Dub from the Roots

Though it's a topic of great debate among reggae enthusiasts as to who actually invented the concept and subsequent genre of dub, it's inarguable that King Tubby, if not the creator of dub, is at the very least one of its most valuable innovators. Tubby's distinct remix style touched almost all major (and many lesser-known) players in the golden age of '70s roots reggae. Tirelessly prolific, Tubby accrued untold stockpiles of mixes and dubplates that saw eventual release over the years. Originally released in 1975, Dub from the Roots is an excellent example of Tubby's brilliant mastery of the mixing board and use of production as an invaluable instrument in and of itself. The compilation's 14 tracks swim in the grainy, glorious wash of reverb and delay that defined early dub, with Tubby isolating the various elements of the songs in a nearly scientific manner, dissecting classic rhythms and reshaping them into new, exciting forms track after track. ~ Fred Thomas