Grant Phabao Grant Phabao meets the still young Pro-Zak Trax label just when their first Ep is issued, and quickly becomes the label's sound engineer. He takes part in the recording of Aleëm, Stephane Malca and Seven Dub's albums, before releasing, in 1998, his first single, "Tub".
The A-side, a real "Tub" indeed, will be played in all the clubs of the planet by the biggest Djs in the world. Erik Morillo even played it for more than one year at the climax of his set, looping three times in a row the famous and massive rush/break of the track! "Andub Head Yudu", the B-side, will directly place him at the Pantheon of the Masters of dub, beside Lee Perry, King Tubby and the others... Guidance , one of Chicago most illustrious record labels, will not be mistaken and immediately chooses the track to close its " Hi-Fidelity Dub Sessions " compilation.
His second EP, "Cannonbutt", is released the following year. Its A-side is frighteningly effective on a dancefloor too, but it's the B-side that especially enables him to present Henchy, one of the crazy guys with which he launches his own record label, T.I.M.E.C. .
Grant Phabao shares then the production duties with Professor Oz for the Prof's first album, "One", and does some remixes with a "110% rate of reggae in it" (2 versions of "Stupid Jack" for Kojak and "Waves & Skunk" for Professor Oz). Pro-Zak Trax's studios in Bagnolet, near Paris, are bubbling with creative power.
In 2001 he releases his third EP, a very classy one, "Jus' Play My Mind", whose B-side with its Martin Luther King speech, "We Shall Overcome", still warms with sense the best chillouts today.
Advertising then starts to get more and more interested in his works and Grant Phabao starts to produce music for Hugo Boss, Metropolitan, Passoa... But clearly, he spends most his time producing and collaborating with the most crazy artists of the french musical landscape: Captain Détendu, Chuck Moe Reece, Djouls, Funky Frenchman, John DVDR, Mister K, Popof, Professor Oz, The Mighty Blunts... who all regroup in the form of a collective of the same name as his own label: T.I.M.E.C. (for The Incredible Melting Entertainment Compagnons).
"Tub" is issued again in 2002 as a 12" of remixes by Antoine Clamaran and J. Graü. In 2003 things go the next level with the production of 3 concept-albums from T.I.M.E.C. (the collective), "Time(c) To Relax", "Electronic Bossa & Psychedelic Soul Samba" and "Noëlectro", but also the production of Grant Phabao's first album, "Kulchaklash", recorded between Paris and Kingston, and featuring the legendary Studio One deejay Lone Ranger , and friends Ray I, Danny Dread & Simon diamond, released tru The Pusher distribution in 2005.
Autumn 2005 marks the beginning of a collaboration with Loik Dury (former Radio Nova honcho), Djouls (collegue in T.I.M.E.C.) and Fourmy (Kraked's famous illustrator), producing the cult Paris DJs Podcast , where he especially manages the mastering of all audio content from original audio sources before their encoding into MP3s.
In 2006 he releases on the T.I.M.E.C. label a new reggae single, a cover of the classic "(A Message To You) Rudie" with The Lone Ranger and his rub-a-dub partner Carlton Livingston, and it's an instant hit! Only released on a strictly limited edition 12 inch (500 copies), in extended and dub versions: already only a few copies remain... Jump on this one fast! Upcoming single will feature The Lone Ranger and Echo Minott on vocal duties. Expect also a remix of Lee McDonald's "We've Only Just Begun" before the end of the summer on Favorite Recordings.
About "(A Message To You) Rudie" :
Paul Gamblin/feedback
[DJ & Presenter of the Black & Blue Radio Show & the Heavy Mannas Show ]
"How good is this version!! A real gem and a funky dancehall take of the classic "...Rudie" tune. This is a sure-fire festival winner and will feature on my shows and in my sets. This is a really sweet release. Can't wait to hear more from the T.I.M.E.C. crew. Play listed on Black & Blue / Heavy Mannas Radio and On-Line shows."
Justin Crawford/feedback
[ The Unabombers ]
"Very nice. This will work very well as a end of nighter for me. Chart 11."
Paul Murphy/feedback
[ Afro Art ]
"How do I buy one...???"
MFSB/feedback
[Frederic Messent/ Indamixworldwide ]
"Remember David Livingstone's reggae classic '(Message To You) Rudie'? Well, that cut which would eventually be covered at the end of the seventies by UK outfit The Specials turning it onto what was know as ska at the time makes a winning return to its homeland with a brand new rendition of Grant Phabao starring Lone Ranger & Carlton Livingston (check out Phabao's dub) on T.I.M.E.C. A cut to be released on a 500 copies limited edition next March, so hurry up when it comes!"
Henri Kohn/feedback
[ Clubstar / Soul Star Records / Henri Kohn ]
"TIMEC091_A1_Rudie: great. both mixes"
Jon Freer/feedback
[Freelance Journalist/ Mosoul.co.uk ]
"Made famous by a late 70s cover by The Specials, "(A Message To You) Rudie" returns to Jamaica on this version, which has been put together by Grant Phabao and features the vocal stylings of Lone Ranger and Carlton Livingston. Hearty brass and plucky guitars back the cautionary vocals on the 'Extended Version'. Grant's dub is a shootout between valiant brass, gallant guitars and an engulfing bass."
Groove Distribution/review
[ groovedis.com ]
"A great little remake of "(MESSAGE TO YOU) RUDIE", an instant classic in a classic Jamaican stylee. The riddim is produced by GRANT PHABAO of PRO-ZAK TRAX/T.I.M.E.C. & vocals are by THE LONE RANGER & CARLTON LIVINGSTON. This is the first single from the label, look out for more remixes to come. (TIMEC) DUB HEADZ"
Fat City/review
[ fatcity.co.uk ]
"Massive re work of a classic Specials hit, this will be your bag for a long time.
Already getting support from Unabombers and Afro Art this re work from the Parisian GRANT PHABAO is gonna be a big smash this year, great end of night track"
