Phoenix Dub

by Rick AndersonLinval Thompson is one of reggae's true renaissance men, an A-list producer who is also skilled as both a singer and a dub organizer, working with mixers as eminent as King Tubby and Scientist. This excellent collection of dub versions draws on Thompson's exceptional studio abilities, taking rhythms of his own devising and running them through the dub wringer at the hands of Scientist, Prince Jammy, and the great Tubby himself. The source material is all killer: John Holt's "The Clock" is dubbed up by Tubby and rendered here as "Clock Face Dub," while Jammy shows off his skills with the very fine "Got to Hide Dub" and Scientist takes Prince Alla's dread classic "City With No Pity" and gives it even more of a foreboding tone as the eerily powerful "Hungry Belly Dub." Everything here is very dark and brooding, just like the best dub always is. Highly recommended.