Remixology: Tracing The Dub Diaspora Reverb

In the era of digital technology and globalization, music has become a universal language that transcends borders, connecting people from different cultures and walks of life. One genre that exemplifies this cross-cultural exchange is dub music. Dub music originated in Jamaica in the 1960s and has since spread its roots across the world, influencing numerous genres and artists along the way.

The Origins of Dub Music

Dub music emerged as a derivative of reggae, a popular music genre that originated in Jamaica. Reggae was heavily influenced by traditional Jamaican music, such as mento and ska, as well as American R&B and soul. However, it was the pioneers of dub music who took reggae to new heights.

The key figures in the creation of dub music were producers such as Lee "Scratch" Perry, King Tubby, and Augustus Pablo. These producers experimented with recording techniques, using the mixing board as an instrument and manipulating the various elements of reggae tracks. They emphasized the drum and bass sections, adding unique effects such as echo, reverb, and delay to create spacious and hypnotic soundscapes.

Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora (Reverb)

by Sally Clarkson(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1749 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	267 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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The Dub Diaspora

As dub music gained popularity in Jamaica, it also started to reach ears beyond the Caribbean. The dub diaspora refers to the spread of dub music to different parts of the world, where it influenced a wide range of artists and genres. One of the earliest examples of this diaspora can be found in the United Kingdom.

In the late 1970s, dub music found a new home in London, where a community of Jamaican immigrants and British musicians embraced the genre. British dub artists, such as Adrian Sherwood and Mad Professor, started incorporating dub elements into their music, creating a unique fusion of dub, punk, and electronic sounds. This fusion became known as "dub music" and played a significant role in the development of genres like trip-hop and jungle.

The Influence on Electronic Music

Dub music's influence on electronic music cannot be overstated. The experimentation with recording techniques and the emphasis on bass and rhythm laid the foundation for many electronic music genres that followed. Artists and producers around the world began incorporating dub elements into their tracks, creating a sonic landscape that resonates with listeners to this day.

One of the genres heavily influenced by dub is dubstep, which originated in the early 2000s in London. Dubstep takes the deep basslines and spacious soundscapes of dub music to new extremes, creating a dark and intense sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. Artists like Skream, Benga, and Mala are considered pioneers of the dubstep genre and have played a crucial role in spreading dubstep's influence across the globe.

Reviving the Dub Sound

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in dub music and its diverse offspring. Artists and producers from different corners of the world are incorporating dub elements into their music, reviving the unique sound that originated in Jamaica decades ago.

The accessibility of recording technology and the ability to collaborate remotely have made it easier than ever for artists to experiment with dub-inspired sounds. This has led to the creation of exciting new genres and subgenres, such as dub techno, dub reggae, and dub house. These genres take the core elements of dub music and infuse them with contemporary production techniques, resulting in a fresh take on the dub sound.

Remixology: Tracing The Dub Diaspora Reverb allows us to trace the global influence of dub music and its profound impact on various genres. From its humble beginnings in Jamaica to its widespread influence on electronic music, dub music has truly transcended cultural boundaries. Its hypnotic rhythms, spacious soundscapes, and innovative production techniques continue to inspire and shape the musical landscape of today. So, dive into the dub diaspora, explore its intricate web of connections, and let the reverberations of dub music take you on a sonic journey like no other.

Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora (Reverb)

by Sally Clarkson(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1749 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	267 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

In Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora Paul Sullivan explores the evolution of Dub; the avant-garde verso of Reggae. Dub as a set of studio strategies and techniques was among the first forms of popular music to turn the idea of song inside out, and is still far from being fully explored. With a unique grip on dance, electronic, and popular music, dub-born notions of remix and re-interpretation set the stage for the music of the twenty-first century.
This book explores the origins of dub in ’70s Kingston, Jamaica and traces its evolution as a genre, approach and attitude to music to the present day. Stopping off in the cities where it has made most impact – London, Berlin, Toronto, Kingston, Bristol, New York, Sullivan’s study spans a range of genres, from post-punk to dub-techno, jungle to the now ubiquitous dubstep. Along the way he speaks to a host of international musicians, DJs and luminaries of the dub world including Scientist, Adrian Sherwood, Channel, U Roy, Clive Chin, Dennis Bovell, Shut Up And Dance, DJ Spooky, Francois Kevorkian, Mala and Roots Manuva.
This wide-ranging and lucid book follows several parallel threads, including the evolution of the MC, the birth of sound system culture and the broader story of the post-war Jamaican diaspora itself. One of the few books to be written specifically on dub and its global influence, Remixology is also one of the first to look at the specific relationship between dub and the concept that cuts across all postmodern creative disciplines today: the Remix.