Dub Chapter One, or: Give the drummer some ...and the bass player, too

As with much of reggae, the origins of dub are hazy (what were they smoking? Oh, right...) Essentially, dub versions were on the flip side of singles, usually the single hit stripped of vocals. The producer got 2 releases (while only paying for one) and using the studio, he could boost the bass, bring the guitar fore or aft -- and then play them at the sound system parties (imagine a bookmobile set up with big speakers, turntables, all the latest 45's). Then add what we now call rappers, then toasters, who'd talk/rap over the track with commentary on the original lyrics, whatever was in the news, film critiques -- anything was game. What we now call dub usually refers to the remixed, non-vocal version, although several of my favorite dub releases have the original vocals wafting through. Try "Planet Mars" (Mighty Diamonds) or "Garvey's Ghost" (Burning Spear) for a taste. Next...more dub sounds!

Singles Going Steady (and yes, "Idol" is on...)

I've been featuring anthologies so far, and really, that's okay, because reggae is mainly singles driven. Burning Spear, Bob Marley -- they later developed the reggae album, but even their albums were usually a collection of singles (and we'll save the whole Marley catalog problem for another day...) I bought the "Rebel Music" double LP because the album graphics were pop and non-threatening for someone like me, dipping their toes in the water. (Actually, the first "reggae" album I bought was by Third World, who managed to sound like the music I was used to -- heck, they covered "Now That We've Found Love" by The O'Jays! -- but other than their earliest releases, they were a reggae crossover band.) "Rebel Music" is uneven, but that's the thrill of anthologies -- the song you hated last week is your favorite the next. The Treasure Isle collection is totally magnificent: superb remastering from Heartbeat, an inspiring selection -- with complete versions (including intro) and rare dub versions. What's dub? Ahh, stay tuned!

Studio One Returns

The reggae recordings from Studio One have been given a stellar reissue campaign from the Heartbeat label (some have since been spiffed up and re-reissued with bonus tracks -- here I refer to the first round.) "Downbeat the Ruler" features instrumental tracks that formed the basis of many later hits. Brian Eno once compared his mining of his various releases (a bass note here, drum track slowed down and rejigged there) as musical composting, and that's very similar to what happens with reggae, though the raw material hasn't had a chance to break down into its component elements but rather hijacked piece by piece -- more in common with stripping down a car, I'd venture. "Mojo Rock Steady" is an assortment of vocal and instrumental tracks. None of these could be considered 'hits', but they work as a solid collection -- and (unlike Trojan), these are remastered, and they sound great.

Motor-Town, Philadelphia PA -- All in One Little Island

Many people who don't like reggae complain it all sounds the same. Well, in one sense, that's very true, because reggae borrows/steals from itself and others blatantly. A bass run in one song becomes a lead line in another, a popular rhythm gets endlessley recycled, and copyright is ignored. I've heard dubs based on Beatles songs, whole melodies appropriated without proper credit -- it's part of the outlaw nature of reggae. And yet, from a little island comes an echo of Motown, the Philadelphia International sound, the Hi Records sound of Memphis, Stax-Volt -- it's like hearing '60s soul radio bounced back with an Island spin. A great point-of-entry is "The Trojan Story" Volumes 1 & 2. The CDs haven't been remastered (heck, some sound like field recordings) but the lo-fi is part of the charm. As the cover says: "ska, rock-steady and early reggae music". Volume 2 reflects the more politically conscious state of reggae as it matured, but Volume 1 is naive, goofy and irresistable. And you gotta love the double-entendre cover image (it's a speaker grille, but...)