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Can reggae/dub still be relevent?

Taylor Livingston

Taylor Livingston

Commercial User
Dec 25, 2002
3,210
2,310
Oregon, US
Disclosures
Owner, Iron Ether Electronics
#1
I am a relatively young guy (21) and I have been into reggae and dub stuff since before I was a teenager. I mostly would put on my dad's old records, so I was very much into Marley, Tosh, Toots and the Maytals, Big Youth, Dave and Ansel Collins, King Tubby, and Lee Perry. In the past few years, though, my interest in this genre has waned because I haven't heard anything new that I thought was more than just frat boys ripping off the above greats. I definitely am no scholar on this subject, though, so I suspect that has more to do with my ignorance of more modern stuff (and also a preponderance of frat-reggae bands here in New Orleans).

So, please school me on some modern dub and reggae that is innovative and good. I fear that without it, I will disappear entirely into the soulless chasm of 20th century experimental classical music.
 
#6
I feel your pain man... You're talking to a reggae lover here, I try to play as much reggae as possible but it's hard without musicians who really care. Anyhow, here is some examples of some new stuff that I think is pretty cool. Unfortunately, it seems like the best new stuff out there is electronic (dub-style) reggae. Not a bad thing, but a certain part of reggae is dying...

Newer stuff:
Damian Marley
Stephen Marley
Steel Pulse- African Holocaust (their newest album)
Matisyahu
Slightly Stoopid (think Sublime)

Something different:
Gondwana- Reggae Chileno

Old but new:
John Brown's Body

New Dub (more electronic):
Easy Star All-Stars- Dub Side of the Moon (great Dub remake of Floyd's classic album)
Bombay Dub Orchestra
 
#7
Depends on what you're listening for in reggae, IMHO. I think the musicianship in Lovers Rock has increased significantly. There's some thought actually being paid to composition and production nowadays. Here are two artists I recommend :
(Lovers Rock category)
Chamaine (she's on my MySpace and I've worked with her, so I'm somewhat biased here, but I really think she can do well).
Benjy Myaz- VERY talented and he also plays bass. (Also on MySpace)
 
#11
You're right, for the last 20 years or so, most of the creative energy has gone into dancehall, rather than roots/dub.

Here's a pointer to some radio shows, you might find some of the new stuff that you like:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#12
Check out King Django. I think he may get down south every now and then.

http://www.kingdjango.com/bio.php

Also check out Victor Rice, a fellow bassist. He recently put an octet together and played around the NYC area. More of a ska feel but the band was great!

Sizzla Kolanji is another reggae artist to check out.

Anyway, I hope it's still relevant since, at almost 40, I'm playing the stuff now. I agree re the band Midnite. We opened for them last Sept and they are the real deal, live anyway. We're all part timers/weekend warriors but we try to stay true to the genre...

Link Removed
 
#13
i like classic reggae and dub, but as far as recent stuff, i am more into the mixing of genres with dub/dancehall/reggae....but not in a cheezy way (see: wyclef jean)

i really like dr. israel. and club d'elf. check out some live clips of queen ifrica, she's awesome.
and since i've been on a meshell ndegeocello kick these past few weeks, 'comfort woman' just drips with groove.
 
#14
srh said:
Roots Tonic?
Click to expand...

Yep that record was produced by Bill Laswell.

Dub Syndicate with Lincoln "Style" Scott and Erroll "Flabba" Holt. They are the Roots Radics when they've got a singer or toaster in front of them. Gregory Isaacs recorded Night Nurse and a few other albums with these guys.

Don Carlos and Gold - They have a DJ that approaches scratching like precusionist

Dry and Heavy - This is a Japanese rhythm section. They're good and push it into a different direction.

Dub Trio - A blend of thrash, punk, and dub reggae

Thievery Incorporated - Good stuff
Fat Freddy's Drop - They are kind of a blend of dub, jam, funk, and soul. Hard to describe but good stuff.

Burning Spear - I'm always impressed with what they put out. Even though they're an old band they're still great.

Easy Star All Stars - Radiodread, and Dub Side of the Moon. Enough said.

That's just off the top of my head.

It's funny that you started this thread because I'm going the opposite direction. Dub reggae is my main focus right now.
 
#15
jomahu said:
i like classic reggae and dub, but as far as recent stuff, i am more into the mixing of genres with dub/dancehall/reggae....but not in a cheezy way (see: wyclef jean)

i really like dr. israel. and club d'elf. check out some live clips of queen ifrica, she's awesome.
and since i've been on a meshell ndegeocello kick these past few weeks, 'comfort woman' just drips with groove.
Click to expand...

Hey those are some names I haven't heard off. I'm going to check them out. Wyclef is great.
 

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