Falling in line with studio pioneers like Lee "Scratch" Perry, Vincent "Randy" Chin, and Coxsonne Dodd, King Tubby took Jamaican reggae to new places by fragmenting the dub process further than his peers. Tubby separated t... more »he musical elements and their vocal counterparts radically, piecing them back together from the bass and drums upward, though sometimes leaving the rhythm as both skeleton and skin. This collection capitalizes on the art of the B-side, beginning with "Tubby Get Smart," originally issued on Leroy Smart's "Mr. Smart," and "Beat Them in Dub" and "Dub Investigation," both of which appeared originally as B-sides to Cornell Campbell singles. Tubby's stripping away of the instrumental and vocal colors is all over these cuts, but so too is his recoloring of each track. The rhythms are at times crisper, the bass more rubbery, and the vocals more broken to bits than on any of the original tracks. But this was Tubby's art. As a companion to other Blood & Fire dub releases--specifically Yabby U's King Tubby's Prophesy of Dread, the Impact All Stars' Forward the Bass, and the excellent Tubby anthology Dub Gone Crazy, this is a great collection. On its own, it might well be the second step to take, after Dub Gone Crazy. --Andrew Bartlett« less
Falling in line with studio pioneers like Lee "Scratch" Perry, Vincent "Randy" Chin, and Coxsonne Dodd, King Tubby took Jamaican reggae to new places by fragmenting the dub process further than his peers. Tubby separated the musical elements and their vocal counterparts radically, piecing them back together from the bass and drums upward, though sometimes leaving the rhythm as both skeleton and skin. This collection capitalizes on the art of the B-side, beginning with "Tubby Get Smart," originally issued on Leroy Smart's "Mr. Smart," and "Beat Them in Dub" and "Dub Investigation," both of which appeared originally as B-sides to Cornell Campbell singles. Tubby's stripping away of the instrumental and vocal colors is all over these cuts, but so too is his recoloring of each track. The rhythms are at times crisper, the bass more rubbery, and the vocals more broken to bits than on any of the original tracks. But this was Tubby's art. As a companion to other Blood & Fire dub releases--specifically Yabby U's King Tubby's Prophesy of Dread, the Impact All Stars' Forward the Bass, and the excellent Tubby anthology Dub Gone Crazy, this is a great collection. On its own, it might well be the second step to take, after Dub Gone Crazy. --Andrew Bartlett
CD Reviews
These other reviews aren't rasta
Xam | nyc | 12/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a huge roots dubhead for years and own literally hundreds of cds. And let me just say that the other reviews are way off when they say 'this ain't one of Tubbs best'. This blood & fire cd (one of the best re-issuer of classic roots and dub) is top-ranking, to say the least. It is loaded with numerous unforgettable dub classics- especially the Horace Andy dubs, Burning Spear dub, and the johnny Clarke ones, but seriously all these tracks are great. I really just wanted to give some people a heads up to let you know that this cd is certainly worth getting. Forget what the other reviews say, this one's well worth the pay. 5 stars no question!"
How you like your dub?
flowism | new york city | 09/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I prefer a dub record to have a hint of the songs that were dubbed. "right over there, right over there--ites green and gold is the rainbow.."--Johnny Clark makes an appearance, then abrubtly disappears mid-word (in a shower of reverb), then comes back again a few moments later. Etcetera. Cornell Campbell and Horace Andy are also featured. Roots. Tubby was a bad man.I am of course writing of my own preference, so if you like your dub to be vocals-free, dont spend your money on this. If you are like me, you will be pleased."
Shaka bong from russia is tripping!
benjamin j larkin | albuquerque, nm United States | 08/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is yet another classic to add to your reggae collection, to dismiss this cd is reckless and shows a complete ignorance of reggae. King Tubby is a genius, once one recognizes the subtleties of his style, suddenly ever track becomes essential. Be not mis-lead by those who choose to knock down as opposed to uplift (see Shaka Bong from Russia)."
King tubby and friends: dub like dirt
benjamin j larkin | 03/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"a great dub album, showcases tubby at his best. just listen to "chapter of money" and one will understand why this is a heavy weight dub album. all of the tracks contain first rate riddims, a must for dub fans."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1