Dubians is part of the very active and inventive french dub scene. Their music is gathering all at once dub, roots reggae and digital sounds, infuenced by the UK dub style of Bush Chemists or Zion Train. But Dubians is definitely a live band, with 7 musicians on stage, offering a very personnal dub : combining soul and world inluences, with outstanding rythmic beats, mixed with echo and other dub effects and powerfully led by the mellow and captivating voice of Naïma.
The band was born in 1997 in Lille and was called 10 Dubians until 2002. Dubians now gathers 7 musicians on stage. The first Ep “Blood Sweet Naïma†was released in october 1999 on Dubians proper label Wuga Wuga Recordings, becoming quickly a reference for the underground dubbers. The band started touring around France and Belgium and released a second Ep “Smoke†in the beginning of 2001. They signed then for 3 albums with Pias France and released “Headfree†in may 2001. This first album was mixed by Neil Perch (from Zion Train), giving to Dubians music a particular sound balancing UK dub and the very special Dubians style. For the second album, this time, Dubians self mixed thier production : every musicians brought their feeling and personnal touch to it. “Time has Comeâ€, released in april 2003, features 14 tracks gathering all Dubians’ influences : roots and culture, digital dub and even a sip of drum n’ bass like in “Wicked Manâ€.
The songs, all written by Naïma Mansri, reflect the band state of mind, telling stories rooted in the reality of the contemporary world. A conscious vibe appealing people to be aware and active in our society : “Time has Comeâ€.The band is used to invit other musicians to play on their recordings, faithful to old and talented friends. They are also keen on meeting other bands to confront their dub like with Ba Cissoko, a traditionnal african band from Guinea : they met first in January 2004 and are working regularly on a common music live set mixing their sounds. Likewise they invited various artists from the French and UK dub scene to remix tracks of their choice from the last album : Neil Perch, Vibronics, the french and famous Zenzile or Improvisators Dub answered immediately positive. These crazy remix versions are to be released soon !
Dubians on stage can give you a high power live show, with catchy riddims and a festive atmosphere. The band is touring now in France and Europe, in clubs in Paris like Batofar or festivals like Dour in Belgium or Sziget in Budapest in 2004.Watch out ! Dubians new album is coming soon!
DUBIANS Slovenian tour August 2007
DUBIANS live January 2007 with Suns of Arqa