Juno Recommends Dub October 2024

Review: Prince Istari presents Riddim Dub School 1st Grade is a brilliant new 7" packed with computerised acid and dub sounds. This one is packed with authentic flavours for fans of machine-made riddims and steppers and is perfect for space exploration and bass enthusiasts. 'Cellphone Love (Acid Bass In Your Face)' kicks off with endlessly echoing hits and clean digital lines over fat low ends and then 'I'll Never Let You Dub (Answer On Me Bass)' is a more slow-motion and stoned dub sound with plenty of smart effects and studio mixing board tricks.

Review: Dr. Afrodub by Ghanaian artist Ekowmania, aka Ekow Alabi Savage, is a standout in Afro-centric dub concoctions. He is a drummer, percussionist and singer with over two decades of experience alongside Jimi Tenor & Kabukabu and here he explores classic roots reggae, Afrobeat and dub along with some more modernist African rhythms. The whole record was produced by the great Jimi Tenor and started after a tribute song to Kwame Nkrumah which was recorded at guitarist Lauri Kallio's studio in Finland. The nine tracks bring great intensity of rhythm and include standout songs like 'Twerk Your Mind,' 'Dub Souljah,' and 'Me Know' while also featuring a remix from the one and only DJ Sotofett.

Review: Jay Glass Dubs' Resurgence marks a bold step into experimental dub, filled with atmospheric depth and hypnotic rhythms. Released on Sundial, the six-track LP showcases his unique approach, blending dub with hints of post-rock, ambient and dreampop influences. Tracks like 'Hyperacousis (for Miles)' and 'Laguna' dive deep into expansive soundscapes, where echoing basslines and swirling effects create an otherworldly experience. With its rich textures and calming flow, Resurgence stands as a striking exploration of abstract dub, balancing introspective moments with a powerful sense of sonic movement.

Review: This essential reissue presents a rare collection of dub instrumental reggae tracks recorded by Tommy McCook (who you may know as the sax man from super ska outfit The Skatalites) and Bobby Ellis (who played the trumpet for dub legends The Upsetters) in 1977. Originally licensed to Grove Music, this still remarkable album features renowned musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Ansel Collins on organ, Clinton Fearon from The Gladiators on lead guitar, and Bernard Harvey of The Wailers on piano. The recordings took place at Channel One and were mixed at King Tubby Studio and every single tune cuts deep and with great authenticity.

Review: Billed an "absolute collector's item" by multiple outlets, the Japanese dub master Pecker's breakout EP 'Rasta Instantane Avec L'effroyable Pecqre' hears a welcome reissue via the German imprint Miss You. We miss Pecqre no longer, as he - real name Hashida Masahito - is back to flaunt the best of his percussion and production skills in the dubbing tradition. The EP known in English as 'Instant Rasta with the Terrible Pecker' was originally released in 1980 as one of the earliest known meetings of Japan and Jamaica; it allegedly parodied elements of the Japanese Otaku consumer culture and redirected it to a sophisticated transpacific world musical palette, with Pecker himself shining as the central rhythmaster. On this release, which studs big names like a beadwork of garnets on a belt, Masahito here teamed up with Minako Yoshida, Vitamin Dread, Augustus Pablo and none other than Sly & Robbie, producing three tracks of pioneering "Japanaican" sound.

Review: Ewart Brown, aka Cobra (later better known as Mad Cobra), released the Goldmine LP in 1993 on Prince Jazzbo's Ujama label. This marks the first LP pressing for a collection of dubbed-out versions, highlighting Jazzbo's unique production style. The album showcases the engineering talents of Albert Thompson, aka Junior Chemist, at I&I Recording Studios, alongside Delroy Thompson, also known as the prolific mastering engineer Spiderman. This collaboration captures the essence of 90s dub with a masterful blend of engineering and production expertise.

Review: This Ninjapan Music Vinyl Sampler album from Japanese label Ninjapan Music is a well-assembled dive into the roster of artists they have been working with. It is their first vinyl outing and is a diverse mix of names from across a wide dub spectrum, all of whom reflect the label's commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Each track comes with some innovative production techniques that merge Japanese dub influences with contemporary beats and rhythms. Perfect for a wide range of settings, it features the likes of Any Guppy, Dan Lj, Tikaros, Mifyah and more.

Review: This is the first reissue of Scientists' groundbreaking 1983 LP The People's Choice, which was the debut album created on King Tubby's then-new and soon-to-be legendary 16-track mixing desk. Featuring ten powerful dubs from the dubmaster himself, it opens with the masterful 'Everlasting Version' which is a fierce take on the iconic You Know A Rude Boy/Survival rhythm. The tracks were produced by Roy Cousins and recorded with the Roots Radics at Channel One and then taken to Tubby's studio for final dubbing perfection. This release really is a cornerstone of dub that very much captures the vital era's sonic innovations and Tubby's unmatched production skill.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Hollie Cook, as well as being the daughter of a certain Sex Pistols drummer, is a modern-day lovers rock star who dropped her Happy Hour album last summer to great acclaim. It was the latest in a line of superb long players which now gets served up once more in dub form on both CD and vinyl. This heavenly set of dubs is Hollie's first since 2012 and is inspired by the fact she heard many parts of the album in isolation during the original mixing process and decided to use that as inspiration for these versions. Ben Mckone is the man on the buttons alongside Hollie while new vocal features by Josh Skints and Kiko Bun also make the cut.

Review: But wonderful new record puts most artists who use the word hybrid to shame -it's beyond hybrid, even post-hybrid. If that sounds confusing just tune in and prepare to be dazzled. You'll find these tracks beautifully crafted and seamlessly blending dub with skilful jazz influences. For those drawn to melodies, musique concrete, or dub's experimental edges, this record is a perfect fit. It was born from a remix tribute to Jackie Mittoo and has grown into an exploration of themes with improvisation, precision, and intimate details. Androo proves to be an unpredictable musical force and combines free jazz and contemporary music influences to deliver a liberating, genre-defying experience that challenges conventions.

Review: Room In The Sky's latest limited edition release showcases The Inn House Crew and delivers some heavyweight roots rockers dubs featuring an impressive lineup of musicians from Jamaica and the UK. The collection includes performances by legends like Sly Dunbar, Flabba Holt, Vin Gordon, and Robbie Lyn, alongside talents such as Ben Bell, Horseman, and Jerry Lionz. Recorded at renowned studios like Tuff Gong in Jamaica and Ariwa, this is a record that is steeped in authentic roots vibes. The DIY-inspired artwork, featuring eco-friendly, inside-out sleeves, complements the music's raw and organic feel and makes it a must-cop for roots dub enthusiasts, especially as this pressing comes in a lovely scree-printed jacket so beautifully celebrates some deft craftsmanship and real heritage.

Review: Originally released way back in 1982, 35 Years From Alpha is a genuine rarity: a rare solo album from the late, great 'Deadly' Headley Bennett, one of reggae's most prolific saxophonists of the 70s and 80s. The album was produced by Adrian Sherwood, with Bennett being backed by a who's who of fine Jamaican musicians and On-U-Sound regulars. As this timely reissue proves, all involved did a terrific job providing a platform for the talented horns-man. For proof, check the ska-tinged dancefloor dub excellence of '35 Years From Alpha', the rootsy sweetness of 'Head Charge', the soulful dub-jazz weight of 'Little Dove' and the spaced-out, intergalactic dub wonder that is 'Independent Man (Horns Cut)'.

Review: Niney The Observer's Set Dub Free vinyl delivers two exceptional dubs straight from the heart of the 1975 dub scene, a period when the genre was reaching its peak. On the Side-1, 'Set Dub Free' presents an unreleased dub cut of Michael Rose's 'Freedom.' This track showcases Niney's mastery in crafting deep, resonant dub that captures the essence of the era. The production is rich, with heavy basslines and echo-laden effects that transport listeners to the golden age of dub. On Side-2, 'Dub Born Free', features a rare King Tubby dub cut to 'Rasta No Born Yah,' originally voiced by Sang Hugh. This track is a true gem, blending Tubby's innovative mixing techniques with Niney's powerful rhythms, creating a sound that's both timeless and deeply rooted in reggae history. This 10" is ideal for any dub enthusiast looking into the creative forces that shaped the genre.