The Profound Appeal of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and a Popular Classic
If you know the music genre called dub, chances are you’re a serious music lover who frequents record shops.
While it’s a genre derived from reggae, it’s also a production method, and its world is incredibly deep and profound.
This article focuses on classic, essential albums recommended for beginners, while also highlighting releases that trace the roots from authentic Jamaican roots dub to UK dub, as well as works in post-punk and new wave that bear dub’s influence.
Even those who usually listen mainly to rock will find plenty to enjoy—so be sure to check it out!
- The deep world of dub music: classic albums where you can experience the sonic magic born from reggae.
- What is DUB? A Beginner’s Guide to Dub Music!
- The world of rocksteady born in Jamaica — a roundup of must-hear classic tracks to get you started
- Danceable Jazz! Classic and Recommended Albums of Acid Jazz
- [Foreign Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and a Recommended Pick
- Classic post-punk hits from Western music: a roundup of popular tracks you should listen to first
- Masterpieces, fan favorites, and new 21st-century staples for reggae beginners
- [For Beginners] Introducing Recommended Overseas Reggae Bands and Groups!
- From the UK! The Allure of Grime — Essential Albums and Fan Favorites to Start With
- Classic rock masterpieces: a roundup of must-listen albums
- [For Beginners] Popular Post-Rock Songs in Western Music: A Curated List of Recommended Classics
- A collection of classic progressive rock albums: popular records you should listen to at least once.
- [UK Music] A Britpop masterpiece. One recommended album.
The Profound Allure of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Picks (51–60)
Prince’s WrathScientist
Hopeton Overton Brown, a Jamaican engineer and producer known by the name Scientist.
He is well known for his dub music mixes from the 1980s.
This track is included on the album “Scientist Encounters Pac-Man,” released in 1982.
Soulful IThe Upsetter
The Upsetter is a reggae and dub-style studio album released in 1969 by Trojan Records, produced by Lee Perry.
“Soulful I” is a track included on The Upsetter.
I Can’t Help Falling In Love With YouUB40
UB40 is a reggae-pop band from Birmingham, England.
They debuted in 1980 with the album “Signing Off,” and scored a UK No.
2 hit.
Their 1983 album “Labour of Love” was a major success, reaching No.
1 in the UK and No.
8 in the US.
In 1993, their cover of an Elvis Presley song became famous as a movie theme and topped both the UK and US charts, becoming a worldwide hit.
“(I) Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” is a single in a dub, jungle, and reggae-pop style.
ARE YOU READYVIBRONICS featuring MACKA B
Vibronics is a British reggae group formed in 1995.
Their style is characterized by a sound centered on digital dub.
This track features the British reggae artist Macka B and was released in 2015.
The Profound Allure of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Picks (61–70)
Love& UnityABA SHANTI-I
ABA SHANTI-I is a DJ and sound system operator from Hackney, London, UK, born in the 1960s, known for his Reggae, Roots Reggae, and Dub style.
Raised within a sound system by his father, Alan Smith, he was introduced to roots reggae music and, after immersing himself in Roots & Culture, began performing as an MC for Jah Tubbys Sound.
He launched ABA SHANTI-I in the 1990s, including performances at the Leicester Carnival.
He has won numerous Best Sound System awards and serves as the resident sound at University of Dub—the largest Dub event in the Roots Reggae scene—held in Brixton, London (a sacred ground for Roots & Culture and Dub).
Since 1993, he has been an essential sound system at the Notting Hill Carnival, the world’s largest West Indies carnival, held in late August each year.
Love & Unity is a track by The Shanti-Ites in a Roots Reggae/Dub style, released as a 12-inch vinyl by Flash Recordings in 1995.
Work SongBill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer, and record label owner.
His style is characterized by a sound that incorporates a wide range of genres, including funk, jazz, dub, and ambient, and he has collaborated extensively with musicians from around the world.
African BloodSingers & Players
Singers & Players is a reggae group composed of vocalists and musicians from On-U Sound Records.
Members include Bim Sherman, Prince Far I, and Mikey Dread, and the group is often described as a dub music supergroup.
This track is included on the 1983 album “Staggering Heights.”