In the late 1940s, sound systems were already prominent in Jamaica. There’s a live jazz scene, starting from the 1920s. Jazz live events are for the wealthy elite. Poor people cannot afford it. Some events are for tourists. The sound system sprung up.
Sound systems from Jamaica: Tom the Great Sebastian, Duke Reid’s Trojan, Sir Coxsone’s Down Beat (with Count Machuki), Smith the Blues Blaster from the West, Count Nick “The Champ”.
Exclusivity is important for sound system, so they scratch the names from the records. The audience doesn’t know what’s being played.
Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid started doing their music and play on the sound system in Jamaica. Rhythm and blues was getting less popular, it started a new record business in Jamaica. “Sound system was our radio stations.” Something played on the sound system becomes popular for the upper class too.
1968, Ruddy Redwood, operator of the The Supreme Ruler of Sound (SRS), played a version without the vocal when he saw a problem with the record. Then played the vocal. It became a hit.
People started copying other musicians’ songs. Alton Ellis’ son I’m Still in Love with You was copied decade after decade. No copyright for music in Jamaica. Tubby started experimenting with the songs: drop on certain instruments, bringing certain reverbs, echo etc. Dub was born.
Dub
Making the mixing desk an instrument. Lee Perry’s dubs: two 4-tracks linked together. Creating a brain and a heart. A brain to listen, drum for the heartbeats. It’s like the bass drum was a living being. People started with names like ‘dubplate’, ‘put the dub on’, ‘dubwise’ (back out the rhythm and leave the drum and bass alone).
Scientist: “Dub is electronic music that was developed by recording engineer”. Adding sound effects to get different remixes. Engineers’ role become central. Engineer becomes the artist, giving a new life to an old rythm.
Features
Lee Perry, Stephen and David Dewaele (2manydjs), Scientist, King Jammy, Sly & Robbie, DJ Spooky, Simon Ratcliffe (Basement Jaxx), Mutabaruka, Dennis Bovell, Mad Professor, Bunny Lee, U Roy, Kode G, LTJ Bukem, Don Letts, Adam Freeland, Brian Nordhoff & Rob Cimarosti (G-Corp), Howie B, Congo Natty, Bullwackie, Dr. Das, Bill Laswell, Ticklah, Gussie Clarke, Aba Shanti-I, Dreadzone, Glyn “Bigga” Bush, Richard Whittingham, Steve Barrow, David Katz, Mario Caldato Jr., Rodney Smith (Roots Manuva), Peter Kruder, J Rocc, Dj Rhettmatic, Dj Shortkut (Beat Junkies), Lúcio Maia & Jorge Du Peixe (Nação Zumbi), Neil Perch (Zion Train), Marcelo Yuka, Black Alien, Switch, Jason O’Bryan (Dub Pistols), Tom Dinsdale & Simon Franks (Audio Bullys), Eric Hilton & Rob Garza (Thievery Corporation).
Spotify Playlist
I couldn’t find most of the OST mentioned in the credits. So I tried to improvise to gather a set of songs from the artists mentioned in the documentary.
