Mini-festival brings DUB pioneer Lee Perry and his disciple Mad Professor!

For the first time, the vaporous sounds of dub get a series of shows in São Paulo. And for those who enjoy the genre — forged in Jamaica in the 60s and revived by English trip-hop in the 90s — the arrival of veteran Lee "Scratch" Perry, 66, and inspired Mad Professor is a gift from the gods. The two are the main attractions of Dub Mamute, happening from Friday (8/30) to Sunday (9/1) at Sesc Pompéia theater.

Although the style's origin is directly related to reggae's evolution, what will be seen in the shows are the different sonic mutations incorporated into dub's DNA. "Everything was born in Jamaica, but we will show all sides of dub, not just reggae," says Rodrigo Brandão, 29, member of Mamelo Sound System and one of the show producers. By presenting these two international icons, Dub Mamute manages to condense the style's history, since Perry is a central figure in its creation in the late 60s, and Mad Professor takes it to the limit from the 80s onward.

Dub was born on the dance floor, when DJs began stripping reggae hits of their lyrics and melody, leaving the rhythmic section (bass and drums) in evidence and filling the spaces with echoes and effects. On the floor, people used this musical skeleton to sing the original lyrics of their favorite songs. During the 70s, almost all reggae releases got their dub version on B-sides of singles.

Perry, who had produced Bob Marley and the Wailers' first songs, was one of the masters of this art and a pioneer in freeing it from B-sides, which can be heard on albums like "Rhythm Shower", from '72. Born in Guyana, Mad Professor went to London at age 13. Although considered one of Perry's protégés, he represents another phase of dub, which by the late 70s in England had already been incorporated into pop music and, mainly, punk.

From his Ariwa studio, Mad Professor kept dub's flame alive through the 80s. But it was in the 90s that he made his most popular record. On "No Protection", from '95, he stamped his mark on excellent dub versions for tracks from Massive Attack's second album, "Protection". At Dub Mamute, Rio rapper Black Alien will be master of ceremonies for all three days. On Friday, he opens the show series alongside DJ Yellow P, considered by Brandão the best Brazilian dub DJ. Next, Marcelo Yuka, from Rappa, presents his solo project. The night ends with Perry at the mixing desk.

On Saturday, Black Alien's partner DJ Speed Freaks opens the night. Then Mamelo Sound System shows its rap and dub hybrid. Accompanied by his band (bass, drums and keyboards), Mad Professor commands the mixing desk and then passes the ball to Perry, who will also use the same band to create his sonic manipulations. On Sunday, everything starts with the meeting of Drumagick's electronics with Max B.O.'s freestyle hip hop. Then it's B-Negão, from Planet Hemp, showing his solo work. Again, the night ends with Mad Professor and Perry. (GUILHERME WERNECK).