Dub Inc.: French reggae and “Dans le décor”, featuring collaborations with guest vocalists

The colourful Dub Inc. collective, previously known as Dub Incorporation, formed in Saint-Étienne in 1997. Its members' rich, varied musical experiences and inspirations produced an exceptionally original sound and a freedom to move between different, sometimes very distant genres.

Traditional Eastern rhythms and melodies mingle with vibrant reggae, contemporary hip-hop and electro dub. Their debut album, “Dub Inc. 1.1”, appeared in May 1999, and the band gained local popularity almost immediately. Two years later, still performing as Dub Incorporation, they released the warmly received “Version 1.2.”. From then on, they began touring and building a reputation as an excellent live band. Their breakthrough came with “Diversité”, released by Productions Spéciales in 2003. Their superb concerts and international standing enabled Dub Inc. to invite leading reggae singers Lyricson, Omar Perry and Steel Pulse’s David Hinds to appear on their next album, “Dans le décor”. It was produced by Sam Clayton, responsible for many classic albums, including work by Steel Pulse and Brain Damage.

After many sold-out tours, including with Culcha Candela in France and Germany, the band released a live album in 2006, also available with a concert DVD. It confirmed Dub Inc.’s quality as a professional, extraordinarily exuberant group brilliantly combining classic reggae and dancehall. Their style is distinguished by the onstage dialogue between two contrasting, perfectly complementary singers, Hakim “Bouchkour” Meridja and Aurélien “Komlan” Zohou. Their concerts are pure dynamite. Even in France, where the reggae scene’s standards are very high, their star shines exceptionally brightly.

Dub Inc. first appeared in 2007. They left an indelible impression and became stars in Poland in a single day. Their latest release, “So What”, offers evidence of just how hot their 4 December performance at Stary Klasztor will be.

Before Dub Inc take the stage, Positive Thursdays in DUB will perform: a group of music enthusiasts with a particular passion for experimenting with sound and improvisation that approaches the spirit of jazz.

It all began in late 2011 as a musical project extending the Positive Thursdays radio programme, broadcast continuously since 2006. Responding to the moment and fuelled by a love of dub, the project gradually grew to include more members, becoming a live act — a selector and brass section — performing regular concerts.

2015 marked a breakthrough for Positive Thursdays in DUB. In time, another step became necessary, and the DJ live act turned into a full-fledged band, consisting of musicians who have worked, or still work, with Artur Rojek, Lech Janerka, OCN, Miloopa and Bakshish.

The central idea remains unchanged, however: above all, to showcase the broad spectrum of reggae and dub music that the Wrocław crew presents in a distinctive and considered way.

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