What is DUB? A Beginner’s Guide to Dub Music!

Rock n Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain)Skrillex

Skrillex – Rock n Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain)

Skrillex is a world-renowned DJ and producer.

Even if you’re not familiar with dub, you’ve probably heard one of Skrillex’s tracks at least once.

Among his songs, the one I especially recommend is “Rock n Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain).” It’s a track crafted in his signature mellow and catchy dubstep style.

Be sure to check it out.

Mandela VersionAbyssinians

The Abyssinians – Mandela Version (Satta Massagana)

Satta Dub is a masterpiece packed with the soul-stirring world of dub woven by The Abyssinians, the legendary group Jamaica is proud of.

This track is a profound piece included on that album.

Based on recordings from 1969, it was officially released on the album in October 1998, and it pays tribute to Nelson Mandela, a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement.

The group’s signature sacred harmonies melt into a dreamlike echo, while the weighty bassline solemnly expresses a prayer for liberation.

Why not surrender yourself to its deep sonic universe while reflecting on the great struggle etched into history? It might be perfect for a night of deep contemplation.

No Mans LandAlpha & Omega

Alpha & Omega – No Mans Land

Step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and sink deeply into a world of sound! For anyone who feels that way, I highly recommend this spiritual track by the legendary UK dub unit Alpha & Omega.

Featuring The Exile on vocals, the track’s heavy, body-resonating bass and spacious echo treatments transport the listener to an extraordinary realm.

Layered over it, chant-like vocals create an atmosphere that feels both sacred and warmly inviting.

Included on the album “Dub-Plate Selection Volume 2,” this song has been cherished as a dubplate classic since the 1990s.

Dim the lights, forget the everyday, and let yourself be carried by the waves of sound—why not spend a meditative moment like that?

East of the River NileAugustus Pablo

AUGUSTUS PABLO – East Of The River Nile [1977]

If you want to immerse yourself completely in a deep world of sound, I recommend a seminal work by Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo.

This album is a landmark of dub, fusing the wistful melodies of his melodica with the deep echoes crafted by legendary engineer King Tubby.

Produced in 1977, it’s an instrumental work that, precisely because it has no lyrics, carries a prayer-like quality that resonates directly with the listener’s heart.

The fact that its 2002 reissue reached No.

13 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart attests to its timeless appeal.

On a night when you want to slip away from the everyday and enjoy a cosmic voyage through sound, why not give it a careful listen?

Up Wareika HillAugustus Pablo

Up Wareika Hill

This is an instrumental work by Jamaican master Augustus Pablo, one I especially hope will be heard by those who want to step a little away from the everyday and immerse themselves deeply in the world of sound.

Featured on the classic 1979 album Original Rockers, this piece was selected from sessions recorded between 1972 and 1975.

Its melodica weaves an oriental, ethereal melody, King Tubby’s deft echoes fill the space, and the heavy bassline resonates with a satisfying warmth.

It’s a sound that condenses Pablo’s pursuit of spiritual liberation through music.

How about listening on a quiet night alone, when you want to let your thoughts wander? Surrender to the waves of sound and you’re sure to be wrapped in a mysterious sense of weightless drift.

Far East DubBlack Uhuru

Far East Dub – Original

This is a deep dub number that lets you fully immerse yourself in a spellbinding world of sound, crafted by reggae heavyweights Black Uhuru.

Hailing from Jamaica, they’re also known for winning the very first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985.

Centered around a formidable bassline from the legendary rhythm duo Sly & Robbie, the swirling echoes and reverb create an irresistible sonic space.

The floating sensation feels like drifting through a universe of sound—sure to make you forget the bustle of everyday life.

Featured on albums such as Love Dub, released in January 1994, this masterful performance invites you to surrender to the waves of sound and spend some unhurried time reflecting on yourself.

MafiaDub Syndicate

Dub Syndicate – Mafia

I want to immerse myself in a sound world that sinks deep and frees me from everyday life.

This UK dub classic is perfect for that mood.

Dub Syndicate, active in the UK, pursued an experimental sound that broke the boundaries of reggae, centered around producer Adrian Sherwood and drummer Style Scott.

This track is packed with sonic effects that lure the listener’s consciousness into another dimension—ground-crawling basslines and powerful effects that warp space.

Surrender yourself to its seven-plus-minute runtime and you’ll feel as if you’re wandering a labyrinth of sound.

Why not spend a quiet night alone listening to this piece from the 1989 masterpiece Strike the Balance?