Youth Dub EP

by Adam Greenberg Concurrent with his second studio album, Youth, Matisyahu released an intriguing collection of dub versions of his works, along with a few entirely new pieces. The album opens with the title track, and enough reverb and echo to make King Tubby proud. Because of the nature of dub itself, the focus leaves Matisyahu's vocals somewhat in favor of the instrumental portions and the twists given to their play. Highlights include the new pieces "Spark Seekers" and "Daughters Dub," with their thumping basslines and a renewed use of vocals, and "One Woman," which evokes Bob Marley to some degree in its tenderness for its subject. Regardless of whether the track is a new or old one, however, the dub is excellent. Dub is a little harder to sell a crowd than dancehall, so the album may prove to be a bit more hidden. Nonetheless, it's an excellent piece of work and might just be enough to push dub into mainstream consciousness just a bit.