LKJ in Dub [IMPORT]

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Island UK
• ASIN: B0000262IN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #188,679 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Produced and arranged by LKJ and "Blackbeard," a.k.a. bassist- mixer-Dub Band leader Dennis Bovell, this 1980 set still holds up-- along with Lee "Scratch" Perry's '70s Black Ark productions--as a prime paradigm of reggae's enduringly popular twist on the straight-no-chaser instrumental. Except for the odd vocal line inserted into the mix here and there and magnified by echo, reggae poet LKJ steps back and trains the spotlight on the U.K.-based Dub Band as it flexes musical prowess on instrumental, or dub, versions of such LKJ hits as "Victorious Dub," "Iron Bar Dub," "Cultural Dub," and (be warned!) "Brain Smashing Dub." Bovell, the former leader of the seminal '70s reggae band Matumbi, subsumes a world of Black music styles under reggae's irresistible "one-drop" beat, rendered here in fine squishy style. U.K. music legends like guitarist John Kpiaye and drummer Jah Bunny aid and abet in creating this densely textured, impossible-to- refuse invitation to wind your waistline. --Elena Oumano

Product Description
1980 album for politically charged reggae artist & dub poet. Highlights include, 'Victorious Dub', 'Reality Dub' & 'Peach Dub'. Eight tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dub Essential, December 4, 2001

By A Customer

Possibly one of the most influential uk dub
albums of all time. LKJ is the dub of the classic 'forces of victory' & 'bass culture' by Linton Kwesi Johnson: dub poet. For those familiar with LKJ, if you dont already
own this album, you owe it to yourself to hear it at least once in your life. For those who don't, welcome to the era of dub poetry, LKJ and prehaps
Mutabarku are the biggest and best known exponents of the style - check LKJ's 'If I was a top notch poet' for more on dub poetry. It is hard to pick a favourite on this album it really is start to finish top dub, that said the dub of 'sonnys letter' always has a place in our hearts, 'peach dub' and 'shocking dub' are also classics. 'Nuff said! Get it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An true dub classic , not a tired cliche, August 21, 2004

By	J. Bode "mudster1" (Lawrence, KS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

LKJ's album "LKJ in Dub" is my number 1 all-time favorite dub album. It is uplifting, with memorable horn arrangements and melodies. Tired of the dubmaster vs. dubmaster cd's that all sound similar? Can't tell one dub song from another? This cd is for you! Yes, the songs on this album share a common style and sound, but it is not the typical echo-chamber/reverb drenched jam sessions. These works are coherent and arranged.
I wish they had added bonus tracks, as the album is relatively short. Perhaps the price should be lower given the short length. If you love dub, don't let this prevent you from getting a copy of this cd! It is said that the best acts play one song too few, not one song too many. This cd is perfect as is. Enjoy and Peace to all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Less Is More, October 25, 2007

By	Andy (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This album has been in my life since 1980, and it keeps coming back. It is simple, but unbelievable. Great sound. These are the tracks that the Dennis Bovell band put behind LKJ's poems, but without the poems. Straight reggae backing tracks, sculpted a little and edited interestingly, but without ruining the beauty of the sounds themselves. Now, I really enjoy his albums with all the poetry a lot. But I came to them through this. Even when his poems are angry and bleak, there's a sense of uplift to them, and this record helps explain why that is. Fun, fun stuff.