DUBTex

 

DUBTEX is a “household word” in TX reggae circles. Distinctly Houston, its sound is best described as “urban reggae”, a seamless soundscape of dub, drum & bass, dancehall, & hip hop.  To quote John Nova Lomax “Dubtex sounds less like it comes from what the world thinks Houston should sound like and more like what we know it is: a multicultural melting pot on full raging boil.”  Yet DUBTEX feels right at home in Space City, referencing DJ Screw, Geto Boys, Shiner Bock, the Dirty South, & even boots & horses!  
 
Such a unique & timely combination caught the attention of freelance journalist/photographer/Marley interviewer Jennifer Zimmerman for Cannabis Culture magazine who remarked, “...I left the Flamingo Cantina clutching Dubtex's EP, Bayou Bush Burners, after dancing all the way through my first and only thoroughly satisfying experience of urban-style Texas reggae.”  
   
Lyrically, founding member/front man Tekle Selassie (Jeremy Masters) emphasizes life’s lessons learned through the perspective of Ras Tafari philosophy, a path which led him like many Rastas before (most notably Bob Marley) to the doors of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.  Thus began a 3 year hiatus while Masters studied Ethiopian language, culture, & Tewahedo theology under parish priests in Houston.  Here the name “Tekle Selassie” (Plant of the Holy Trinity) was bestowed.

In March of 2009, Ash of Charity non-profit group Music Heals requested the H-Town powerhouse to reunite for a fundraiser at SXSW. Tekle reunited with core members DJ Mercury & drummer/producer Lion 808.  Relying heavily on electronic & sequenced riddims, the crew added Noe Espinosa (Karina Nistal band) on bass to seal up the lineup.

Hailed as having ”…the most interesting and intricate rhythms of any band in town.” by Houston Press’ music writer John Nova Lomax;  DUBTEX  will Itinue to rock dem, shock dem, dub dem, & love dem long after 2012!