Harry Mudie

[Dave]

I have seen for sale the 3 Volumes of Harry Mudie meets King Tubby in a Dub Conference. I have heard about these recordings but have never actually listened to them, are they worth picking up.

[Sufferer's Hi-Fi]

In my opinion they are well worth picking up. I've always found Harry Mudie to be an exteremly unique producer of early 70's reggae. Besides these 3 albums I have the 2 Quad Revolution sets
Vol. 1- www.roots-archives.com/release/2025
Vol. 2- www.roots-archives.com/release/2392

Reggae History A-Z Vol. 1
-www.roots-archives.com/release/1695

and Rhythm Rulers (not on RA).

These are all great releases featuring vocal & DJ versions of many of the Riddims on the Dub Conference series- including The Drifter, Mudies most enduring riddim, Leaving Rome, Love w/out Feeling, Let ME Tell You Boy and many more. You can check X-Ray dub pages to refernce some of the original tracks that are dubbed
-http://xraymusic.co.uk/

The Dubs are interesting, especially as Mudie often employed strings,usually tastefully & to good effect, on his tracks-this may be off-putting to some people.
In general these are heavier dub workouts than those on the Quad sets, which I suspect were probally issued as version sides in the early 70's before dub got too heavy.

So as I said in my opinion they are well worth picking up. But as always everything is a matter of taste.

Ites,
Papa D

[Dave]

Thanks Papa D, I`ll make the purchase and enjoy.

Recommend any other dub sets along the lines of Joe Gibbs African Dub Chapters 1-4 and the Cry Tuff Dub Chapters 1-3.

Respect

Dave

[Sufferer's Hi-Fi]

Dave,
I haven't heard the Cry Tough Encounters though I often see them praised. As for the African Dubs I have a Cd with Chapters 3&4. This has never been one of my favorite dub sets. There are some good rhythms like George Nooks' cut to Tribal War and remakes to many Studio 1 classics like Rockfort Rock, Swing Easy, Fatty Fatty etc. The dubs never really grabbed me, though. ET uses a few too many sound effects for my taste. However, this is only my opinion. I have often seen this series highly praised, so maybe some other people will give you some feedback. Personally for ET/joe Gibbs dubs, I much prefer the "No Bones For Dogs" set on Pressure Sounds.

Other great series for me are:
The Scientist/Junjo Lawes sets including:
-Heavyweight Dub Champion
-Big Showdown (Scientist v. Prince Jammy)
-Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse Of The Vampires
-Scientist Wins The World Cup

The Scientist/Linval Thompson Series:
-Scientist Meets The Space Invaders
-Scientist Encounters Pac-Man

While these weren't issued as sets per se, they maintain a thematic clarity based on tough Roots Radics riddims and the production qualities of Junjo & Linval. These series are among the best of the 2nd generation of Dub.

Check for more feedback on the Joe Gibbs series though.

Ites,
Papa D

[Dave]

Papa D

I agree, No Bones for the Dogs is a good set, I also agree with your comments on chapter 3 & 4 of the African Dub series. However, Chapters 1 & 2 were recorded a couple of years earlier and with fewer effects.

Have got several of the Scientist sets that you mention, but will check out the Linval Thompson productions as I have the Scientist & Prince Jammy Strike back set which is also produced by him.

Respect

Dave

[benja]

Mudie is definately recommended. Surprisingly, he put strings to good effect in reggae. Once you start getting some of his productions, it starts to seem like he uses some of his riddims quite a few times, but they were nice!!

[leggo rocker]

Hmm, shows how we all differ.

I find Gibbs No bones for the dogs not so listenable, there's some, for me, irritating vocal inserts.

Whereas, African Dub, I LOVE - one and two are best, but three and four are also good. Very heavy and yes, there's some effects that some who like simpler dub won't like.

As for the Cry Tuff Dub encounters, I love 1 and 2 but my interest tailed off at 3, which is too, well, English.

But the Mudie Dub conference set are absolutely unmissable, buy them.

Better still, in my opinion, is the Album Rhythm Rulers Mudies Mood on Moodisc - picture of a pretty Chiney girl in Kimono on front cover.

This is a really excellent selection of chunefull dub/instrumental of early riddims, complete with large chunks of what sounds like the original early reggae vocals, with lovely arrangements of both keyboard, horns and strings (probably keyboard 'strings') - in fact I've just dug it out and span it up! Very rich sound yet true to the rockin simplicity of 70's reggae.

There's no artist listing on the cover, so no credit for the keyboards, is it Mittoo?

[Sufferer's Hi-Fi]

I listened to African Dub 3&4 again the other night. It was better than I remember.Still there was something that I foundlacking. Now I can pinpoint what I found lacking-HORNS. Most of the tracks don't have horns, instead they have synthy sounding keyboards that are a little off-putting to me. It's still good material but it lacks a certain "crispness" to me.
I'd still like to check out Chapters 1&2. Could anyone tell me if they've got more horns?

Ites,
Papa D

[Dave]

Papa D,

Haven`t listened to the African Dub Chapters for some time but I do recall there definately being more horns on the initial 2 released than on the 3rd and 4th Chapters. If your interested, Check system-records as they currently have all 4 chapters on vinyl or on 2 cds at a very good price.

Dave

[Dave]

While on the subject of Joe Gibbs, any idea where I might pick up the Revive 45s volumes 1 & 2 on CD. I have noticeds on Roots Archives that they are both available on the Rocky label.