Search - Glen Brown, King Tubby :: Termination Dub

Tubby at his finest

dasmith@iei.net | U.S.A. | 04/17/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like so many of the recent reissues and compilations focusing on Jamaican music of the '70s, "Termination Dub" has the feel of an essential document. Glen Brown's productions, including his own melodica performances, were released in only hundreds of copies back in the day, but they're some of the best reggae I've ever heard: riddims played by some of the best musicians of the era, with sophisticated jazz harmonies lifting the thudding tracks to a higher ground. King Tubby, the mixmaster second to none, then deconstructed and magnified at will, but not at random. His tricks give some of the tracks a completely contemporary aura: when he stops "Assack Lawn Dub" just after the intro, rewinds the tape (like a turntablist in the 90s), then allows the song to start again, from the beginning. "Version 78 Style" is most timeless, as it would fit into any modern club with its high, steady tempo and drum-n-bass Tubby mix, paused here and there for dramatic effect."

Classic smoking dub from Tubbs

M. Golosinski | Evanston, IL United States | 11/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cannot go wrong with King Tubby at the mantrols. He's in fine form here as he helps Glen Brown and a stellar crew of musicians bring the classic gritty dub sound to life. The brass is particularly represented well here with the likes of "Dirty Harry" Hall working it on the title track, a ponderous piece of work that moves with deliberation that suggests swagger. Other highlights include the trippy, reverb/echo heavy "Save Our Dub," and the up-front vocal delivery on "Leggo The Herb Man Dub."Of all the music I enjoy--and the selections span many genres--it's reggae dub that I could not stand to go without. Messages of political anger and outrage intertwined with hope and joy define the music that always hits you on a visceral level.Blood and Fire is a label to return to again and again, because they always deliver the goods."

Run the sound Mr. Brown

Benjah | Chicago | 08/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, another beautiful album released by Blood and Fire. This goes well with some of the DJ tracks done on these same rhythms by Big Youth, Prince Jazzbo, I Roy and the rest. The rhythms are heavy, the sound is mixed right and there are a few alternative versions included on the CD version. Overall, consistently good."