Hollie Cook - In Dub [Mr Bongo]

Format: Blue colored LP.

In 2012, Prince Fatty produced a distinctive dub reimagining of tracks from Hollie Cook's 2012 debut LP, plus a selection of other carefully chosen, dub-heavily influenced covers. Now, Mr Bongo presents a new blue vinyl reissue of this classic album.

Following in the tradition of classic reggae albums, renowned producer Prince Fatty took the reins and dubbed out Hollie Cook's self-titled debut album from 2011. In his signature dub style, Prince Fatty strips back Hollie's classic reggae and tropical pop productions, adding deeper basslines, delays, tape echoes, and reverbs to the artist's captivating vocals. The resulting versions allow the songs to breathe, while also bringing a dense, concentrated weight to the productions.

As Prince Fatty himself mentions: “The dub versions showcase authentic tape echoes, heavily spring-loaded reverbs, and alternate instrumental elements such as melodica, percussion, or horns that were hidden in the vocal versions. All dubs are mixed live in my studio, in the same Rub a Dub style made famous in 1970s Jamaica by King Tubby and others; that is, not with the use of computers for automation and endless digital nonsense, but with fingers, late-night vibes, and re-edits with a razor blade.”

In addition to tracks taken from the debut album, this dub release includes mixes of Hollie Cook and Prince Fatty's cover of The Whispers' classic track “And The Beat Goes On,” as well as “For Me You Are Dub,” a ska version of an old Andrews Sisters classic. Added to this is a delightful adaptation of The Shangri-Las' legendary track “Walking in the Sand,” and “Baby,” a reinterpretation of a much-requested anthem, made in collaboration with French synth-pop project The Shoes.

Thirteen years later, this superb dub album sounds as essential and authentic as ever.