Todd Simon - The United States of Dub
(MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2012-11-01
Todd Simon is a trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and performer living and working in sunny Los Angeles, CA. Todd has found a niche providing soulful horn and string sounds for countless projects, many of which have been featured on Paris DJs: The Echocentrics, Connie Price & the Keystones, the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Antibalas, Clutchy Hopkins, Madlib's Sound Directions, El Michels Affair, The Lions, Ocote Soul Sounds, Spanky Wilson, Breakestra, Flying Lotus, Mochilla Timeless with Mulatu Astatke and Arthur Verocai, Sugarman 3, Orgone, Nickodemus, Ohmega Watts, Amayo's Fu-Arkist-Ra, N.A.S.A., Mayer Hawthorne... His current projects include Adrian Younge's Venice Dawn, The Decoders, Todd Simon's Ethio-Cali Ensemble, and upcoming albums of The Delfonics, Ghostface Killah, CSS, Rhye and Quadron.
Following-up on our open invitation in the Clutchy Hopkins interview that never happened, Todd contacted us saying "I'd love to compile a specially-themed dj mix for you (as mentioned in the Clutchy interview, figure out a theme and I'll hook you all up!!!". We asked him if he was into the current American Dub and Reggae scene… Well Todd did a real investigative work, adding some information on each track he picked, and we had the full thing illustrated by our man Ben Hito, for your aural and visual pleasure.
I've been following posts and releases from Paris DJs for quite some time. Their eclectic tastes in World Music, DJ culture and new music have been a great resource for me over the years. Although I'm not that proud of the country I reside in, the US does supply some great Dub sounds. 'The United States of Dub' is a collection that features rarities only found on vinyl, brand new recordings that are finally being leaked, versions that might have been looked over and tracks that I've dug up from my vaults. Some of America's best Dub producers are showcased on this mix representing a sound that pays respect to Jamaica and the UK. One might not look to the US for Dub, but hopefully after listening to this mix you might want to dig deeper. (Todd Simon)
Tracklisting :
01. NeXt LeVeL Productions - Yabby You Tribute
(unreleased) info
02. Jazzanova feat. Paul Randolph - I Human (Jeremy Sole Dub)
(from 'I Human feat. Paul Randolph (Jeremy Sole Remix)' 7 inch, 2012 / Sonar Kollektiv) info | buy
03. Strikkly Vikkly (Ticklah/Victor Rice) - Isso
(from 'Redbud Dub 02' 7 inch, 2002 / Redbud) info (Ticklah) | info (V. Rice) | buy
04. Romanowski - Altar Dub
(unreleased) info | buy
05. The Lions - Cumbia Del Leon (Freeformer Toddy T's Psycho NuFi Dub)
(from 'White Label' digital compilation, 2008 / Ubiquity) info | buy
06. 4th Ave Rockers (Ticklah) with Ruffscott & Rob Symeonn - Move Along
(from 'Hi-Fidelity Dub Sessions presents Roots Combination' album, 2001 / Guidance) info
07. Peaking Lights - Cosmic Tides
(from 'Lucifer' album, 2012 / Mexican Summer) info | buy
08. NeXt LeVeL Productions - Juicy Skank
(unreleased) info
09. The Simple Citizens - Breakfast Dub
(from 'Early Morning' album, 2008 / self-released) info
10. Freeformer vs. Ticklah vs. Dub Is A Weapon - Journey Dub
(exclusive for Paris DJs - features members of Antibalas, Dub Is A Weapon, The Lions, The Decoders…) info
11. Roger Rivas - Organ Shakedown
(from 'Organ Versions Vol. 1' digital album, 2009 / self-released) info/download
Total time : 43:14
A track-by-track commentary and all the original cover artworks are available on the Paris DJs blog
Credits :
Selected and mixed by Todd Simon (toddsimonmusic.com)
Audio mastering by Grant Phabao (grantphabao.com)
Artwork by Ben Hito (facebook.com/benhito)
Links :
Todd Simon : official | discogs | facebook | myspace | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Paris DJs : parisdjs.com | bandcamp | facebook | juno | pinterest | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
