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Munich-based Umberto Echo has been active on the music scene since the early nineties. He proved his skills in a wide field of styles including punk, rock, jazz, pop, hip-hop, roots reggae, dub and dancehall and produced over 50 albums by such as Jamaram, Jahcoustix, Quadro Nuevo, Headcornerstone and Kamerakino. He was also the recording and mixing engineer for Quadro Nuevo's albums "Mocca Flor" (2003) and "Tango Bitter Sweet" (2006).
The idea for "Dubtrain" dates back to the year 2002. Then it was decided to work on an Umberto Echo project with musician-friends of Dubious Neighbourhood, Headcornerstone, Oneness, Jamaram, Magus & Fool, Feueralarm, Onedrop and Main Concept. While Umberto Echo played many instruments himself, several recording sessions and remixes were added with such diverse artists as jazz/ska trombonist Josh Roseman, reed player Matt Darriau on the Bulgarian shepherd flute, jazz piano great Abdullah Ibrahim and Quadro Nuevo's Mulo Francel and Andreas Hinterseher. Among the definitive highlights of the album are vocal renditions by some famous reggae singers: Luciano, Earl 16, Paul St. Hilaire and Wally Warning.
"Dubtrain" not only presents some big names but reveals Umberto Echo's mature and individual way of melting diverse influences and handling recent DJ and remix aesthetics. Based on warm and mellow moods, the music includes elements coming out of reggae, dub, jazz, African rhythm and electronic beats. It is the fifth release on ENJA related label 19 (run by David Winckelmann) that is dedicated to DJ adventures on the crossroads of NuJazz and electronics.
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Some other recordings by
Umberto Echo:
(Full list)
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