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Exclusive: Star_Dub - Voodub_7 Making a welcome return to the DUBWAX/ RAWAX label is Matt Star, aka Star_Dub, delving further into his bass-heavy sonic explorations after 2021's initial Voodub EP. As with the first EP, this second offering simply has numbered track titles, following tracks 1-4 on the first 12“. So let's start at Voodub_5! As you'd expect, there is a sumptuous amount of delay-laden warmth on the track, but there's much more too. The beats are crisp, the synths are fizzing with energy, the percussion has a lovely clubby swing especially in the latter stages of the track. The FX sounds which run through the track give an underwater vibe to some of the sounds, which creates a supremely tripped-out added flow. A superb opening track to set the scene. Voodub_6 is a much deeper affair altogether, the emphasis very heavily shifted to the classic dub flavours. The kicks and bass are amazingly low, there is almost no to-end percussion to speak of and what there is sits very carefully low-down in the mix. The stabs and FX all have a beautifully layered presence, complimenting the other sounds by keeping high in the mix, almost drifting above the kicks and bass. This is truly excellent in every way and a brilliant example of how to produce dub grooves. Opening the B-side is Voodub_7, which is ultimately a dum-led groove, the delays working on the percussive sounds, a low stabby bass hitting every few beats and some gorgeous pads floating in and out of the track. The beats have a rattling sound which is excellent, as this carries the track along, despite it only seemingly being made up of several component parts. Another spot-on heads-down vibe for the discerning dancefloor. For Voodub_8 the vibe leans into slightly eerie territory, as the light synth sounds and keys seem to move into an off-centre sound, with the kicks and toms subtly rolling underneath. The keys have something of an old children's 'music box' resonance, perhaps explaining the eerie vibe, which is no bad thing at all. Very definitely the deepest track on the EP, it's yet another showcase of club-ready but immensely layered house music, with its cap doffed to the production styles of Jamaican dub legends. This is an absolutely brilliant EP, as it has warm-up, mid-set and main-set grooves, so any DJ worth their salt should get this in their collection. Star_Dub Voodub EP 2 is a out on RAWAX. Buy the EP: Artist & label information Star_Dub: // // RAWAX/ CHIWAX: // // DBH Music: // // Visit & follow Torture the Artist at: @torturetheartist
