Harry Mudie meets King Tubby in Dub Conference Vol. 1

This is the first in a series of three great dub collaborations by the master King Tubby and 70's dub influence Harry Mudie. This album features straight forward dub with classic techniques and the touch of studio instruments. Very little sound effects and manipulation are used on this one. This album was originally released in 1976, but my CD copy is from '94. My favorite tracks on this one are: #1(Full Dose of Dub), #4 (Dub with a Difference), and #8 (Heavy Duty Dub). All these dubs were developed in both England and Jamaica. Full Dose of Dub features a hard conga drum rhythm to give it pop. Dub with a Difference is a great partnership of strings and horns with classic reggae drum work. In Heavy Duty Dub, the name is deceiving. It's actually a really mellow track; I get kind of a smokey lounge vibe from it. The second and third volume of this series are equally impressive and worth checking out.

Messenger Man : Willi Williams

This is just an outstanding 17 track album by Willi Williams. Another Blood & Fire release, this one from 2005 and the material was originally released in 1980 on the Inland label and recorded in Kingston and Toronto. This more recent Blood & Fire version includes several versions, extended versions, and a couple of previously unreleased dub tracks. My favorite tracks on this one are: #3 (Give Jah Praise), #5 (Zion Town), and #14 (Zion Town Dub). I find a very powerful message in "Zion Town" and I keep it on my all-time favorites playlist. Of course with Blood & Fire comes a great booklet and this time the notes are written by Carter Van Pelt. He's a noted North American authority on Reggae and I was very pleased to see his contribution to this album. The booklet tells the story of Willi Williams and also of the story and meanings behind the Messenger Man album. Besides Armagideon Time, this is my favorite Willi Williams album.