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King Tubby is the inventor of dub and one of the most influential figures in history of the Jamaican music. At his early age, he embraced his interests in electrical engineering and later started to repair electrical appliances. His passion has allowed him to experiment with sound system amplifiers and he was operating his own sound system called Tubby's Home Town Hi-Fi by 1968. At the same time, he was working as disc-cutter for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle and it was where he discovered that he could produce special version of the classical rock steady rhythms. By dropping the vocal and instrumental tracks in and out to emphasize the drums & bass, King Tubby invented dub. The space and time left in those mixes made possible for deejays to echo their voices without any restrictions. It is often said that King Tubby also took an important role to help deejays like U Roy to develop the origin of deejay style.
After record producers began to realize the potential of the version, King Tubby mixed dubs for many producers throughout the 70's, this includes prolific producers such as Bunny Lee, Lee Perry, Augustus Pablo, Roy Cousins, Carlton Patterson, Winston Riley, Yabby U and many more. In 1972, he built his own studio and continued to create more dubs. He co-produced "Blackboard Jungle Dub" with Lee Perry, "Dub From The Roots\ with Bunny Lee and "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown" with Augustus Pablo. Soon King Tubby's name appeared on over 100 albums as mixer. In addition, there he trained a generation of engineers including King Jammy, Phillip Smart and Scientist, later on they all found success with their acquired skills.
By the end of the decade, demands for dubs got dramatically less, as dancehall gets popular among the scene. To keep up with the business, Tubby opened a new studio with complete recording facilities by 1985. At this new King Tubbys studio, his disciple engineers including Peego, Fatman, Banton and Phantom mainly took the control over mixing board and King Tubby himself was concentrating to manage his owing labels.
Soon after people witnessing the rise of the revolutionary rhythm "Sleng Teng", which was produced by his former disciple by King Jammy, whole Jamaican music scene was quickly thrown into the computerized/digital reggae. Without a reason, King Tubby was poised to challenge top producer King Jammy by establishing labels like Firehouse, Waterhouse and Taurus to release his digital reggae dancehall tracks. To answer back the Jammys monster rhythm "Sleng Teng", King Tubby unleashed his very first digital production called "Tempo" by Anthony Red Rose with his disciple engineers, Fatman and Peego on newly built studio's mixing board. Comparing to Jammys "Sleng Teng", the "Tempo" was a lot more solid and slower with pensive minor code phrases. This song was successful for both King Tubby and Anthony Red Rose. The singer got popularized for his 'out of key' style and released hits such as "Under Mi Fat Thing", "Worries Again" and "Old Pan Bangrang" for King Tubby. Beside Anthony Red Rose, he also produced reggae veterans like Gregory Isaacs, Cornell Campbell, Johnny Clarke and Lloyd Hemmings as well as new comers like King Everall and John Wayne. In comparison to ordinary digital dancehall tracks, his works were much more destructive as it was always 100% customized for sound systems. An album "King Tubby Presents Sound Clash Dub Plate Style" would symbolize this characteristic, which was released in 1989 and featured a cover version of roots classic "Fade Away" and "Line Up" by Johnny Osbourne.
While King Tubby was actively challenging to this new wave of dancehall music, a gunman murdered him out side of his home on 6th Feb 1989. This tragedy shocked the island and also it was a tremendous loss for the Jamaican music industry. The challenge of the great pioneer is no longer can be observed but his achievements and works surly live on after 20 years of his death.
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| A side) |
Anthony Red Rose - Me No Want No Boops
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| B side) |
King Tubbys All Stars - Version
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| Without mentioning Anthony Red Rose, we are simply not able to discuss the distinguished sound of King Tubby and his Firehouse label. The artist was an essential figure who recorded a song called "Tempo", creating an original rhythm. It was produced by King Tubby and immediately became a symbol of 80's dancehall. During this period, King Tubby and his entourages have created prolific rhythms while running his Firehouse label. Luckily, Anthony Red Rose was able to come on the scene with his 'out of key' style and release several hits 'Old Pan Bangrang', 'Under Mi Fat Thing' and 'Worries Again' on their rhythms. "Me No Want No Boops" on the classic roots reggae rhythm "Here I Come" features humorous voice arrangement by Anthony himself and undoubtedly, this is another reputable number within the Firehouse catalogue. |
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7inch Vinyl |
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DSR-OR-001 |
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| A side) |
John Wayne - Love It A Kill Me
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| B side) |
Rhythm track by Firehouse Crew - Version
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| The "Tempo" rhythm is considered one of the historical rhythms in the golden period of dancehall and it was apparently an answer rhythm to Jammys "Sleng Teng" rhythm."Love It A Kill Me" by John Wayne is probably the most sought after and popular cut on the rhythm and the record itself includes a superb dub-version on the side B by the Dub Master, King Tubby. Although the artist does not sing as powerfully as he does on his hit song "Call The Police" he the still displays his unique lyrical flow. Originally, 7inch vinyl record was released on the Kingston 11 label and the 12inch was on the Firehouse label. |
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7inch Vinyl |
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DSR-OR-002 |
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| A side) |
Super Black - Rising Star
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| B side) |
Rhythm track by Firehouse Crew - Version
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| Although Super Black is known for his hits "Deh Wid You", "Rambo We Rambo" at Jammys, the artist also fit well with the Photographer label where he put out a superb song "Just Like A Magic". Among the 80's catalogue of King Tubby, "Rising Star" is very exceptional and features a unique groove, which is created by the solid bass line to bring out the best of Super Black's appealing voice. |
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7inch Vinyl |
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DSR-OR-003 |
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| A side) |
Johnny Osbourne - Line Up
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| B side) |
Trevor Levy - Nah Run From No Clash
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| When it comes to naming the best dancehall compilation album, many will mention an album called "Sound Clash Dubplate Style" produced by King Tubby. "Line Up" by Johnny Osbourne was taken from the album where he showcases his enchanting melodies and lyrics and Trevor Levy's voice echoes calmly with vigorous lyrics on the flip side. Also both songs feature an intro by legendary MC Fuzzy Jones. |
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7inch Vinyl |
| Product Number:
DSR-OR-004 |
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