Hamburg, the city that saw the Beatles before they were the Beatles, is now celebrating another musical phenomenon with a local flavor and global reach: dub. To commemorate its three decades of existence, the Echo Beach label has decided to pay homage to itself and its hometown with "King Size Dub - Hamburg",an album that is both a tribute and a love letter to Hamburg's dub scene
Echo Beach, that bastion of dub located on the banks of the Elbe River, has spent years exporting vibes around the world. From the streets of Kingston to the clubs of Berlin, its catalog spans the sonic map of dub. But this time, instead of looking outward, they've decided to look inward. The result is a compilation that encapsulates Hamburg's cosmopolitan spirit, with its blend of irreverence, creativity, and that characteristic dry humor. Thirty years ago, when Echo Beach released its first British dub compilation, Hamburg already had an active scene. Names like Silly Walks and Dub Me Ruff set the pace, while Matthias Arfmann fronted projects like Turtle Bay Country Club and Kastrierte Philosophen. Bands like Dub Division and Di Iries set the sound in motion. Since then, the city has continued to produce talent and merge influences. Now, with King Size Dub - Hamburg, Echo Beach reaps the rewards of this rich musical harvest. The album is a double-CD vinyl celebration that encapsulates decades of sonic experimentation and unexpected collaborations. On the vinyl edition, we find everything from hypnotic mixes of Station 17 by DJ Koze to the collaboration between Udo Lindenberg and Jan Delay on a dub that captures the essence of the famous Reeperbahn. And yes, even Lee "Scratch" Perry makes an appearance, because what would dub be without his magic touch?
Hamburg doesn't just bring musical talent; it also brings attitude. On the vinyl's B-side, the dry humor that characterizes this port city is unleashed. Heinz Strunk, dub poet and self-proclaimed computer geek, gives us "Black Jets Dub",while Jacques Palminger and his Kings of Dubrock transform the classic "I Am Every Woman" into a water-cooler version of Northern Dub Soul. But it's not all humor; there's also social criticism. The song "Die Mieten sind zu hoch" (The Rents Are Too High) by the Knarf Rellöm Arkestra becomes a dub anthem that reflects contemporary urban tensions. And to add an international touch, Dub Spencer and Trance Hill from Switzerland join the mix, because if anyone knows about high rents, it's them.
The extended double-CD version takes the party even further. Here, punks, indie rockers, dance floor divas, rappers, and poets come together for a wild celebration that's as cosmopolitan as Hamburg itself. Heavyweights like Deichkind, Fettes Brot, and Golden Lemons contribute their part. The latter even collaborates with Eric IQ Gray on "80 Million Hooligans",a track that encapsulates more than three decades of sound system music in Hamburg. Among the album's gems are the dub version of Erobique & Palminger's hit "Wann strahlst du" and a punk-dub reinterpretation of the Bad Brains classic "I and I Survive" in Hamburg dialect by Kein Hass Da. Even Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jennifer was so impressed that he made his own dub version of the track. The album also has nostalgic moments that connect the past with the present. The band JahYu collaborates with Ras Tinny on a dub mix of British legends Alpha & Omega, who organized the first Dubnights in Hamburg three decades ago. It's a perfect nod to the beginnings of the Echo Beach label and its lasting influence on the local and international music scene.
King Size Dub - Hamburg isn't just an album; it's a statement of purpose. It's a reminder that dub is more than just music: it's cultural integration, it's community, and it's unbridled fun. Echo Beach has proven that after 30 years, it still has a lot to offer, and Hamburg remains the perfect port to set sail for new musical adventures. So, whether you're a dub lover or just want to explore the unique vibes of this port city, King Size Dub - Hamburg is your ticket to an unforgettable sonic journey. Because if one thing is clear after listening to this album, it's that for Echo Beach and for dub in Hamburg, there's definitely "no end in sight".
