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 (21–30)
RUNAWAY GIRLU Roy
Ewart Beckford, better known as U-Roy, is a Jamaican vocalist active since 1962 and is considered a pioneer of reggae toasting.
This track is included on the album “Dread in a Babylon,” released in 1975.
High Than the SunPrimal Scream
Primal Scream is a rock band formed in 1982 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Their 1991 album Screamadelica, which spans House, Dub, Downtempo, and Indie Rock styles, is a landmark work that expanded the possibilities of dance music and rock, and it won the inaugural Mercury Music Prize in 1992.
“Higher Than the Sun” is a Dub-style track from the Screamadelica album.
The Deep Allure of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Picks (31–40)
Give Thanks & PraiseJohnny Clark
Johnny Clarke is a reggae singer born in 1955 in Kingston, Jamaica.
He released a single in 1973 produced by Clancy Eccles, and from 1974 he recorded many classic tracks with Bunny Lee Production.
In 1985 he moved to London, released two albums on the Ariwa label, and has been active as a vocalist in the roots rock scene.
“Gibe Thanks” is a track in a dub/roots reggae style from the album of the same title released on the Ariwa label in 1985, produced by Mad Professor.
KilimanjaroIration Steppas Meet Dennis Rootical
Iration Steppas, alongside ABA SHANTI-I and others, are residents of the UK’s largest dub event, University of Dub, and are one of Europe’s top New Roots Reggae and Dub sound systems.
Dubstep, said to have evolved from Roots & Culture and Dub sound systems, remains a globally thriving DJ style and dance sound.
It stands at the core of bass music/dub/reggae and is heavily played across sound systems worldwide.
Kilimanjaro is a dub-style track released in 1995 on the Iration Steppa label.
Smiling DubJah Shaka
Jah Shaka is a British reggae musician and soundman, born in the late 1950s in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica.
He moved to the UK at the age of eight and launched a reggae sound system there in the late 1960s, beginning to produce music as a recording artist around the 1980s.
The name “Shaka” derives from Shaka Zulu, the 18th-century Zulu king.
He is regarded as a pioneer who paved the way for UK roots reggae, a strand distinct from Jamaican styles, and has influenced artists such as Basement Jaxx.
“Smiling Dub” is a track from the album Far I Ship Dub.
Zion’s BloodLee Perry and The Upsetters
Lee “Scratch” Perry, the father of reggae dub.
Anyone well-versed in reggae will know his name.
Among Perry’s works, the track regarded as supreme is “Zion’s Blood.” It’s the opening song on his classic album Super Ape.
While Perry had already established a fully realized form of dub by the time of Blackboard Jungle Dub, Super Ape is known for surpassing even that.
If you want to delve deeper into reggae dub, be sure to check it out.
Eyes In The Back Of My HeadThe Skints feat. Rival
The Skints are a band formed in 2007.
Their sound, which fuses reggae and ska, dub, punk rock, dancehall, soul, and grime and hip-hop, is described as “London-style Jamaican music.” This track was released in 2015.