Ray Isaacs ft R Embassida – Raggamuffin Remixes – Review

June 29, 2023

Ray Isaacs ft R Embassida Raggamuffin Remixes EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com.

What happens when the nephew of the legendary Gregory Isaacs meets one of the UK’s foremost production outfits? A whole host of delicious remixes is what.

Raggamuffin Remixes, released via Totally Dubwise Recordings, sees the label take on the track Raggamuffin by Ray Isaacs featuring R Embassida. It was originally released in late 2020 by Anotha One Productions, who also produced the record. Fast forward to 2023, and Totally Dubwise have given it the remix treatment.

The release itself starts off with a freshly remastered mix of both the version and the previously unreleased riddim track composed by stalwarts of European Reggae House of Riddim, given a brand-new mix down by Totally Dubwise’s Dan Subtifuge.

Raggamuffin crosses the boundaries between Roots and Dub very well, employing various devices to hone the merged sound. For the Roots, keys run a persistent bubble rhythm which is complemented by an electric organ. The bass avoids a drop-beat rhythm, instead swinging along nicely. Drums provide the one drop – with a particular focus on the hi-hats’ busy arrangement. Dub breaks, where parts of the instrumentation are stripped away, focus the ear on this genre. The marked use of synths also compounds this. Isaacs and Embassida give fluid and accomplished performances – both showing the skill of the singjays and their abilities to interpret the musical arrangement into lines which marry well with it.

Then, Totally Dubwise have got three of their hottest producers on board to provide the remixes.

First, the “Dubwise Jungle” cut sees label boss Subtifuge provide the remix. Here, he’s kept some of the rudimental elements: the keys and electric organ maintain their respective parts, as do the synths like the bell bottle. The bass also stays the same – except noticeably the increase in overall BPM has made it far more fluid. It also doesn’t come in until the 45-second mark, when there’s a pointed break.

However, Subtifuge has then messed with the drums – turning them into pure Jungle. The kick runs a syncopated riff, hitting the first beat directly then coming back in off the third. A snare is the centrepiece – running frantic backspin rolls in and out of the kick and bass on beats three and four, while hitting one and two directly. The hi-hats intermingle with this – creating that classic Jungle vibe. Subtifuge has also put in those classic Reggae breaks – where the original track takes centre stage, providing relief from the drums. Overall, it’s a slick and classy reworking of the original.

Next, and the Dubwise DnB version brings in Jamie Bostron for the remix. It shows the difference between Jungle and DnB very well. Opening with a focus on the synth and electric organ, it immediately creates an ambient atmosphere, with Jamie including additional engineering, synths, and samples, to hone this sound. Then, the remix gets going properly – and the difference between this and the Jungle version is noticeable.

Drums, specifically the snare, move to a dominant offbeat focus – hitting the two and four, while the backspins fill in the one and three. The kick focuses on a four-to-the-floor – with a great additional riff at the midpoint – and the bass has kept the original arrangement but has been heavily engineered to sound more like an 808. The use of copious engineering and synths, and building breaks, cements the DnB sound – and overall, Jamie Bostron has done an excellent job here.

Finally, Robbie Melody provides a Dub mix of Raggamuffin. It stands in stark contrast to the previous remixes – obviously because the pace and momentum has been significantly wound-back to that of the original. However, Melody has done an excellent job of creating a moody, ethereal, and brooding Dub version here. There’s some pointed and sophisticated engineering (Isaacs’ vocal swinging between outputs is particularly nice), with good use of rhythmic reverb (especially the use of triplet rhythms), and some pleasing decay. The ‘next room’ effect on Embassida’s vocal is also well-executed. As for the arrangement, Melody has stripped it back well to its bare bones – with a focus on the bass and keys. This leaves space for him to include additional synths and samples, including some effective additional drums which bring thunderous vibes. Overall, it’s a pleasing and inspired Dub.

Totally Dubwise’s Raggamuffin Remixes are potent and well-constructed expansions of the original track. All three producers have stamped their own marks, and that of each genre, onto their respective cuts. Moreover, what Totally Dubwise have also created is a perfect example of just how versatile Roots Reggae can be – demonstrating the various other genres it can be moulded into. Sterling work from all involved.