Brazilian reggae leaves a lot to be desired, heavily influenced by the bob Marley school of peaceful vibes and sickly sweet melodies. There are some interesting strains of samba-reggae which has the reggae lilt but with pattering brazilian rhythms. It’s nice, but very laid back and Bahian (i.e unchallenging) with very little bass. I have liked friends of Man Recs, Digitaldubs rhythm albums for a while now and their Curimba riddim by now is a classic. I like the video above with its Rio homage to the Jamaican lifestyle, but what I really like is the fact that the riddim is distinctly Brazilian and the toasting is very Rio, mixing Baile funk MCing with a melodic Samba singing style.

Its a contrast to the track below with Ranking Joe, which is a more traditional (unoriginal) king tubby stylee dub bassline with standard toasting. I wonder if they did this because it was Ranking Joe and felt they had to deliver a more traditional sound.

This reminds of the time I read about  the Bug (Kevin Martin) who was  recording his first album “Pressure” and believed that the Jamaican MCs wouldn’t like his noisily overloaded rhythms and so sent them very basic rhythm tracks to toast over and then set to work on them afterwards

Our favourite Rio De Janeiro sound system, DIGITALDUBS, released various singers on their Funk Milk Riddim, e.g. the sensational “O Comédia Vacilou” featuring Duda Do Borel, which we´ve released recently as 7″ vinyl (Man 028). Here´s an exclusive for you´ll to get a taste of Rio´s ruling ragga and dancehall sound system: It´s the Funk Milk Riddim featuring Tippa Irie.

DIGITALDUBS feat. TIPPA IRIE

ARTISTS: DIGITALDUBS feat. DUDA DO BOREL
TITLE: „O COMÉDIA VACILOU/O COMÉDIA DUB“
CAT.NR: MAN 028
FORMAT: 7“ VINYL
VINYL AND DIGITAL RELEASE DATE: MAY 30th, 2008

Digitaldubs is the #1 reggae/dub/dancehall sound system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For the last years this group of DJs and producers have played throughout Brazil, including a weekly party in Rio, exposing international sound system culture to a new, eager audience.

DIGITALDUBS + DUDA DO BOREL

More than writing a new chapter in the history of Brazilian sound system culture, Digitaldubs bring new and unique flavors to Brazilian and Reggae music. With their own studio and own label DD, they have released two albums featuring artists like Lone Ranger (from Jamaica), Sylvia Tella (from UK), B Negão (former member of Planet Hemp), Mr.Catra (the king of Baile Funk), Ras Bernando (pioneering Brasillian reggae artist), and others.

On their debut 7“ on Man Recordings, Digitaldubs present a fantastic baile funk-dub hybrid track. „O Comédia Vacilou“ contains Baile Funk´s main beat, the „Tamborzão“, added with a thundering bass line and sound system flavour. On top, legendary favela MC Duda Do Borel contributes with his outstanding vocals – besides Mr.Catra, Duda Do Borel is one of the greatest black voices in Rio Baile Funk.

The flipside presents Duda Do Borel. Probably one of the first ever baile funk-dub tracks ever.

Video teaser for the upcoming Man Rec release DIGITALDUBS feat. DUDA DO BOREL “O COMEDIA VACILOU” 7″.
Single release: May 26th