UK Dub

Kingston's mixing desk travels to Britain — and meets another set of streets, studios and sound systems.

What you're really asking

The bass comes first, but there are several ways through this world. One leads to roots sound systems and long, concentrated sessions; another to London studios where dub meets punk, industrial textures and unusual percussion.

They share methods and people without sounding identical.

Where it sits

Britain's Caribbean communities built sound-system cultures that kept close relationships with Jamaica while developing local identities. Jah Shaka became a central figure in the roots-and-dub circuit.

Mad Professor established Ariwa in 1979, recording local artists as well as Jamaican collaborators. Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound created another interconnected studio world in the 1980s.

Later producers including the Disciples and Manasseh extended the UK sound-system tradition. Dub's British history is a set of connected branches, not one replacement for Kingston.

The scene

Who: Jah Shaka, Mad Professor, Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell, Bim Sherman, Creation Rebel and African Head Charge. Labels: Ariwa, On-U Sound and Jah Shaka's own imprint.

What: bass pressure, versions, echoes, studio manipulation and records made to change character on a large system. Ariwa also released lovers rock; On-U also travelled beyond reggae.

Label membership alone does not establish a dub match.