What does one
of the world's most famous Jamaican Dub Poets do when he is
not "Dub-Poeting"?
He produces
hard dub instrumental records!!
Along with
Mutabaruka and Linton Kwesi Johnson, Oku Onuora is
pre-eminent as defining the genre "Dub Poetry". In addition,
however, Onuora has proven himself to be a major player in
the ranks of instrumental dub producers. In the tradition of
Lee "Scratch" Perry, Niney the Observer, Mikey Dread and
Prince Far I, he is at home in the studio creating "wizard"
hardcore dub tracks, heavy on echo, reverb, digital delay
and restructured vocal sampling.
Dubbin' Away,
his new CD for ROIR, is much more of a tough dub record than
a dub poet outing. Oku has gone back to his original master
tapes for some of his earlier recordings and re-mastered,
recreated and reinvented them for their pure dub "version"
effect. At the age of 19, Oku robbed a Jamaican Post Office
in an effort to raise money for a community school he was
helping to fund - a la Robin Hood. Caught and sentenced to
15 years for armed robbery, Oku escaped twice - upon his
second capture he survived 5 bullets to his chest, arms and
legs. Even within the harshest of circumstances -
incarceration within Jamaica's notorious General
Penitentiary, Oku's dissident and revolutionary spirit could
not be extinguished.
Under the
tutelage of Rasta Elder Negus, Oku's voice could be heard
through poetry, establishing himself at the forefront of a
growing movement of dub poets. His recognition amongst the
Jamaican "suffrahs" led to increasing fame both inside and
outside of his prison walls. Released early for "good
behavior" and an aptitude in literature and poetry, Oku has
continued his uphill struggle, fighting for the oppressed
all around the world.
"Oku
Onuora is the fire rocking in the belly of the beast - the
man who transformed the dark vortex of heavy instrumental
reggae." - NME
"Shook the
rafters with the sound of revolution - uncompromising." - Reggae, Rasta, Revolution
"Some of
the most hypnotic, thick, jagged and moody dub instrumentals
- percolating, soothing." - Melody
Maker
"Hard-edged,
loose-limbed and wonderful instrumental work." - Carl Howard
"State of
the art guerrilla dub that is taut, relentless, passionate,
prophetic, militant, sensitive and graceful." - Sound Effects
"The music
pulses with it's own emotive intent. Hard, hypnotic dub - a
sumptuous dub feast full of passionate rhythms and pulsating
echoes that will spin your head and light the groove fire
within you." - Elena Oumano, Record
Roundup
"Hard
edged fast paced." - Chuck Foster, Reggae
Beat
"An enigma
in that this release contains not one word of his acclaimed
poetry. A bold and daring move and a most successful one.
Oku does to the music much of the same as he does to his
poems." - Reggae Report
"Taut,
relentless, filled with passion, prophecy, militancy - tough
dub." - Raps Magazine
"Some of
the hardest reggae rhythms and dub sound effects to be
found." - L.A. Life
"His music
embodies the outlaw spirit - as rock solid a bottom as you
can get." - CMJ
"The most
savage and extreme use of reverb and echo I've heard."
- Reflex
"Raises
everybody to a cathartic consciousness of vital blood and
vile. His command is so devastatingly competent, it must be
state of the art guerrilla warfare. You can't help wondering
how this man who spent 7 years in prison in Jamaica can
still produce so much energy." - The Daily
Gleaner, Jamaica
"Like a
bomb it actually explode"- Oku
Onuora
