The Profound Appeal of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and a Popular Classic

Take 5 DubKing Tubby

King Tubby – Take Five 5 Dub (Declaration of Dub)

King Tubby, born in 1941 in Jamaica, was a sound engineer and music producer, and is known as one of the inventors of dub.

He contributed to the development of dub throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

“Take 5 Dub” is a track that mixes the famous jazz piece “Take Five” in a dub style.

It appears on the LP compilation released in 2004 by the UK label Jamaican Recordings, titled “King Tubby – Dub Mix Up – Rare Dubs 1975-1979.

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The Boys From BrazilThe Pop Group

The Pop Group – The Boys From Brazil (Official Video)

Released in 1979, Y (The Final Warning) can’t be called a pure dub album, but it’s one of the most important works for understanding post-punk—a genre deeply influenced by dub, reggae, and experimental music.

It’s the debut album by The Pop Group, led by Mark Stewart, who had close ties to Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound label—the godfather of the Bristol sound that would later give birth to trip hop and a central figure in UK dub.

Even just considering that it was produced by Dennis Bovell, an indispensable figure in the history of dub, it’s no exaggeration to say this is an album you can’t skip when digging deep into dub music.

The fearless, radical sound unleashed by band members who were reportedly in their teens at the time still feels exhilarating in the 2020s.

In October 2021, over 40 years after its original release, Y in Dub—featuring dub remixes by the aforementioned Dennis Bovell—was released; that one’s a must-check as well.

Roast Fish & Corn BreadLee Perry

Lee Perry – Roast Fish and Cornbread

Lee Perry is a dub engineer, music producer, and reggae musician born in 1936 in Kendall, Hanover Parish, in northwest Jamaica.

In the early 1970s, his numerous experiments at the mixing board made him one of the producers who helped create dub.

He began his career in the late 1950s and is currently 81 years old.

Roast Fish & Corn Bread is a track from an album released in 1976.

I Love MarijuanaLinval Thompson

I Love Marijuana – Linval Thompson (Lyrics)

Linval Thompson, from Kingston, Jamaica, is a reggae and dub musician and producer who has been active since the 1970s.

This track is the title track from an album released in 1978 by Trojan Records.

Flag DubKing Tubby

King Tubby – Flag Dub

King Tubby was a Jamaican sound engineer who had a major influence on the development of dub in the 1960s and 1970s.

This track is included on the album “Fatman Tapes II” and samples Barry Brown’s track “It Go a Dread.”

EgoWILLY WILLIAM

Willy William – Ego (Clip Officiel)

Willy William is a French DJ, producer, and singer who has been active since 2003.

He is known for collaborations and remixes with dance music artists.

This track was released in 2015 and reached No.

3 on the Belgian charts.

Dub ChargeAswad

Aswad-Dub Charge 12′ inch.wmv

Aswad is a reggae band formed in Notting Hill, London, in 1975.

Their sound is characterized by a strong incorporation of R&B and soul music.

The band name Aswad comes from the Arabic word meaning “black.” They have performed music with strong messages, such as roots rock reggae.

Their 1988 release Shine was a major hit.

Dub Charge is a track taken from the vinyl release of The Warrior Charge, which was issued by Island Records in 1980.