Heavy Weight And Sleeve

2023

"Rob Smith, RSD is not only a successful dubstep producer and pioneer of the Bristol sound, but also a very popular deejay travelling the world sharing his music. Coming from a reggae background and well-versed in sound system culture, Rob kept some of his best productions for his exclusive use when deejaying, the only way you would hear these gems was being played in one of Rob's sets.

Fortunately, we've managed to persuade Rob to let Reggae Archive Records share these dubplate specials with a wider audience on a limited-edition vinyl LP. Compiled and sequenced in conjunction with Rob, the LP features nine tracks newly edited and mastered by Rob to enhance the bass playback on vinyl, it's cut heavy!

The tracks were recorded between 2006 and 2011, a time when one strand of dubstep heavily embraced reggae and dub. Rob calls these tracks reggae infused dubstep and that's what they are, but Reggae Archive Records is a reggae label and this selection of dubstep tracks will most certainly appeal just as much to reggae and dub fans.

Fusing dubstep beats, reggae samples, and seriously heavy basslines, this is a joyous celebration of musical cross fertilisation that has been tried and tested in clubs worldwide. In keeping with the dubplate origins of the tracks, we have designed the labels to replicate an old school acetate, while the sleeve pays tribute to seventies pre-releases albums with a replica stamp giving just the artist and title on a plain white sleeve with aged effect"

- Reggae Archive Records -

New Zealand 2021

2006

Originally conceived as a promotional pre-release dub version of Man From , this album is enhanced with an array of rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks from the Island vaults, ensuring that this is by some way a finest collection of the trombone maestro’s timeless work. Available for the very first time on vinyl this is a must have for any dub fanatic.