The best use of 20 bucks.

In my opinion, you will not find a better use for 20 bucks than buying the album King Tubby's in Fine Style... Released in 2004 by Sanctuary/Trojan records, it is an impressive collection of dub versions produced by legendary dub pioneer King Tubby. Highlighted here are some of his more rare cuts along side some undisputed dub classics, such as King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown. This compilation includes versions he created for some of the most famous Jamaican producers of the 70's, including Niney The Observer and Lee Perry. One of my favorites, Black Panta is an amazing track from what is arguably considered the first dub LP, Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle aka Blackboard Jungle Dub. And if that wasn't enough, it includes a good dub of the Stalag Riddim, which has been used on countless tracks over the years. If you want to know more about King Tubby, this is the best pace to start. The liner notes are good, and the sound quality is great.

Since Amazon doesn't have previews for this album, here is the itunes link for it... unfortunately they don't have the full album for sale.

King Tubby on YouTube

I am of the opinion that King Tubby is one of the most important music producers of the 20th century... and this is the only video clip of him that I've ever seen:

Thanks again, bwoyrough.

Hit The Road Jack by Big Youth

Hit The Road Jack by Big Youth is just one of those songs... No matter what my mood, when I hear it, it makes me feel just great. I picked up a well worn Jamaican jukebox 45 of it about a year ago, and its by far one of my favorite songs by Big Youth. It was released in 1976 and recorded over the riddim "Love Me forever" originally by Carlton & The Shoes... Big thanks to the YouTube comments for clueing me into that. That said, I don't believe Big Youth is toasting over the actual original recording, but someone else's version. If anyone knows who's version this is, Please post in the comments.

The Tune:

The Original Riddim:

Stop That Train: Updated

Stop That Train by Keith & Tex, according to the amazing music shop Ernie B's, is a mid tempo reggae track recorded in 1967 for Trojan Records. Originally done by the Spanishtonians (AKA the Spanish Town Skabeats) in 1965 and released on Blue Beat, the later Keith & Tex recording has been used as a backing rhythm in a number of fantastic DJ versions. As good as Keith and Tex track is, two of the DJ cuts manage to surpass the original.

Draw Your Brakes by Scotty appeared on the famous The Harder They Come soundtrack. Starting out with a DJ call "Forward..." and with the addition of some minor percussion and delay, this track really helps bring attention to the rhythm its self. The guitar and break towards the end of the track never fails to bring the song home.

Cool Breeze by Big Youth starts much like the Scotty version, but is more aggressive with dropping the vocals in and out of the mix. Originally done in 1972 for the Crystal and Green Door labels, this track is an excellent example of the blue print that would soon be exported to America, quickly becoming Hip Hop. Taking an existing track and adding vocals to produce something new had been done in Jamaica for years, but this track in particular is a shining example of the art.

According to Google Analytics, lots of people come here looking for the original Spanishtonians track... Well this guy has it, so enjoy:



And for that matter, here is Cool Breeze by Big Youth and Draw Your Brakes by Scotty: