Advantages: Amazing track selection, value for money Disadvantages: None!
You might have stumbled into Skinhead Reggae in the shop and wondered what it is. It came along after rocksteady around 1968-70, with a fast beat, electronically doubled rhythm guitar stroke, and heavy organ lines. For many people it's the classic era of reggae.
To get 50 top quality and well selected tracks for this price is so good it's almost a joke. A lot of effort has gone into this CD, and it shows, with tracks pulled from all sorts of rare reggae record labels. Amongt the amazing selections are songs such as "Mix Up Girl" by The Creations, "V Rocket" by The Fabions, "What Am I To Do" by Tony Scott, "Spread Your Bed" by The Versatiles, "Qua Kue Shut" by The Creations, "History" by Harry & Radcliffe, "The Burner" by Vincent Gordon & The Dynamics, "2,000 Tons Of T.N.T." by The G.G. All Stars, "Death In The Arena" by Rupie Martin ...
Advantages: Timeless classics; 50 tracks for £7 Disadvantages: Recording quality of older tracks
brought out of receivership by Saga who concentrated more of albums rather than singles and consequently the 7" single under the Trojan banner was phased out.
30 of the 50 tracks on this album appear on CD for the first time given their previus rarity.
This box-set is one of many themed sets currently on the market. Others include UK Singles, Dub, Instrumental, Reggae Sisters, Soulful Reggae, Reggae Brothers, Lovers, Ska and Calypso. There are many others coming onto the market. Trojan is enjoying something of an Indian summer with their reissuing of nearly every track from their vaults. I estimate there are around 30 of these themed box-sets on the market and occasionally songs from one set does overlap onto another, but with such a wealth of material available to the compilers, it does happen too much.
---WHAT DOES IT SOUND ...
Advantages: Great dubby sounds Disadvantages: some tracks are a bit weak
BOX OF DUB-Variousartists is a showcase of tracks taken from the new popular Dubstep-future garage genre. This record covers the dubbier side of the scene with names such as 'Skream, Digital mystiks, Scuba, etc) . The tracks are original, with some bordering on strange (Digital Mystikz 'Guilty' is an example). Overall the quality is very high and rather enjoyable. The record kicks off with Digital Mystikz 'I wait' which is a lovely stripped down Dubstep drum workout with minimal synths and subs. skream shines on this record and features on two tracks. The first is 'Sub Island', a detailed drum workout over minimal but heavy sub bass and an even more minimal pad sound which suggests the tropical island feel. Skream's other track is a well known dubby jump up number which has featured on underground radio and is a sure hit. Other tracks ...
