Within the last months a lot of incredible things happened to Jahtari. The feedback
is almost overwhelmingly positive, an highly interesting network of artists is
constantly growing and the sound and approach to it took firm roots. But - most
important - we learned a great deal and gained a number of insights about Digital
Laptop Reggae along the way, since we're moving forward on still uncharted territory.

So those are the fundamentals of our approach and this is what Jahtari is all about:
(Click HERE to read what we thought some months ago on the topic, still interesting!)

1. Jahtari is first and above all about DUB.

We try to pick up the trail of Dub at its most inventive times, before most of the
achievements got almost forgotten. Dub is the continual background and main reference
point of all our releases, its spirit always in the center! So the first impression
of a Jahtari track should ALWAYS be: 'AH, A DUB TRACK'. That's essential. We're not
doing Electronica, Techno or Drum'n'Bass with Dub influences - but exactly the other
way around!

Dub is always based on a riddim. To make music that 'feels' like Dub two things are
absolutely fundamental:

• the BASS is the center. It gives rhythm and melody.
• the accentuation is on the OFFBEAT . That sets it apart from all other music.

Of course, Delays and Reverbs play an important role, but are no must. There's great
bone-dry dub around too.

2. the Technology Frontier

Today we have technology at hand that the dub producers of 30 years ago could only
dream of: the Computer or other comparable hardware and digital processing in
general. Those are powerful tools that open up NEW possiblities for music almost
daily. So it is essential to constantly keep researching on that frontier of
technology. That should be felt in every track.

So Jahtari is NOT about emulating old classics with new technology but about DOING
SOMETHING TO DUB THAT HASN'T or couldn't BEEN DONE BEFORE! But Dub and the SOUL of it
always comes first. Unlike Electronica, where technology is the music itself. Dub,
then technology.

3. Dramturgy and Effectivity

A track should always have an aim and a dramaturgical flow. Every BAR should make
sense and carry a purpose. Dub is about DENSENESS, INTENSITY and TENSION. The key to
that is EFFECTIVITY. Keep only what you really need and cut the rest!

For some paradox reason a long passage almost bordering to boredom can be highly
effective too, e.g. when it's preparing an incredible climax. So it is possible a
12:00 min piece can be very tight - but only when every bar is justified with an aim.

ABOUT SENDING US DEMOS

In general music by artits with a similar approach is always very much and highly
welcome! There are still surprisingly few people around who came up with the rather
obvious idea to produce Dub with a computer too. So it's important to set up a
network and provide a platform for that special music. It looks good for the future
with JAHTARI, many great things in the tube, tendency straight up!

Before sending us your music you should absolutely do the following:

• read the above THEORY section CAREFULLY! Then check whether your tracks fit in
  our profile. Music that at first impression is Techno, Drum'n'Bass or
  Electronica is not for us. 100%-classic-dub-emulation neither.
  
• DUB is for us! Meaning the BASS should be prominent, the rhythm is OFFBEAT
  (somehow :)) and DELAYS/reverb/panning-fx are highly welcome, but no must.
  Check for all that!
  
• give some thoughts to the EFFECTIVITY issue. Many tracks tend to be too long!
  Keep only what you really need and cut the rest! Aim for ca. 4:00 min, plus
  minus. But exception proves the rule here! 12:00 min of tension and action are
  absolutely fine!
  
• write if you got a Dub/Reggae background too and where you come from. Those are
  the questions I'm always interested in first! :)
  
• then send us some links where we can download your tracks, direct or on a
  homepage. Email-attachements only if you see no other way. But sill OK.

A big THANKS for that!

IRIE!

disrupt
(SEP 2005)