Dive into the Echoes of Dub: A Journey Through Its History
Discover the fascinating origins and influence of Dub music—where echoes, reverb, and bass tell stories of the mind.
A Revolution in Sound: The Birth and Origins of the Dub
Dub music, born in the heart of Jamaica in the 1960s, revolutionised how we experience sound.
By stripping songs down to their core elements—bass, drums, sparse notes, and adding atmospheric effects like reverb and echo—Dub got the listener into a different journey. It’s not just about hearing the music but feeling the space it creates.
In this episode, we explore the rich history of Dub, its pioneering producers, and how it reshaped music forever.
The Roots of Dub: from Reggae Music to Revolution(s)
How Dub Emerged from the Jamaican Sound Systems
Dub music evolved from the vibrant world of Jamaican sound systems in the late 1960s. Producers like King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry began to experiment with reggae tracks they produced, removing the vocals or simply creating instrumental recordings in their studio with session players and adding to the music layers of reverb, delay, and echo.
What began as a simple remixing technique quickly turned into a new genre. Dub offered a fresh and deep way of listening—one where the mind could wander through the vast soundscapes created by its hypnotic basslines and distant echoes, often helped and enhanced by the local culture of marijuana smoking.
King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry
The true architects of echo
Widely recognized as the Pioneers who truly shaped the sound of Dub, no conversation about it is complete without mentioning two of the most influential figures in its history.
King Tubby, (born Osbourne Ruddock, January 28, 1941 – February 6, 1989) was a Jamaican electronics genius, sound engineer, and music producer.
His innovative work transformed Jamaican music, reimagining traditional reggae tracks with heavy reverb, delay, and creative mixing techniques.
Tubby started his career repairing radios and building sound systems, which earned him a reputation as a technical wizard. By the late 1960s, he began working as a disc cutter at Treasure Isle Studios.
His true breakthrough came when he experimented with remixing existing reggae tracks at his home studio, King Tubby’s Studio, using custom-built equipment and unique approaches to sound manipulation, using custom-built equipment to push the limits of sound.
Tubby turned the mixing console into an instrument, crafting atmospheric "versions" of tracks that emphasised rhythm and bass. His techniques laid the groundwork for modern electronic music genres, influencing dubstep, drum and bass, and techno.
Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry, March 20, 1936 – August 29, 2021) was instead a music producer first, then singer, and visionary, often hailed as one of the most innovative and eccentric figures in the history of reggae and dub music.
His groundbreaking approach to sound and production techniques helped shape the evolution of reggae and birthed dub as a genre.
Perry began his career in the late 1950s working with Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, where he developed his skills as a songwriter and producer. Dissatisfied with his limited creative control, Perry launched his own label, Upsetter Records, in 1968. He earned his nickname "The Upsetter" after releasing the hit track "People Funny Boy," which was a scathing diss aimed at his former boss.
In the 1970s, Perry built the Black Ark Studio, where he pioneered his production techniques, including tape splicing, unconventional reverb, and homemade effects.
His seminal works with Bob Marley and The Wailers (producing tracks like “Duppy Conqueror” and “Small Axe”, for instance) and countless other artists, including Junior Murvin and Max Romeo, cemented his status as a production genius. Perry's eccentric personality, spiritual philosophy, and experimental ethos permeated his music, making him a singular figure in the industry.
Though the Black Ark Studio was destroyed in the late 1970s, Perry continued to produce, collaborate, and tour, earning global recognition for his contributions to reggae and dub.
Dub and the Mind: Music for Reflection
How Dub Invites You to Listen with More Than Just Your Ears
Dub is more than just music—it’s an experience that invites introspection and mind exploration. The stripped-back sound of drums and basses and the heavy use of effects create a spacious, dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for meditation.
This hypnotic quality allows listeners to engage with the music on a deeper level, blurring the lines between consciousness and sound.
The genre encourages mindfulness like the echoes and reverb ripple through a Dub track. Unsurprisingly, dub’s soothing effect has always been enhanced by the ganja smoking culture from Jamaica, cementing its status of highly meditative music.
No wonder then that its impact extends far beyond its Jamaican roots, influencing a wide range of genres including hip-hop, drum & bass, techno and even rock.
The techniques pioneered by Dub producers—such as remixing, the use of effects, and manipulating sound in real-time—became essential tools for modern music production. Even in our case.
Artists ranging from Massive Attack to Kanye West have incorporated Dub’s innovations into their work, to name a few, creating atmospheric and immersive listening experiences.
Vinyl and Dub: The Perfect Pairing for Sonic Exploration
From Dubplates to Vinyl: How Dub Shaped the Art of Custom Sound
Dub music and vinyl have always shared a deep connection, but one key aspect of this relationship is the role of dubplates—exclusive, one-off records that played a vital part in Dub’s evolution.
In the early days of Jamaican sound systems, dubplates were acetate discs cut directly from the master tapes, often containing unique remixes or instrumental versions of reggae tracks.
These dubplates were highly coveted and were used by sound system operators to create a competitive advantage in dancehall clashes.
Dubplates allowed producers and sound system operators like the aforementioned King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry to showcase their cutting-edge remixes before they were available on commercial releases.
These tracks often featured deeper bass, enhanced echo, and other experimental effects, turning the dubplate into a tool for sonic innovation.
The exclusivity of dubplates made them special—only a select few could play these custom cuts, adding an element of mystery and prestige to the sound system culture.
As the music spread, the sound of Dub continued to thrive on vinyl.
Vinyl records perfectly capture the depth and richness of Dub’s basslines and atmospheric effects, offering a tactile and immersive listening experience.
When you listen to Dub on vinyl, you feel the weight of each echo, the texture of the reverb, and the power of the bass as it reverberates through the speakers.
Dub’s deep sonic layers, combined with the warmth and clarity of vinyl, create an experience that digital formats simply can’t replicate.
Dubplates, vinyl, and Dub music form a trifecta of innovation, culture, and sound exploration. Even today, dubplates are still used by DJs and producers in the underground music scene, continuing the tradition of exclusive, custom sound that began in the streets of Kingston.
Whether you’re listening to a classic album or discovering a rare dubplate cut, vinyl remains the ultimate medium for experiencing the full impact of Dub’s sonic landscape.
Essential Dub Recordings You Don’t Want To Miss
"King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown" (King Tubby with Augustus Pablo) - 1976
A seminal dub album featuring some of Tubby's most iconic mixes, including the title track, often considered the pinnacle of dub."King Tubby Meets the Aggrovators at Dub Station”-1975
This album highlights Tubby's collaboration with Bunny Lee’s session band, The Aggrovators, delivering dynamic, bass-heavy tracks.Super Ape (Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters) -1976
This album epitomizes Perry's Black Ark magic, blending surreal effects, deep basslines, and reggae rhythms. It's an immersive journey into Perry's visionary approach to production.Blackboard Jungle Dub (Lee "Scratch" Perry & King Tubby)-1973
One of the earliest full-length dub albums, this groundbreaking collaboration between Perry and Tubby is raw, experimental, and utterly revolutionary. It set the stage for dub as a standalone genre.
Pick A Dub (Keith Hudson) - 1974
An introspective and minimalistic masterpiece, "Pick A Dub" was one of the first albums to focus exclusively on dub mixes, combining soulful roots reggae with stripped-down, echo-heavy production.
Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (Scientist) - 1981
Scientist, a protégé of King Tubby, brought dub into the 1980s with a more polished, thematic approach. This album pairs eerie, cinematic soundscapes with heavy bass, making it a standout in dub's evolution.
We Want to Hear from You!
Check out our service of vinyl releases and start your sonic exploration today. Share your favourite Dub tracks or memories with us on social media—we’d love to hear what resonates with you!
PS: Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we’ll dive into more music history and how vinyl continues to shape our listening experiences.