1. “Natty Don't Fear" – U-Roy – Dread In A Babylon 
U-Roy was such a monumental presence in Dub. The true originator, the pioneer of toasting. Kicking off a triple shot in his honor (he passed away on February 17th) with U-Roy toasting over the “You Don’t Care” riddim, first popularized by Slim Smith. 

2. “Rasta Ambassador (Small Axe)" – U-Roy – Rasta Ambassador 
Next up, U-Roy toasting over the “Small Axe” riddim, produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry for Bob Marley and the Wailers back in ‘73. 

3. “Tide Is High" – U-Roy & The Paragons – Version Galore 
There’s something glorious about the way U-Roy cuts across the Paragons’ vocal melodies. Debbie Harry could’ve used him as well. R.I.P. 

4. “Blacka Shade of Dub" – Scientist – Scientific Dub 
Scientist really hit his stride in 1981. He released an astounding ten albums of dub mixes that year. Scientific Dub is one of his best from that era. 

5. “The Death of Mr. Spock” – Roots Radics Band, Scientist, and Prince Jammy – Scientist and Jammy Strike Back! 
Prince Jammy and Scientist collaborated on this superb album that features instrumental tracks from the Roots Radics Band. The cease-and-desist letters would come flying if you tried to get away with a cover like that these days. 

6. “Judgement Dub" – Prince Jammy – Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing in the Front Yard & Conflict Dub 
Switching over to Prince Jammy, who leaned a bit heavier on cold, more mechanical sounding production when compared to Scientist. 

7. “Truth and Right - The Right Dubwise”– Dillinger – None Stop Disco Style 
Dillinger makes expert use of Johnny Clarke’s “Just Give Up the Badness” for this track. The original was produced by Bunny Lee, but Brad Osbourne handled production for Dillinger’s version. 

8. “Run Run" – Delroy Wilson – Simply Rockers: Jamaican Music From The Vaults 
A groovy rock steady classic from Delroy Wilson, originally recorded for Coxsone Dodd in the 60s, but this version, produced by Keith Hudson, comes from the early 70s. 

9. “Throw Me Corn" – Brentford All-Stars – Studio One Story 
Named after the address of the famed Studio One (13 Brentford Road in Kingston), the Brentford All-Stars were the house band at the studio/label in the early 70s. 

10. “Bush Weed Corn Trash" – Scratch And Company – The Upsetters Chapter 1 
Sticking with the ‘corn’ theme, this track was created by Scratch for Bunny and Ricky’s song of the same name (which is slightly tweaked here). 

11. “Dub Fi Gwan" – King Tubby and Friends – Dub Gone Crazy 
To quote writer Michael E. Veal, “If fragmentation of the song surface through the dropping out of parts was central to dub’s dynamic tension, King Tubby was the master practitioner of this strategy.” 

12. “Say So" – Augustus Pablo – King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown 
A double-shot of King Tubby and a superb example of the way he would isolate single lines from the source version without losing the intent of the original set of lyrics. 

13. “Don't Be Afraid" – George Faith – Mr Perry I Presume 
George Faith made a name for himself by recording covers of American soul hits in the early 70s. This is actually an original by Faith, recorded for an album that never saw the light of day. 

14. “Silver Bullet" – The Observer All Stars & King Tubbys – Dubbing With The Observer 
King Tubby completely deconstructs this version of Ken Boothe’s “Silver Words,” making it almost unrecognizable compared to the original. 

15. “Go-Go Girls" – Mikey Dread – Dread At The Controls Dubwise 
Another track off Mikey Dread’s seminal dub album that features a trippy duel between a saxophone and a wah guitar part. Bonus points if you can identify what the strange sound is in the far left channel. 

16. “Soul Rebel" – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Soul Rebels 
Paying tribute to the other great Jamaican artist we lost recently: Bunny Wailer. Here’s a track from the Wailers in their prime. R.I.P.

Coronavirus Dub Session #14

1. “Armagedon" – Bunny Wailer – Dubd'sco 
Starting things off with a tribute to the late, great Bunny Wailer who passed away on March 2nd. Sylvan Morris and Karl Pitterson were at the controls for this masterpiece, creating new versions of songs from Wailer’s Blackheart Man album. 

2. “Old Country Dub" – Prince Jammy – Strictly Dub 
A cut from early 80’s Prince Jammy when he was still working out of King Tubby’s studio at 18 Dromilly Avenue in Kingston. As mentioned before, the sparse, colder production was a complete 180 from Tubby’s warm analog sound. 

3. “House Rard" – Augustus Pablo – Ital Dub 
Or in other words, “Pure Dub” (Ital being pure food in Rastafari slang). This is from Pablo’s 2nd album (released the same year as his first), which was his first working with Sylvan Morris at Harry J’s studio. 

4. “Bingo Kid" – The Upsetter – Produced And Directed By The Upsetter 
Great groove and swagger to this track. Here, Scratch is making excellent use of the Police and Thieves riddim (which you may remember from the Clash’s cover in the 80s). 

5. “Your Ace From Space" – Tommy McCook – Version Galore 
Although credited to Tommy McCook, this track is all about U-Roy, who toasts over McCook’s rhythm track. The song comes from U-Roy's first album which featured him toasting over what was at that time really well-known Jamaican hits. 

6. “Feel Like Jumping Pt. 2" – Marcia Griffiths – Studio One Dub Vol. 2 
Marcia Griffiths keeps the upbeat groove rolling, with Dub Specialist at the controls tricking out her original version. 

7. “A Hard Hard Dub" – Bunny Lee – Creation of Dub 
Although credited to Bunny Lee, this track is a collaboration between Lee and King Tubby, who works his magic on Delroy Wilson’s “Get Ready Here I Come.” 

8. “Keep a Good Dub Rubbing" – Scientist – Scientific Dub 
Scientist opts to let Johnny Clarke kick things off, with the original vocal line from “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down,” before delving into his great minimalist version with cascading keyboards. 

9. “I Am the Conqueror" – Dennis Brown – I Am the Conqueror 7" single 
From a scratchy 45 I found at Deadly Dragon Sound in New York City, the great Dennis Brown, assisted by Niney the Observer. 

10. “Mr. C.I.D." – Barry Brown – The Trojan Story Volume Two 
Linval Thompson reworks his own “Big Big Girl” riddim for this track, while Barry Brown adds his own lyrics. 

11. “Leaving" – Gregory Isaacs – Trojan Dub Box Set 
Prince Jammy turns Gregory Isaacs into a spirit calling from beyond, reducing his original vocal take for “Black a Kill Black” to punchy elements that echo in and out of the track. 

12. “Roof Top Dub” – Vital Dub – Well Charged 
Another track from the great Well Charged album by The Revolutionaries (there were cuts included in Sessions 10 and 11). 

13. “Travelling" – Burning Spear – Travelling b/w Walking in Dub 
Burning Spear completely reworks an earlier song, “Journey,” into a bouncier, groovier, and less traditional version. 

14. “Watch Them”– Love Joys – Reggae Vibes 
One of the few all female reggae groups, Sonia and Claudette, aka the Love Joys, had such distinct vocal harmonies. This song is from their lesser known, first album, Reggae Vibes. 

15. “Youth Man" – The Observer All Stars & King Tubbys – Dubbing With The Observer 
If this track sounds really familiar, it’s because you just heard another version – Dennis Brown’s “I Am the Conqueror,” a few minutes earlier. Both were produced by Niney the Observer and utilize the “Conqueror” riddim. 

16. “Black Heart" – Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition) 
A bit of history to this one: Hudson original released the innovative track “Satan’s Side” in ‘72, then reworked it for Earl Flute and Horace Andy’s “Peter and Judas,” and then created this non-vocal version in ‘74. 

17. “Fig Tree" – Bunny Wailer – Dubd'sco 
Finishing up on a mellow note with some more Bunny Wailer (R.I.P.)

Coronavirus Dub Session #15

https://obsidianskyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/simulacrum
https://www.instagram.com/kenwohlrob/
https://www.facebook.com/obsidianskyrecords


Written, performed and produced by Ken Wohlrob
Recorded at Quatre Cagne, Mohegan Lake, NY
Obsidian Sky Records #009
© 2024

A song can be a slippery thing.
It can have no structure while still being bound to consistency.
It can be sinister, but also beautiful.
It can allow you space to think, moving into the background, but it can still enforce its presence.
It can feel immovable, while it can feel as if it's slithering away, unable to be held.
It's components can be distinct, while it's layers can melt into one another.
It can sound familiar, yet unlike anything you've ever heard.
It can have roots, but be unmoored from the past.
It can borrow, cheat, and steal, while being pure and unique.
It is a sum of its parts, but the parts don't define it.
It can engage the brain, but defy understanding.
It can be one thing one minute, another thing the next
But it should infect you...

Otherwise, what's the friggin' point?

There are guitars. They are synthesizers. They are effects. Slivers of old songs and styles that have been lurking in my brain, sitting in the unconscious, waiting to be deployed. Some influences overt, others indistinguishable. This was where my brain was at during the moments the song was recorded. It was not planned. Nor written. It was cobbled together from rapid impulses and dredged old thoughts. 

Hope you dig it.

Simulacrum

Simulacrum - Ken Wohlrob

https://obsidianskyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/variac
https://www.instagram.com/kenwohlrob/
https://www.facebook.com/obsidianskyrecords

Performed and produced by Ken Wohlrob
Recorded at Quatre Cagne, Mohegan Lake, NY
June-July 2024
Obsidian Sky Records #010
© 2024

niku-zuki-no-men (肉付きの面, mask with flesh attached)

Our brains are a strange lockbox. What we choose to keep in there is inexplicable. I was watching Kaneto Shindō’s Onibaba. The soundtrack by Hikaru Hayashi utilizes a sharp sound to heighten the tension, possibly a bow being drawn rapidly across a violin or viola for a quick instant, especially when a character appears wearing the demon-like Hannya mask. The velocity of that single note was strangely compelling. It stuck, much like the flesh to the mask in the film. I don’t know why. But at odd moments it would rise up from my subconscious. I would hear that high-velocity note. And I would see the mask from the film…

“Variac” started with that sound. Or rather, creating my own version of it. Can we be haunted by a musical sound?

But like all the soundscapes I’m creating, it grew into something else…

Memories are not like movies. They don’t have story beats. Or a three-act structure. They’re more fluid. One bleeding into the next with no rhyme nor reason. Layer upon layer triggered by the devil knows what. Ever found yourself saying, “It’s weird, but I just thinking about…”?

I can’t tell you what you should feel when listening to “Variac.” It’s probably going to be different because I haven’t lived your life. And I don’t know what you’ve got tucked away in the subconscious behind the mask.

Variac

https://obsidianskyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-conclusion
https://www.instagram.com/kenwohlrob/
https://www.facebook.com/obsidianskyrecords

Performed and produced by Ken Wohlrob
Recorded at Quatre Cagne, Mohegan Lake, NY
August, November, and December 2024
Obsidian Sky Records #011
© 2025

What is minimalism when it comes to music? Can a song with 10 different instrument layers be considered minimalist? Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians is considered a minimalist masterpiece, but it’s written for 18 musicians, a large ensemble. So, is it still minimalist if you have 18 musicians all hammering on the same chord at the same time? Is there some cranky old man out there who shouts “Judas!” at Steve Reich because he chose to work with large ensembles instead of just a single swinging microphone and an amp speaker?

This is what I struggled with when creating “The Conclusion.” But I was not in control, the idea was.

David Lynch was right. We don’t create ideas. We catch them like fish. “The Conclusion” began on an early morning in Asheville, North Carolina, while I tinkered away on a Prophet synthesizer app on my iPad. It was something, but I didn’t know what yet. Months later, the original Prophet synth line became a B3 organ part. Suddenly, there was a solemnity to the idea. If you know me, solemn I ain’t. But the idea was dragging me along. A tenacious vibrating bass rhythm, followed by signals from somewhere. Images from the final scenes of Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man (a very solemn ending indeed) in my head. And then from nowhere, a counter melody. Why the frick would I add that? The idea said, “Put it in there!” So I did. And suddenly, it was all there, all these layers intertwining, working together as the piece kept building. Eventually, the idea said, “Enough.” It seemed right. But was this still minimalism? Was it too much? Had I gone from soundscape into song? To be honest, I still don’t know. The final version is something I never would have created before. This was some new territory. In that lies the victory. You can tell me whether it works or not.

The Conclusion

https://obsidianskyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/william
https://www.instagram.com/kenwohlrob/
https://www.facebook.com/obsidianskyrecords

Performed and produced by Ken Wohlrob
Recorded at Quatre Cagne, Mohegan Lake, NY
March and October 2025
Cover Image by Melissa Pracht
Obsidian Sky Records #012 © 2025

A song is a stubborn thing. It’ll resist you with all its might. As you try to bend it and twist it, it will reject your strokes of genius, leaving you feeling like a damn fool for thinking they would work in the first place. A song will tell you, in no uncertain terms, what it wants to be. Only a jackass would ignore it.

“William” was a confounding son of a bitch. I wanted it to be more. So I kept throwing different layers at it. But none of them worked. What was there was all it wanted. And the more I listened to it, the more it reminded me of William Basinski’s Disintegration Loops. Basisnki could’ve done so much more with those decaying tape loops. But he was confident enough as an artist to listen to what the music was telling him. It didn’t need more. There was such a journey in those slowly decaying repetitions. To smother them in other things would’ve dragged them down.

What I had was a single take of a repetitive guitar riff, played live through a reverse-echo feedback loop for 11 minutes. The feedback loop created oscillations and repetitions that took on a life of their own, extending past the riff, even re-absorbing it. There was a compelling journey in that single guitar line.

The soundscape is named after Basinski since he inspired the approach and after my father, who is also named William, because he’s had an interesting journey himself. Give it a spin and see where it takes you.

William

1. "Tommy & King Tubbys Greetings" - Tommy McCook - Revenge 7"
The B-Side of a re-release from Pressure Sounds. Tommy McCook reworking Yabby You's "Jah Vengeance." Big horns, heavy bass & drums. Released in 1976.

2. Bandulo Dub - Diggory Kenrick & The Aggrovators - Bandulo Rock 12"
Also found this re-release through Pressure Sounds. A 12" containing 4 different variations of the much sought after "Late Night Blues” riddim. 

3. Jah Jah The Conqueror - Linval Thompson - Jah Jah The Conqueror 7" Single
Bunny Lee did the production on this one. From a 7" re-release of this track from 1976. 

4. I Don't Want To Feel Ashamed - Angela Prince - Hand & Heart b/w I Don't Want To Feel Ashamed
One of the last things I scored from Deadly Dragon Sound in NYC before they shut down the shop on Forsyth Street. A stellar soulful vocal.

5. Natty Dread A Conqueror - I-Roy - Natty Dread A Conqueror
A collection of pros: Bunny Lee on production, the Aggrovators as the backing band, and one of I-Roy's best vocals. Circa '76.

6. Roast Fish & Cornbread - Lee Perry - Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread
Everything that made Scratch great: deep heavy groove, excellent use of space, and weird weird sounds flying in from all directions.

7. Get Wise - Horace Andy - Get Wise 7" b/w Wiser Dub
Classic Horace Andy. Somehow, he got away with singing in that high register and still sounded cool as hell.

8. Blood And Fire - Niney The Observer - The Trojan Story Volume Two
A bunch of people went on to use the "Blood and Fire" riddim after Niney released this (including Big Youth, Tommy McCook, and the Observers). 

9. Angola - The Revolutionaries- Angola 7"
THE band. They were the house band at Channel One. Always loved the sweet haunting horn line on this one. Re-used again and again on many tracks.

10. Jubilation Dub - Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - African Dub All- Mighty Chapter Three
From what I hear, DJ Shadow, Massive Attack, and others grabbed tons of samples from the five African Dub albums. This is from a newer re-release of the third installment circa '78.

11. Chi Chi Run - Big Youth - Chi Chi Run 7"
You can't deny Big Youth. This one is from 1972 or so. Produced by none other than Prince Buster.

12. Mr. Brown - Gregory Isaacs - Soon Forward
Coolest, most soulful bastard ever to step out of Jamaica. This track is actually from 1979, but the album it comes from, Soon Forward, is still monumental.
 
13. Dark Moon - The Upsetters - Dark Moon 7"
Lee Perry doing his take of a classic standard, most notably covered by Elvis back in the 50s. It has that slightly psychotic groove that is his trademark.

14. Super Star Dub - Bunny Lee- King of Dub
Originally recorded at Channel One in Jamaica, this was released on Brad Osborne's Clocktower label out of the Bronx. 

15. Dreadlocks Dread - U-Roy - Dread In A Babylon
U-Roy takes Bob Marley's "Rude Boy" and twists it into his own classic. A favorite off Dread In A Babylon, circa '75.

16. Dreader Than Dread - Honey Boy Martin (w/ Tommy McCook & The Supersonics) - Rude Boy Confession - Dreader Than Dread 7"
Following up U-Roy with Honey Boy Martin's "Dreader Than Dread." A re-release 7" on the Caltone label with "Rude Boy Confession" by the Emotions on the A-side.

17. Blood of Africa - King Tubby Meets The Upsetter - At the Grass Roots of Dub
Discovered this album off a list Johnny Lydon created of essential dub albums at the request of a fan back in the day. King Tubby on Side A, Lee "Scratch" Perry on Side B. This is the first track from side A.

18. Perfidia - Phyllis Dillon - It's Rocking Time b/w Perfidia
I have a great version of the Ventures playing this song. But love Phyllis Dillon's take on it. Beautiful.

19. Stranger - Love Joys - Lovers Rock (Reggae Style)
The Queens. Cousins Sonia Abel and Claudette Brown are originally from Brixton in the UK. Produced by the legendary Lloyd 'Bullwackie' Barnes who has been running the Wackies label out of the White Plains, NY since the early 80s.

Coronavirus Dub Session #1

Queueing up a bunch of tracks from the Trojan Story Vol. 2 boxed set, this one gets a little more soulful than Session #1. 

1. "The Russians Are Coming (Take Five)" - Val Bennett - Trojan Instrumentals Box Set 
Kicking things off, in the great tradition of reggae/dub cover versions, a very groovy rendition of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." 

2. "Stop Them Jah" - Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
Both of the Augustus Pablo/King Tubby Meets Rockers albums are stone cold classics. My favorite track off this one. 

3. "Musical Pleasure" - I-Roy - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
I-Roy's reworking of a Jo Jo Bennett single called "Hot Pop." The combination of I-Roy's vocals, the guitar, and keyboard lines are unstoppable. 

4. "Push Me In The Corner" - The Eternals - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
Such a laid-back soulful groove on this one with great harmonies by The Eternals. 

5. "Ethiopians Rock" - Aggrovators Meets The Revolutionaries - At Channel One Studios (Instrumental) 
Produced by Bunny "Striker" Lee, two of the best backing bands in Reggae join forces, like a Superhero movie only actually enjoyable. 

6. "Slum" - Gregory Isaacs - Slum In Dub 
An odd album in that its credited to Gregory Isaacs, but you only hear his voice in rare dub plate samples. The Revolutionaries carry the all-instrumental album and it's absolutely stellar. 

7. "Casanova Dub" - The Observer All Stars & King Tubbys - Dubbing With The Observer 
The opening guitar line always makes me think of Al Green. 

8. "Earthquake" - U-Roy - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
I challenge you to listen to U-Roy's opening line and not smile.  

9. "Living In The Footsteps" - Delroy Wilson - The Trojan Story Volume Two
More great soul, this time from Delroy Wilson, kind of the Stevie Wonder of Reggae and Rock Steady, who was teenage star before building a long career. 

10. "Riot" - Dizzy & Soul Syndicates - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
Sometimes you find old reggae tracks that just have that weird quirky line that hooks you. A great riddim circa 1971. 

11. "Strain" - The Revolutionaries - Sounds Vol. 2 
The Revolutionaries again? Yes. Absolutely. This one off a 'dubbed' version of their second instrumental album. 

12. "A Whole Lotta Sugar Down Deh!" - Jah Berry - The Trojan Story Volume Two
Raw as hell, almost like it was done live. The interplay of vocals and melodica can't be beat. 

13. "That's The Way Nature Planned It" - Ken Boothe - The Trojan Story Volume Two
Oddly overlooked among Reggae vocalists. Mr. Rock Steady. Doesn't get anymore soulful than this.  

14. "Dub Rock" - Soundstorm - Studio One Dub Vol. 2 
Produced by the legendary Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. 

15 "Skilful Dub" - Prince Jammy - Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing in the Front Yard & Conflict Dub 
This came from a new Pressure Sounds release combining two classic albums. Bunny Lee producing, Prince Jammy engineering, the Aggrovators as the backing band. 

16. "Born Free" - Michael Rose - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
One last soulful track from the Trojan Story Volume Two comp. You have to love that weird keyboard line. 

17. "Throne of Blood" - Prince Jammy - Kamikazi Dub 
More Prince Jammy. His first masterpiece album, this was originally released in '79 at the start of his career. 

18. "Disco Devil (7" Mix)" - Lee Perry - Disco Devil 12" Single 
Ending with the master. Somehow, this track always sums up everything about Lee Perry for me. Who dat?

Coronavirus Dub Session #2

1. "Hell is for Heroes" - Big Youth - Natty Cultural Dread
Picking it right back up with Manley Augustus ‘Big Youth’ Buchanan. His best album, with some of his most iconic songs. The track is actually an update of the "Love Me Forever" riddim originally recorded by Carlton & The Shoes.

2. "007 (Shanty Town)" - Desmond Dekker & The Ace - 007 7"
A rocksteady classic from '67. The way they draw out the numbers during the chorus ("0h- Oh- Seven") is the hook. Lyrically, its an odd ode to coolness and yet also a very political song ("Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail").

3. "El Toro" - Roland Alphonso & The Beverleys Allstars - 007 7"
This instrumental is the original B-side to "007 (Shanty Town)" when it was released on the Pyramid label. Thought you might dig hearing them back-to-back.

4. "Mabrak" - The Abyssinians - Mabrak b/w Issat 7"
A little bit or religious instruction, courtesy of The Abyssinians, circa '71. Released on their own Clinch label, it's passages from the Old Testament read over a very cool drum-and-bass rhythm.

5. "Desperate Lover" - Bob Andy- Bob Andy's Song Book
This track comes from Bob Andy's definitive 1970 album. The very cool keyboard and saxophone parts are by none other than Jackie Mittoo and Roland Alphonso (who you just heard two tracks ago).

6. "I Man (Version)" - I-Roy - I Man Time 7"
Absolutely love that "Yeeeaaaahhh" mid-way through the song. I-Roy is toasting over a version of the Mighty Diamonds "Right Time" riddim. This is the B-side version of the 7" single.

7. "Swell Headed" - Burning Spear - Swell Headed 7" Single
"Is a lucky ting I never get swell headed." Released in 1974, there's so much soul to this one. Really showcases what makes Burning Spear so unique.

8. "Party In the Slum" - Gregory Isaacs - Cool Ruler
Back in Session #2, I played the instrumental version, "Slum," off Slum in Dub. This is the actual vocal version that appears on Isaacs' Cool Ruler album. Interesting to hear how his coolness gives the track a whole different feel.

9. "Fletchers Land" - The Revolutionaries - Earthquake Dub
Double-shot of the Revolutionaries (who backed up Isaacs on the previous track). As always it starts with Sly Dunbar counting the band in.

10. "Dub From The Roots - Original" - King Tubby - Dub From The Roots
Definitive King Tubby from 1975 right here. The Aggrovators are laying down the instrumental bed, which Tubby tricks out in his usual style.

11. "Chances Are" - Love Joys - Lovers Rock (Reggae Style)
We return to the cousins Sonia Abel and Claudette Brown, aka The Love Joys. I should really just play this whole album, because its that damn good.

12. "Give Me The Right" - The Heptones - Give Me the Right 7"
First cut from the Heptones. Those great three-part harmonies were their signature. They had a string of hits for Studio One in the '60s and '70s. This is a rarer tune, but stellar.

13. "Canon" - Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis - Wake the Nation - Canon Split 7"
The great Tommy McCook with Bobby Ellis on trumpet.

14. "Turntable Dub" - Observer All Stars & King Tubbys - Dubbing With The Observer
I featured "Casanova Dub" off the same album in Session #2. My way of saying you should really go out and track it down for your collection. Despite the title, it's actually produced by Niney the Observer.

15. "Watch Out Version" - Albert & The Gladiators - Studio One Dub Vol. 2
Led by Albert Griffiths on vocals and guitar, you might know the Gladiators from their album Trenchtown Mix-Up. They also did a lot of work with U-Roy.

16. "People Rocksteady" - Uniques - Simply Rockers: Jamaican Music From The Vaults
You might recognize the melody from Session #1, which included Lee Perry's "Dark Moon." Both are takes on the famous "Blue Moon" melody from the 1930s, most notably covered by Elvis. But another example of the reggae tradition of 'sampling' before there was a concept of sampling.

Coronavirus Dub Session #4

1. "Chalice In The Palace" - U-Roy - Dread In A Babylon 
"Gonna dub it withcha majesty." Kicking off with the mighty U-Roy. Here he's toasting over a version of the The Techniques "Queen Majesty." 
 
2. "I'm The Ruler" - Anthony Rocky Ellis - Studio One Kings 
From the start, that weird keyboard is the hook. 
 
3. "I'll Be Around" - Sound Dimension - Studio One Dub Vol. 2 
You probably already know the original version by the Spinners from Detroit. This is a great instrumental B-side version by Sound Dimension. 
 
4. "King Zion Dub" - Bunny Lee - King of Dub 
Returning to this great LP from Bunny "Striker" Lee. This version comes from the backing track for Barry Brown's "No Wicked Shall Enter the Kingdom of Zion" from '79. For my money, the version is better. 
 
5. "Pretty Looks Isn't All" - Cornell Campbell - Studio One Kings 
Amazingly, Cornell Campbell outdoes the original Heptones version on this cover version released by Studio One in '77. Originally a member of the Sensations, Campbell wins you over with that killer falsetto. 
 
6. "Hit the Road Jack" - Big Youth - Hit the Road Jack 7" 
You know him the moment you hear him. In addition to the lyrical sampling of "Hit the Road Jack" and "What the World Needs Now is Love," the music comes from Carlton & The Shoes "Love Me Forever." 
 
7. "How Could You Version" - Freddie & Sound Dimension - Studio One Dub Vol. 2 
Freddie in this case being Freddie McGregor. This comes from the excellent Studio One Dub comp by Soul Jazz Records 
 
8. "555 Dub Street" - Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown 
Once again, returning to the stellar King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown. A superbly mellow track with Augustus Pablo's melodica tripped out by King Tubby. 
 
9. "Money Money" - Horace Andy - Dance Hall Style 
The best Horace Andy album hands down. This was released by the great Wackies label out of White Plains, NY, run by Lloyd Barnes. The same label that released the Love Joys who were in Sessions #1 and #4. There's a great bass-heavy sound to all their releases. 
 
10. "Lonely Girl" - Gregory Isaacs - Soon Forward 
Jesus, could this son of a bitch be any smoother? Even though this is a slightly later Gregory Isaacs release (the production is a little slick), it's still my favorite. 
 
11. "Satta Amassa Gana Version" - Joe Gibbs - The Evolution of Dub, Vol. 1: The Origin of the Species - Dub Serial 
Last session I included an Abyssinians track, "Mabrak." "Satta Amassa Gana" is the most well known Abyssinians song (circa '69). This is Joe Gibbs splendid dissection of it. 
 
12. "Roots Of Dub" - King Tubby - The Evolution of Dub, Vol. 1: The Origin of the Species - The Roots of Dub 
King Tubby’s great reworking of "Stars" by The Eternals. 
 
13. "Pressure Drop" The Maytals - Harder They Come 
No one belts it out like Toots and the Maytals. You may recall the great version by the Clash that was a B-side for "English Civil War." Strummer played Toots. Mick Jones played the Maytals. 
 
14. "Simmer Down" - Bob Marley & The Wailers - Foundation Ska 
A very very very young Bob Marley here. But it's the Skatellites backing him up that make the song. This track was a huge influence on the two-tone ska that would come pouring out of England in the late 70s/early 80s. 
 
15. "Sweet Lorna" - Bobby Ellis with Tommy McCook & the Supersonics - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John b/w Sweet Lorna 
Circa '67. It's almost like the theme song for a villain creeping up in some old movie. Bobby Ellis (trumpet) sat in with Tommy McCook's band for this track. 
 
16. "Crying Over You" - The Heptones - Produced And Directed By The Upsetter 
For the last two tracks, decided to do an actual A-side single/B-side version back-to-back. So first up, its the Heptones harmonizing like hell... 
 
17. "Crying Dub" - The Upsetter - Produced And Directed By The Upsetter 
...And then Lee "Scratch" Perry's tricked out version. Thought you might dig the variations on a theme.

Coronavirus Dub Session #5

1. "Your Love's a Game" - Dave Barker - Simply Rockers: Jamaican Music From The Vaults
Love how distorted Dave Barker's vocals are on this track, almost as if he were spiking the levels. 

2. "Milk & Honey" - Lizzard - The Trojan Story Volume Two
Clive Hunt, aka Lizzard, is a well-known session musician and producer who worked with everyone from Grace Jones to Stevie Wonder. This track comes from the excellent Trojan Story Volume Two boxed set. 

3. "Moses Version" - Brentford Reggae Band - Studio One Dub Vol. 2
A very cool Coxsone Dodd-produced track. This was the B-side to The Willows "Send Another Moses." 

4. "Michael Talbot Affair" - Keith Hudson - Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition)
Finally tracked down a vinyl version of Keith Hudson's seminal dub album. Incredible, well worth the $$, even as a digital download.  

5. "Dinah" - King Stitt & Joe Higgs - Dance Hall
I heard this track on a Deadly Dragon Sound podcast eons ago and when digging through old files, found it in a list of reggae/dub tracks to seek out. Glad I did.  

6. "Message to the Ungodly" - Niney & The Observers - Message to the Ungodly 7"
Speaking of DDS, a very scratchy 7" version of the great "Message to the Ungodly" that I found there back in 2012. Can't beat the hook of that chorus. 

7. "The Mighty Gorgon" - Aggrovators Meets The Revolutionaries - At Channel One Studios (Instrumental)
Going back to the great Agrrovators Meets The Revolutionaries album, cause it has so much gold. 

8. "Point Blank" - Augustus Pablo - This Is Augustus Pablo
From Augustus Pablo's debut album, which introduced his melodica skills to the wider public. It was produced by his friend Clive Chin, who was an early dub pioneer. 

9. "Tippertong Rock" - Big Youth - Screaming Target
I've always been fascinated that on Screaming Target Big Youth's vocals are panned hard left and the original track is always panned hard right. It's weird to get used to at first, like trying to listen to two conversations simultaneously. 

10. "African Postman" - Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M.
I'm still psychologically triggered by this track after being on a trip where every time my wife plugged in her phone to play music in the car, it played this track automatically. I couldn't get "Son who is that?" "It's the African Postman daddy" out of my head all week. 

11. "More Dub Pon Dub" - Channel One Presents - 100 Tons of Dub
This comes from a comp of rare Channel One instrumentals. The track is produced is by Niney the Observer and the backing band is the Soul Syndicate. 

12. "Reaction Dub" - The Revolutionaries - Reaction In Dub
What would a dub session be without the Revolutionaries?

13. "Bionic Dread (Single Version)" - Dillinger - CB 200 + Bionic Dread
I think this is another album that someone gifted me and I can't remember who. Forgot I even had it. But love Dillinger's flow on this one. 

14. "Ken Boothe Special" - I-Roy - Ken Boothe Special 7"
In the scratchy 7" bongwater series. Another DDS find. If you're wondering who Ken Boothe is, I included Boothe's "That's the Way Nature Planned It" in Session #2. 

15. "State of Emergency" - Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - State of Emergency 7" Single
This was the title track to their 1976 album, originally released on Gibbs' Record Globe label. 

16. "People From the Grass Root" - King Tubby Meets The Upsetter - At the Grass Roots of Dub
Going back to the great King Tubby Meets the Upsetter album. This time, a track from the Lee "Scratch" Perry side. You know it's one of his tunes right away. 

17. "Sweet Like Candy" Winston Williams & Pat Kelly - Bunny 'Striker' Lee's Early Reggae Productions 1968-72
Finishing out with two upbeat tracks: "By the flick of my wrist, here's another big disc..."

18. "Carry Go Bring Come" - Justin Hinds and the Dominoes - Simply Rockers: Jamaican Music From The Vaults
...And then from the Simply Rockers comp series, Justin Hinds and the Dominoes. This was a #1 hit in Jamaica back in '63.

Coronavirus Dub Session #6

1. “Point Blank Observer Style” - I-Roy - The Observer Book of I-Roy 
Kicking things off in style with I-Roy. This track comes from the Observer Book of I-Roy collection which gathers I-Roy's collaborations with Niney the Observer from ‘76-77. 
 
2. “Val Blows In” - Val Bennett & The Upsetter - Rockfort Psychedelion b/w Val Blows In 
Two titans here: Val Bennett and Lee “Scratch” Perry. This is actually a re-working of Perry’s “Django Shoots First,” with Bennett adding tons of saxophone. 
 
3. “I'm All Right” - Keith Hudson - Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition) 
Going back to the Pick a Dub deluxe edition. This time, Keith Hudson is reworking Horace Andy’s “Don’t Think About Me.” 
 
4. “Easy Take It Easy Babylon Too Rough” - Gregory Isaacs - Easy Take It Easy Babylon Too Rough 7" b/w Easy Babylon 
I picked this one more for the rhythm and laid-back delivery. It hit me after listening back to it, that it’s pretty damn apt for what in the hell is going on in the world. Backing band is none other than Joe Gibbs & the Professionals 
 
5. “Dub in the Backseat” - Bunny Clarke - Be Thankful b/w Dub in the Backseat 
Lee “Scratch” Perry once again. Here, he’s tricking out Bunny Clarke’s “Be Thankful.” 
 
6. “The Champion Version” - King Tubby and Friends - Dub Gone Crazy 
A double-shot of King Tubby. First, this one popped up in a recent BBC article on the “Picassos of Modern Music” that rightfully gave King Tubby the credit he deserves... 
 
7. “King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown” - Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown    Reggae 
...And then we return to one of the greatest Dub albums of all time with the title track and the fantastic juxtaposition between Augustus Pablo’s melodica and the trippy vocal punches. 
 
8. “Come Home Little Girl” - U-Roy - Rasta Ambassador 
Released in 1977, Producer Prince Tony Robinson reworked the “Come On Little Girl” riddim, made famous by the Melodians in 1967, with U-Roy toasting over the top. 
 
9. “Won't You Come Home” - Delroy Wilson - Studio One Kings 
Sticking with the theme, here is Delroy Wilson pioneering the “Won’t You Come Home” riddim way back in ‘66.  
 
10. "A Gigantic Dub” - Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators - Trojan Dub Box Set 
Everyone’s on this one. Tommy McCook on saxophone. The Aggrovators backing him up. Bunny Lee handled production and King Tubby mixed the whole affair. 
 
11. “Swords of Vengeance” - Prince Jammy - Kamikazi Dub 
Returing to the great Kamikazi Dub album from Prince Jammy (I included “Throne of Blood” in Session #2) 
 
12. “Run Too Late” - Dennis Brown – Dennis 
We spun “Westbound Train” by Dennis Brown back in Session #3. This comes from a great early 80s comp of unreleased Niney/Brown collaborations. 
 
13. “(I Don't Know Why) Truly” - Alton Ellis - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
“I don’t know why, but I love you.” Top that. I can’t believe I haven’t spun a track from the Alton Ellis yet. But here we go... another stellar track from the Trojan Story Volume Two collection. 
 
14. “Skanking Dub” - Bunny Lee - Creation of Dub 
The version master making great use of the track he created for Linval Thompson’s “Long Long Dreadlocks.” 
 
15. “Barnabas Collins” - Lone Ranger 
Who remembers Dark Shadows? First entry from Lone Ranger. Don't think Barnabas Collins would've taken kindly to being called “Barney.” 
 
16. “Black Sunday” - The Skatalites - Foundation Ska 
Going all the way back to 1963 for this one. No beating the Skatallites. 
 
17. “Country Road” - Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston 
“West Jamaica!” Going out on a high note. Fuck you Bob Denver.

Coronavirus Dub Session #7

1. “Master Mantrol” - Mikey Dread - Dread At The Controls Dubwise 
Kicking things off with two new additions to the collection: First a track from Mikey Dread’s killer album from ‘79, Dread At The Controls Dubwise... 

2. “Sounds of Safari” - Sir Coxson Sound - King of the Dub Rock 
...Followed by Lloyd Coxsone’s seminal album, King of the Dub Rock. Coxsone was one of the first and most important sound system operators in London starting in the 60s. 

3. “I've Got To Make It” - Larry Marshall - Studio One Kings 
Going back to ‘71 with one of Larry Marshall’s first hits for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. 

4. “Groovy Situation” - Keith Rowe & The Upsetters - Mr Perry I Presume 
Originally ½ of the duo Keith and Tex, who are most known for “Stop That Train,” Rowe went solo and worked with Lee Scratch Perry on a bunch of well known tunes. This was their biggest single. 

5. “Rude Boy Dub” - King Tubby - The Roots of Dub 
Produced by Bunny Lee and mixed by King Tubby, with the Aggrovators as the backing band. 

6. “None Shall Escape Dub” - Bunny Lee - Rasta Dub '76 
Bunny Lee slows down Johnnie Clark’s classic “None Shall Escape The Judgement” and adds some oomph to the bass line. 

7. “Keep Your Dread" - Big Youth - Natty Cultural Dread 
Preaching from the start, Big Youth toasts over a very stripped-down version of the “Artibella” riddim made famous by Ken Boothe & Stranger Cole. 

8. “See and Blind - Striker See Da Dub Ya” - Dillinger - None Stop Disco Style 
This album was originally titled Superstar when it was released in Jamaica back in ‘77. For the Canadian release by Clocktower Records, not only was the album title changed, but all the song titles as well. 

9. “Turn Back The Hands Of Time Version” -  Joe Gibbs - The Evolution of Dub, Vol. 1: The Origin of the Species - Dub Serial 
Joe Gibbs making good use of the “Turn Back the Hands of Time” riddim, which he used for Lizzy’s “The Gift of God” (the original vocal version). 

10. “Jumping With Mr. Lee” - Val Bennett - Trojan Instrumentals Box Set 
In this case, Mr. Lee is Bunny Lee who produced this great Val Bennett instrumental (who you might remember covering Dave Brubeck in Session #2). 

11. “Nice Up The Dance” - Michigan & Smiley - Studio One Story 
Michigan & Smily first made it big with their hit “Rub a Dub Style" that made use of the “Vanity” riddim. But this song, the title track from their first album, became their best known one. 

12. “Native Woman” - Gregory Isaacs - Cool Ruler 
From the great Cool Ruler album, Gregory Isaacs in all his smooth glory, backed up by the Revolutionaries. 

13. “The Gates of Dub" - Prince Jammy - Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing in the Front Yard & Conflict Dub 
Another cut from the great double-album re-release from Pressure Sounds. Jammy deconstructs the track, adding tons of slapback delay, before moving into a minimalist (but still dense) rhythm track. 

14. “Curly Dub” - Augustus Pablo - Ital Dub 
Augustus Pablo makes Bob Marley’s “Rebel Music” all his own with help from Tommy Cowan and Warrick Lyn who handled the production (the former would go on to play live with Marley). 

15. “Severe" - The Revolutionaries - Sounds Vol. 2 
From the 1979 follow-up to their first “Sounds” album (released in ‘76). More a compilation than an actual album, it pulled together already released material with unreleased dub tracks. Still really stellar and worth the money. 

16. “King of the Dubb Rock” - Sir Coxson Sound - King of the Dub Rock 
An encore from Lloyd Coxsone, the title track from King of the Dub(b) Rock, mostly because it’s such a great, laid-back track.

Coronavirus Dub Session #8

1. “Rockfort Psychedelion" – Count Sticky & The Upsetters – Rockfort Psychedelion b/w Val Blows In 
Gonna be a Lee “Scratch” Perry-heavy session. Kicking it off with Count Sticky, produced by Perry back in ‘70. This is the A-side to “Val Blows In” from Val Bennett (which I spun in Session #7).

2. “It's Time For Love” – Owen Gray – It’s Time For Love 7”
From a new pressing courtesy of Pressure Sounds, Owen Gray singing over the top of Johnnie Clarke’s “None Shall Escape Judgment” riddim.

3. “Dreada Version”– King Tubby and Friends – Dub Gone Crazy
Sticking with the theme, here is King Tubby reworking Johnnie Clarke’s “Dreader Dread,” showing his great knack for isolating and tripping out layers of the original.

4. “You Re No Dub Baby” – Niney & The Soul Syndicate – Sledgehammer Dub - Observer Style
Produced by Niney, mixed by King Tubby. This one was a rarity when first released in ‘77: only a small quantity was pressed and it was packaged in a white sleeve with no track listing.

5. “Better Must Come” – Delroy Wilson – The Trojan Story Volume Two
A bit of a hit for Wilson, produced by Bunny Lee. This song was actually chosen by Michael Manley to be the People’s National Party election campaign song.

6. “Lonely Woman" – Horace Andy – Dance Hall Style
Lloyd “Bullwackie” Barnes has never been given enough due for his distinct, bass-heavy production style. Dance Hall Style is Horace Andy’s underrated masterpiece partly due to Barnes’ work, but also Andy’s stellar vocals.

7. “Dread Lion” – The Upsetters – Super Ape
One of the last albums Lee Perry would make at his famed Black Ark Studio and also the last great Upsetters album. Perry takes the “Concrete Castle King” riddim, originally from Dean Frazier’s version, and spins it into genius.

8. “Fence Dub” – Vital Dub – Well Charged
A bit of an oddity this one. Vital Dub is credited as the band, but in reality, it’s the Revolutionaries (which becomes obvious as soon as you hear the horns). And the album’s title is a nod to the band’s label. But no one really knows why it wasn’t released as a Revolutionaries album.

9. “Reaction” – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Soul Rebels
Further proof that Bob Marley never should’ve stopped working with the original Wailers. Lee Perry produced this album which gives it a raw and stripped-down production that allows a ton of space for the vocals.

10. “The Great Psalms” – U-Roy – Dread In A Babylon
Produced by Tony “Prince Tony” Robinson (and originally released on his TR Recordings label), this was the album that launched U-Roy to the wider world.
11. “Sin Semilla Kaya Dub” – The Upsetters – Blackboard Jungle Dub
Back to Lee “Scratch” Perry. The melody may sound familiar as it’s a reworking of Bob Marley & the Wailers’ “Kaya” (from around the same time as Soul Rebels).

12. “Black Right” – Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition)
Yet another song that makes use of the Abyssinians “Declaration of Rights” riddim (give a listen to “Kissinger” by the Revolutionaries in Session #9).

13. “My Little Filly" – Winston Scotland – The Trojan Story Volume Two
Also produced by “Prince Tony,” this time featuring U-Roy's brother-in-law, Winston Scott. U-Roy credits Scott as an early influence on his style.

14. “Rubba Dunza” – Bunny Lee – King of Dub
Love how sparse this track is and the way Lee slowly worked the faders, dragging the hi-hat up a little higher here, the guitar a little there.

15. “Dub Organizer” – Augustus Pablo – This Is Augustus Pablo
Gonna give credit to Lee “Scratch” Perry on this one as well as the song is a reworking of his original, “Scratch the Dub Organizer.”

16. “Knotty Knots” – I-Roy – Knotty Knots 7"
The mighty I-Roy toasting over Jacob Miller’s “I Am a Natty,” which also has Joe Gibbs and the Professionals as the backing band.

17. “Feeling Soul” – Bob Andy – Bob Andy's Song Book
Winding things down with the great Bob Andy and that massive keyboard line. Also the soulful saxophone solo on the way out.

Coronavirus Dub Session #10

1. “Easy Dread & Check This Dub” - Bunny Lee - King of Dub 
Kicking things off with one of my favorite tracks off my favorite album from Bunny Lee. That wonderful damn keyboard part just sells it. The layering is perfect. 

2. “Creation of Dub” - Bunny Lee - Creation of Dub 
This track utilizes the “Creation Rebel” riddim first created by Burning Spear. Although this version was for Johnny Clarke’s cover of the song from ‘75. 

3. “Cool Cool Rocksteady” - Don T. Lee - Cool Cool Rocksteady 7” 
“I remind you, this is a Bunny Lee production!” Don T. was actually Bunny Lee’s brother. But the song was originally credited to “Glen Adams” when first released, even though Don T. Lee toasts over the track.  

4. “Dial 609" - Chuck Jaques & Lynn Taitt and the Comets - Dial 609 7” 
From back in ‘67, a rock steady classic. Chuck Jaques only sang on a few Jamaican singles back in the day (including “My Kind” with Tommy McCook). 

5. “The Gorgan Of Dubs & Horns" - Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators - Brass Rockers 
Speaking of which, here is the Jamaican king of saxophone with one of his signature tracks, produced by King Tubby. 

6. “Dub Magnificent" - King Tubby - The Roots of Dub 
Arranged by King Tubby and produced by Bunny Lee, a perfect example of their synergy as the godfathers of Dub. 

7. “Lightning & Thunder” - Bim Sherman - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
A later single, circa ‘79, released on the Attack Label, by Trojan Records. Sherman was one of the artists who made the transition from Jamaica to the UK in the late 70s, staying there until his death in 2000. 

8. “President Mash Up The Resident" - Shortie The President - The Trojan Story Volume Two 
Produced by Rupie Edwards, this was one of Shorty or Shortie’s early hits. It’s the reverbed whistling that makes the track. 

9. “Scratch the Dub Organiser” - Scratch And Company - The Upsetters Chapter 1 
If this sounds familiar, it’s because I spun Augustus Pablo’s version in Session #10. Perry originally used it for his Blackboard Jungle album, with Dillinger toasting over the top. 

10. “Total Dub” - Vital Dub - Well Charged 
We return to the cryptic “Vital Dub” album, aka The Revolutionaries. A rare occasion where it’s not Sly & Robbie. Instead it’s Bertram "Ranchie" McLean on bass. 

11. “Conquering Lion" - Vivian "Yabby You" Jackson & The Ralph Brothers - Conquering Lion 7" 
One of the true cornerstones of Reggae music. Produced by Yabby You with great harmonies by the Ralph Brothers. And a non-Rastafarian tune, as Yabby You was a devout Christian (in case you didn’t pick up on that). 

12. “I Can't Do No More” - Lloyd and the Groovers – I Can’t Do No More 7” 
From a new 7” re-release on the Pressure Sounds label. Classic rock steady from Lloyd Jackson and his Groovers (who are a little obscure).
 
13. “Dubbing With the Observer" - The Observers - Trojan Dub Box Set 
Niney and his Observers are back. This track was actually used for Dennis Brown’s “Live After You” (in a less tricked-out form), which was produced by Niney. 

14. “Hot Pop” -  U-Roy - Happy Go Lucky Girl b/w Hot Pop 7" 
An early single from U-Roy for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label back in ‘70. It was the B-side to the Paragons “Happy Go Lucky Girl.” Love how U-Roy announces the track before it kicks in. 

15. “Bun Bagga Wire” - Dillinger - Bun Bagga Wire 7” 
A non-album single from Dillinger, originally released in ‘77. It utilizes the “Poor Marcus” riddim which is from The Mighty Diamonds “Them Never Love Poor Marcus.” 

16. “Graceful Dub” - Bunny Lee - King of Dub 
Finishing out with a doubleshot of Bunny Lee. First, The Aggrovators laying down a soulful groove, mixed by Striker. 

17. “Swinging Dub” - Bunny Lee - Creation of Dub 
If the melody sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the “Put It On” riddim, first popularized by Jackie Mitoo way back in ‘67. Lee’s take is from ‘75 with the Aggrovators again on the rhythm tracks.

Coronavirus Dub Session #11

1. “The Bomb Dub" – Bunny Lee & The Aggrovators – Super Dub Disco Style 
A slight return to the Bunny Lee tribute from Session #11. This is a sort of lost album from ‘79 that was produced by Lee, but mixed by Pat Kelly and Stanley “Barnabas” Bryan.

2. “Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" – Big Youth – Natty Cultural Dread 
I feel like an idiot for not already including one of Big Youth’s signature tracks in a previous session. The music bed is the famous “Warning” riddim used for Desmond Young’s song of the same name. B.Y.’s definitive opening salvo was also used to great effect as the intro for The Beasite Boys’ “Futterman’s Rule.”

3. “Young Generation Dub" – Augustus Pablo – King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown 
Superb drumming by Carlton Barrett and bass playing by Robbie Shakespeare. Originally used for Bongo Pat’s “Young Generation.” Another example of a version far outshining the original track.

4. “Step It Up in Dub" – King Tubby and Friends – Dub Gone Crazy 
A double shot of King Tubby. The music was produced by Bunny Lee. The voice you hear cascading in and out is Barry Brown who sang the original, “Step It Up Youthman.”

5. “Freak Out" – Jackie Mittoo – Studio One Story 
A great instrumental rock steady track from the stellar Jackie Mittoo. This became known as the “College Rock” riddim and was used by everyone from Jennifer Lara to Prince Jazzbo.

6. “Stuffy" – Roland Alphonso & The Skatellites – Nine Pounds of Steel b/w Stuffy 7" 
Man o’ man the swing on this B-side. Roland Alphonso gets top billing above his partners in The Skatellites since his saxophone rules the track.

7. “Wicked Eat Dirt" – I-Roy – The Observer Book of I-Roy 
I-Roy not mincing any words on this one. If you thought, “I know that descending horn part from somewhere...”, it’s because it’s the Satta riddim from The Abyssinians famous track (check the Joe Gibb’s track in Session #5).

8. “War and Peace" – The Upsetters – Mr Perry I Presume 
A previously unreleased mix from Lee Perry from this great compilation released by Pressure Sounds in the UK.

9. “Rigid" – The Revolutionaries – Sounds Vol. 2 
This is actually the Revolutionaries take on the “Frozen Soul” riddim which was pioneered by the Heptones on a track called “Love Won’t Come Easy” back in ‘68.

10. “Cb 200" – Dillinger – CB 200 + Bionic Dread 
The title track from Dillinger’s classic 2nd album, produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, the co-founder of the Channel One sound-system and the creator of the famous Channel One Studios.

11. “Interboro Dub”– Prince Jammy – Strictly Dub 
Returning to Prince Jammy’s odes to New York City by way of Kingston. Originally released in 1981, it was finally re-released by Pressure Sounds in 2010.

12. “Uncle Joe" – Gregory Isaacs – Cool Ruler 
Backed up by the Revolutionaries (check the instrumental version from Slum in Dub), Gregory Isaacs produced this track from his debut circa ‘78.

13. “Easy Babylon" – Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – Easy Take It Easy Babylon Too Rough 7" b/w Easy Babylon 
A double-shot of Gregory Isaacs. This is the B-side version to the Isaacs’ A-side I played in Session #7, expertly deconstructed by Gibbs.

14. “Be Still" – Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition) 
Hudson’s version couldn’t be any more different from Derrick Morgan’s more traditional original.

15. “Baby Come Home (version)" – Josie Whale 
Three versions in a row. Josie Whale dissects Delroy Wilson’s original (also included in Session #7).

16. “Hard Fighter”– Little Roy – The Trojan Story Volume Two 
A soulful roots reggae track from one of the genre’s most underrated singers, Little Roy. He worked with everyone from Prince Buster to Lee Perry to Jackie Mittoo.

17. “The Well Run Dry" – Alton Ellis – Studio One Kings 
Finishing up with one of the rock steady innovators, Alton Ellis. This track was produced and co-written by Coxsone Dodd at Channel One Studios. From the great Studio One Kings comp released by Soul Jazz Records.

Coronavirus Dub Session #12

1. “Someone To Call My Own" – Joe White – Bunny 'Striker' Lee's Early Reggae Productions 1968-72 
Kicking things off with what was originally a B-side version for Delroy Wilson’s “Drink Wine Everybody.” Both tracks use the same riddim, originally produced by Bunny Lee.  
 
2. “Easy Snapping" – Theophilus Beckford– Studio One Story 
One of the pioneers of ska, this tune was pianist Theophilus Beckford’s most successful tune. It was championed by Coxsone Dodd via his Downbeat Sound System in the 50s. 
 
3. “ Java" – Augustus Pablo – This Is Augustus Pablo 
According to producer Clive Chin, this was originally supposed to be a vocal track. But the singer couldn't handle the tune. Chin let Pablo have a shot at it and it wound up being a defining track in Pablo's career. 
 
4. “Steppers" – Scientist – Introducing Scientist - The Best Dub Album In The World... 
It’s ballsy to use that as the subtitle of your debut album. But Scientist had the chops and he worked for King Tubby, so he knew his craft. Scientist’s sound would keep evolving from here, but this album and track are a great introduction. 
 
5. “Sister Maggie Breast" – I-Roy – The Observer Book of I-Roy 
Produced by Niney the Observer, the great I-Roy toasts over Dennis Brown’s “Wolf and Leopards.” 
 
6. “Natty Step It In Tracks & Sock" – Ranking Toyan & Sammy Dread – Roots Tradition 7" 
The “Answer” riddim was used quite a bit ever since Coxsone Dodd pioneered it for Slim Smith & The Uniques back in ‘67. This version is actually based on Dillinger’s ‘73 version of the riddim. 
 
7. “Love" – The Revolutionaries – Reaction In Dub 
Another great instrumental from The Revolutionaries, this one produced by the Kim brothers at Studio One back in ‘78. 
 
8. “Babylon Dub" – Prince Jammy – Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing in the Front Yard & Conflict Dub 
Prince Jammy produced this track, along with the rest of the cuts for Dubbing in the Front Yard, when he was finishing his stint at King Tubby’s studio. The first minute alone is a testament to his technical wizardry as an engineer and his skill at deconstructing a song. 
 
9. “Jah Jah Version" – Cecil Smith– Dub Explosion 
King Tubby adds some atmosphere to Cecil “Guitar” Smith’s groovy “Lead on Jah.” 
 
10. “Down Fall Rock" – Velvet Shadows – Dub Explosion 
A double-shot from the Dub Explosion album. King Tubby did not produce this track, but it was most likely the work of Godfrey Barrett, leader of the UK’s Velvet Shadows and also the Liberators. 
 
11. “Declaration Of Dub - Original" – King Tubby – Dub From The Roots 
Back to more King Tubby, this time reworking Junior Ross and the Spear’s “Judgement Time,” which is a take on the Declaration of Rights riddim (first used by The Abyssinians). 
 
12. “Fungaa" – The Upsetter – Kung Fu Meets The Dragon 
You know its Scratch the moment you hear the groove and the quirky synthesizer line. 
 
13. “Screaming Target" – Big Youth – Screaming Target 
A prime example of the “Studio One Stereo” mix: vocals on the left, music on the right so a sound system DJ could cut out the vocals or bring them back in via sharp fade-ups for effect. It is odd thought that all of this album has that mixing style, since that was usually reserved for B-side versions. 
 
14. “Blood Brother" – Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (Deluxe Edition) 
Another great track from the collection of Keith Hudson’s early work (which was released after his debut). The ethereal horn lines really make the track. 
 
15. “Melting Pot (version)" – Dillinger 
Dillinger tricks out Ansel Collins’ original “Stalag 17” riddim, complete with whip effects and twisting envelope filters. 
 
16. “Barber Saloon" – Mikey Dread – The Trojan Story Volume Two 
The great Mikey Dread spinning tales on the mic. Originally released as a double A-side with Carlton Patterson’s “Wash Wash.”  
 
17. “The Selah" – The Ethiopians – The Trojan Story Volume Two 
Finishing this session out with a mellow and soulful track from the Ethiopians. Dig it.

Coronavirus Dub Session #13

Noisemaker. Guitarist for End of Hope (endofhope.bandcamp.com), Northern Heretic (northernheretic.bandcamp.com), and Eternal Black (R.I.P. -- eternalblack.bandcamp.com). Creator of un-ambient experiments (obsidianskyrecords.bandcamp.com). Bike rider. Salty dog.

Popular tracks by Ken Wohlrob