Time Warp Dub Clash - Old School vs. New School (Raiders Of The Lost Dub)

Old school dub tracks from 1981 and what was new school dubs , at the time  of release in 93 ,from the early 90s' .This compilations first ten tracks originally made up the legendary Raiders Of The Lost Dub from 1981 .This only had a limited release before being withdrawn after some minions from the empire of  George Lucas and Steven Spielberg took exception to the original sleeve along with the titling of some of the tracks relating to scenes and events in Raiders Of The Lost Ark which is in itself a sort of homage to bygone Hollywood action movies so maybe they should have been informed of the tradition of Reggae homage/tribute (Kung Fu,James Bond,Six Million Dollar Man etc )to a popular movie or TV show of the time. Certainly would make an interesting alternative to the familiar John Williams score. Mainly comprising Sly and Robbie productions these tracks are a great slice of very early digital dub. The final nine tracks are from familiar names from the early 90s' including Mad Professor, Jah Shaka,Alpha & Omega and Dub Syndicate. What we need now is other compilations covering the last twenty years and one covering the well tread dub of the 70s' to make a sort of history of dub through the decades. I suppose using your favourite brand of audio player anyone could make up a decent playlist that will do the job well. But I'm far too lazy to bother with that , gonna leave it to someone far more knowledgeable. 

Have a go.

1. Indiana James (Man Next Door) -- The Paragons
2. Whip That Tarantula (Moulding) -- Ijahman
3. The Monkey Is a Spy (Sinsemilla) -- Black Uhuru
4. Pit of Snakes (Social Living) -- Burning Spear
5. Well of Souls (Feel the Spirit) -- Wailing Souls
6. The Dub of Gold (Heart Made of Stone) -- The Viceroys
7. Who's in the Tomb (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) -- Black Uhuru
8. Convoy Hijack (Sponji Reggae) -- Black Uhuru
9. Bazooka Blast (Fort Augustus) -- Junior Delgado
10. Fire and Brimstone (Journey) -- Black Uhuru
11. Dub So Hard -- Mad Professor
12. Absentee -- Manasseh Meets the Equaliser
13. Smiling Dub -- Jah Shaka
14. One Prayer -- Alpha & Omega
15. Zulu Warrior -- Mixman
16. Kumbia Dub -- Jah Shaka
17. Warrior Dance -- Mixman
18. Rastafari --  Alpha & Omega

19. What Happened? -- Dub Syndicate

Mikey Dread World War 3

Classic reggae from 1980 by Mikey Dread who was probably best known to many for his production work on The Clash's "Bankrobber" single and performances on the "Sandanista" album.They also get a shout out on the back sleeve of this album , "The Clash for the positive vibes".Recorded at Channel One,mixed at King Tubby's by Scientist this is an absolute must for anyone who loves a bit of bass as it contains some seriously heavy dubs on the extended tracks that benefit from the bass being turned up to wall shaking levels.Wiki here.Link removed by request.

Jah Shaka Presents Dub Masters Volume 1

Collection of dubs released in 1989 that previously could only be heard on Jah Shaka's world famous sound system . Kicks off with a sublime dub to Burning Spear's "Institution"  that features a mighty deep and hypnotic bass line that coupled with the snatches of righteous/ pleading vocals courtesy of the legend that is Winston Rodney can almost give me bloodshot eyes ( as often seen sported by Bunny Wailer in the '70s), stone cold sober . Not sure if there was a volume 2 to this but on its own still a good set of dubs worth adding to your itunes (or similar) dub playlist . Vinyl rip Here .

Tracks

1. Institution Dub - Burning Spear

2. Very Well Dub - Wailing Souls

3. Row Fisherman Dub - Wailing Souls

4. Wild Suspense - Wailing Souls

5. Natural Aggression - Aswad

6. Mosman Skank - Aswad

7. Carry Us Beyond - Human Cargo

8. Ghetto In The Sky (Version) - Aswad

Mad Professor - Psychedelic Dub - Dub Me Crazy Part 10

The 10th in Mad Professor's Dub Me Crazy series "Pyschedelic Dub"  has a great cartoony type cover featuring Mad Professor himself as always, Nelson Mandela (this was released months after his release in 1990),peace symbols,all seeing eyes and other cool positive images. Although bearing the title Psychedelic Dub ,it does have snatches of flute,backwards tape effects etc and I suppose top class dub has the very best in mind expanding qualities , this is more bright 'n' breezy good times dub than tripped out psychedelia,  but all the ten tracks on the album are all top tunes perfect for a hazy Sunday morning. Some tracks have the unmistakable trombone sound of the legendary Rico Rodriguez too.
The psychedelic tag seemed to be having a resurgance  around this time - Stone Roses , The Shamen , De la Soul and tons of others seemed to be taking elements of psychedelia ,if not the whole full on 60s' wig out style , making it more mainstream and actually having hits. Must have been something in the air then . Buddahs and Red Dragons anyone ?
Mad Professor released 12 in the Dub Me Crazy series from 82 to 93 and at this moment in time all but the first seemed to be hard to get hold of ,a box set of this complete series of upbeat digital dub seems like a good idea to me . Also can someone tell Massive Attack to let Mad Professor do his stuff on  "Heligoland" ?
WIKI HERE

 PART 10 HERE.VINYL RIP.

On U Sound - Pay It All Back Volume 3

Released in 1991 this probably represents a period when the On U Sound's profile was at its highest mainly due to a bit of chart action with Gary Clail ,the use of African Headcharge on a few soundtracks and some of Lee Perry's most critically acclaimed work since the days of The Black Ark. The Stone Roses even got themselves an Adrian Sherwood production for "One Love" , I seem to remember , not sure if it ever had an official release but if anyone can point me in the right direction I would be very grateful.
Anyway this is a very good comp containing all the usual suspects from the On U Sound collective including the aforementioned Lee Perry backed by Dub Syndicate singing about one of his favourite subjects , himself , and if I was Lee Perry I would too , on "You Thought I Was Dead" , the Jim Morrisson sampling Dub Syndicate track " Stoned Immaculate" and for a reminder of late 80s'/early 90s' UK suburban drudgery hear Kilroy , both morning and afternoon editions of Neighbours , CNN , housework and checkout Qs' all name checked in Little Annie's "When I Think Of You". Dub Syndicate's "Hey Ho" and African Headcharge's "My God" are both IMHO classic On U Sound tracks that if there is/was a best of On U Sound type comp representing the past 30 years they would have to be on it.The track "Blue Moon" by Barmy Army was a John Peel favourite with it's samples of football terrace chants (Man City fans singing their "theme" ) and commentary (Martin Tyler I think) and one guy I had forgotten about was Jesse Rae and who I assumed was a figment of my imagination until digging this out and checking out YouTube. A Scotsman in a funky style complete with kilt,helmet and brandishing a proper massive Claymore still performing to this day and currently up for election to become an MEP. Shows just how diverse the On U Sound - sound - is although Dub , Reggae ,Funk and loads of experimentation are never far from the surface.

A good vinyl rip if I do say so myself, have new cartridge fitted on the ol' turntable now ,after getting my head round the fact that some places charge £20 - £30 to set it up for you , sod that , can't be that difficult can it ? Not too difficult but , wow, not as easy as I thought. Will support my local Hi fi shop in the future. PAY IT ALL BACK 3 HERE .



Tracklisting


Disconnection - Strange Parcels
Heart's Desire - Strange Parcels
You Thought I Was Dead - Lee Perry & Dub Syndicate
Stoned Immaculate -Dub Syndicate
I Think Of You - Little Annie
Jack The Biscuit - Andy Fairley
Hey Ho - Dub Syndicate
These Things Happen -Mark Stewart
Ennio - Martin Frederix
To Be Free - Strange Parcels
My God - African Head Charge
Spirit Soul - Alan Pillay
False Leader - Gary Clail
Jacob's Pillow - Jesse Rae
Devo - Barmy Army
Blue Moon - Barmy Army
Nightmare - Bim Sherman







Need to set up a turntable? Pay attention and take notes.

African Rubber Dub Volume 2 - Bim Sherman

The posting of the first volume of African Rubber Dub seemed to be quite popular and after receiving an anonymous request for volume two thought I would show goodwill to all mankind and offer it up for all interested parties. Once again, not certain of the whole Bim Sherman connection , as he is only listed as one of the percussionists and the vocal snatches are even briefer than the first volume so I suppose as before what we have are dubs of Bim Sherman cuts . Overall a less "dense" and organic production, more of the Adrian Sherwood style type mixes , no King Tubby this time . Some familiar rhythms throughout. Although not quite up to the very high standards of the first volume this is still very much worth a listen especially if you got into the first volume . Track five "Nightmare" is the highlight for me complete with train whistles , Bim Sherman whispers and a weird wobbly metallic sounding instrument (does have a name but it's long slipped from my mind) that I strangely remember from Rentaghost .Vol 2 here.

African Rubber Dub - Bim Sherman

Am crediting this as a Bim Sherman dub album, although as there is so little info about this that I am not so sure. At the moment this album seems to be a bit hard to get hold of as well . Mixes by King Tubby, Prince Jammy and tellingly Adrian Sherwood as this has a very distinctive On U Sound type flavour to the overall sound ,although I suppose to define a definitive "On U Sound" sound is near impossible . Musicians include Style Scott, Bingy Bunny , Sly & Robbie , Roots Radics Band and The Gladiators . Lots of Niyabinghi style drumming ,warm percussive instruments , horns and Bim Sherman vocals drifting in and out make up a sort of soothing dub album , although as I have a bit of man flu at the moment this may be influencing my feeling towards it but whatever state Im in I still love this album. I do have volume 2 as well so if anyone wants this too , let me know . For now vinyl rip here .

20 Reggae Classics - The Music That Inspired A Generation

After seeing The Specials blow the roof of Hammersmith last Friday night thought I would post this Trojan compilation released in 1984 which acknowledges ,via the cover art ,Two Tones role in releasing covers of tracks first released in the UK on Trojan Records in the late 60s' and early 70s' .It was through listening to The Specials,The Selecter, Madness etc as a kid that led me ,and probably many out there, to Reggae,Ska,Dub,Rocksteady. It contains tracks covered and made hits or featuring on best selling albums by artists including The Specials,The Selecter,Bad Manners,UB40 and err Boney M amongst others .All tracks absolute classics and all have been available on numerous compilations ,you know the ones ,out during the summer cos Reggae to the masses seems to be all about sun kissed beaches,palm trees,Shaggy and Big Mountain. But this one is quality , if you don't have all of these tracks get them now . Vinyl rip here.Then buy Trojans "Tighten Up!" series .

1. Red Red Wine - Tribe, Tony
2. Sweet Sensation - Melodians
3. Love Of The Common People - Nicky Thomas
4. Johnny Too Bad - Slickers
5. Pressure Drop - Toots & The Maytals
6. Liquidator - Harry J & The All Stars
7. Skinhead Moonstomp - Simaryp
8. Long Shot Kick De Bucket - Pioneers
9. Please Don't Make Me Cry - Winston Groovy
10. Many Rivers To Cross - Cliff, Jimmy
11. 007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
12. Rudie A Message To You - Dandy Livingstone
13. Version Girl - Boy Friday
14. Cherry Oh Baby - Eric Donaldson
15. Fattie Fattie - Clancy Eccles
16. Keep On Movin' - Bob Marley
17. Time Hard - The Pioneers
18. Monkey Man - The Maytals
19. Rivers Of Babylon - Melodians
20. Train To Skaville - Ethiopians

Oh yeah , The Specials. Saw them at Brixton in May and at Hammersmith on Friday , bruised all over and got an accidental smack in the mouth but loved every minute . Must admit after watching them on Jools Holland earlier in the year I was a bit apprehensive but was completely blown away both times . It must be a world tour next , after that who knows ? New material ? With or without Jerry ? Even if they just left it that ,well, its been an absolute blast and far beyond what I could have imagined.

King Tubby Meets The Aggrovators At Dub Station - Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators

Another classic dub set featuring King Tubby and The Aggrovators along with the mighty Tommy McCook leader of The Skatalites . Produced by Bunny Lee and mixed by King Tubby, this contains more tracks worth a place in anyones playlist type thing of dub, including the much used hook to "Ring Of Fire" on "Happy Dub" ,a version of Dave Brubecks "Take Five" on "Jah Love Rockers Dub" and the deeply cavernous sound of the title track "Dub Station" ,the set is worth having for this track alone.Yet another example of the genius of King Tubby. First released in 1975 and re released in 2007 with 12 extra tracks . Here .

King Tubby's Special 1973 - 1976

There seem to be hundreds of compilations out there claiming to be the work of King Tubby and all of varying quality.This one issued by Trojan not long after his death in 1989 must rank as one of the must haves. The first thirteen tracks comprises an album Tubby mixed for Niney Holmes with The Observers rhythm section ,don't know which album as the otherwise excellent sleeve notes by Steve Barrow don't say. The remaining tracks is a compilation of mixes Tubby provided for Bunny Lee with The Aggrovators . Contains a lot of mixes to familiar rhythms to some such as " Ali Baba" , "Skylarking " and "Queen Of The Minstrels" . Listen out for snatches of vocals in places from the likes of Horace Andy,U. Roy ,Dennis Brown and Delroy Wilson . This whole set would make an ideal introduction to old school dub , and once your hooked there is no going back as you may also find yourself on a never ending quest for the perfect dub album . I never seem to come across any bad ones especially those with production dating to the 70's and have avoided most digital productions so far.Has been issued on CD but this is a quality vinyl rip . Here .

Lee Scratch Perry Battle Of Armagideon

After Mikey Dread's World War 3 on previous post the the apocalyptic reggae theme continues with one of Lee Perry's most successful 80s' releases . Eleven tracks from inside the mind of Lee Perry concerning politics,ganja,sex,religion and himself amongst many other things . Don't often listen to this as Perry's Black Ark magic always seem to draw me in more but have played this quite a bit recently and find this album stands up well next to it .Great cover with ganja smoking skeleton (Colly Jesus Christ )who seems to be proclaiming judgement on the USA and the Soviet Union (This was the 80s'), Thatcher ,The Queen,one of her corgis or maybe the entire human race . The back cover has a picture of Perry wearing a gas fireplace as a hat .This album preceded two more superb albums Lee Perry recorded with Dub Syndicate , Time Boom X De Devil Dead and From The Secret Laboratory both well worth tracking down . Vinyl rip here .

Joe Gibbs African Dub All Mighty Chapter 3

Classic dub from 1978 recorded by The Professionals at Joe Gibbs studio engineered and mixed by Errol Thompson. The third in the African Dub series and along with the fourth chapter the most commercially successful due to its crossover appeal to the punky reggae party crowd and heads of the time . Featuring doorbells,buzzers,phones,whistling birds and gunfire added into the mix over popular rhythms and melodies dating from the late sixties to the mid seventies , listen out for the melody to Bread's soft rock classic "Make It With You" ! These track are less heavy than Lee Perry's work of the time down the road at Black Ark Studio and King Tubby's hypnotic dubs , certainly easier listening , some might say more , er ... " tuneful" but still managing to make the right impact . Anyway if you love dub , and you should , this is a must listen . Lookout for all four chapters in a box set currently available for a low price at the online retailer named after a mighty South American river , not orinoco.com , the other one . Try chapter three here.

"Calling The Meek And The Humble ,Welcome To Blackboard Jungle...."

Two Lee Perry /Upsetter albums feature on this long unavailable Clocktower Cd .The first ten tracks comprises "Scratch & Company" one of the better and earliest Lee Perry compilations . Featuring alternate versions and dubs selected from Perry's vast selection of mind boggling work at Black Ark Studio. These awesome dubs are then followed by the classic "Blackboard Jungle Dub", one of the earliest and best ever dub albums . Using well known rhythms from The Upsetters and The Wailers and an almost hypnotic King Tubby mix this is a must listen for any Reggae fan . Although the phrase "Chill Out Music" is used to describe any old new age whale lift type music , I think this album is much closer to what I want from "Chill Out Music" , taking you to another place , with a few surprises on the way and not boring you to sleep. A real earthy organic sound , laden with horns ,one or two Lee Perry trademark cow type noises, appearances from Dillinger and I-Roy and more ,all this mixed together still sounds totally original now , let alone on its very limited first release in 1973."So don't you fumble , just be humble....."