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Kukan Dub Lagan - Step Ina Rasta Step (Mikelabella Records @ Mar. 07)
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guy cohen
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
417
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Posted : Apr 4, 2007 15:27
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Hi All !
This time we are going down for Itay Berger journey as Kukan-Dub-Lagan second album. "Step Ina Rasta Step" is actually the first release of the new label - Mikelabella Records, which established on 2007, in Israel capital's city - Jerusalem. This label has developed by Itay Berger him self with target to expose unique music with original sounds. So, almost three years were pass since "Life is nice" (Kukan's debut album), which got tons of feedbacks, and now is the time to check the new materials of MR. Berger has to deliver..
Cover : http://217.160.164.51/pic/mlb1cd001.jpg
1. Feel Life
The introduction is very emotional with kind of weird atmosphere, which leads the listener for deep areas. The sound level is very high and professional. Still no beats and kicks, just chilly melody and relax vibes. This is an interesting opening for album. In my opinion, it more suitable for the end, but lets continue and maybe we will understand it all later.
2. Spirit of the wind
Itay's Dub influences are sensed now. It is start with dub vocals and developing to down-tempo flowing tune with many soft playings and slow kick background. The listener can feel very comfortable with "Spirit of the wind" track, because it's friendly and calm. The journey is still on the beginning, and the next to come is a hard to guess.
3. Dreams of heaven
We are go one step forward with "Dreams of heaven" tune. The floating melodies are builds some plot beyond and give some work to the brain  . The orientation is still climb up and we can enjoy from pleasant moments of pure music without specific definition.
4. Its all about her
One minute and forty five seconds of tribal sounds with mystic vibes is the story of "Its all about her". It's very mysterious and unclear, but forces the heart to pump faster and that is always positive thing.
5. Tomerik Trick
What a pleasure we get here. The feeling is full of freedom, like there is nothing in the world except the music and it is feels amazing. The colorful elements are connecting together and create lovely vibes. Itay is like to use on the strange vocals, which add a lot for the dubby atmosphere.
6. What a day
"What a day" tune is starts like a rap-hit, but quickly the melodies are taking control all over, and turn it deeper and enjoyable. The variation with the melodies is very special, and always keeps the listener in focus. This one is not one of my favorites, but the funny female singing is makes me smile and that is what I look for on music.
7. Electric Shocking Dub
I don't know how it happened, but somehow Itay succeed to hide some positive energies behind the tune, and when I'm hear it, the feeling is simply one of a kind (on the good meaning of course). The Kukan's magical vibes just caught me here. Thank you man !
8. Bed Time Story
I'm trying to find the right words for describe it, but it's almost impossible. Sometime people see the bad aspect on different types of music, but when I'm listening to "Bed Time Story", I could not think about anything negative - only happiness and smiles. When I close my eyes, I imagine picture of this melody stroke my brain and fill my body with good energies .
9. Step ina rasta step
This is the time to get out from the bed after the sweet story (track number 8) and smile all directions. The kick here is faster and groover, that is why everything is more rhythmic and pounding. Maybe after several listening we will understand the depth inside the music. Kukan's revolutionary style is just brilliant and deserve for appreciation.
10. Roots of Passion
In my opinion - the big difference between down-tempo/chill out style to the rest of the styles is the control issue - on the other types of music the baseline & kick are controls the track, but here the full control is of the playings & melodies. "Roots of Passion" track is consists rare melody, which gives a romantic atmosphere and together with the "stretched" kick, the story is always developing and never bored.
11. In the end of my day
It is start with soft organ-playing and gradually more and more effects gets in, as mushrooms after the rain . This is the closest thing for story without words, just instrument tools instead of. The circle from the first track is closing now and after ten adventure tracks, the plot is almost finished.
12. Vibe of tribe
Short track (03:46) with the most atmospheric vibe I've heard. When I'm listening to it, I feel the same feeling as the down after good & massive festival, and now you must leave the temporary wonderful land and get back to the reality.
I did not hear the first album of Kukan-Dub-Lagan so this is my first acquaintance with Itay's un-regular style. I think this guy is bring something rare threw the music and this is definitely a pride for Israel for exporting this sounds. "Step Ina Rasta Step" is much longer trip, because each track has it own journey and all together are create a big, fascinating, colorful and (the most important) enjoyable voyage.
People, please give a chance for this kind of music and I can promise you one thing - disappointment will not be here.
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/mlb/mlb1cd001.html
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Nathan
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Apr 5, 2007 19:23
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sounds like a good album.
working on my review I need to listen to it more to be sure.
 -=The Meaning Of Life Is To Give Life A Meaning= |
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rich
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Apr 5, 2007 20:22
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sure_smoke_alot
IsraTrance Junior Member
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6874
Posted : Apr 6, 2007 07:21
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i jus cant put a finger to the name of the emotion this album has pricked out of me.
so nice & so smoothly it goes u jus feel like listnin to it whole day.
gr8 work by kukan, he surely has a unqiue style & sound
the problem with valuing art is, till u dont understand it, it's worthless but wen u do understand it, it's priceless!! |
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Mat N
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Apr 6, 2007 18:02
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I love this album, so emotional and relaxing and shows that Itai puts his soul into it. Step Ina Rasta Step begins perfectly with the track Feel Life, that takes you to a caribbean island on sunrise, and keeps you there through the whole album. My favorites here are Spirit of The Wind, What a Day, Bed Time Story (what a groove!), Step Ina Rasta Step, and In The End of My Day which brings us to the sunset over the caribbeans...
Beautiful floating-like melodies, varied samples and sounds (and a nice cover design) that alltogether deliver us a great dub journey and a very recommended album! |
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sure_smoke_alot
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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6874
Posted : Apr 7, 2007 09:37
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bed time story is the best melody i have heard in this year so far
the problem with valuing art is, till u dont understand it, it's worthless but wen u do understand it, it's priceless!! |
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pete
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 9, 2007 08:20
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Years ago, I listened to old school dub reggae very frequently. The vibes were great and the groove undeniable, but it was music of another time and place, so I sought out artists that translated the genre into a modern sound. All too often, contemporary electronic (non-psy) dub stripped the genre of its soul, losing the charm of older songs while not taking advantage of electronic music’s sound manipulation potential. Not until Hallucinogen in Dub did I find electronic dub that was a translation rather than a plastic copy of the original sound.
Now Kukan comes along with his second album that approaches a perfect modern take on dub reggae. Like his first album, the bass and rhythms do a great job of capturing the magic of King Tubby, Yabby You, and other dub greats. However, Step Ina Rasta Step distinguishes itself from Life is Nice through a strong melodic sensibility that conveys emotions very powerfully. (like all the other ppl here have said )The sounds used for the melodic elements provide an additional opportunity for Kukan to evoke the instrumentation from dubs of old, and he realizes that potential in tracks such as “Dreams of Heaven” and “Tomerik Trick.”
At the same time, this album effectively utilizes electronic music’s capacity to make interesting psychedelic sound manipulations. Synth lines, processed echoes, twisted electronic noises hovering beneath the heart of the track, and tricked-out vocal samples all put this firmly in the psy-dub realm. However, the subtle use of the psychedelic elements gives Step Ina Rasta Step a distinctive sound-you would never mistake one of these tracks for OTT’s more overtly twisted productions. Kukan also makes effective use of electronica’s potential for immaculately clean production, which especially stands out in the percussion parts.
The album as a whole has a wonderful flow, starting with the ambient “Feel Life” and departing somewhat from the slow reggae towards the end of the album with “Bed Time Story” and the title track before ending with the beautiful “In the End of my Day” and signature dub “Vibe of the Tribe.”
Congrats and thanks to Itay!
http://soundcloud.com/herbert-quain |
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Shahar Indepth
Indepth
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416
Posted : Apr 9, 2007 22:41
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gave it a first listen and its an absolute joy.....more details soon, but for noww i can say that "end of my day" is my current favorit
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www.indepth1.com |
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Voice of All
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 9, 2007 22:48
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its realy good album folks! as the first album it is sunny, beachy, leisure and high music!!! very good!!!
Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom. |
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klaxer
Koan / Vacuum Stalkers
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Posted : Apr 10, 2007 17:47
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Great job Itay! |
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MikelaBella Rec.
MikelaBella Rec.
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Posted : Apr 12, 2007 10:12
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thanks for the words
we look on this album as un upgrade from the first one
cheers
Music withA Vibe
www.myspace.com/mbrec
We are into Unique and Fresh- well - we Try ;) |
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Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 13, 2007 19:30
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im going to buy this album for sure...but
im curious what is the meaning of 'kukan dub lagan"
somebody can give me an answer?
www.myspace.com/aliasix |
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Nathan
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Apr 13, 2007 19:37
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Kukan - space in Japanese
Lagan = Balagan = chaos
-=The Meaning Of Life Is To Give Life A Meaning= |
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Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
32
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Posted : Apr 13, 2007 19:45
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Quote:
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On 2007-04-13 19:37, Nathan wrote:
Kukan - space in Japanese
Lagan = Balagan = chaos
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tnx a lot
www.myspace.com/aliasix |
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MikelaBella Rec.
MikelaBella Rec.
Started Topics :
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Posted : Apr 14, 2007 14:30
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this name always give a little "twist" mate
you can pm in privete for question
cheers
Music withA Vibe
www.myspace.com/mbrec
We are into Unique and Fresh- well - we Try ;) |
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