Dub
Also known as dub reggae
A Jamaican studio art that turned reggae mixes into spacious, bass-first soundscapes, dub grew from B-side versions into a lasting influence on electronic production.
Origins and context
Studios and sound-system culture in Jamaica, especially the late-1960s practice of remixing reggae singles into instrumental B-sides, formed the setting in which dub took shape.
The sound
Characteristics
- Heavy bass
- Drums
- Echo
- Reverb
- Mixing console effects
- Instrumental versions
How to listen
Start here
- Start with King Tubby mixes to hear the template emerge.
- Move to Lee "Scratch" Perry productions for a more playful, surreal studio approach.
- Then compare later artists who carry dub's bass pressure and echo into newer forms.
Mood
- Spacious
- Hypnotic
- Heavy
- Immersive
Best for
- Late-night listening
- Headphones
- Anyone curious about studio-as-instrument production
History
Dub emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960s and early 1970s, growing out of the practice of issuing instrumental "versions" on the B-sides of reggae singles. Producers and engineers such as King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry pushed that idea further, treating the mixing desk itself as an instrument and using effects, filtering, and dropouts to remake the track rather than simply decorate it. By the early 1970s, dub had become a distinct studio art in its own right, with landmark releases and mixes making the style recognizable beyond Jamaica. Its bass-heavy, effects-forward approach went on to shape later production-minded scenes in the U.K. and beyond, and it left a clear trace in genres such as dubstep, drum and bass, and electronic music more broadly.
Notable artists
- KTKing Tubby
- L"Lee "Scratch" Perry
- APAugustus Pablo
- SScientist
- PJPrince Jammy
Essential listening
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
King Tubby
Explore connected genres
Sources and further reading
- allmusic.com
Dub later influenced genres including dubstep and drum and bass.
- allmusic.com
King Tubby is widely described as one of the key architects of dub.
- allmusic.com
Lee "Scratch" Perry is described as a pioneer of dub music.
- King Tubby Biography
- Lee "Scratch" Perry Biography