros was decisive. For years, with unflinching dedication of Macky Ruff and La Gaitana, supported by budding or legendary artists, as well as by many socio- cultural coordinators, the collective has been engaged every day in some overlooked districts of Bogotá, towards deprived youths, representing the majority of the population. A common creation was immediately on the table, and fruitful studio sessions spontaneously popped with some of the most atypical artists of the city.
One year later, supported by Jarring Effects label this time, Martin Nathan returns to Bogotà within ‘France-Colombia Year’, with firm intention to bring the project to completion, far from the glitz, accompanied by Romain Etienne — photographer from Lyon-based Item Collective — for an original and subtle illustration of the adventure. New meetings happened during marathon studio sessions, to complete a dream team casting.
Pioneers like Javier Alerta Kamarada or Kontent Thug — who respectively first brought reggae and hip-hop in Colombia in the nineties —, and Jimena Angel — pop icon with a world-class voice, keen on traditional songs —, take turns in the recording booth, alongside with Macky Ruff and La Gaitana, themselves, for militant anthems. Numerous musicians also took part in the sessions : percussionists, trombonist, flautists, harp and marimba players, featuring an ancestral knowledge and a cultural diversity, characteristic of the country.
With this raw material, Martin Nathan returned to his own studio to finalize the project, prompting it into an unexpected direction, as he is used to, at odds with reggae and dub scene current trends that are crushed by UK influences, but also million miles away from electro-cumbia clichés flourishing here and there since a few years.
Yes. A new Brain Damage album is indeed what it is all about : the 14th, never really where expected, always swimming against the tide. Falsely lo-fi latin ballads, unlikely fusions between digital techniques and centuries-old traditions, polished aesthetics to highlight raw texts and incisive lyrics : all the ingredients are there for a new alien album, unique, telling about the constrast between the cultural treasures of a country and its everyday life harshness.

¡Ya no más!

Luna llena (feat. Jimena Angel)

Afrika - kaliente (feat. Javier Fonseca)

¡Ya no más! (featuring Kontent Thug & Macky Ruff)

Brain Damage w/ Tena Stelin : "Genetic weapon"

Brain Damage : "Cube dub"

Brain Damage : "Brain booster"

Brain Damage Dub Sessions
"What you gonna do ?"


Avec l'album Ashes to ashes, Brain Damage opérait en 2004 une plongée presque schizophrène dans une musique au fond plutôt sombre et froid, qu'il opposait alors à une version personnelle d'un reggae dub infiniment plus mélodique et harmonieux. S'il est vrai que le duo avait depuis fortement glissé vers le côté obscur de cette dichotomie, il aura fallu attendre 2012 pour assister à un grand retour vers la mélodie, la chaleur et le rapprochement de certains grands modèles anglo-jamaïcains du genre. Pour ce faire, Martin NATHAN - désormais seul aux commandes a choisi de s'entourer de vocalistes de talent qui ont su transcender les univers musicaux qu'il leur a proposé. Et si chaque individualité a amené un peu de son univers, il est intéressant de noter que ces artistes semblent bel et bien posséder des préoccupations communes, qu'ils évoquent respectivement dans leurs textes.
Quand Learoy Green parle de la jeunesse du ghetto, Madu Messenger évoque les grands généraux des armées de la finance, que Brother Culture propose de combattre avec son plan radical. Zeb Mc Queen, quant à lui s'interroge sur l'attitude à adopter quand le totalitarisme fondra sur nous, ce à quoi M. Parvez semble vouloir répondre que nous ne disposons aujourd'hui que d'une marge de manœuvre plus que réduite. C'est Sir Jean qui mettra sans doute tout le monde d'accord en engageant les différents artistes contemporains à faire attention aux mots qu'ils utilisent, aux rôles qu'ils doivent tenir, à l'exemple qu'ils doivent donner, en particulier à la jeunesse. A notre humble niveau, agir avec nos propres armes sur les choses et les gens qui nous entourent, c'est justement le message que Brain Damage entend faire passer avec ce nouvel album. Un manifeste musical résolument optimiste, contrastant avec l'esthétique ténébreuse développée ces dernières années.





Brain Damage Dub Sessions
What you gonna do ?


1 - What you gonna do ? 
w/Zeb McQueen
2 - We a di danger 
w/ Learoy Green
3 - Radical Plan 
w/ Brother Culture
4 - Royal salute 
w/ Sir Jean
5 - The armies of darkness 
w/ Madu Messenger
6 - No solution 
w/ M Parvez aka The Dub Factory
7 - What you gonna do ? 
version
8 - We a di danger 
version
9 - Royal salute 
version
10 - The armies of darkness 
version
11 - Radical Plan 
version
12 - No solution 
version

CD bonus track 
13 - Tanx  for life (unplugged version)
w/ Sir Jean


Brain Damage Dub Sessions w/ Zeb McQueen : "What you gonna do ?"

Brain Damage : "Combat dub 4 - Revisited"

(Jarring Effects / L'Autre Distribution -  2019)

14 remixed tracks
selected by Martin Nathan
celebrating Brain Damage 20th anniversary

01 • Youts dub Ft. Horace Andy • Moa Anbessa RMX 04’07
02 • Fyah bun Ft. Willi Williams • Vibronics RMX 04’07
03 • Stand by me Ft. Harrison Stafford • Brain Damage RMX 05’01
04 • Letter home Ft. Madu Messenger • Alpha Steppa RMX 04’59
05 • Spirit world Ft. Tena Stelin • Stand High Patrol RMX 04’54
06 • The tower to eternity Ft. Black Sifichi • Fedayi Pacha RMX 04’26
07 • Andar Ft. Macky Ruff y La Gaitana • Zenzile RMX 06’53
08 • Mundhu Ft. Matah • Chalart58 meets Dub Iration RMX 03’03
09 • Pray fi di youts Ft. Willi Williams • Zion Train RMX 04’34
10 • Royal salute Ft. Sir Jean • Culture Dub Sound RMX 03’59
11 • Shake up Ft. Zeb McQueen • Dub Invaders RMX 04’47
12 • Genetic weapon Ft. Tena Stelin • OBF RMX 04’15
13 • Under the ground Ft. Emiko Ota • Dub-Stuy RMX 03’35
14 • Cube dub Ft. Black Sifichi • Dub Addict RMX 04’30

It was back in 2000 that Fedayi Pacha and Martin Nathan initiated the famous remix compilation series entitled Combat Dub. Heading Bangarang then, one of the pioneer collectives of dub in France, they were among the firsts to import there works from many artists from all around the globe. Almost all different contemporary dub styles were represented along the three first volumes, from UK sound-system, to New-York dub-illbiant, including the French scene foundations …

2019, to celebrate Brain Damage career 20th birthday, Martin Nathan opens his whole discography to remix. He then conducts an amazing casting, essentially consisting of iconic producers and international dub leaders (ZionTrain, Vibronics, OBF…), but also of legendary and charismatic singers (Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Harrison Stafford…). Naturally, French producers are strongly represented, all architects of that now worldwide renowned« French dub touch », such as Zenzile, Dub Invaders (High Tone), Dub Addict (Kaly Live Dub), Stand High Patrol, etc…

Though the project aims surely beyond a mere juxtaposition of prestigious names. It indeed intends to reflect 20 years of collaborations, crazy ventures and meetings, that have shaped Brain Damage career into something unique. All different artistic periods of the producer, and each of his 14 albums are represented, from the very first years until most recent works.

Combat Dub 4 is laid out as a digest of Brain Damage teeming discography, revisited by 14 producers among the most influential of their generation.
20 years of dub & experiments …
From Bogotá to New-York, from London to Guadalajara, from Kingston to St Etienne …
From 1999 to 2019…
Happy birthday … dubwise !

Combat dub 4 - Revisited

Youts dub (feat. Horace Andy) - Moa Ambessa RMX

Brain Damage : "Combat dub 4 - Revisited"

(Jarring Effects / L'Autre Distribution - 2019)

14 remixed tracks
selected by Martin Nathan
celebrating Brain Damage 20th anniversary

01 • Youts dub Ft. Horace Andy • Moa Anbessa RMX 04’07
02 • Fyah bun Ft. Willi Williams • Vibronics RMX 04’07
03 • Stand by me Ft. Harrison Stafford • Brain Damage RMX 05’01
04 • Letter home Ft. Madu Messenger • Alpha Steppa RMX 04’59
05 • Spirit world Ft. Tena Stelin • Stand High Patrol RMX 04’54
06 • The tower to eternity Ft. Black Sifichi • Fedayi Pacha RMX 04’26
07 • Andar Ft. Macky Ruff y La Gaitana • Zenzile RMX 06’53
08 • Mundhu Ft. Matah • Chalart58 meets Dub Iration RMX 03’03
09 • Pray fi di youts Ft. Willi Williams • Zion Train RMX 04’34
10 • Royal salute Ft. Sir Jean • Culture Dub Sound RMX 03’59
11 • Shake up Ft. Zeb McQueen • Dub Invaders RMX 04’47
12 • Genetic weapon Ft. Tena Stelin • OBF RMX 04’15
13 • Under the ground Ft. Emiko Ota • Dub-Stuy RMX 03’35
14 • Cube dub Ft. Black Sifichi • Dub Addict RMX 04’30

It was back in 2000 that Fedayi Pacha and Martin Nathan initiated the famous remix compilation series entitled Combat Dub. Heading Bangarang then, one of the pioneer collectives of dub in France, they were among the firsts to import there works from many artists from all around the globe. Almost all different contemporary dub styles were represented along the three first volumes, from UK sound-system, to New-York dub-illbiant, including the French scene foundations …

2019, to celebrate Brain Damage career 20th birthday, Martin Nathan opens his whole discography to remix. He then conducts an amazing casting, essentially consisting of iconic producers and international dub leaders (ZionTrain, Vibronics, OBF…), but also of legendary and charismatic singers (Horace Andy, Willi Williams, Harrison Stafford…). Naturally, French producers are strongly represented, all architects of that now worldwide renowned« French dub touch », such as Zenzile, Dub Invaders (High Tone), Dub Addict (Kaly Live Dub), Stand High Patrol, etc…

Though the project aims surely beyond a mere juxtaposition of prestigious names. It indeed intends to reflect 20 years of collaborations, crazy ventures and meetings, that have shaped Brain Damage career into something unique. All different artistic periods of the producer, and each of his 14 albums are represented, from the very first years until most recent works.

Combat Dub 4 is laid out as a digest of Brain Damage teeming discography, revisited by 14 producers among the most influential of their generation.
20 years of dub & experiments …
From Bogotá to New-York, from London to Guadalajara, from Kingston to St Etienne …
From 1999 to 2019…
Happy birthday … dubwise !

Spirit world (feat. Tena Stelin) - Stand High Patrol RMX

Brain Damage Dub Sessions 
"What you gonna do ?"

Avec l'album Ashes to ashes, Brain Damage opérait en 2004 une plongée presque schizophrène dans une musique au fond plutôt sombre et froid, qu'il opposait alors à une version personnelle d'un reggae dub infiniment plus mélodique et harmonieux. S'il est vrai que le duo avait depuis fortement glissé vers le côté obscur de cette dichotomie, il aura fallu attendre 2012 pour assister à un grand retour vers la mélodie, la chaleur et le rapprochement de certains grands modèles anglo-jamaïcains du genre. Pour ce faire, Martin NATHAN - désormais seul aux commandes a choisi de s'entourer de vocalistes de talent qui ont su transcender les univers musicaux qu'il leur a proposé. Et si chaque individualité a amené un peu de son univers, il est intéressant de noter que ces artistes semblent bel et bien posséder des préoccupations communes, qu'ils évoquent respectivement dans leurs textes. 
Quand Learoy Green parle de la jeunesse du ghetto, Madu Messenger évoque les grands généraux des armées de la finance, que Brother Culture propose de combattre avec son plan radical. Zeb Mc Queen, quant à lui s'interroge sur l'attitude à adopter quand le totalitarisme fondra sur nous, ce à quoi M. Parvez semble vouloir répondre que nous ne disposons aujourd'hui que d'une marge de manœuvre plus que réduite. C'est Sir Jean qui mettra sans doute tout le monde d'accord en engageant les différents artistes contemporains à faire attention aux mots qu'ils utilisent, aux rôles qu'ils doivent tenir, à l'exemple qu'ils doivent donner, en particulier à la jeunesse. A notre humble niveau, agir avec nos propres armes sur les choses et les gens qui nous entourent, c'est justement le message que Brain Damage entend faire passer avec ce nouvel album. Un manifeste musical résolument optimiste, contrastant avec l'esthétique ténébreuse développée ces dernières années.

Brain Damage Dub Sessions 
What you gonna do ?

1 - What you gonna do ? 
w/Zeb McQueen 
2 - We a di danger 
w/ Learoy Green 
3 - Radical Plan 
w/ Brother Culture 
4 - Royal salute 
w/ Sir Jean 
5 - The armies of darkness 
w/ Madu Messenger 
6 - No solution 
w/ M Parvez aka The Dub Factory 
7 - What you gonna do ? 
version 
8 - We a di danger 
version 
9 - Royal salute 
version 
10 - The armies of darkness 
version 
11 - Radical Plan 
version 
12 - No solution 
version

CD bonus track 
13 - Tanx for life (unplugged version) 
w/ Sir Jean


Brain Damage Dub Sessions w/ Brother Culture : "Radical plan"

... 𝟮𝟬+ 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝘂𝗯 & 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ...

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺 '𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵' : "𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲" 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭


With more than 14 albums and 750+ concerts behind him already, Martin Nathan ventures for 20 years now, into many artistic and stylistic experiments, under the name of Brain Damage.

Acclaimed as one of the founders of the French dub scene in the late 1990s, he soon appears as a major influence for a whole generation of musicians. But the artist is definitely not among those who forever rest on the models he founded, and he constantly reinvents himself, as his myriad projects flow, especially multiplying always more prestigious collaborations with figures like High Tone (fr), Vibronics (uk), Horace Andy (Ja), Harrison Stafford (usa), or Big Youth (jam) more recently.

Along with his many productions, it is also with his truly live and explosive performances, that Martin Nathan has grown a solid reputation throughout the international scene, and it is exceptionally rare to see an artist celebrating his 20th career anniversary, with so much vitality and creativity.

Brain Damage

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