Roots Archives Forum

From what I've understood there's three (four?) different versions of this brilliant dub album out there.

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The first one was released on a pre-label (Island according to R-A). This one was released in 1978 and didn't have any overdubs as the latter issues.

The second release was on Burning Sounds own label (doesn't seem to be in R-A). And was titled Living Dub Vol. 1. The artwork was still black background with red text but differed in the layout and also had a small picture of Marcus Garvey in the middle. This mix was more or less the original mix with overdubs.

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In the 90's Burning Spear released the original mix again. Or is this yet another mix of the album. I've heard contradictory information.

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Heartbeat also reissued the second mix with the overdubs in 1992. Once again I've heard that this might be a slightly different mix (making it a fourth mix of the set?).

Are the CD-reissues the same mixes as the original two? Which one of the versions is the mix you prefer?

and there are also several dubplate cuts from tracks of at least the first issue..

The dubplate cuts have been officially released? Or are you referring to one off acetates with dub cuts?

Overdubs ? I don't think there are any overdubs, only different mixes...
The second mix adds a dub (Hill Street Dub), probably from a song which finally wasn't used on the album...

The Burning Music CD is indeed identical to the Pre LP 3 release, only there're some severe drop-outs here and there and the last track is shortened. It seems the tapes weren't in excellent condition.

N.

Nicholas wrote:Overdubs ? I don't think there are any overdubs, only different mixes...
The second mix adds a dub (Hill Street Dub), probably from a song which finally wasn't used on the album...

The Burning Music CD is indeed identical to the Pre LP 3 release, only there're some severe drop-outs here and there and the last track is shortened. It seems the tapes weren't in excellent condition.

N.

Yes, no overdubs on the Heartbeat CDs - just new/alternate mixes.

I think the Burning Music CD runs too fast, as well as having the last track shortened...

Ok. So the second issue was new mix and not overdubs.

So it seems there's only two mixes out there. The Pre LP 3 and Burning Spear issue. Both have been reissued with the former being a flawed reissue quality-wise?

kalcidis wrote:From what I've understood there's three (four?) different versions of this brilliant dub album out there.

The first one was released on a pre-label (Island according to R-A). This one was released in 1978 and didn't have any overdubs as the latter issues.

Hi kalcidis!

This PRE label was not connected in any way to Island Records, even though Island did eventually get the rights to 'Social Living'. The PRE label was a UK Charisma Records label offshoot. They also released Gregory's 'Lonely Lover' & 'More Gregory' plus a few Prince Far I titles.

The first ever issue of 'Living Dub', was on Charisma's (UK) PRE label. It was deleted shortly after being issued. This happened just prior to the record being released for the first time in JA, on Winston's own Burning Spear label.

The UK catalogue number (on the label) was PRELP 3
Matrix = PRE LP-3-A / LYN 8503-1SC / JONZ / MAX
Matrix = PRE LP-3-B / LYN 8504-1SC / SOUND CLINIC / MAX

* The confusion about Island may stem from the fact they did put out a lot of Reggae 12" (including Spear's 12" Civilized Reggae / Social Living) in sleeves that were stamped PRE-RELEASE.

Thank, Jackie P! I was quite convinced that it didn't have anything to do with Island. Wouldn't have guessed either that it was related to the PRE-label. Personally I was thinking it was just a one-off release on an uncredited label.

the only version worth their weight in platinum are the ones released on BS's own label in 78: black cover with red letters

Same for Living dub 2, which is the dub version of Hail HIM.

BS even released those two on CD. Taken from a vynil source as the surface noises are very audible.