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FYI

Sly & Robbie Meet Dubmatix: Dictionary

Juno-winning producer/composer Jesse King collaborates with the famed Jamaican reggae rhythm section on a new album, Overdubbed. This cut captures the bass-heavy essence of the dub form, but is fleshed out in appealingly inventive fashion.

Sly & Robbie Meet Dubmatix: Dictionary

By Kerry Doole

Sly & Robbie Meet Dubmatix:  - "Dictionary" (Echo Beach): Dubmatix (real name Jesse King) is a Toronto-based producer/composer/musician/remixer with an international reputation as one of the most original dub and reggae producers around. He has been nominated for a Juno for Best Reggae Recording seven times, winning in 2010 for Gonna Be Alright


That stellar rep is being enhanced by his latest project, Overdubbed  - Dubmatix meets Sly & Robbie. Released two weeks ago and grabbing global attention (airplay on 700 stations), it is a collaboration with Sly & Robbie, regarded as one of the best rhythm sections ever.

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King, given access to cuts by the dynamic duo, has beefed them up in highly creative fashion. "Dictionary" is a fine example, capturing the enduring appeal of classic dub while inserting ear-catching touches. The primarily instrumental track features the occasional chant of "are you ready?" atop the stomach-pummelling bass and percussion, scratching (by Illorn) and keyboards. Just when you think it is fading out, the horns of the Heavyweights Brass Band kick in, taking you briefly to another dimension.

The Sly & Robbie collaboration is the most recent partnership of Dubmatix and a reggae great, as he has previously worked with the likes of Alton Ellis, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Eek-A-Mouse, Horace Andy, U Roy, and The Mighty Diamonds.

Of note: Dubmatix is the son of the musical renaissance man (and FYI contributor) Bill King who guests on the album. A prolific artist, Jesse King is juggling plenty of other projects, including a sixth Dubmatix studio album skedded in the fall.

Dubmatix

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EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.
Courtesy of Girl Connected

EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.

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EMPIRE President Tina Davis Gives Strategic Advice to Women in Music at Girl Connected's New Speaker Series

On Friday (March 28), the president of EMPIRE, the Bay Area-independent label and music company, came to Toronto for Conversation with the Pros offering tangible advice to the mentorship program's community. Davis also spoke to Billboard Canada about her impressive journey in the industry.

Girl Connected has launched a new series that connects the next generation of women in Canadian music with powerhouse executives for the global industry.

On Friday (March 28), Tina Davis, president of EMPIRE, sat down with Girl Connected founder and music industry veteran Lola Plaku at Toronto Metropolitan University for the first in-person Canadian edition of Conversations with the Pros (Billboard Canada was a supporting partner). The series brings in inspiring music industry figures from Girl Connected's international network to talk about their journeys and offer actionable information and advice to help the budding music professionals develop their skills and reach the next level of their careers.

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