Customer Reviews

Original Living Dub, Vol. 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard the dub version of "Social Living" album about a year or so after that record was released, in late 1980 or early 1981. It was a "white label" vinyl and the plain cover just said "Living Dub," stating "Burning Records" as a record company. Needles to say, I was blown away: it was the wickedest dub album I have heard so far, the additional appeal being that - by that time - I was very familiar with the vocal tracks of off which they dubbed the tracks.

I've been searching for "Living Dub" ever since. Some years ago I got excited upon release of "Living Dub Vol.1" on a Heartbeat label. Despite the matching tracks source, it was a disappoinment: the album sounded similar, but was somehow lacking the spark. Later I learned it was a recent - early 90's - remix by somebody other than original mixer Sylvan Morris who did this masterpiece of dub. And here we are, finally able to revisit the deepest roots there are. It was worth waiting and I would strongly suggest you pair it with a vocal version for further enjoyment. ("Social Living" was reissued by both Blood & Fire label - hard to find, probably out of print - and Island/Universal, the latter with extra tracks/extended 12" mixes.)

I first heard the dub version of "Social Living" album about a year or so after that record was released, in late 1980 or early 1981. It was a "white label" vinyl and the plain cover just said "Living Dub," stating "Burning Records" as a record company. Needles to say, I was blown away: it was the wickedest dub album I have heard so far, the additional appeal being that - by that time - I was very familiar with the vocal tracks of off which they dubbed the tracks.

I've been searching for "Living Dub" ever since. Some years ago I got excited upon release of "Living Dub Vol.1" on a Heartbeat label. Despite the matching tracks source, it was a disappoinment: the album sounded similar, but was somehow lacking the spark. Later I learned it was a recent - early 90's - remix by somebody other than original mixer Sylvan Morris who did this masterpiece of dub. And here we are, finally able to revisit the deepest roots there are. It was worth waiting and I would strongly suggest you pair it with a vocal version for further enjoyment.

What dub is is a special way of mixing in Jamaica, & here on this dub mix of the album Marcus Children aka Social Living, Burning Spear has created what surely is among the most entrancing dub ever. It has a rich, full, warm, textured sound -- indeed, as Burning Spear intended it, Living. This is one of the first dub albums I recommend to anyone interested in dub.

Originally from 1979, remixed in November 1992 by Barry O'Hare & Nelson Miller, & reissued in 2003 with the original dub mix.

I hope this review has been helpful to you!

This is very good dub, with amazing electronic effects and a rich, lush sound. I played it at least five times in a row the night I got it. The only drawback is that the CD totals a mere 30 minutes.

Please read my review of Spears' "Social Living" as it applies to this dub version