Dub Chamber 3

Bill Laswell

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Roir
• ASIN: B00004SWBZ
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #136,240 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Dub Chamber is the third chapter in bassist-producer Bill Laswell's Sacred System trilogy. Like its predecessors (Chapter One and, aptly, Chapter Two), Dub Chamber incorporates elements of ambient jazz, world percussion, and dub reggae. Two tracks, "Cybotron" and "Devil Syndrome," are constructed loosely around the central riff from Bob Marley & the Wailers' "Could You Be Loved." British bassist Jah Wobble lends his experimental postpunk imprimatur to the former, while on the later, jazz keyboardist Craig Taborn lays down some electric piano reminiscent of former Laswell client Herbie Hancock . Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær adds an icy ECM vibe to "Beyond the Zero," and guitarist Nicky Skopelitis is also on hand. Yet, like so many studio productions that attempt to redefine dub apart from the immediacy of its original Jamaican context, it all adds up to something less than the sum of its parts. There's just no substitute for starting with a real song, even when the intent is sonic deconstruction. --Rick Mitchell

Product Description
This new project from legendary producer/bassist Bill Laswell goes far into extending the concept of dub, incorporating Indian rhythms and tonalities, electronic jazz, drum and bass, ambient, hip hop and beyond.

Although dub influenced, it is not limited to dub’s reggae history originally created by King Tubby, Lloyd “Prince Jammy” James, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Scientist and the other Jamaican dub masters. Originally created to fulfill the necessity of the B-side or version of the top exposure original A-side, or potential hit side. The musicians featured on Dub Chamber 3 are exceptional and internationally known for their musicianship and avant-gardism. Norway’s Nils Petter Molvaer on processed trumpet is known for his groundbreaking work on the European based ECM label. Molvaers’ “Khmer”, released in 1999 is one of the biggest sellers in ECM’s 35-year history. Original P.I.L. bassist Jah Wobble is widely acclaimed and noted for his work with Orb, Baaba Maal, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and The Invaders of The Heart. Nicky Skopelitis, the Greek/American guitarist is a mainstay with Material, Ekstasis, Sly & Robbie and Ginger Baker. Keyboardist Craig Taborn has gained recognition for his work with Carl Craig’s Innerzone Orchestra. Karsh Kale is currently drumming for Talvin Singh’s group. Certainly an all-star cast gathered in the studio to cook up some new style dub. Dub Chamber 3 is Laswell’s third release for ROIR and completes the best selling Sacred System trilogy. This is dub for the space-age and a major step in its evolutionary influence on today’s electronic music culture. Futurist dub that creates new maps of time, intangible sound sculptures and sacred sites for the mind, body and spirit. Dub chamber 3 is for all dub lovers, drum and bass fanatics, ambient seekers, and avant-garde hip hoppers and electronic Miles Davis “Bitches Brew” fans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dub/Jazz/World Music Stew, June 30, 2002

By	Michael Strom (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The chain of reviews for Dub Chamber 3 aptly shows it to be a love-it-or-hate-it affair. What I suspect attracts or repels people about Bill Laswell's work is that he usually mixes and synthesizes disparate musical styles that are rarely combined.

If you really love dub, you may not want it blended with jazz, other "world" musics, and approached like chamber music. If you think dub should only sound like Lee "Scratch" Perry, this will surely appall you. George Clinton insists on getting his funk uncut. This dub has been "stepped on" big time -- for reasons of artistic ambition, not as a way to water it down.

If the idea of dub as one of a number of musical pallettes used to paint a portrait sounds interesting, this could work for you. Dubby bass, Milesian trumpet washes & jabs, synths, guitar with a little Pat Metheny in it, an Eastern feel to some of the percussion coexist here. Everyone doesn't think that's a good idea. It works for me. Highly recommended, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cloud-like Bass Musings of the Masters, October 31, 2000

By	Niklas P. Andersson (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This record is much more inspired than I found Laswell's remixing of Miles Davis. But the occasional trumpet flurry in this relaxed set is reminiscent of Davis' sound. The opening notes sound like something from "Sketches from Spain."

Jah Wobble's pulsating bass drives this sometimes spacy, sometimes housy, and sometimes jazzy dub-mix: all skillful masterminded by Mr. Laswell.

The perfect record for musing around the house on a rainy afternoon and writing that letter you've been putting off.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Great Record, July 7, 2000

By	"saculrepooc" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

As a long time fan of Bill Laswell's Dub & Electronic experiments I was really suprised on hearing his Dub Chamber 3 on ROIR (also known for their love for the Dub). Not only is it one of his best All-Time Cd's and a really solid Dub mover but it has the great European trumpet giant Nils Petter Molvaer on some of the tracks. I loved Molvaer's "Khmer" & newly released "Solid Ether" on ECM and have been buying everything--- and there is very little-- he has recorded. Dub Chamber 3 also has Jah Wobble (PIL), Big Nicky Skopelitis (a mainstay on many a Laswell title), Karsh Kale (doing lots w/ Talvin Singh) and Carl Craig from the InnerZone Orchestra. It must have been one swell inspired night of recording...oh to be a fly on the wall....Really Strong...LASWELL STRIKES AGAIN!