RISE AND STEP: DUB TRÓPICO DROPS A GLOBAL STEPPERS ANTHEM
Dub Trópico come out swinging with Rise and Step—a full-bodied steppers anthem that drags tradition through a global echo chamber. Built for big rigs and sweaty dancefloors, it locks in hard and doesn’t let go.
The engine of this track is the Acordina—part accordion, part melodica—played by the fearless Graysokker. His breath-driven phrases slice through the bass with swagger, like Pablo gone off-grid. Known for his pedal-triggered electronic accordion assaults across Europe, Graysokker adds voltage to every bar.
RISE AND STEP BUILDS A GLOBAL DUB JOURNEY MADE FOR DEEP LISTENERS AND SOUND SYSTEM DANCERS ALIKE
Then comes the rhythmic chaos of Stephan Maass. His setup looks more like a sculpture garden than a drum kit—palm leaves, plastic hoses, and instruments that feel smuggled from another planet. But it works. The percussion cracks, rattles and breathes, pushing the track into wild new territory.
Gabriel Ruy locks down the groove with deep bass guitar, then flips expectations with a smoky blues solo that hits late and hard, unexpected but completely earned. Everything is stitched together at Rio’s 39d Studios by Juan O Mago, then fine-tuned for the big rigs by Precise Mastering.
Already spinning on Don Letts’ BBC Radio 6 Culture Clash show, Rise and Step reroutes dub history through three continents, featuring a handful of unusual instruments and a whole lot of bass pressure.
ABOUT DUB TRÓPICO
Dub Trópico, led by UK-born DJ Relic, brings heavyweight reggae, roots, and dub from Rio de Janeiro to the world. A founding force behind Kenya’s Umojah Sound System, DJ Relic helped shape East Africa’s reggae scene.
Now, with 25 years of rare vinyl and deep cuts, he spins globally and produces with purpose. Through vibrant sets, original tracks, and an active online presence, Dub Trópico keeps a powerful, bass-driven sound firmly in circulation.
