Shades Of Black aka Jonah Dan & Paul Fox
– 90s in UK Dub & Reggae –
Shades of Black is a project that was launched in 1994 by Paul Fox and Jonah Dan together with Julian Ryan. A year later they released their first dub album ‘Shades of Dub’. Soon Julian went his own way, and Paul and Jonah continued with the production. In the year 1997 they released the instant classic 12” ‘Friend or Enemy/ Fight for the Right’ followed by the album ‘Sounds of Time’ in 2001…
Paul Fox is singing, plays and produces for three decades. His first release 12” named ‘Writing on the Wall/ African Mask’ was recorded in Manasseh’s studio back in 1991 for the Sound Business label. The tune became very popular in the dub sessions throughout the UK. Then came his first album ‘Ease up the Pressure’ for the label Word, Sound & Power. Since then he has worked with various producers and record labels throughout the scene.
Jonah Dan’s contributions to Dub and Reggae music have been immense. From being in old school Shaka recordings as a youth skanking and shouting for forwards, to establishing his own label in 1994 – first Abba Christos Tafari, later Inner Sanctuary Records. From various strong collaborations with the likes of Paul Fox (and their joint project Shades Of Black), Russ Disciples, Alpha & Omega / Dub Dynasty, The Bush Chemists, Dougie and all the Conscious Sounds family and many others, to being one of the veterans of UK Dub and Reggae, who ranks among the absolute foundation. Jonah Dan is a master of percussion and has played kete drums on countless releases for various projects worldwide, a producer and songwriter, singer, MC and videographer and for many in the scene ‘the Dub Uncle’ for a reason – a respected elder, humble and wise, full of stories, teachings, encouragement and guidance for the people around him, and for sure always involved in tuff music – and this for decades.
Robert Tribulation, Mark Iration & Paul Fox
Aba Shanti-I & Paul Fox
Paul Fox & Robert Tribulation – WKLR Radio Bradford – 1993
Jonah Dan and Robert Tribulation at Trib’s studio (Word, Sound and Power) – Photo by katebreslaw
Jonah Dan recording at WSP – Photo by katebreslaw
Dubhead Tour 1996 – Chazbo, Jonah Dan, Stryka Dread, Culture Freeman, lol Bell-Brown, Gaffa, Russ Disciples
Conscious Sounds Studio
Jonah Dan aka Kheru Jahman Dan
Paul Fox : ‘The first time I can remember meeting the next person on my musical journey, Jahman Dan (sometimes known as Jonah Dan), was at his studio in Kilburn in the early 1990’s. A mutual friend, Julian, introduced us to see if we could all maybe do some studio work together. The meeting was great and I recorded some vocals on his track, ‘Selassie I Highway’ the same day.
For a number of years we would get together and record tracks most weeks and soon formed ‘Shades of Black’. His studio at the time was in a very small space like a big cupboard. We sat with our backs to one wall and our legs under the mixing desk that was leant up nearly vertically on the opposite wall but the vibes were always great. This collaboration lead to a number of singles and albums and some Shades of Black live PA’s.
He also introduced me to Christine of ‘Alpha & Omega’ and together we toured for a few years (another story!). Jonah is a good friend and a master of the bongos. Most bongos on my productions over the years have been played by Jonah. Working with Jonah was always easy and I am very proud of the music that we created. We still have unreleased Shades of Black material from those times and may record new material in the future. Jonah has always been encouraging and supportive of my music and working with him on and off over the last 30 years has been a privilege.’