Roots Manuva meets Wrongtom – Duppy Writer
Big Dada: 2010
The remix is a polarizing topic in music. It can be both a blessing and a curse for an artist. Case in point: Craig Mack. The “ Flava in Ya Ear Remix” initially garnered attention for his Bad Boy debut, but it has become synonymous with Biggie’ s ascent to the top of the game. For others, their fate is to become a “ remix” artist. While fans and critics alike often question the need for a remix, there are still examples of remixes done right.
Duppy Writer, the remix/reworking project from Roots Manuva and Wrongtom, is one such example. While Brixton-based Wrongtom worked previously with Roots Manuva on Slime and Reason, this collaboration follows a theme: to combine previously recorded Roots Manuva vocals with newly created tracks that pay homage to different eras in reggae music. For a better explanation, here’ s Wrongtom himself.
“ Motion 82” is a nod to those early ‘ 80s dancehall 12 inches on (London-based reggae label) Greensleeves like “ Wah Do Dem” and “ Diseases”. “ Worl’ a Mine” is on a Treasure-Isle Duke Reed tip. Obviously, all the digital stuff owes a lot to Prince Jammy, with “ Rebuff” and “ Chin Up” heading into the early ’90s dancehall territories like Patrick Roberts’ Shocking Vibes stuff or Mafia & Fluxy. I was going for a bit of a British reggae thing with “ Dutty Rut” to pay homage to Dennis Bovell and his ilk.
The re-working is not limited to the actual recordings. The names of the original Roots Manuva songs have also been altered. As such, “Juggle Tings Proper” is now “Proper Tings Juggled” on Duppy Writer; the aforementioned “Rebuff” is the track formerly known as “Buff Nuff”, while “Chin Up” is the Duppy Writer version of “Chin High” and “Motion 82” is the 2010 “Motion 5000″. In fact, the only new track on the album is “Jah Warriors”.
With both the musical and track-naming processes explained, it’ s on to the music. And thankfully so, as Wrongtom’s productions give Roots Manuva plenty of room to shine – and showcase his island-inspired lyrics and flow.
The organ-heavy, warm and sunny tracks create more approachable and accessible songs – which is a departure for Roots Manuva. “Butterfly Crab Walk”, the album’s opening cut, immediately welcomes in the listener. Roots Manuva sounds completely at ease over the sounds of the islands – as though this remix was, indeed, the original. The same holds true for “Son of Bodda” and “Lick Up Ya Foot”.
The previously mentioned “Dutty Rut” is one of the album’ s highlights – and definitely its most interesting story. The song is a re-working of “Colossal Insight” from Awfully Deep (which, itself, was also remixed for Alternately Deep) and is devoid of both the original’s up and down rhythm and the remix’ s digital feel – but it hasn’ t lost the song’s catchiness and effectiveness.
As a whole, Duppy Writer showcases just how effective a remix, or reworking, can be. For Roots Manuva and Wrongtom, it’ s clearly not about capitalizing on past success; this release, while technically created with previously released tracks, can easily stand on its own and is a worthy addition to the collection of a Roots Manuva fan, a reggae fan or a hip-hop head. It’ s just good music.
3.5 out of 5
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