In The Midst Of The Storm

"In The Midst Of The Storm" brings together two exceptional talents and two generations of reggae musicians. Jah9's previous release "9" was critically heralded as one of the most re-freshing reggae albums of 2016. And now, fans will get the fully de-constructed, dubwise version of the album with nine newly recorded dub sessions from the legendary dub master, Mad Professor. He's renown for hundreds of productions with the who's who of jamaican veteran artist like i.e. Lee Perry, U-Roy, The Congos, Horace Andy, and did also great dub re-mixes for Massive Attack, Sade, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones and many more. This release marks the first Mad Professor title with VP Records as well as the first commercial recording of Mad Professor and Jah9 together. The press and media coverage will include interviews with Mad Professor and Jah9. The great original cover illustration is by artist Richard Nattoo!

A review (Brian Nelson / rootfire.net)

"Mad Professor, the Ariwa sound guru and pioneer of the second generation of dub's digital rebirth, has once again given his trademark dub-me-crazy treatment on Mad Professor Meets Jah9 "In the Midst of the Storm". Sonically diverse, "9" already plays as a sophisticated musical entity that places the listener in the thick of Jah9's musical conjuring. What Mad Professor accomplishes with In the Midst of the Storm is an expertly executed, authentically Ariwa dub rendition of an album already heavily influenced by the dub genre. Dense arrangements prevalent on tracks like "In the Midst" are stretched open, letting the listener vibe on the intricacies as they are washed in a wave of digital reverb and delay to become "I Aware Dub". The spirituality placed in the foreground of Jah9's songwriting carries seamlessly into the instrumental dub versions presented on In the Midst of the Storm as the Mad Prof lets the beats and tones preach the gospel of dub. Mad Professor Meets Jah9 – In the Midst of the Storm is the confluence of two spirits, each driven by the divinity of music’s ability to connect to the human experience".

"Poet-alchemist. Leader, healer, spiritual singer. Authentic. Woman. Unique, roots-abstract. Africa. Jah9 infuses the precise lyrical prowess of spoken word with the heart-beat-connect of her Jazz on Dub style. On first listen, Jah9’s sophomore album, simply entitled 9, strikes the listener with intention. From the lyrics, to the arrangements, to the tones, this record has purpose. Warm, heavy bass wraps around dark timbred horn lines, cascading piano riffs, and percussion marching with strength straight from the 12 Tribes. Jah9’s distinct approach to melody cuts through on the heavy hitting track “Prosper,” while her lyrics reveal an artist of utmost integrity and deeply digested spiritual conviction. “Hardcore” speaks to the power of sustenance found through faith and discipline, and the ability this sustenance has to elevate humanity from beneath the shadows cast by the tallest challenges. And all the while, these thematic complexities are equally conveyed through deep, soulful instrumentation reminiscent of D’Angelo’s Black Messiah or Kendrick Lamar’s untitled unmastered. Offered to the listener for Record Store Day 2017 is a complete dub remix of "9" by no other than the legend himself, Mad Professor".

Collectors note: The Record Store Day in April 2017 saw a release of a strictly limited coloured LP-Vinyl edition in North America and Japan. This is the official album release in full glory as CD-Longplayer and traditional black LP-Vinyl!

* Coordinator [Project Co-ordinator], A&R – Neil "Diamond" Edwards

* Creative Director [Creative Direction] – Janine Cunningham, Sameel Johnson

* Engineer [Mixing] – Neil "Mad Professor" Fraser

* Executive-Producer – Janine "Jah9" Cunningham

* Illustration – Richard Natoo

* Mastered By – Christopher Scott

* Mixed At – Ariwa Sound Studio

* Mastered At – Castek Systems Solutions

LP-Vinyl

Side One

A1 The I Of The Storm / Selassie Dub

A2 Lioness Order Dub

A3 Spiritual Woman Dub (feat. Vaughn "Beka" Benjamin)

A4 Fountain Dub

A5 I Aware Dub

Side Two

B1 Moth To A Dub

B2 Dub Prevail

B3 Strumming Dub