Eleven musicians strong, Dub Catalyst connect reggae rhythm, dub structure, and hip-hop delivery in “Sugar Coated”. The single pairs MC JPDL and vocalist Zak Hale with a live rhythm section led by drummer Sam Fryer and bassist Dan Watson.

Centred on a one-drop rhythm and rolling bassline, the track builds through ensemble dialogue. Brass lines answer the vocals in clipped syncopation while organ chords and turntable cuts weave across the mix. Hale stretches the chorus with sustained melodic phrasing, and JPDL’s verses break through in short bursts that pull the beat into focus.

Formed in the South West of England, Dub Catalyst have become a fixture on the UK festival circuit for sets that fuse dub weight with hip-hop urgency. “Sugar Coated” extends that sound in studio form. Recorded with the full band, it captures the discipline and spontaneity of their shows: live horns, scratches, and percussion driving one continuous rhythm.

Hear “Sugar Coated” by Dub Catalyst HERE