reax music magazine :: music + culture » Reviews » Dub Gabriel - Anarchy Alchemy

Since leaving Tampa and his rep as an ace bass player for the likes of Magadog, Gabe Freedman has reinvented himself as Dub Gabriel, a globetrotting DJ and producer with a knack for melding deceptively downtempo grooves to such international influences as Middle Eastern instruments and melodies and reggae's organic, smoky vibe. Overall, his third, guest-studded full-length is more far-reaching than previous efforts, in terms of style and mood. It's also often refreshingly gritty and energetic when compared to much of his former work. The album opens with the ominous post-dancehall grooves and mournful loss-of-innocence lyrics of "Chasing The Paper;" MC No Surrender spits rabidly over a raw broken machine groove reminiscent of a more straightforward Aphex Twin on "Run Down;" "Bedu Goes To Bluefields" rides a sweetly spare yet snappy tabla-and-rock-drum beat; the enlightened and raunchy ladies of Tampa's own Yo Majesty drop by to enhance the accented hip-hop of "Pony Girl;" none other than Michael Stipe helps turn Suicide's "Cheree" huge and Bowie-esque and stunning. It's nice to know Gabriel can come out of the chillout room swinging, and with his unique sonic identity intact. - Scott Harrell