Words by DJ Gravy

DubShot Records is a NYC-based digital label and music service primarily servicing “left of center reggae, dancehall and new school dub” in the words of founder Chris Schlarb. His lengthy tenure at VP Records and Ryko coupled with a great appetite for Caribbean music built him a great network and working with Sean Paul’s Road Manager, Steve Wilson, he eventually began promoting projects from Transdub Massiv, Rootz Underground, Jovi Rockwell and more. As his brainchild, DubShot Records was founded to promote artist from the Caribbean diaspora as well as those inspired by it.

The first artist signed to the label was none other than Large Up homie, 77 Klash. Since then, Dubshot Records has been working with a range of projects, from a reggae x rock outfit out of BK called The Cool and Deadly and reggae x hiphop artist Elly Ess. The emphasis of the label is on crossover music, echoing the need for new flavors in Caribbean music at large. “Future Sounds of Reggae” was presented as a project to Chris by his friend Dana Shayegan (of Scion Urban Promotion fame) and proved the perfect match for the label.

Dana also introduced Chris to Hollywood actress Mena Suvari, a great fan of reggae and dancehall, who just happened to be a good friend of Sean Paul’s. She had already made a collection of tunes from a variety of artists, some familiar to Chris some not. They decided to go halves on a baby and the first volume of the “Future Sounds of Reggae” compilation saw the light of day in late 2009.

Future Sounds of Reggae Vol. II is drops this week, complete with NYC Release Party at Santos Party House, (see flier below).  The CD features tracks from Andrew Mac, Rebelution, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and more so… check it out.  At least because Large Up’s own, Martei Korley, has a track, “Take Time” on it…(and yes, it’s a banger!!)