Roots Archives Forum

Hey brethren i`ve always wondered what the difference is between the two.I was listening to Burning Spear:Living dub vol.2 last night and i first listened to this album on the original label heart beat a few years back,then i lost the original and not so long ago decided to buy the album wich is on a newer label wich has been remastered and it still sounds great but i noticed that it was slightly faster and certain instruments were a bit lower and others were turned up a bit.Has anyone had the same problem with original to remastered,and the million dollar question is wich is better and why do they actually remaster albums these days.Should i make it my goal to get originals instead of remastered or am i just being fussy.


Respect and guidance

Always go for the originals. Why? Well because they are the originals, simple. That's if you can afford them!

But then also buy the remastered ones just to complete your set. And then pick up some represses or re-releases along the way.

See, this reggae collecting is really quite straightforward!

Dubs_West

The 2 Heartbeat issues of Living Dub 1 & 2 came out in thew 1990`s are remixed with overdubs.

They are not the same as the original Living Dub 1 & 2 that came out first on "Island PRE and then on Bi=urning Spear own label.

If you can find the original mixes, they are byu fatre superior to the Heartbeat versions.

I cannot comment on any subsequent later issues as i have not heard them.

Whenever possinble, I would always opt for the original over the remixed/overdubbed versions, the sound is usually heavier and warmer and as it was intended.


Regards

Dave

some of the remasters out there are good quality. I've found the remasters done at greensleeves to be of a generally good quality for example but then again they made a real mess of nobody move nobody get hurt by yellowman which sounds truly awful compared to the original. It's quite a skiled job I imagine so there are bound to be good and bad experiences. It's almost impossible to recreate the vinyl sound though but that doesn't mean cd remasters don't offer something valuable?

I recently purchased Heart of the Congos and im waiting for it to arrive.But it said the it was the original remastered and it`s on Blood and Fire,will it still be as incredible as the first.


Respect and guidance

Rasta.

I agree with Rootsman Dave

The Sylvan Morris mixes on the original Burning Spear Living Dub Vol 1 & 2 are much more better than the Barry O'Hare remixed stuff issued on Heartbeat.

One Love

Ites!

But original both albums (Sylvan Morris mixes) hav high quality reissue on CD?

BLESS

Remixes are crab. But if you only think about the sound then remastered is WAY better of course.

@Dubs_West

Relax, that CD is awesome. Even though I don't really 'do' CD's and I have several different issues of the original vinyl, I still bought and enjoy the CD when driving in the car.

The original issue of the Living Dub 1 & 2 as mixed by Sylvan Morris are available on CD on the Burning Spear label. They contain same mixes of the "PRE" LP issues.

The Heartbeat CD issues that are mixed by Barry o Hare, as dubdoudou states, are far inferior.

And, as previously mentioned, "Remastered" v "Remixed" does mean 2 different things.

Dave