subatomic sound system

Reggae’s classic ganja tune & incendiary protest song re-licked for 2021 with two of the Jamaican “reggae revival“ 
movement’s stars, Yaadcore & Jah9, updating the vibes on the mic alongside Lee “Scratch” Perry’s NYC band 
Subatomic Sound System producing the heavyweight riddim in the future dubwise style of their acclaimed “Super 
Ape Returns to Conquer” album. Originally recorded in 1982 by John Holt & The Roots Radics at Channel One 
Studio, this song captured the hearts of a generation opposed to the CIA-funded, $9 million campaign by Jamaican 
police to eradicate marijuana from the island. With the goal of bringing this musical history to a new generation, 
Yard Birdz Records approached Emch of Subatomic Sound System to recreate the riddim with 21st century sub bass 
and drums, helicopters swirling overhead, and plenty of dubwise smoke & fire. Jah9 brings new vibes to John Holt’s
original lyrics with her signature vocal style that evokes the deep, powerful tone of US jazz giant Nina Simone or 
Lauryn Hill. Known for her own poetic protest music as well as recent boomshot collaborations with Chronixx, Jah9’s 
performance demonstrates why her unique sound has paved the way for a new generation of women in reggae. 
Meanwhile, Yaadcore turns up the heat with all new verses addressing today’s cannabis industry ina style that
connects the roots of classic DJs like Yellowman & U-Roy to the dancehall era of Vybz Kartel. Yaadcore surprised the 
world in 2020, reintroducing himself as a vocalist after being the longtime DJ for Protoje. Yaadcore is credited with 
launching the mixtape series that introduced Chronixx & Protoje to the world. Subatomic percussionist and 
Jamaican legend Larry McDonald, 84 years young, is on the congas, nyabinghi drums, & percussion, adding new 
African rhythms absent from the original tune. Larry brings a lifetime of heritage as a reggae originator having 
worked with everyone from Count Ossie, The Skatalites, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, & Lee Perry in Jamaica to Gil Scot 
Heron, Taj Mahal, and even Bad Brains in the USA. Subatomic’s Troy Shaka Simms adds saxophone lines that take
it back to Africa with melodies inspired by the timeless Ethiopian jazz of Mulatu Astatke. The guitar lines on the 
original tune are redone with heavily effected horns reminiscent of Lee Perry’s Black Ark recordings. On the 
dubstrumental mix, Emch plays and dubs the melodica in the fragmented style of Augustus Pablo’s “King Tubby
Meets Rockers Uptown”.

'Police In Helicopter'  Yaadcore, Jah9, & Subatomic Sound System

'Police In Helicopter' (dubstrumental) Yaadcore, Jah9, & Subatomic Sound System

My Sound Is Heavy

My Sound Is Heavy (Dubstrumental)

Ancient Wisdom (Melodica Dub)

ATTENTION: Full frequency range speakers or headphones are essential and a SubPac is highly recommended for listening to "Shaolin Dub" 

Check the "Shaolin Dub" release party at NuBlu 151 in New York City, Friday August 2, with Subatomic Sound System and special guests and also the live video from the Subatomic tour with Julian Marley featuring Emch on the dub mix, Troy on the sax, and reggae percussion legend Larry McDonald on congas: subatomicsound.com/subatomic-sound-system-shaolin-dub-release-party-friday-aug-2-nublu-new-york-city/ 

Shaolin Dub was written and recorded by Subatomic in the downtime during the pre-production of the "Super Ape Returns To Conquer" album with Lee Scratch Perry and inspired by the mostly instrumental African jazz influenced dub reggae on the original Super Ape album but re-contextualized in a Subatomic production environment that includes both analog and digital recording & mixing technology. Additional live instrument recording was done in Brooklyn at the Bridge Studio and is documented in the EMC educational video with Subatomic Sound System on live dub mixing. "Shaolin Dub" has been performed live throughout the 2017-2019 tours but never released until now. 

Subatomic Sound System is back on tour in USA & Mexico Sept 19-29 with Lee "Scratch" Perry. More on that and additional upcoming releases at subatomicsound.com  
credits
released August 1, 2019

Shaolin Dub

Subatomic Sound System "Shaolin Dub" out now everywhere!

Shaolin Dub (Foundation 7" Edit)

Shaolin Dub (Fire Version)

Champion Sound

Champion Sound (Dubplate Roots 10" Mix)

Champion Sound (Roots 7" Mix)

Champion Sound (Riddim Dubstrumental)

Champion Sound (Dancehall 10" Mix)

Revolution 2 Freedom

Revolution 2 Freedom (10" Mix)

Revolution 2 Freedom (7" Vocal Mix)

Revolution 2 Freedom (7" Dub Mix)

http://www.SubatomicSound.com A 2020 revolutionary anthem for a world boiling over in the fight against corrupt politics, police, & discrimination - built  by NYC's Subatomic Sound System & Brazilian singer Junior Dread channeling Bob Marley's defiant soul to chant down Babylon & stand up for your rights. Composed while producing Lee “Scratch” Perry’s acclaimed “Super Ape Returns To Conquer” album, Subatomic taps those classic sounds for new uptempo 21st century roots dub style,  a staple on recent tours. Jamaica's percussion legend Larry McDonald on congas.

subatomic sound system

François Brètigny