“The rise of dj dAb: From "Rockit" to weekend nights at the Tempest Lounge - Thomas Alva Edison, who invented the phonograph in 1878, was a genius, but even he couldn't have foreseen the rise of his invention as a musical instrument. It's a shame. Imagine how his face would have lit up like a lightbulb (get it?) after witnessing a DJ elate a crowd by airplane scratching two beats, or executing the perfect chirp scratch. It's also a shame the inventor never heard Zulu DJ Grandmaster D.S.T.'s scratching on Herbie Hancock's 1983 hit record "Rockit." Tacoman Sean Ober heard it. Soon thereafter, dj dAb was born. dAb now turns out his own pulsating house vibe at clubs like Tempest Lounge and Jazzbones. He says his ear for music stems from early family influences.”
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Ron Swanner, Weekly Volcano (Tacoma, WA)
“Best of Tacoma 2010 Readers' Poll: Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll:
Best Electronic Music: Donald Glaude, DJ dAb (tie)
Best DJ: DJ dAb
”
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Volcano Staff, Weekly Volcano (Tacoma, WA)
“CD Review: Hot Summer Nights -
Fantastic DJ mix by DJ Dab. Spanning many electronic genres, namely House, Tribal, Tech House, Techno and Progressive. Superb technical skills as well with scratching a deck manipulation.”
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Trackheads Records (London, UK)
“Cover Story: Freein' The Funk -
Behind the decks, his styles include funky house, tribal, techno, progressive, electro, old school acid house, and practically everything in between. As if that weren't enough, he represents his hip-hop roots by incorporating scratching as a major part of his sets. But this multi-talented maestro doesn't limit his skills to the turntables - he's also a producer with tracks featured on Moonshine, Red Handed, and Phunked Up Records, as well as the man behind Free Records and Free the Funk.”
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Sarah Bradley, FeedBack Magazine (Austin, TX)
“Vinyl Review: Digital Pimp - dJ dAb and Donald Glaude team up to produce a pair of pumped-up party rockers. "Lost In The Matrix" has enough wiggle between the bombastic beats to get the girls going, while "Loop Road" bring the pain for the speaker freaks.
”
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Timothy Brown, URB Magazine (Los Angeles, CA)
“Label Profile: Sean Ober, known as dJ dAb, has launched the Free records and Free The Funk labels, making their debut with "Digital Pimp," a collaboration between Ober and local superstar Donald Glaude. Since then, Ober has shown strong support for local producers with an EP from Jacob London and contributions from Tim Trip and Dj Roman, alongside national names like Woody McBride and Vitamin D. This forward-thinking vision for the label can only mean more healthy doses of quality tribal-flavored house and techno releases in the future.”
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Kris Markle, Minty Magazine (Seattle, WA)
“CD Review: Mixed Material -
DJ Dab's mastery of the turntable and mixer on this CD just simply amazes me. I was not much of a fan for deep house or tech house until this CD. It opened my eyes to more diversity in music and how a mix should really sound. I remember being in the hotel room in Miami listening to two mixes in a row thinking "Damn! Wait where did this track come from! Damn! Who is this? Talk about flawless mixing!" Still to this day my favorite part of this CD is between tracks 7 and 10.
Dab shows off his talents at being a turntablist also by scratching flawlessly over a few of the tracks giving this set just a little more flava. The mixing, programming (flow of the tracks and the overall CD), the track selection were all completely on point. I absolutely love this CD and recommend anyone and everyone to give this CD a listen.”
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Chuck Winston, Technotainment (Austin, TX)
“Vinyl Review: Digital Pimp - This the first vinyl release from Donald Glaude and dJ dAb. Lost in the matrix was the first featured as the opening track on the moonshine mix cd release 'Donald Glaude - off the hook' which has sold over 20,000 copies, but until now had not been released to vinyl. 'Lost in the matrix' unleash some scorching 4 on the floor techno beats with a touch of filtered edits and a subtle backing break. This one builds higher and higher then drops a sonic boom on the dance floor that will lave the crowed helpless to the rhythm. 'Loop road' is some intelligent yet aggressive techno with a hint of tribal percussion and a build up that will bring down the joint. Pure energy exudes from the tight kick, crisp highs and deep penetrating bass line. This track is being canned by the likes of Christian Smith, Angel Alanis, Mac Zimms, Cari Lekebush, and many more…”
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Richard M, Klublife Magazine (Toronto, Canada)
“CD Review: Feeling Free Vol. 1 - Although Tacoma-based dJ dAb deserves credit for a solid mix, it's the individual producers that standout on this new promotional compilation highlighting Free The Funk/Free Records' largely West Coast talent. Three tracks from Jacob London (Bob Hansen and Dave Pezzner) get the mix going in the tech-inspired, deep house direction, while Chris Anderson's funkier tracks, "Mothra" and "Rolling Bass" have been picked up by the likes of Sir Carl Cox at the WMC 2002. dJ dAb, Donald Glaude, and Sean Biddle (The Floorfillerz, Mile High Club) are a few of the other artists scattered throughout the mix. West Coast shit to make Mom proud.”
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Daniel Rosen, Minty Magazine (Seattle, WA)
“Dj Interview: ...I don't know how many times people come up to me after a show where he's played, usually still dancing (even with no music) going "who the fuck was that?" and if you've been there at one of these moments you really understand how profound his effect can be. For those who haven't seen him, even if you don't have love for electronic music, this is a rare artist than can present it in such way that you might find yourself actually bobbing a head or tapping a foot or maybe even dare I say, "dancing!"”
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Mikiah Fender, NO-FI Magazine (Tacoma, WA)
“Vinyl Review: Digital Pimp - Digital Pimp is comprised of Donald Glaude and dJ dAb. "Lost In The Matrix" was first featured as the opening track on the Moonshine mix cd release, "Donald Glaude - Off The Hook", and has now been made available on vinyl. Tons of filters and effects wash in and out, allowing these tracks to bring the noise to the dance floor in a heavy way. Intelligent yet aggressive, this is a solid release form this young domestic label.”
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Damon Williams, FeedBack Magazine (Austin, TX)
“Label Profile / Vinyl Review: The Loft Tracks - Free The Funk/Free Records has been putting out some stellar West-Coast brand house for some time. Check out solidrate.com for producer profiles, and you'll catch names of locals such as dJ dAb, Donald Glaude, Jacob London, Chris Anderson, and others we often see out. Nowadays, as it seems DJ skills by themselves aren't enough...”
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R, Minty Magazine (Seattle, WA)
“Newspaper segment: a 15-year veteran, like his close friend and mentor Glaude. DJ Dab, does guest appearances at Sixth and Proctor Bar & Grill's house-music night on Mondays. His album, "House Improvement" was released last year. (For more information go to www.solidrate.com). As someone who has dabbled in everything from disco to acid house, DJ Dab said has stayed on the scene by constantly re-creating himself. He recently purchased a lot in Spanaway, where he lives. He hopes to convert a barn on the tract into a studio. "This is just the beginning for me," he said...
”
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Mekeisha Madden, Tacoma News Tribune (Tacoma, WA)
“Vinyl Review: The Loft Tracks - This is the first release from dJ dAb's new funky / tribal / disco house label out of Washington, and if the first release is any indication, this is a label to keep on your radar. This upbeat record features essential tracks from Vitamin D, Sean Biddle & Ben Pound (aka Mile High Club) and a slammer of a distorted vocal workout by The Floorfillerz. Overall, these tracks have soul and are worth checking out. Look out for more great releases from these guys in the future.”
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Damon Williams, FeedBack Magazine (Austin, TX)
“Set Review: Water - Dj Dab was an animal!!! He tore it up!! He was so into his set that he wasn't playin tha music, he was the music!!! Great show, great music, and he was a super cool guy!! I had the pleasure of talking to him and i could just feel his energy! dallas hasn't seen the last of dab, he will be back for future parties real soon!! I can't wait!”
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Micah Heart, Dallas Dance Music Forum (Dallas, TX)
“CD Review: Is It Live, Or Is It Robo.Trash - I just got kicked a copy of Tacoma's own DJ Dab's Electroclash cd. Dab is Donald Glaude's protege in techno and has rocked the decks 2X4 with him for about ten years now. Sean took the opportunity to come and spin on Electrobeat this last Saturday and dropped an hour of Electroclash before he incorporated house and techno. The mix of his that he left behind for us is unbelievable! If any of you are unsure what Electroclash is, imagine a cross between old skool UK garage and electro. It's filthy, nuff said!!!
”
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Rainy Dawg Radio (Seattle, WA)
“Event Press: ...If interested in attending a rave, come to CJ's tonight at 112 N. Main in Moscow from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Admission is $10. Featured DJ's will include DJ dAb, a DJ from Seattle who has played with Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and Massive Attack to name just a few... ”
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Garrett Reynolds, The Argonaut (Moscow, ID)
