Album: dDub - Awake at Dawn

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Derek, Matt, Tala, Ben, Andrew, Duncan…no there not household names. However keep an ear and an eye out for them as they members of New Zealand reggae group dDub, cause they are going to be big news!

dDub’s album Awake at Dawn is a fantastic album that arises out of one of the most inspiring musical genres going, New Zealand reggae. On top of the success of groups such as Katchafire, dDub are building upon a scene that is quite simply, going off! Citing their influences as Marley, Tosh and Cliff, it is clear that roots reggae is what these boys know, but this album is also extremely upbeat, making you want to smile and dance.

Tracks such as Magic and Give Up Your Love are quick in tempo, as far as roots reggae goes, but they manage to blend the traditional reggae bass lines, with a cacophony of trumpets, numerous drums and voices. It may at times sound a bit ‘Cat Empire’, but the New Zealand flavour is certainly evident in their much spoke-of love of Auckland.

Reggae was traditionally a sound for the oppressed slaves in Jamaica, but the style has taken up importance in any country that has a past of native oppression. This is certainly the case in New Zealand, and what I truly love about this band is that they have been able to blend the true essence of roots reggae, with a positive message in these troubled times.