Roots Archives Forum

Last night I listened to African Dub, Chapter 3.

Whatever Errol Thompson is doing with the drum and bass, that's what makes a good Dub LP.

perhaps my thoughts will change in time, but for 10 years, my favorite dub albums are the ones that REALLY push the riddims into areas that are FAR from the original - for instance, Jammy's "Kamikaze Dub" and Tubby's "Dangerous Dub" i find to be a little lacking - straight run throughs of the riddims, not much effects... now, glen brown/tubby "termination dub" or tappa zukie "in dub" are my ideas of perfection... don't get me wrong - i love it all, but i find myself going back to the latter of my mentions more often...

I agree, Termination Dub is awesome. But sadly I am still to find a copy of Tappa Zukie in Dub that I can afford.

But sometimes I like the 'ordinary' dub, whereas other times I want to hear the dub/riddim envelope pushed to the max.

I especially like the way Mickey Dread does the dubbing thing on some of his more extreme productions!

I think it depends on if you are listening to straight dub - or are listen 'showcase style'
If the dub is standing out there on it's own, I think the producer needs to do more with the riddim.
If it's following vocal mixes of the same riddim, it can be a little more straight drum and bass with more minimalist fx

MightyZ

I like some of Coxsone's ones like on Ital Dub where the production is so subtle the music almost disappears... but not everybody's cup of tea I suppose. With 2 track recording if you mix some of it out you won't be left with much I guess!

Heavy, Heavy drum and bass is a must! Heavy reverb and delay on selected components as well.. The guitars/horns and the like should be faded in only during specific intervals, in a minimalistic style that leaves the listener begging for more and allows them to intrinsically add those intruments to the track... Although, a continuous guitar is ok as long as it is played with heavy reverb (See Lee Perry - Living in Dub). The sparse, echoing, vocals are an absolute must, imho... I want to have the feeling that a singer is attempting to communicate from beyond the grave, or a parallel universe of some sort.. and barely reaching through (See the end of Hugh Mundell - Unity Dub). There should be an abosultely climatic and modified bridge to the track (see.. Lee Perry - Words of Dub). I could go on and on...

I-Nity,
Jah Chicken

Lee Perry - Words Of Dub... Is incorrect.. whatever the version side on the Gatherer's Words of Mouth 7" is what I'm referring to.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

Well said Jah Chicken, A good dub album not only keeps you captive, it also invites you in. It induces voluntary or involuntary participation, whether it be with actions or with words. The drums and bass is the foundation of any dub imho.

Jah Chicken has written an excellent reply to this thread. It really summed up the dub formula for me. Well done JC!

A good dub album never gets boaring. I don`t like when it`s only drum & bass style all the time with some effects here and there.

Great dubs were made at Black Ark, this gives you that "flying carpet feeling". )