Qaballah Steppers are a prime exponent of the "illbient Crooklyn dub" phenomena emanating from greater Manhattan of late. In the Crooklyn dimension, technology and urban culture are uniquely fused with shamanistic overtures and upright rasta roots. Qaballah Steppers Dr. Israel and Professor Shehab immerse themselves in a sound that echoes lower Egypt, New York City, and the hills of Jamaica. Dr. Israel lends his Arabic dub vibe while Prof. Shehab (a.k.a. Sassan) places his shadowy samples where they do the most good. With quasi-mystical compositions dedicated to rasta icons and containing Hebraic chants as well as drum 'n' bass heroics, this is real world-music fusion. While the dub-assassin philosophy tends to be a bit overdone, the music is an engaging, cabalistic experience unto itself. --Mitch Myers