Breath a.k.a THE Dubber
The word Dub means to redo or rework; it is something one does when it is necessary to make alterations. This is what Breath a.k.a THE dubber has been doing since the age of thirteen.
For over two decades the Washington, DC native has played guitar and encompasses the sounds of funk, rock, reggae, go-go and hip-hop to create a unique musical stew, all his own. Breaths innovative musical spirit was enlivened through his travels and experiences, particularly in Los Angeles, CA. From 1988 to 1997 he wrote for and performed and recorded with some of the top musicians and bands in LAs rock music scene. Some of his ventures had interested major labels such as MCA, A.M and Geffen Records. Said to transcend time and be far too experimental, he and the projects with which he was involved never received due recognition. Feeling frustrated and rejected, Breath did what came naturally. He dubbed.
In 1994 he began reflecting on his life, his music and his relationship with the Most High. He spent five years recapturing the essence of his enriched roots and uncovering the True. From the years he spent being hardened by aggressive, hardcore rock and being immersed in the culture of hip-hop, he longed for the soothing sounds of funk and the spiritual healing of roots reggae. As a result, he retreated to those humble beginnings and began to fuse his diverse musical influences. It was then that he rediscovered, Breath, and then that his musical style was forged.
Although he continued to maintain a positive attitude and an elevated level of consciousness, Breath still felt something was missing. He knew that like his music, it was important for his soul to be renewed. So he prayed to the Most high and He answered. He, as the Ancient of Days, Allah, Jah, Yahweh, reflected his answers through Rasta, Moorish Priests, LA gangsters, Water Witches, the homeless, Africans in America, Mom and Dad, Martin Luther King Jr., Ol Dirty Bastard, Thelonious Monk, Chris Rock and Breaths guitar. The answer was revolution.
The Revolution continued through Breath who by 1994 had become a member of The Dubbers of King Selassie I. The group in which Breath was elected, leader, included: two poets, Brother Rack and Lord King David, a vocalist, Brother Regis Bell and a rhythm section with Ras Gooch on drums, Prince Pepe on bass and Brother Breath on guitar. The musical movement had a powerful sound and a divine message with Rastafarian themes. However, it needed work.
The Dubbers spent a year playing at LA clubs and festivals. By 1995 the group had a regular gig called The Fine Arts Workshop at The First Church of Rasta in South Central, Los Angeles. The event was held every Friday night and gave members a chance to hone their skills. At the Workshop the band spent more than a year playing with some of the most talented reggae musicians in LA.
In 1997 The Dubbers of King Selassie I was hopeful and embraced the opportunity to move to the east coast. The band members packed up and headed to Washington, DC. From September 1997 to February 1998 The Dubbers played twenty out of twenty-one scheduled shows. Unfortunately, as time drew on optimism and money began to run low, and the group was forced to disband. It recorded one album, The Sufferers Party, but it was never released.
Finally, Breath found himself home alone, and without a group. He heeded the compliments of those who had heard The Dubbers in its divine pageantry and those who said, The band is dope and ahead of its time. He knew that he had nothing to lose so with nothing more than his story and his guitar, he went solo. And now the world is being introduced to: THE Dubber.
Crazy ~THE Dubber~
Sundown Lounge is a laid back (and often explicit, you bet your ass...) weekly podzine of music, spoken word, progressive politics, weird science, and occasional vignettes from the west coast open mic scene, etc. Physically, I'm in rapidly gentrifying downtown Los Angeles, but metaphysically, my toes are in the sand and the sun is ablaze with deep hues, and a few poets and musicians and scientists have dropped by my beach house to hang out and jam, as the surf whispers nearby...The Open Mic Stage accepts spoken word and music files for play. : Hear "A True Liberator" on Friday's Archived Podcast:
Other news and goings on: 10K is accpeting submissions from poets to feature in our BLOG. If this is of interest to you, please send your poem in as a comment, in the form, with title, author, etc. We will do the rest.
Greetings.... I'm just coming through to say hello and to say "THANK YOU" for blessing our city again on behalf of T.H.E. M.U.V.E.M.E.N.T and Georgetown, S.C. Words can not express the genuine interest that we have in you and your associates. We wish you all good luck on you tour and look forward to your return on June 28th. DO UR THANG YALL!
