Zentone, a French dub collective born from the merging of Zenzile and High Tone, continues to redefine the sound of modern dub music. Formed in 2006, the group’s latest album, , features the single “Make You Cry,” a track that exemplifies their blend of reggae history, technological experimentation, and emotional depth.
The roots of Zentone trace back to the late 1990s French underground music scene, where both Zenzile and High Tone emerged with a live-focused, bass-forward sound. These groups pushed traditional dub into more electronic and performance-driven territory. The formation of Zentone was a natural progression, driven by a shared love for the foundational dub sounds created in Jamaican studios.
The History of Dub and its French Evolution
Dub music originated in in Kingston, Jamaica, as an art form of remixing reggae recordings through extensive use of effects. Fabrice Oresta, known as Fabasstone and bassist for High Tone, explains the genre’s origins: “Dub has always been an underground style, a music carried by people from the ghetto in Jamaica, but also by relatively poor people in England.” This early exposure to vinyl records by artists like King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry profoundly influenced the French dub scene.
Erik “Raggy” Sevret, saxophonist and member of Zenzile, highlights the artistic motivations behind the French embrace of dub: “There was also a desire for instrumental music and a search for trance, for collective trance. Originally, like High Tone, when we played, the songs weren’t written, we played for a long time. And the attitude was quite assertive, we defended left-wing values!” This blend of musical exploration and political consciousness became a defining characteristic of the French dub movement.
Roots in African Musical Traditions
Zentone’s music, like dub itself, draws heavily from African musical traditions. Raggy explains the historical connection: “In Jamaica, there were maroons, descendants of the continent, who escaped shortly after arriving on the island, so they were able to preserve their African identities, including their drums and ways of singing.” Fabasstone adds, “In Africa, there is oral transmission and the art of the griots. And we find in Jamaican sound systems people who take microphones to improvise over the music, and that clearly comes from Africa.” This lineage underscores the deep cultural roots of the genre.
“Make You Cry” – A Modern Dub Revelation
“Make You Cry,” from the album Messenger, showcases Zentone’s ability to weave together decades of dub history with contemporary sounds. The song is not described as flashy, but rather as possessing “serene strength,” with expertly placed echoes, delays, and cadence modifications. It establishes a “fascinating rhythm” from the outset, contrasting ancient reggae with present-day dub techniques.
Jolly Joseph, the songwriter and vocalist on “Make You Cry,” guides listeners on a personal journey toward inner relaxation, and recovery. His vocal style is described as conversational rather than preachy, a common trait in traditional dub where lyrics often explore the mysteries of the universe or the interconnectedness of all things. Joseph’s lyrics focus on the difficulties of sharing oneself with another person, integrating grief and brilliance within the song’s structure.
The track was recorded in live conditions and mixed at Bat Records, resulting in an organic and powerful sound. The interplay between Zenzile’s groove-driven bass and High Tone’s experimental textures creates a dynamic dialogue of rhythm and atmosphere. The song is described as a “sonic mirror reflecting the bittersweet beauty of emotional honesty.”
Zentone’s Continued Evolution
Since their self-titled debut in , Zentone has consistently served as a bridge between analog roots and digital innovation. Their music embraces the global pulse of contemporary sound systems, drawing influence from scenes in Bristol, Kingston, Berlin, and Paris. The group continues to open its doors to new voices, like Jolly Joseph, who brings a renewed sense of lyrical depth and a commitment to the militant spirit of dub.
Joseph articulates the enduring power of music: “The most beautiful songs will remain love songs, but music, dub, is another way of uniting people who come to dance and of getting messages across. Art creates society, creates civilization and creates living together.” After 20 years, Zentone remains committed to its quest for freedom, continuing to push the boundaries of dub music and its potential for social and emotional resonance.
