A Conversation in Dub (2024)

20/12/2023

For our final episode of the year, we’re giving you another tribute episode. We’re celebrating the lives of the legendary reggae musicians, engineers and more who lost their lives in 2023. While this list may be smaller than past years, the weight is still heavy for the reggae community. We want to remember and celebrate each of them through the music they shared with the world.

We hope you enjoy this selection of songs and if you’re not familiar with these names, we encourage you to dive deeper into their music. From James and Mark at A Conversation in Dub, we wish everyone in the dub universe a very happy new year! There will be plenty more music to listen to together in the upcoming year.

06/12/2023

This week we listen to “Permanent Holiday” by off of his 2012 debut album The Change I’m Seeking. This is a first listen for Mark and the 8 minute song length did not disappoint! There a lot of interesting techniques and instrumentalization happening throughout this song, and we talk about it all.

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07/11/2023

This week we listen to the track “Forgiveness” by the legendary band , off of the album Dreaming From an Iron Gate. This album, mixed by , is a dub remix of the 2003 album Hebron Gate. We get into the distinctive style of dub mixing on both the song and the entire album which, consistent with Groundation’s style, does not follow the typical “rules” of roots reggae.

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25/10/2023

This week we’re talking about “Lovers,” the opening track on the latest record called Switched On. We’ve listened to Pachyman on this podcast before, but we go deeper, discussing his unique timbre, production quality, and future directions of his music. This album in particular has a lot of new and interesting influences but it remains in the realm of Pachyman. We hope this makes you want to listen to the rest of the album after this episode. Let us know what you think of it!

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11/10/2023

This week we listen to “Screw Faces” by the French reggae band . This is the opening track off of their newest album released this year, Brighter Days. With heavy rootsy instrumentalization underneath the majestic vocal lines, there is a lot for us to break down in this episode. Let us know what you thought of this song as well in the Q&A section!

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27/09/2023

This week we’re featuring a track from the UK based band called “Effra Nights.” This is off the 2022 album Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice and Friends. Soothsayers are an instrumental Ska, Reggae, Afro Beat band, keeping the old school styles alive in the new world. We get into the unmistakable production sounds and the great instrumentalization throughout the track and album. Stick around for the dub version at the end of the episode.

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13/09/2023

This week we’re talking about Puerto Rican reggae superstars . We listen to the song “La Complicidad” off the 2010 La Dulzura album. While this track is completely in Spanish, we are able to understand a lot of the meaning and intention behind the song just through their music and delivery. We talk about the unique structure, the groove, and our only time seeing them live in NYC together.

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30/08/2023

This week we listen to the latest single by called “Mary.” Hailing from the DC area, The Loving Paupers are like a breath of fresh air in the US reggae scene, bringing back the lovers rock and rubadub sound but with a new, modern take. We were lucky enough to have , Jorge and Dan from the band to talk about this single, the upcoming album, Ladders, and much much more. We hope you enjoy our conversation and make sure to pre-order that record on !

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09/08/2023

This week Mark introduces us to some French reggae by & . We listen to the song “Monkey Temple” from the 2019 album Nomad Skank. While we are not too familiar with these artists and producers, there is still a lot to break down in these instrumental songs. We talk about the unique instrumentalization throughout this song and the rest of the album including the full brass section, flute leads, accordion and more. We’d love to discuss with Youthie about how they create and any elements that we may have missed.

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26/07/2023

This week we are featuring the song “All Of Your Love” by . The band brings a fresh take on classic rocksteady reggae sounds from Israel. We talk about how they stay true to a classic style but in a uniquely new way. Young Israelites have a minimalist approach to the instrumentation and production, which leaves a lot of room for fills and riffs that might otherwise be lost. We are looking forward to seeing where these guys are headed and hope there will be more music soon.

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19/07/2023

We are always amazed at the reggae music that is being made around the globe, and this week we talk about the South Korean band, . We listen to the song “The Night of Mt. Naeba” off the album, Back When Tigers Smoked. We talk about the wildly unique style that this genre-bending group brings to the table and how they can make a single chord song sound so intricate. This band has a wide variety of styles but is rooted in dub reggae and we highly recommend listening to the rest of the album for the full experience.

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12/07/2023

This week we are featuring music from Argentinian producer, , a.k.a. Kingston Factory featuring of . This is the first song on the East Coast Sessions album, “The Line.” We break down the unique instrumentation throughout the song, the amazing vocal work and the overall simplicity of the production and of the song itself. We continue to be amazed by the reggae music coming out of Argentina and the rest of the world.

Disclaimer: We recorded these episodes out of order so we say this is number 101 but it did not publish that way. It has no effect on the episode itself.

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05/07/2023

We are back with a new season and starting off the next 100 episodes with music by ! We are joined by 2 additional members of the band, and to talk about the title track of their new EP “Overcome” and to tell us about the band. We go in depth about the creation of Steppadelic and how all of the current members came together. We also dig into the song writing and recording process since mostly everything is done in house until mixing. Check out the rest of the EP after the episode, we know you’ll enjoy it!

24/05/2023

We have made it to episode 100! To celebrate, we did a full album review of our very own .pasqua’s full length dub album, “The Arcadia Sessions: A Dub Experience.” We talk about and break down each song and discuss the origins of the album and James’ musical background.

We also want to take a moment to thank everyone who listens to and supports the show! Through these 100 episodes we’ve crossed more bridges and milestones than we could have ever imagined. We are not looking to stop doing this any time soon so here’s to 100 more!

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17/05/2023

This week we listen to the newest single by the South Florida band, called “After Tomorrow.” We discuss their unique sound and the production elements causing this to sound classic and new at the same time. This is another 2 chord wonder song with not much structure changes but contains enough elements to keep the interest for 4 minutes long. Stay tuned for the end of the episode to catch the dub version as well!

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03/05/2023

This week we’re checking out “Most Men,” the opening track from the most recent album Love In Time. This is a release that both of us were looking forward to and were both pleasantly surprised with the entire album. We talk about the simplicity of the writing and also the complexity of the overall productions. We get into their signature sound and the many collaborations on the album. We also touch on the musical renaissance that we predicted would happen post-pandemic and what that looks like.

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19/04/2023

This week Mark was unable to join, but James is joined by his wife, ! We break down the song “Stowaway” by from the 2013 album, Vines. Passafire is one of Jackie’s favorite bands and this particular song resonates with her personally. We talk about highlights from past concerts and their sonic evolution as a band. We also get into Jackie’s background as a writer and a fan of this music.

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12/04/2023

This week we are honored to have a couple of very special guests to talk to us about dub music. Emch from Sound System returns to the show along with ! We feature Jack’s newest single “Better Together” remixed by . This song will be released on the full length dub album “In Between Dub” in June this year. We talk about Jack’s songwriting process, how some of his classic songs came to be and the mindset behind releasing a dub remix album. Both Emch and Jack Johnson talk about their relationships with Lee “Scratch” Perry and share stories working with him and together. There was a lot to talk about and we could have gone on forever. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

29/03/2023

This week we’re talking about the legendary band UB40. But we’re not talking about any of the hits like “Red Red Wine”, we are going back to their sophomore album Present Arms which released in 1981 to listen to “One in Ten.” We get into the unique groove of that song, the texture elements throughout and the overall simplicity of a good song. We also wonder what it must have been like for UB40 creating roots reggae in the UK as mostly white guys, and how that may have been received at the time. We also do a surprise listen to the dub version, released the same year on Present Arms in Dub.

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22/03/2023

This week we listen to the song “Serious Time” by from the Noise and Emptiness album released in 2022. This is a “first listen” episode for Mark so you’ll hear his natural, first reaction of the track. We talk about the overall UK reggae sound of this and others in that same circle of musicians, Joe Yorke’s signature falsetto singing voice, and the overall production of the song and album.

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15/03/2023

Mark returns this week to talk about a brand new mashup. We listen to both dub versions of Jack Johnson’s “Traffic In The Sky Dub” by the late great and Sound System. was an early influence on our songwriting, so to hear a dub version come out 20 years later is very special to us. We get into Jack Johnson’s unique sound and how he is clearly influenced by reggae music despite not playing reggae, and much, much more.

08/03/2023

This week, in lieu of Mark, we have a special co-host Pedro Uribe, a.k.a. , from the band joining the conversation. We break down the title track from the album "Twice" from 2014. While we've done a few episodes on Hollie Cook already, there's always more to talk about. Pedro gives his insight on the unique songwriting and we share stories of seeing Hollie Cook live and much much more.

15/02/2023

This week we continue our guest host episodes with .wav. We talk about his newest single in his series, “Picture This,” and a little about the history of reggae and dub and how they spawned genres like hip hop and rap. To go with that theme, we listen to a few songs that both inspired Nick to create his music, but also connect the dots between the genres. The songs include “Bam Bam” by , “Respect” by and “Gunman Tune” by Panhead.

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08/02/2023

This week we have a special guest host filling in for Mark, (Dave Shiffman). Dave is the editor at Rootfire, a reggae lover and a self-published author. We listen to two tracks from the French collective from their 2022 album Soul Medicine. We break down the songs together and talk about Dave’s role at Rootfire, his new radio program, and his novel The Cosmic Burrito. Hope you enjoy!

18/01/2023

This week we feature the song “Kik” from the one-man band, Twilight Circus Dub Sound System. We discuss the interesting instrument choices, the lead lines and the analog tone of the whole album. Twilight Circus Dub Sound System has released many albums but none very recently, leaving us wondering if creator Ryan Moore is working on any new music. Either way, there are plenty of albums in TCDSS’ discography to check out, and we hope you enjoy!

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11/01/2023

We are back with the first episode of the new year bringing you more breakdowns of our favorite songs! This week we listen to “Defend” and “Defender Dub” by Meets The 18th Parallel, released in 2021 on the album Showcase Vol 1. This album features Lone Ark from Northern Spain, and The 18th Parallel from Switzerland. We talk about how the music is influenced exclusively by Jamaican roots reggae from the late 70’s, primarily Yabby You. We look forward to what these artists bring in the future.

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28/12/2022

For our final episode of the year, we’re giving you another tribute episode. We’re celebrating the lives of the legendary reggae musicians who lost their lives throughout 2022. While there are far too many on this list this year, we want to remember and celebrate each of them through the music they shared with the world.

We hope you enjoy this selection of songs and if you’re not familiar with these names, we encourage you to dive deeper into their music. From .pasqua and at A Conversation in Dub, we wish everyone in the dub universe a very happy new year! There will be plenty more music to listen to together in the upcoming year.

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21/12/2022

Welcome to our special Christmas episode of 2022! Not only is this a special themed episode, it's also our first ever video episode. Be sure to check out this episode on our Youtube channel using the link below.

This week we listen to two Christmas songs by , “Christmas Time is Here” and “Linus & Lucy” from the Rivas Records Christmas EP from 2020. We talk about his iconic sound, the influence American Jazz music had on Reggae music in the early days, and more. Hope you enjoy this very special episode!

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14/12/2022

This week we listen to the song “Nebula” by . Consisting of Paul Wolstencroft (), Tommy Benedetti () and Van Gordon Martin, Organically Good Trio is a powerhouse collective keeping the futuristic roots sound alive. We get into their signature sound, the production of this album and their fascinating songwriting.

07/12/2022

This week we listen to the song “Skankin' Sweet” by . Chronixx is a major part of the Roots Reggae Revival that’s currently happening in Jamaica, and this album fits that sound perfectly. We discuss that particular sound, the production style and value of this album and how Chronixx stands out from other artists.

30/11/2022

This week we’re diving into the iconic Cali Reggae band, a.k.a. LBDA. We listen to “Listen to DJs” from the 2001 Wonders of the World album. This song does exactly what we try to do on this podcast: introduce listeners to music that is new to them. We talk about the quality of Cali Reggae music from this time period as well as a little background on the band.

23/11/2022

This week, we’re throwing you a bit of a curveball with the band . While they may not be considered a reggae band, it’s clear they are heavily influenced by reggae and Jamaican production styles. We listen to the song “Keep You,” the first track off of their debut album Isles. We also do a second breakdown of the remix version by the Brooklyn based producer, Ticklah, . We talk about the unique instrumentation, the driving beat, and where they fit in the reggae world. Hope you enjoy it!

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16/11/2022

This week we’re featuring music from LA-based dirty reggae band, . We listen to the song “Lick It Up” from the album IV. There’s a lot to talk about with this band but our focus is on the instrumentation, the unique vibe and sound, and the impact this band has had on the west coast US reggae scene. We hope you enjoy this breakdown, and if you’re not familiar with this band, we hope you’ll dive right in!

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09/11/2022

This week we listen to “Bad Boy Tenor” by UK-based singer , followed by the dub version produced by of . Kiko Bun is part of the ongoing reggae resurgence, using classic styles of toasting over modern UK riddims. We talk about the nuances and interesting elements of this seemingly simple reggae song. We’re looking forward to what Kiko Bun has in store, hope you enjoy this breakdown!

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02/11/2022

This week we have a very special guest all the way from Argentina, Mauro Solazzi, of the band . This up and coming band blends digital reggae with a more modern roots sound. We feature the song “Senda Mistica” from their newest album of the same name, as well as the dub version “Mystic Way” produced by . Mauro tells us about the history of the band, their live show experience and what’s next for Los Jugos Locos. Hope you enjoy!

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26/10/2022

This week we are talking about the mysterious and wildly talented . Consisting of a collection of uncredited but phenomenal east coast musicians, 10 Ft. G***a Plant has been a staple in the US reggae scene for over two decades. This side project, together with Craig Welsch’s impeccable production value, come together to deliver a unique sound that appeals to all reggae lovers. We talk about the members (the ones we know about, at least) and share fond memories of seeing them live.

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19/10/2022

This week we’re revisiting the band and listening to the song “Special Request.” This song, featuring Elliot Martin of , is the only song on the album that has vocals. We get into Death By Dub’s unique horn sounds and delve into the iconic vocal and lyrical work of Elliot Martin. As with any JBB side project, this is a must listen!

05/10/2022

This week we’re traveling half way around the globe to listen to the Japanese dub band, Dry & Heavy. We listen to the song “Breaking Dawn” followed by the dub version by King Jammy, “Breaking Dub.” This band, from the late 90’s and early 2000’s, really captures the late 70’s Jamaican reggae sound and style with their own Japanese flair. We get into the individual instrumentation going on, the productions styles and ‘s signature vocal work.

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21/09/2022

This week we listen to “Jacqueline” by Hugh Mundell, an artist that has an extensive catalog despite being taken from this Earth at just 21 years old. We break down this song and the style, but also the evolution of his sound throughout his short but successful career. From his start with Augustus Pablo, to ending up with The Roots Radics, we talk about it all and what it must have been like during that time. Hope you enjoy this breakdown, and don’t forget to stick around for the dub version.