Roots Archives Forum

Thanks for all the help everybody-- sorry also about the confusion in the initial post. Both discomixes and straight dub are fine by me. Will spend a lot of money this weekend on your recs! Thanks especially about the "showcase" format-- didn't know about that. And if you're still reading, what are the one or two best entry-level Laswell albums?

For Bill Laswell mixes, there is the DUB MASSIVE series.
(mixes of classic Reggae dubs VOL. I & 2)
but for originals go for SACRED SYSTEM VOL. I & 2
(blissed out, ambient dub with a middle eastern feel)

If you have a thing for extended mixes than LPs aren't the way to go. You need to collect 12 inch 45s.

While the format varies, this is the best way to get extended versions. You'll typically get:

a: Vocal, then DJ, then Dub
b: Extended Dub.

But sometimes you get two different tunes, one each side, or even two on one side, basically just two 7" version cut on one side.

Other times you get nothing but a 7 inch single - same duration - cut into a 12 (for better sound quality).

Generally they do follow the 'standard' disco mix format and so can represent very good value. Again, not always as some sought after and rare discomix records fetch very very high prices today.

They are usually, but not always, much better quality than 7 inch pressings, and often better than LPs as they have more physical space to put the sound into. They are usually louder than LPs and especially 7s.


I discovered these after being a 100% LP man for a long time. They rock. Now I would say I have as many, if not more, 12 inch 45s than 33s.

And inna dance it's these brilliant 12 inch rulers for me all the way!

Alias Wade,
Wailing Souls at Channel One is one album you need. It's all extended mixes or otherwise vocal followed by dub.
Children of Jah / The Chantells is also a crucial showcase album.

The key words for you is "showcase" when it comes to albums. A "showcase album" most of the time means the songs are extended with dub. Another key word is "12 inch" or "discomix". This means, in most cases, a track extended with the dub.

Yes, also Ranking Dread "Most Wanted" is pure extended version.