DUB is a form of Jamaican music which emerged in the early 1970s a spin off from Ska and Rock Steady. The basis of Dub is the use of an instrumental track with specific emphasis on the drums and the bass with reverb and echo effects precariously embedded into the music with smatterings of vocals from the lyrical track and other technically produced sounds. The lead instruments such as the rhythm and lead guitars are usually dropped out, while extra percussions are added. The effect influences the listener to want to 'rub-a-dub'.
At times during the track one might end up hearing only one instrument then another then varying combinations of the instruments with various sound effects and noises combined to enhance the track or produce a particular effect.
Sometimes samplings of the vocals from the different versions of that particular track are placed intermittently throughout the track. In other cases 'Toasters' chant their catchy lyrics sporadically throughout for added effect and sensation.
These tracks can be used as the base tracks for dub plate specials. Competing Sound Systems will acquire these tracks then hire DJs or singers to lay their own unique lyrics to these tracks, then later these Sound Systems will compete with each other to see which system has the best loved or the most versions of this particular track.
In 1973 Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and the studio engineer/producer team of Herman Chin and Errol Thompson pioneered the advent of the 100% Dub Album for the retail consumer consumption. In 1975 Producer King Tubby, internationally known as the Dub master, innovator and producer released two Dub albums “King Tubby Meets The Upsetter at the Grass Roots of Dub†and “Surrounded By The Dreads a the National Arenaâ€. With the release of these albums King Tubby permanently etched his name and title in the annals of Dub and still recognized today as the trailblazer of this form of music.
In the 1980s Jah Shaka, Mad Professor, R.Zee Jackson and Gussie P led the new renaissance of Dub in Britain & the world. Artists in other genres of music began to take notice of this form of reggae; UB40 and the Police were instrumental in bringing a 'pop' appeal to Dub to previously uninitiated listening fans. "Present Arms in Dub" by UB40 was the first ever Dub album to enter the UK Top 40. It's 2006 going on to 2007 look out for a new style of Dub coming your way from M.J.M. (My Jamaican Music). www.myjamaicanmusic.com
