Search - Ossie Hibbert & Revolutionaries :: Earthquake Dub

* Tasty Classic Dub *

Jasper | New England | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say? It seems like Steve Barrow has brought us yet another great dub collection. Earthquake Dub was produced & mixed by Ossie Hibbert (also on organ), and performed by the Revolutionaries. One of the goals of the Hot Pot label is to bring attention to the overlooked mixing powers of Ossie Hibbert. Other Hibbert releases on the label include "Leggo Dub."



This dub amounts to a crisp, spacy, texturally nuanced soundscape. The bass is front and center, very deep, rich and clear. In fact the listener may (for once) want to turn the bass down just a tad in order to hear the small, elegant details which are hidden below like tiny fossils. Several tracks feature some fine solo and ensemble horn lines (featuring Tommy McCook), which are appropriately spaced-out and ethereal. There is a also a bit of organ providing some sweetness to the mix, including some courtesy of producer/ mixer Ossie Hibbert. In fact, it may be Hibbert's capacity as a musician which allowed him to make such tasteful (and tasty) dubs on this, his very first dub album. There are virtually no vocals bringing Earthquake Dub down to earth, and that fact helps elevate it to true high art, abstract, nonlinear, and unfettered by earthly concerns. The deftly applied echo and reverb, augmented by the occasional bleep and bloop makes the tracks feel startlingly modern and fresh. Once again, I find myself marveling at how remarkably creative and ahead of their time the 1970s Jamaican dubmasters (including Hibbert) actually were. This is essential for any fan of the Revolutionaries, even for the track "River Bank" alone, which is an upbeat dubbed-out solo sax work out, with a skanky, almost carnival-sounding rhythm which will remind you why it's good to be alive.



Highly recommended."

Great late 70's dub soundz

Dm Otis | vancouver | 09/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a no-brainer for reggae-dub fans -- late 70's Joe Gibbs product, re-mastered to top sound quality and with bonus tracks. the trustworthy Steve Barrow is associated with this dub album re-issue and provides full liner notes. the riddim will mek you dance !"