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Teledubgnosis
Magnetic Learning Center
(WSCD046)
Teledubgnosis' album profile offers this summation and explanation of
exactly what this band is all about.
"Spreading the gospel of riddim far and wide is the aim of
Teledubgnosis ('Tele' = far, across great distances/'Dub'= space, the
drum and the bass/'Gnosis' = esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth),
who open a new chapter of dub for the 21st century. But don't let the
name fool you--these dub warriors don't come with heavy concepts,
rather heavyweight drums and bass. The brainchild of master drummer
Ted Parsons (Godflesh, Prong, Swans), knob-twirler Jason Wolford
(Decadent Dub Team, Texas' answer to Tackhead) and talented
multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist Greg Grinnell with guest
bassist Tony Maimone (formerly of Pere Ubu), the "Teledubbies," as
they are affectionately known around here, mash up the session with
live instrumentation, ill electronics, and hands-on effects--like dub
was meant to be done. Bear witness as crescendos of dubbed-out hand
drums dissolve into a John Bonham One-Drop grounded by a plodding
bass, before lilting eastern melodies push you towards the
stratosphere. And don't plan on coming back anytime soon!"
Dub fans eager to explore the outermost extensions of the music will
find satisfaction in Magnetic Learning Center (Wordsound Recordings),
Teledubgnosis' first full-length cd. Don't expect traditional reggae
like a guitar skank or much singing on this dark and brooding project.
Instead, be ready to embrace heavy sonic experiments. Nothing about
this band--even their song naming policy--conforms to convention.
"some | thing" features a traditionally slow-paced drum pattern
normally associated with dub, but at three quarters of the way through
this six and a half minute track, the engineer breaks down the beat
and the listener is left with only an eerie piano line, with wind
sounds in the background. You think to yourself, "It's quiet. Too
quiet," and you know the mood is about to change. All of a sudden,
crashing, distorted drums and bass interrupt the atmosphere. But after
a minute or so, they drift out of the mix as the mood slowly changes
back to cautious tranquility. This is perfect horror movie music.
Listen alone. Listen late at night. The cd packaging is beautifully
low-fi and low-tech, as the backside of the digi-pack looks more like
the front of an old, faded two inch master tape box than a cd jewel
box. For more information on the band, check out their web site at
teledubgnosis.com. Wordsound Recording's site is at wordsound.com.
Spreading the gospel of riddim far and wide is the aim of Teledubgnosis
("Tele" = far, across great distances/"Dub"= space, the drum and the bass/
"Gnosis" = esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth), who open a new chapter of
dub for the 21st century. But don't let the name fool you--these dub warriors
don't come with heavy concepts, rather heavyweight drums and bass.
The brainchild of master drummer Ted Parsons (Godflesh, Prong, Swans),
knob-twirler Jason Wolford (Decadent Dub Team, Texas' answer to Tackhead) and
talented multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist Greg Grinnell with guest
bassist Tony Maimone (formerly of Pere Ubu), the "Teledubbies," as they are
affectionately known around here, mash up the session with live
instrumentation, ill electronics, and hands-on effects--like dub was meant to
be done. Bear witness as Crescendos of dubbed-out hand drums dissolve into a
John Bonham One-Drop grounded by a plodding bass, before lilting eastern
melodies push you towards the stratosphere. And don't plan on coming back
anytime soon!
Reminiscent of the 80s sonic excursions of Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound
stable, with the worldliness of Bill Laswell's Material, Teledubgnosis
straddles the past and the future with an organic yet tech-savvy sound
comparable to none. Sometimes dark, sometimes delicate, but always bubbling
with riddim and unsuspecting twists and turns Teledub's radikal roots plunge
deep into new exotic turf while staying firmly connected to King Tubby's
family tree.
The CD includes 2 bonus remixes: "In Heaven, A Devil" by The Bug (aka Kevin
Martin) and "80 Creeps" by Tech Level 2 (Justin Broaderick of Godflesh).
For more information/interviews contact Skiz @ 917-319-0720
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