30 September 2023

Dubtember 30

Thought I'd go out on kinda a different note. Here are ten ultra-rare Dub singles.

Hope you've enjoyed the month. It's been a labor of love from my heart. 
 
 
Michael Carr & Jackie Brown All Stars - Super Dub 7", Cash JBROWN 4018A & 4019B, 1974.
all decryption codes in a long-ass list in comments


Side A -
Super Dub - Michael Carr
Side B -
Superior Dub - Jackie Brown All Stars

 

 

 

 


Side A -
Wanted Man - Dennis Brown & Black Liberators
Side B -
Charge for Dubbing - Black Liberators
 
 
 
 
Prince Ranking - Cramp Babylon Plan 7", Hungry Town HT-0378, 1978.

Side A -
Cramp Babylon Plan
Side B -
Dub the Plan
 
 
 
 

Side A -
Time a Go Dread - Lloyd Parks
Side B -
Dread Dub - We the People Band
 
 
 
 

Side A -
Sister Fay - Ranking Barnabas
Side B -
Sister Dub - The Revolutionaries
 
 
 
 
The Eclipse Band - Daylight Robbery 7", Pioneer PION 08, 1977.

Side A -
Daylight Robbery
Side B -
Daylight Dub
 
 
 

Side A -
Beat Them Jah Jah - The Twinkle Brothers
Side B -
Muderation Dub - Skin, Flesh & Bones
 
 
 
 
World Wide Records ES3138 & ES3139, 1975.

Side A -
Cowboy Life - Murphy Romeo
Side B -
Heavy Dub - Skin, Flesh & Bones
 
 
 
 
World Wide Records ES3140 & ES 3141, 1975.

Side A -
Ghost Affair - Murphy Romeo
Side B -
Dem Yah Dub - Skin, Flesh & Bones
 
 
 
 
Samantha Rose - My Only Chance 7", Zala Records F-7004, 1975.

Side A -
My Only Chance
Side B -
My Only Chance (version)
 
 
 
 

Until we Dub again,

29 September 2023

Dubtember 29

Probably most famous for the fact that his 1979 hit "Armagideon Time" was covered by The Clash, I present Willi Williams, Newcomer to NSS on the next-to-final day of Dubtember 2023. 

 

 



More Blood & Fire here. This 2005 reissue features the original nine tracks in the promo edition running order (sides 2 & 1 are switched on the original official release) & an extended Valley of Jehosephat in place of the original track along with Dubs of all tracks except VoJ. 

 

Willi Williams - Messenger Man, Blood & Fire BAFCD 048, 2005.
decryption code in comments

Messenger Man    
Slave    
Give Jah Praise    
Dungeon    
Zion Town    
I Man    
No Hiding Place    
Valley of Jehosephat (extended version)    
Rocking Universally (Armagideon Style)    
Messenger Man Version    
Slave Dub    
Give Jah Praise Version    
Dungeon Dub    
Zion Town Dub    
I Man Version    
No Hiding Place Version    
Universal Dub

Dub Onward,

28 September 2023

Dubtember 28

In the true Dub tradition, our Newcomer to NSS gives us a Dread Dub Western. 

Roots Control bringing the psych-Dub outta the depths of Crooklyn...

Roots Control - Dread Western, WordSound WSCD008, 1996.
decryption codes in comments

North 11th Skank
Great Train Robbery    
High Plains Drifter    
Theme from Dread Western
The Dub Posse Rides Again    
Tumbleweed    
Medicine Man Dub    
Tuff Gong    
For a Few Dubs More    
The Dub also Rises
Roots Control
 
 
 
 
 


For our Dubly Beloved...the Return of the King 
teamed up with the Rhythm Master Glenmore Brown...
 
 

Termination Dub    
Save Our Dub    
Leggo the Herb Man Dub    
World Dub: Away with the Bad    
Wicked Tumbling Version    
Dub Universal    
Wicked Can't Run this Dub    
Assack Lawn No.1 Dub (version 1)    
Assack Lawn No.1 Dub (version 2)    
Father for the Living Dubwise
There's Dub
Version 78 Style    
Lambs Bread Dubwise
Melodica International (extended mix)

Dub Onward,

27 September 2023

Dubtember 27

Our Dubtember journey for this year is nearing an end. Many are saddened & many are over-joyed. Just rest assured, there are still a few nuggets to be had or bitter pills to be swallowed, depending on your position an this whole Dub thang to which I am addicted. 

 

 

 



One of my favorite gravelly voiced Mystics of Dub, Prince Far I was "a man to grace any style with wisdom, a chanter to quake the walls of the city, a preacher to strike fear in the weak of heart, humble in the garden & proud in the city". 

 

Prince Far I - Dubwise, Front Line CDFL 9019, 1991.
all decryption codes in comments

Throw Away Your Gun    
Throw Away Your Gun Dub
Love Divine Dub    
If You Want to Do Ya Dub    
Jah Do That Dub    
Jah Do That    
No More War    
No More War Dub    
Suru–Lere Dub    
Anambra Dub    
Kaduna Dub    
Oyo Dub    
Borno Dub    
Bendel Dub    
Ondo Dub    
Ogun Dub
 
 
 
 
Prince Far I & the Arabs - Dub to Africa reissue, Pressure Sounds CD PS002, 1995.

Bass Ace    
Dub to Africa    
Good Music Brother    
Glory to God    
Hello, Love Brother    
Cry Tuff & the Originals    
Give Love    
Big Fight Dub    

previously only available as Dub plates -
Internal Dub    
Out of the Abyss
 
 
 
 


On to today's Newcomer to NSS. Hosting a cast of: Ansel Collins; Bo-Pee Bowen, Lloyd Parks, Sly & Robbie; Ronald "Nambo" Robinson, Winston Wright; & more, producer Rodguel "Blackbeard" Sinclair's house band, the Blackbeard All Stars true identy was the Ring Craft Posse.

Under the Ring Craft Posse moniker, they released numerous albums & singles, many on Sinclair's Hulk or Mister Tipsy labels. This one comes from Moll Tonträger's Hamburg, Germany Moll-Selekta label...

All tracks named after districts of Portmore in St. Catherine, Jamaica.
 

Westbay    
Garvey Meade    
Passage Fort    
Cumberland    
Caymanas Park    
Waterford    
Edgewater    
Bridge Port    
Braeton    
Portsmouth    
Independence City    
Naggo Head    
Westchester    
Southboro

Dub Onward,

26 September 2023

Dubtember 26

Today I'm sharing a 2xCD set from Dub stalwart Serge Gainsbourg.

What????? 
 
 



Just listen for yourself. That crazee Frenchman was smoking some Lambsbread, for sure. 

 

Serge Gainsbourg - Aux Armes et Cætera 2xCD, Mercury 980 993-1, 2003.
decryption codes in comments

CD1 (original Aux Armes et Cætera:Versions Serge Gainsbourgh) -

Javanaise Remake
Aux Armes et Cætera
Les Locataires    
Des Laid des Laids    
Brigade des Stups    
Vieille Canaille
Lola Rastaquouère    
Relax Baby Be Cool    
Daisy Temple    
Eau et Gaz À Tous les Étages    
Pas Long Feu
Marilou Reggae Dub (version longue)    
Planteur Punch (inédit)    
Marilou Reggae (version inédite)
Daisy Temple (Version Chantée Inédite)


 
 
CD 2 (Versions Dub & DJ Versions Dub) -
Javanaise Dub
Dub et Cætera    
Dub Locataires    
Des Laids des Dubs    
Dub des Stups    
Dub Rastaquouère    
Daisy Dub    
Eau et Dub À Tous les Étages    
Pas Long Dub    
Marilou Dub

Versions DJ & Versions Chantées -        
Javanaise Remake (Men Will Deceive You)
Aux Armes et Cætera (Aux Armes !)
Les Locataires (Sing it Like a Song to Me)
Des Laids des Laids (The Original Ugly Man)
Brigade des Stups (Smoke All Night, Smoke All Day)
Vieille Canaille (You Rascal You)
Lola Rastaquouère (Lola Rastaquouère is Black)
Relax Baby Be Cool (Be Cool)
Daisy Temple (Problems)
Eau et Gaz À Tous les Étages (Settle the Vibes)
Pas Long Feu (Sweetie Sweetie)
Marilou Reggae Dub (Marilou a Dance Reggae)
Planteur Punch (Out of the Slum)
Lola Rastaquouère (version Anglaise)

Dub Onward,

25 September 2023

Dubtember 25

That whole Jammy thing yesterday got under my collar. 
 



Imma let the King mash it...from the top. 

 

King Tubby - Mash it from the Top, Bunny Lee, 2016.
decryption codes in comments

Dub fi Zion
Killa of Soundboys
Dub a Drop
Dub fi Waterhouse
Dub a Farm
Green Dub
Baby Dub
Dub a Shine
Lazer Dub
Bordering on Dub
Dubby  Conqueror
Right Dub
Loser's Best
Babylon Blow Down
Afrodub
Love Woman Dub
Experience Dub
Truth Dub
Look a Dis version
Feel Love Dub
Dub a Roots
Tubby Fine Style
 
 
 
 

Now that I got that out of my system, let's move on to Jerry Harris.
 


In 1974 Jerry left Jamaica for New York where he joined The Stepping Stone Band. After which, he stepped to The Reckless Breed & The New Breed Band. He backed up Burning Spear on his first US tour. This subsequently lead to Harris supporting such acts as Richie Heavens, Sugar Minott, Ken Boothe, The Blues Busters, & numerous other artists in popular venues around the US.

With this experience firmly under his belt, Jerry wanted to further his musical talents by performing solo with his own compositions. His first album I'm For You was released by Bullwackie on Wackies Records in 1982.

Since then Wackies has reissued it twice as I'm for You...I'm for Me. First reissue had five tracks from the original with their accompaning Dub versions. The second reissue included these ten track with three additional bonus tracks. I'm sharing that version here.
 
 
Jerry Harris - I'm for You...I'm for Me, Wackies DKR-180, 2015.

Spreading All Over
Spreading Dub
One More Time
One More Version
Without Me
Without Me Version
It's About Time
Time Version
Wackie Music
Wackie Version

bonus tracks -
We Got to Live Better
Too Much Religion
Religious Dub

Dub Onward,

24 September 2023

Dubtember 24

It may not be "Dub', but he's got Dub for a name. 
 
 



Since the 90s, breakin' out the Sound System in Williamsburg, Brooklyn---DJ Dub Gabriel. He's now pumpin' out the Dub beats in S.F.,CA. He started Destroy All Concepts, a genre-defying label that has released works by: Dub & reggae stars U-Roy, Ranking Joe & Brother Culture; U.K. Dubstep pioneers The Spaceape & Warrior Queen; World music acts Master Musicians of Jajouka & Balkan Beat Box: & rockers Michael Stipe, David J., & Golgol Bordello vocalist/percussionist, Pedro Erazo. 

 

Dub Gabriel - Bass Jihad, Azra Records AZRA-003, 2005.
decryptions in comments

War in the Poppy Fields
Zooklyn
Musique del L'Ame
Tales of One Man's Trials
Saaz Remains the Same
Dis Song
Bass is the Place
Garden of Light in the Shade of Grey
Rumi Go Through Me
History
Second Coming of the Urban Mystic

bonus tracks -
Freedom Fighter featuring Ranking Joe
Freedom Fighter (RSD Roller Dub mix)
Is This Revolution featuring the Spaceape
Is This Revolution ((Jack Dangers Colonial Dub remix)
 
 
 
 

Second coming...don't get me started.


Don't get me started on THE PRETENDER to the Crown. King SHIT. I have a hard enough time calling him Prince. You'll never hear me say the K-word about Jammy. Scientist is more true heir to the throne. Don't get me started... 


& don't even get me started about all the artists he robbed of royalties with the releases on the Greensleeves label...
 


 
This Dub platter was mixed at Channel One Studios, Kingston, Jamaica. This features hard rhythms from some of the best titles produced by Jammy for the great Johnny Osbourne. Favorite of NSS Fazal Prendergast provides guitar.
 
 
Prince Jammy - Osbourne in Dub, CSA Records CSLP 10, 1983.

Side One -
Loving Tonight
Reggae Stylee
Dance Dub
Jah is with You
Chopping Dub

Side Two -
Pumping Dub
Double Trouble
See No Evil
Pure is the Soul
Rise Up

Dub Onward,

23 September 2023

Dubtember 23

23...The Law of Fives...Hail Eris. Discord Rules. 
 
 



So, only a Stranger today. A Liquid Stranger. Martin Stääf (ex-Necton) is the Stranger.

The Invisible Conquest is a bass-heavy album with melodic bass lines, percussive grooves, tribal accents, & psychedelic sounds. This psy-elecrto-Dub is never overly congested with  instrumentation. It makes use of spacious sonic landscapes with a perfect contrast between the warm deep bass & the other sharp melodic instruments.

Written & produced in the forest / in the desert by Liquid Stranger & his friends 2005-2007. 

 

Liquid Stranger - The Invisible Conquest, Interchill Records ICHILL CD 031, 2007.
decryption codes in comments


Vibration Ruling the Nation
Liquid Stranger on the Run (2007)
Djarum Express
Familiar & Unknown
Drop Sacrifice
Splash Matters
Cook 'n' Curry
Wallflower
Confusion
Mutants (Sneaky & Adaptable mix)
Doncamatic
Faun of the Waters

 

 

 

On this next offering,  Liquid Stranger moving significantly into heavier Dubstep with Jamaican influenced grooves. Vocalists Brother Culture, Danman, Deeyah, & Warrior Queen are featured on the album.

Liquid Stranger - The Intergalactic Slapstick, Interhill Records ICHILL CD 037, 2009.

Hiding in the Morning Mist
His Fully Automatic Wheelbarrow
Dance of the Petals Avoiding the Nettles
Soundboy Killa
Full Metal Jacket
Tantrum
Dub Missile
Mutants
Rough Road
Hexed & Perplexed
Bodily Needs
Lotus
Dew Point

Dub Onward,

22 September 2023

Dubtember 22

I keep being somewhat flabbergasted ever time that the day's Newcomer is someone Old Skool, like Mighty Diamonds are today. Then I kinda get it. A lot of these artists are basically Reggae artists & that's not really an area of expertise to me. But so many great Reggae artists ended up with at least something that they called Dub. 

 



Mighty Diamonds vocal trio formed in 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston, JA. The group consisted of lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw along with two of his school chums, harmony vocalists Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson & Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson. Their smooth harmonies & choreographed stage show were inspired by Motown vocal groups of the 1960s,

You might wonder, like some did when I shared LKJ in Dub, what is the point of Dub versions of vocal or lyric dominated tunes. In my ignorance of many things Reggae, I have probably missed a great deal of fantastic music. But I dig deep into Dub & when I come across an album like Deeper Roots Dub, it enables me to hear these great songs, yes, sans words, yet...

The greatness of the tunes should never be diminished by the Dub. As I sez in the past: "Dub has the ability to tranlate all the meaning of the songs into sounds that tap the heart of our unity."

Give this a listen, I think you'll get what I'm laying down... 

 

Mighty Diamonds - Deeper Roots Dub, Virgin Frontline FLD 6001, 1997.
decryption codes in comments

Reality Dub
Blackman Dub
Dreadlocks Time Dub
Diamonds & Pearls Dub
One Brother Short Dub
Bodyguard Dub
4000 Years Dub
Master Plan Dub
Two by Two Dub
Be Aware Dub
 
 
 
 

Another offering from Scratch---may he Rest In PureDub. 
 
 


Daydreamflix session is a Alpine Dub soundclash recorded in 2017 in the heart of the Swiss Alps at Lee Perry's Secret Laboratory. The Daydreamflix multimedia project offers an escape from the quarantines of the pandemic madness into pure Dub art insanity. 
 
Dubokaj meets Lee Scratch Perry - Daydreamflix, Sound of Art to Come SOAC03, 2022.

Side A
Planiemore   
Dub Breeze
In the Moon Yeah
Rotterdambi
Mountainwater

Side B -
Daydreamflix
Dubmarine
Working Man
Hahn Solo
Piranha
Sunshine
Cover Me

non-LP bonus tracks -
Planiemore Collage
Titanic Eight
Dragsville Drowns
Dubmarine Hannah

Dub Onward,

21 September 2023

Dubtember 21

 

Nick Manasseh is one of my go-to Dubmasters. 

Here's one that finds him teamed up with classically trained violin/viola virtuoso Praise. This is the culmination of their work together over the last ten+  years. It follows their 2011 single "Matter of Struggle". 

 

Manasseh - Meets Praise, Roots Garden Records, 2020.
decryption codes in comments

Yes Mic
Dub with a Difference featuring Earl 16 & Vin Gordon
Circus Clown featuring Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee
Feelin'
Ice Man Talking
Grenbar
London Babylon
Nathan the Prophet featuring Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee
Zadok the Priest
No More Struggle
 
 
 
 


Newcomer to NSS today is Xterminator All Stars. Dancehall producer Philip "Fatis" Burrell started the highly successful labels Exterminator & Vena Recordings which evolved into the Xterminator label. The All Stars were Burrell's riddim unit.

These All Stars are: Robbie Lyn & Steven Stanley - keyboards; Robbie Shakespare & Donald Dennis - bass; Dean Fraser - saxophone; Sly Dunbar & Melbourne Miller - drums. 
 
 
Xterminator All Stars - Dub Down Babylon, Xterminator XTM 0012-2, 1999.

Roots & Culture
Fire it is Blazing
Psalms 25
Burn Satan
Jah Guide Us
Oh Jah
Can't be No One Else
She's Like the Roses
Why Boast?
Where are Your Kings
What is Your Purpose
When Man on Earth
Jah Lead Our Way
Freedom
Life Circle

Dub Onward,

20 September 2023

Dubtember 20

Today's match-up is Dubly Beloved Horace Andy 
& Newcomer to NSS Gregory Isaacs. 
 
 



Gregory Isaacs is a Lovers Rock stylist & the Cool Ruler. In the early 70s Isaacs teamed up with Errol Dunkley (of "Black Cinderella" fame)  to start the African Museum record label & shop. Isaacs first #1 single came in 1974 with "Love is Overdue". By the late 70s Isaacs was part of the triumvarite of Reggae along with Bob Marley & Dennis Brown.

In 1982 Isaacs released Night Nurse on Island Records which opened up a much wider audience. However...

                                                        [Cautionary Tale]
Cocaine & guns led Gregory to Kingston Prison. He served a six-month sentence for what proved to be his 27th arrest (mostly for possession or sales of crack cocaine). Isaacs's drug addiction had a major impact on his voice, with most of his teeth falling out as a result.

Thank Jah for Dub...

 

Gregory Isaacs - Come Again Dub, ROIR Europe RE193CD, 1993.
decryption codes in comments


Rude Boy Dub
Disturbing Dub
Nuff Split Dub
New Brand Dub
The Dub Game
Come Again Dub
Barely Visible Dub
Guilty of Dubbing You
Dub Collector
Whole Lotta' Dub

 

 

 

 



Everyone should be plenty familiar with Horse by now, so...sez no more... 

 

Horace Andy & Stepper - Mek it Dub, Mideya Jamaica MD 10, 2005.

Mister Wicked Dub
Babylon You Lose Dub
Living up Right Dub
Empress Lady Dub
Horse with No Name Dub
Dancing Bravo Dub
Come On Come On Dub
Johnny Dub
Night Dub
Old Marcus Dub
We Nah Run Dub
Dub is Vital
Satta Dub
Mek it Dub

Dub Onward,

19 September 2023

Dubtember 19

Today is happening...The Boris Gardiner Happening. 
 



Boris Gardiner is a Jamaican bass player, bandleader, songwriter, & singer. Back in the 1970s, Boris Gardiner was digging deep, tilling the field of Dub, growing some real treasures. These Super Dub volumes are rereleases of some of Gardiner’s finest Dubs. 

 

The Boris Gardiner Happening - Ultra Super Dub Vol. 1, Now-Again Records NA 5239, 2022.
decryption codes in comments


Side A -
Gimmy Dub
Freedom Roots
Expression Dub
Rider Roots
The Clay Dub

Side B -
The Train Roots
Mine Dub
Racking Roots
Love Dub
Paying Roots

 

 

 

 

The Boris Gardiner Happenning - Ultra Super Dub Vol. 2, Now-Again Records NA 5240, 2022.

Side A -
Shupe Dub
Black Clay Dub
Jah Stoned Dub
Free I Dub
I & I Dub

Side B -
She Dub
Booka Dub
Here to Dub
Chillum Dub
Skanker Dub

Dub Onwards,

18 September 2023

Dubtember 18

Newcomer to NSS today is Version Big-Fi. 
 



From their bandcamp page:
     "Version Big-Fi bring wired-up punk energy, super heavy reggae grooves and booming dub echoes to the forefront, as well as taking in influences as diverse and eclectic as King Tubby, The Clash, Massive Attack, Dreadzone, Joe Gibbs, Suicide, Scientist, Death In Vegas, The Specials, John Barry & Pop Will Eat Itself they have a foot firmly implanted in the 21st Century taking Dub forwards and upwards."

Here's a compilation of tracks I've accumulated over time. Its for Nothin' (Dub)... 

 

Version Big-Fi - Latest, NØ Comp., 2023.
decryption codes in comments

Nothing Dub
Revolution
Probably a Robbery Dub
Shine
Mash-up Me Sensi
Maxi Tempo
Up Town Top Boxing
Feel Like Jumping
No Salvation Until
Mashed Up Nation
Walk & Skank
I Know
Guns of Kingston
Boom Boom
Blue Monday
Nuff Buggeration
 
 
 
 


Dubly Beloved Dub dentist Keith Hudson originally recorded this one in 1984 (shortly before his death) with some gateway Dub mixed by Jammy. 
 
 UPDATE: Frenz of NSS Groovenor left a comment letting me know that the last track on the Keith Hudson Jammys Dub Encounter "Rites of Version" was foreshortened. He was kind enogh to share a link to a complete version that also contained Tuff Gong Encounter. I have swapped out my damaged version for his new share. Thanks from all, Groovenor.
 
 
Keith Hudson - Tuff Gong Encounter, VP Records VPCD2527, 2015.

Tuff Gong Encounter -   
I Know My Rights
White Africa
Run, Run, Run
Rebel Rasta
Starlight
I Know My Rights (Version 2)
       
Jammys Dub Encounter -   
Rites of Dub
Dub Africa
Run the Version
Rasta Dub
Star Dub
Rites of Version

Dub Onward,