Customer Reviews

Roots Dub Tradition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before I say anything more: This is a DUB album - there are no lyrics and very few human voices ever to be heard. But if you are a fan of relaxed purely chilled-out tune you will appreciate this album. Scientist is the mixing engineer - the way the musical elements blend together on every track is his doing, as are the studio effects that make the songs sound the way they do. The music itself is played by the Roots Radics band, and produced by Errol "Don" "Jah Bible" Mais. You can put this cd on and concentrate, listening to the way the music sounds and taking in the subtle effects and melody. You can also put this on as background music either to let yourself drift away or for a romantic evening with a loved one. You could even pop in the cd and dance to some of the faster riddims. This is ROOTS REGGAE - the OLD STYLE that came about before the newer hip-hop infused dancehall reggae came to prominence. It is the reggae of Bob Marley's heyday and directly afterwards. Anyone who wants some QUALITY roots reggae should check this out. It definately deserves all five stars.

Hopeton Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in the year 1960. But he is better known under the name Scientist. Is there a dubhead that does not know his works at Channel One studios? That Scientist is a real natural talent is proven when you hear his earlier works. Thank you Blood and Fire, for providing the evidence! When he was only 17 years old, he cut some pretty crucial dubs for producer Don Mais and his Roots Tradition label. These tunes were never released on an album before but now we can all hear for ourselves on this album.

Scientist goes further there where King Tubby stops. It is incredible when you realize all the dub mixing work on this album is done by hand. No automatic computerized consoles, stricktly Dub Handyworks.

Blood and Fire writes: "Another compilation of dubs appearing for the first time ever on album. Producer Don Mais enlisted the talents of the 17-year old Scientist to mix the dub versions for his Roots Tradition label's B-sides. The cuts collected here present a fascinating insight into the young Dubmaster's early efforts, while the rhythms themselves, some played by an embryonic version of Roots Radics, mark the transition point from the reggae styles of the seventies into what would become known as dancehall. "

This Scientist compilation hooks from the very first track. DUB lovers know that the Blood & Fire label is producing some of the best discs in the genre right now, and this CD is no exception. Make sure to put this album in your DUB collection.

Wow. If you're into dub and you don't have this, put it on your short list of discs to pick up. This is easily one of the fifteen best dub discs out there (comps or otherwise). Overall, I'm not a huge Scientist fan (his latter day stuff sounds a little too clinical for me), but this stuff is very nice.

This is one of the best albums I've heard. Too bad I don't smoke tha ganja anymo.

I'm a huge fan of Scientist and other dub artists. This compilation doesn't disappoint. This is a terrific selection of tracks that are perfect for late nite chilling or long, lazy afternoons. I am disappointed, however, in the mastering. I had to turn the treble and mid-range WAY down in order to prevent my ears from bleeding. I tested it on two different sound systems and was a little dismayed that the final mastering didn't fix this.

this is some amazing early work by the genius known as the scientist. This is a MUST for any dub fan.