Dub Plates: Sound System Revolution
The fierce competition of 60s Jamaican sound systems, from U-Roy's toasting to King Tubby and Lee Perry's studio wizardry, births the remix and shapes global music.
Tracklist
- Wake The Town — U-Roy
- Java — Augustus Pablo
- S.90 Skank — Big Youth
- Dub Organizer — King Tubby
- None Shall Escape The Judgment — Johnny Clarke
- Police & Thieves — Junior Murvin
- Super Ape — The Upsetters
- Pure Ranking — Horace Andy
Transcript
Welcome to OffStereo. Evening's here — let's set the mood.
Wake The Town — U-Roy
In the late 1960s, Jamaican sound systems were locked in fierce competition, needing exclusive tunes to dominate sound clashes. U-Roy's "Wake The Town" showcases the birth of the deejay, toasting over instrumental tracks, a style that would ignite a global movement.
Java — Augustus Pablo
The demand for exclusive tracks led to the creation of dub plates – one-off acetate discs with unique versions not available to the public. These custom cuts, like Augustus Pablo's "Java," were secret weapons, elevating a DJ’s status and keeping the dancefloor packed.
S.90 Skank — Big Youth
As deejays rose to prominence, their rhythmic vocalizations, or 'toasting,' became a cornerstone of sound system culture. Big Youth's "S.90 Skank" exemplifies this raw, energetic style, performed over instrumental B-sides, directly influencing early hip-hop.
Dub Organizer — King Tubby
This era transformed music production by elevating the mixing engineer to an artist. Osbourne Ruddock, King Tubby, revolutionized the studio, turning the mixing board into an instrument. His "Dub Organizer" showcases pioneering techniques like echo, delay, and drop-outs.
None Shall Escape The Judgment — Johnny Clarke
King Tubby’s innovative approach to manipulating existing recordings, as heard on the instrumental B-side of Johnny Clarke’s "None Shall Escape The Judgment," emphasized instruments and added effects. He's widely recognized as the inventor of the remix concept.
Police & Thieves — Junior Murvin
Lee 'Scratch' Perry, another pivotal figure, further pushed the boundaries of studio innovation. His Black Ark studio, equipped with a TEAC four-track and Soundcraft desk, became a "living instrument," crafting otherworldly sounds for artists like Junior Murvin, whose "Police & Thieves" benefited from Perry's unique touch.
Super Ape — The Upsetters
Perry's 1976 album, "Super Ape" by The Upsetters, stands as a quintessential dub record, showcasing the studio as an instrument with an "earthier sensibility" aligned with Rastafarian roots. This sound was achieved through experimental techniques like spraying master tapes with blood for inexplicable effects.
Pure Ranking — Horace Andy
The innovation sparked by dub plates and sound system culture laid the groundwork for global genres. Horace Andy’s 1978 album "Pure Ranking" anticipated the rise of dancehall reggae, and the emphasis on rhythm and bass from dub profoundly influenced hip-hop, electronic dance music, and rock worldwide.
Thank you for listening to OffStereo. May the echoes of those revolutionary sounds and the communities they built continue to inspire the rhythm in your own life.