This Applies in Dub

The original ‘This Applies’ was a critically acclaimed album of uplifting roots reggae, one of those sets that soundtracks a particular time of year. It conjures up images of sunny days, festivals and chilling in a field. As is the case with dub versions, here you get something harder and this album very much throws its lot in with the dark side. That booming bass turns ‘in Dub’ into the serious older brother. This Applies was nourishing and positive, in Dub is more about coming to terms with the demons inside. Perhaps it is the primal sounds of drum and bass which help these stripped down tracks contribute to a far more introspective mood. My personal theory is that dub reggae makes you think inwards, whereas your regular roots makes you think of your outside influence, your surroundings and your mark on the world. Have a think back to when you last danced to dub, what were you thinking about?

Dub Away

There is a SoundCloud link below for the track ‘Dub Away’, this is a really good example of what the album has to offer. You can hear Prince Fatty’s production fingerprints all over this one. I think he is one of the most individual and talented producers in modern reggae. His trademark sound is a nod to the past but the details, like the echo flourishes, sound very unique to him. They have a slightly jingly and melodic quality which clicks with me.