Elastica Dub (Italy 🇮🇹) / Zion Train (UK 🇬🇧) – Astral Vision (ft. Gabriel Blue) — Single Review Review by Gordon Lawrence Taylor Infectious Unease Radio / Subterranean Zone Radio — Voice In The Void
Review by Gordon Lawrence Taylor Infectious Unease Radio / Subterranean Zone Radio — Voice In The Void
Label: Dubophonic Records (Cyprus 🇨🇾) Catalogue: DUB101 Genre: Reggae / Dub / Steppers Release Date: 27 February 2026 Produced by: Alberto Tucci & Neil Perch Vocals: Gabriel Blue
There are moments in dub where the music does more than move the body — it opens a doorway in the mind. Astral Vision, the collaboration between Italy’s Elastica Dub and UK dub legends Zion Train, is one of those moments.
Released through Dubophonic Records, the single brings together two respected figures in European dub culture: TuZzY of Elastica Dub and Neil Perch of Zion Train. Their partnership bridges two approaches to the genre — the UK sound system tradition and Elastica Dub’s cinematic, visionary style — creating a sound that feels both deeply rooted and forward-looking.
Elastica dub & Zion Train – Ast…
At the centre of the track is vocalist Gabriel Blue, whose delivery carries the message with a calm but powerful clarity. The lyrics imagine a different world — one where conflict dissolves, borders fade, and humanity reconnects with the earth itself. It’s a theme that echoes classic roots reggae consciousness while also reflecting a deeper spiritual perspective.
The concept behind Astral Vision is built around imagination as a force for change — the idea that imagining a better world is itself an act of rebellion against systems of war, exploitation, and control. In this sense the repeated phrase “I imagine…” becomes almost a mantra, riding the bass and echo like a vibration through the track.
Elastica dub & Zion Train – Ast…
Musically, the production unfolds slowly and deliberately. A warm rolling bassline anchors the track while skanking guitars and drifting echoes expand the atmosphere. The mix breathes naturally, allowing the dub effects to create space and depth across the rhythm.
The vocal cut establishes the message clearly, but the real dub alchemy unfolds as the release moves deeper into its alternate versions.
Track Breakdown
Astral Vision The original mix balances message and groove. Gabriel Blue’s vocal floats over a steady steppers rhythm while the bassline anchors the entire track. The atmosphere feels expansive and slightly cosmic, matching the title perfectly.
Riddim in Dub Here the vocal fades into the echo chamber and the track transforms into a pure dub meditation. Snare hits echo through the mix while fragments of melody drift through layers of delay and reverb. The bassline becomes the gravitational centre.
Heavy Steppa This version pushes the low-end further into sound system territory. Built for heavy speakers and late-night sessions, the bass pressure becomes immense while dub effects swirl through the stereo field. It’s a darker and heavier cut that highlights the power of the rhythm.
What makes Astral Vision particularly compelling is how naturally the collaboration works. Zion Train’s long-standing dub heritage merges seamlessly with Elastica Dub’s more cinematic production style, creating something that feels timeless rather than nostalgic.
The result is a release that honours dub’s roots while expanding its sonic horizon. Conscious, hypnotic and built for sound system culture, Astral Vision becomes both meditation and vibration — a reminder that imagination itself can be revolutionary.
