Do you remember that classic, late 80s dancehall killer tune “Pirates Anthem” recorded by Home T, Cocoa Tea and Shabba Ranks? That was a big hit back in a days and we still love it. Good news guys. Mandinka recorded his updated interpretation of that anthem on new riddim from Dreadsquad called Modern Time.
Few months ago I got a request from Boomtown Fair to make an anthem that will be used in their official after video. I was very excited as this is a big thing for Polish producer to make something official in UK especially if we are talking about such a great event as Boomtown. I played there at Lions Den two years ago with Dr Ring Ding, El Fata and Kasia Malenda and the vibe was wicked.
The guide lines for the tune were as follows:
Needs a chilled reggae intro
Big drop right at the start straight into jungle / dnb / bassline
Needs to be cool :-)
Needs to keep up tempo all the way through with a brake down into a folk / gypsy style sound around 3 quarters of the way through then a big build up and drop back into rolling dnb for the end
Needs to have a reggae / ragga influence with vocals etc
Needs to be fresh and original
So basically what this means? That it has to be 3 or even 4 songs smoothly progressing from one to another, changing mood, tempo and general feeling!
“No problem” I said ;)
During 3 sessions at Superfly Studio and Overtime Studio, together with my music partner Przemysław Sokalczuk, we came up with something like that:
We’ve started with remixing my tune with Kojo Neatness – Boomtown (you can find it in our store on 12″ vinyl), later adding more live instruments for that gypsy break down. Hand claps, drums, guitars, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and some lyrics from forthcoming release with Blackout JA.
A lot of people ask me about my old stuff. I always try to focus on the future rather than a past and it apply to music as well. But if there is a demand I want to share with you some Dreadsquad history, that started in 2001.
So here is a collection of many free downloads like old mixtapes I did with Dj Funksion, PLay that Blend vol. 1 & 2 with Papa Zura & Dj Twister, some remixes like Skrillex & Damian Marley – Make it bun dem Remix. Enjoy. DOWNLOAD
Brand new release from Dreadsquad called “Modern Time Riddim” is a one-riddim album containing 11 songs recorded all over the world by various artists such as Million Stylez (Sweden), Mr Williamz (UK), Blackout JA (Jamaica / UK), Charlie P (UK) Taiwan MC (France), Marky Lyrical (Canada), Thai Stylee (Austria), Kacezet (Poland), S’kaya (France), Ruffneck (Austria), Robbie Rule (Jamaica) and Dr Ring Ring (Germany) who first introduced the riddim on his “Dig It All” album with Dreadsquad, in his song named with the same title.
Modern Time Riddim is a mid tempo dancehall/ raggamuffin riddim reminding the best dancehall era – the 90s. It’s a tribute to one of the most influential producers Gussie Clarke, whose style had a big impact on music taste of Marek Bogdanski – the man behind Dreadsquad. Minor chords, heavy Yamaha CS-01 bass line, drum machines, orchestral hits – you name it – we have it!
Album is exclusively available on our Bandcamp. Official iTunes release is on October 23rd.
Artist: Dreadsquad & V.A. Title: Modern Time Riddim Format: Digital Download Genre: digital reggae, raggamuffin Label: Superfly Studio Cat.No: SF026 Release date: 23.10.15 Artwork : Kasia Wilk
track list:
Blackout JA – Never give in
Charlie P – That is life
Taiwan MC – Tell dem
Dr Ring Ding – Modern Time
Marky Lyrical – Life a mi teacher
Kacezet – Programy
S’kaya – Walk like a gangsta
Ruffneck – Under pressure
Robbie Rule – Nuh trouble we
Dreadsquad – Modern Time Riddim (Version)
*Thai Stylee – Badmind fi stop / recorded @Chrizondamic Studio
Brand new release from Dreadsquad called “Modern Time Riddim” is a one-riddim album containing 11 songs recorded all over the world by various artists such as Million Stylez (Sweden), Mr Williamz (UK), Blackout JA (Jamaica / UK), Charlie P (UK) Taiwan MC (France), Marky Lyrical (Canada), Thai Stylee (Austria), Kacezet (Poland), S’kaya (France), Ruffneck (Austria), Robbie Rule (Jamaica) and Dr Ring Ring (Germany) who first introduced the riddim on his “Dig It All” album with Dreadsquad, in his song named with the same title.
Modern Time Riddim is a mid tempo dancehall/ raggamuffin riddim reminding the best dancehall era – the 90s. It’s a tribute to one of the most influential producers Gussie Clarke, whose style had a big impact on music taste of Marek Bogdanski – the man behind Dreadsquad. Minor chords, heavy Yamaha CS-01 bass line, drum machines, orchestral hits – you name it – we have it!
Album is exclusively available on our Bandcamp. Official iTunes release is on October 23rd.
Artist: Dreadsquad & V.A. Title: Modern Time Riddim Format: Digital Download Genre: digital reggae, raggamuffin Label: Superfly Studio Cat.No: SF026 Release date: 23.10.15 Artwork : Kasia Wilk
track list:
Blackout JA – Never give in
Charlie P – That is life
Taiwan MC – Tell dem
Dr Ring Ding – Modern Time
Marky Lyrical – Life a mi teacher
Kacezet – Programy
S’kaya – Walk like a gangsta
Ruffneck – Under pressure
Robbie Rule – Nuh trouble we
Dreadsquad – Modern Time Riddim (Version)
*Thai Stylee – Badmind fi stop / recorded @Chrizondamic Studio
A lot of work was done recently behind the scenes at Superfly Studio. Mixing sessions have changed from days to weeks to months but finally I see the light at the end of this dark tunnel ;) Working at many project at the same time isn’t easy, especially if you are touring heavily, running the label, making graphics for releases etc. So I decided to take it easy with the gigs and focus myself mostly on producing new music for the forthcoming projects, finishing what already was started and mixing / producing music for others.
Marek Bogdański
So here is a small list of forthcoming releases at Superfly Studio
SF026 – Dreadsquad & V.A. – Modern Time Riddim
Feat. Million Stylez & Mr Williamz, Charlie P, Blackout JA, Dr Ring Din g, Taiwan MC, Marky Lyrical, Thai Stylee, Kacezet, S’kaya, Ruffneck, Robbie Rule.
Amazing early reggae producer xRob Black is dropping his first album. Mastered by Adam Faz, Graphic by me (Marek Bogdański)
SF028 – Subactive feat. Jah Screechy – Nah Vote fi dem
Do you remember that classic tune Walk & Skank? Yes, the same one remixed by SL2. Guess what? We are happy to announce that Jah Screechy is releasing at Superfly Studio his new 7″ single produced by French producers Subactive. Mastered by Dreadsquad, Artwork by Subactive,
Here is a reminder of of Walk n Skank and SL2 RMX.
SF029 – Dreadsquad & Blackout JA – World Destruction (LP)
Long awaited album of Jamaican singer/Dj Blackout JA produced by Dreadsquad. Combination for Reggae, Dub, Electronic and World music. Album was featured by Dub Fx, Kush Arora, Smerins Anti Social Club and Adam Faz.
Taken from an interview with Blackout JA for Music Stop Slingo:
Whats coming up for you? What are you working on now and where do you feel your music is headed?
– I do a lot of recording, I’m always in the studio. There is and album just completed with me Blackout JA and Dreadsquad (Marek Bogdanski). I’m really looking forward for the release, as I think it’s going to be a huge album… Historical…
Tomawok 2nd album Weedamuffin recorded and mixed by Judi K at Irie Itres Studio (France) will be released on October 2nd 2015 by Tomawok Records. Tomawok invited some great guest like Max Romeo, Sizzla, Ward 21, Spectacular, Perfect Giddimani and made sure that the riddims are provided by the top producers in the business (Dreadsquad, Irie Ites, Fogata Sounds, Manu Digital, Kubix, Deebuzz). Four tunes on the record were produced by Dreadsquad @ Superfly Studio (Big Dem Up, King Kong, Kaliman, Good Ganja Weed).
