Heroes Of Reggae In Dub

Actually, the Skatalites are heroes of ska; the existence of an all-reggae album by these guys comes as something of a surprise. But it really is great stuff, and the fact that the program consists of dub mixes by the legendary King Tubby makes it that much better -- though it could have been improved even more by the inclusion of the original vocal versions, which are hinted at tantalizingly by the occasional scraps of vocals that peek through the mix. There certainly is plenty of room for those to have been included on this 33-minute program. But even without those versions, this disc should be considered an essential purchase for any reggae fan. "Close to Jah" and "Zion I Dub" are archetypal roots reggae, while "Herb Man Dub" (with its funky drumming, jazzy guitar, and equally jazzy flute) sound more like the Skatalites that ska fans know and worship. The mixes are vintage King Tubby -- swirling kaleidoscopes of sound, with crazily flanged drums and infinitely echoed guitars floating and swooping in and out of earshot. But it's the playing, especially by saxophonist Tommy McCook and bassist Lloyd Brevett, that really bears repeated listening. ~ Rick Anderson