The Profound Appeal of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and a Popular Classic
If you know the music genre called dub, chances are you’re a serious music lover who frequents record shops.
While it’s a genre derived from reggae, it’s also a production method, and its world is incredibly deep and profound.
This article focuses on classic, essential albums recommended for beginners, while also highlighting releases that trace the roots from authentic Jamaican roots dub to UK dub, as well as works in post-punk and new wave that bear dub’s influence.
Even those who usually listen mainly to rock will find plenty to enjoy—so be sure to check it out!
- The deep world of dub music: classic albums where you can experience the sonic magic born from reggae.
- What is DUB? A Beginner’s Guide to Dub Music!
- The world of rocksteady born in Jamaica — a roundup of must-hear classic tracks to get you started
- Must-Listen for Beginners: Legendary Reggae Albums You Should Hear at Least Once — A Collection of Popular Records
- [Reggae] Introducing Classic Dub Tracks | Featuring Japanese Reggae and International Reggae!
- Japanese reggae bands, plus bands that incorporate reggae-influenced styles.
- Danceable Jazz! Classic and Recommended Albums of Acid Jazz
- [For Beginners] Introducing Recommended Overseas Reggae Bands and Groups!
- [Foreign Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and a Recommended Pick
- Classic post-punk hits from Western music: a roundup of popular tracks you should listen to first
- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
- Masterpieces, fan favorites, and new 21st-century staples for reggae beginners
- From the UK! The Allure of Grime — Essential Albums and Fan Favorites to Start With
The Profound Allure of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Picks (61–70)
ARE YOU READYVIBRONICS featuring MACKA B
Vibronics is a British reggae group formed in 1995.
Their style is characterized by a sound centered on digital dub.
This track features the British reggae artist Macka B and was released in 2015.
Never Get Burn & dubTwinkle Brothes
Twinkle Brothers is a group formed in 1962 by brothers Norman Grant and Ralston Grant.
They made their record debut on Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s label, with their first single being “Somebody Please Help Me” in 1966.
Handling everything from vocal tracks to instrumentals, they are popular in both Jamaica and the UK.
“Never Get Burn & Dub” is a reggae/dub release from 1998.
Love& UnityABA SHANTI-I
ABA SHANTI-I is a DJ and sound system operator from Hackney, London, UK, born in the 1960s, known for his Reggae, Roots Reggae, and Dub style.
Raised within a sound system by his father, Alan Smith, he was introduced to roots reggae music and, after immersing himself in Roots & Culture, began performing as an MC for Jah Tubbys Sound.
He launched ABA SHANTI-I in the 1990s, including performances at the Leicester Carnival.
He has won numerous Best Sound System awards and serves as the resident sound at University of Dub—the largest Dub event in the Roots Reggae scene—held in Brixton, London (a sacred ground for Roots & Culture and Dub).
Since 1993, he has been an essential sound system at the Notting Hill Carnival, the world’s largest West Indies carnival, held in late August each year.
Love & Unity is a track by The Shanti-Ites in a Roots Reggae/Dub style, released as a 12-inch vinyl by Flash Recordings in 1995.
Work SongBill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer, and record label owner.
His style is characterized by a sound that incorporates a wide range of genres, including funk, jazz, dub, and ambient, and he has collaborated extensively with musicians from around the world.
Holdin OnFlume
Flume is a DJ, music producer, and musician born in 1991 from Sydney, Australia.
He began producing house music in 2010, created several remixes, and produced two tracks titled Flow and Fizz, then released his debut album Flume in 2012.
He received awards at the AIR Awards and the ARIA Music Awards in 2013, at APRA Music in 2014 and 2016, and in 2017 his second album Skin won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the Grammy Awards.
Holdin On is a track from his first album, released in 2012, in a downtempo, dub, and ambient style—a reverb-laden dance track produced on a laptop.
Guiding DubIMPACT ALLSTARS
Impact All Stars is a group made up of members considered “all-stars,” formed under the sub-label Impact, itself part of Vincent Chin’s label Randy’s—which, along with Lee “Scratch” Perry and others, supported the dawn of dub.
They’re an essential group for anyone looking to understand reggae dub.
From their classic album Java Java Java Java, the track I recommend is Guiding Dub.
It’s a perfect song for experiencing the early days of reggae dub, so be sure to check it out.
For The Love of ItSalmonella Dub
Sakmonella Dub is a dub drum & bass and reggae roots band formed in New Zealand in 1992.
They have toured throughout New Zealand and Australia, as well as across various countries in Europe.
This track was released in 1999 and is included on the album Killervision, which won a New Zealand Music Award.