What is DUB? A Beginner’s Guide to Dub Music!

East of the River NileAugustus Pablo

AUGUSTUS PABLO – East Of The River Nile [1977]

If you want to immerse yourself completely in a deep world of sound, I recommend a seminal work by Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo.

This album is a landmark of dub, fusing the wistful melodies of his melodica with the deep echoes crafted by legendary engineer King Tubby.

Produced in 1977, it’s an instrumental work that, precisely because it has no lyrics, carries a prayer-like quality that resonates directly with the listener’s heart.

The fact that its 2002 reissue reached No.

13 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart attests to its timeless appeal.

On a night when you want to slip away from the everyday and enjoy a cosmic voyage through sound, why not give it a careful listen?

MafiaDub Syndicate

Dub Syndicate – Mafia

I want to immerse myself in a sound world that sinks deep and frees me from everyday life.

This UK dub classic is perfect for that mood.

Dub Syndicate, active in the UK, pursued an experimental sound that broke the boundaries of reggae, centered around producer Adrian Sherwood and drummer Style Scott.

This track is packed with sonic effects that lure the listener’s consciousness into another dimension—ground-crawling basslines and powerful effects that warp space.

Surrender yourself to its seven-plus-minute runtime and you’ll feel as if you’re wandering a labyrinth of sound.

Why not spend a quiet night alone listening to this piece from the 1989 masterpiece Strike the Balance?

Jacqueline DubHugh Mundell

Jacqueline Dub

Hugh Mundell, the legendary Jamaican singer who passed away at the young age of 21.

This is a profound dub track from his album “Mundell,” released in January 1982.

Over the rock-solid rhythms crafted by producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes and the Roots Radics, fragments of sound mixed by Scientist float and drift.

Many listeners have surely been captivated by the way the original vocals—filled with feelings for a particular woman—echo dreamily through the mix.

Created at King Tubby’s studio, this work is truly a laboratory of sound.

Dim the lights a little, sway your body, and lose yourself in the magic of the music.

Rockers DelightJah Shaka & Aswad

Rockers Delight

A standout collaboration that lets you experience the UK dub scene of the 1980s.

Jamaica-born sound system king Jah Shaka and London’s pride, Aswad, perform together superbly.

Layers of echo drift over a deeply submerged bass, while Aswad’s refined chorus creates a mesmerizing whirl of sound.

Originally released around 1985 as a track on the album “Jah Shaka Meets Aswad in Addis Ababa Studio,” this piece showcases the musicianship of Aswad, who would later be nominated for a Grammy.

Dim the lights, surrender to the waves of sound, and lose yourself in its floating sensation to your heart’s content.

One Million Man DubJah Shaka & Mad Professor

Mad Professor & Jah Shaka – One Million Man Dub

A landmark album that brings together two masters who embody the UK dub scene—Jah Shaka, active in the UK, and Mad Professor—New Decade of Dub is their first full-fledged collaboration.

The track featured on this album is a true piece of sonic sorcery, where earth-rumbling sub-bass intertwines with razor-sharp spatial effects.

Even without lyrics, the fragmented vocal snippets convey a powerful social message, drawing listeners into a spiritual journey.

Released in January 1996, this work is a sound system classic where the two artists’ distinct personalities fuse at the highest level.

On a night when you want to step away from the everyday and sink deep into the world of music, try turning off the lights and playing it loud.

Surrender to the sound that shakes you to your core, and you just might open the door to a new sensory experience.

King Tubby Meets Rockers UptownKing Tubby

King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown

Wrapped in the magic of sound, set yourself free from the everyday! This track is perfect for you.

Hailing from Jamaica, King Tubby was an innovator who elevated mixing techniques into an art form.

What you’ll hear here is a fantastical sonic world where Augustus Pablo’s airy, floating melodica melodies intertwine with a deeply resonant bassline.

The way the mixing console is played like an instrument, dropping elements in and out, is truly breathtaking.

This is the title track from the classic 1976 album “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown,” which is also known for being featured in the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, sparking a renewed appreciation.

Dim the lights a bit and let yourself be carried away by this richly layered soundscape.

Fast Forward Into DubMad Professo

Mad Professor – Fast Forward Into Dub

A collection of tracks packed with sonic magic that invites you into the profound world of dub music.

The creator is Mad Professor, a Guyana-born, London-based producer.

Featured on the classic album “Who Knows the Secret of the Master Tape?” released in January 1985, this piece is a true listening laboratory.

Over earth-rumbling low frequencies, echoing effects and enigmatic female vocals drift.

The voice is no longer mere words, but an instrument that colors the space itself.

It’s also known for being sampled by The Orb in their own work, hinting at the impact it had on the music scene of the time.

Why not surrender to the waves of sound and immerse yourself in this deep world?