Roots Man Dub

Various Artists – Roots Man Dub

Once the foundation of a native music scene began to flourish on Jamaica’s jukeboxes and massive outdoor party sound systems, the knob twisting engineers introduced another element to the B-sides of their vinyl 45’s: dub versions. Originally, these B-sides were just the instrumental tracks of the A-side single, allowing partygoers the chance to lyrically participate as well as DJ’s to improvise with their native patois raps. Studio sharp engineers eventually began experimenting with the different layers of an instrumental track, emphasizing the rhythm and dropping out vocals or adding thick reverb or echo effects to the selected passages then extending the whole mix. Beneath the superstardom of King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry, the two discs of Roots Man Dub (originally released in 1978) focus solely on the accomplishments of Alvin Ranglin and his G.G. Records Hits label. With a backing of infamous Jamaican musicians like Sly & Robbie, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Ansel Collins, this will soften the blows of the working week and allow mental escape.