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The Legendary Skatalites in Dub

The Legendary Skatalites in Dub

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by J. Edward Keyes, eMusic

One of Jamaica's most beloved — and influential — outfits
With a level of popularity surpassed only by the Wailers, the Skatalites are one of Jamaica's most beloved and influential outfits. Their early ‘60s work forged the template for reggae music and made stars out of keyboardist Jackie Mittoo, trombonist Don Drummond and singer Roland Alphonso; their quick, clipped rhythms and snaking horn sections were later mimicked by a host of So-Cal checkerboard ska(te) bands.

The Legendary Skatalites in Dub collects an assortment of the group's work with producers Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby — not exactly slouches themselves — providing a fascinating study in the breadth and depth of Jamaican music. The horns on songs like "Kimble Dub" and "Dumboo Dub" are still bright and triumphant, but with all the bed music stripped out their exuberance feels small and contained, like revelers who showed up to a party 5 hours too early. "Stealing Dub" and "Fugitive Dub," with their rolling bass lines and fluttering flutes, sound more like deep funk than dense dub.

Splitting the difference between the Skatalites’ spry, bouncy rhythms and Perry and Tubby's spacier aesthetic, Legendary works because neither party fully gets their way, and their compromises make for riveting listening.

  Listen Track Name Length Download
1. Listen  Starlight Version 3:00 Download
2. Listen  Middle East Dub 3:26 Download
3. Listen  Fugitive Dub 3:19 Download
4. Listen  Whispering Dub 5:54 Download
5. Listen  Kimble Dub 4:15 Download
6. Listen  Roots Dub 6:05 Download
7. Listen  Bottom Dub 3:03 Download
8. Listen  African Roots Dub 3:34 Download
9. Listen  Dumboo Dub 3:16 Download
10. Listen  African Dub 3:02 Download
11. Listen  Herb Dub - Collie Dub 4:02 Download
12. Listen  Candle Light Dub 3:51 Download
13. Listen  Starlight (feat Tony Brevett) 2:49 Download
14. Listen  Middle East 3:14 Download
15. Listen  Sealing Dub 3:23 Download

Total Length: 56:13

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  • Credits

    • The Skatalites - Main Performer ·
    • The Skatalites - Main Performer ·
    • The Skatalites - Main Performer ·
    • Roland Alphonso - Saxophone ·
    • King Tubby - Engineer ·
    • King Tubby - Engineer ·
    • King Tubby - Engineer ·
    • King Tubby - Engineer ·
    • Lloyd Brevett - Bass ·
    • Lloyd Brevett - Producer ·
    • Basil "Benbow" Creary - Drums ·
    • Clive "Azul" Hunt - Engineer ·
    • Tommy McCook - Flute ·
    • Tommy McCook - Flute ·
    • Tommy McCook - Saxophone ·
    • Tommy McCook - Saxophone ·
    • Augustus Pablo - Keyboards ·
    • Karl Pitterson - Engineer ·
    • Ernest Ranglin - Guitar ·
    • Earl "Chinna" Smith - Guitar ·
    • Lester Sterling - Saxophone ·
    • Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace - Drums ·
    • Alan Bailey - Nyabinghi Drums ·
    • Rebecca Michael - Nyabinghi Drums ·
    • Mike Coe - Mastering ·
    • James Dutton - Coordination ·
    • Jeff Teader - Cover Design ·
    • Johnny Moore Band - Trumpet