STILL CHANTING RUB-A-DUB

By Admin

The iconic deejay U Roy was already a seasoned figure in Jamaica’s sound system culture, rising to prominence in 1969 on Home Town Hi-Fi, operated by Osbourne Ruddock, better known as King Tubby. That same year, a young U Brown also began his career at just thirteen, choosing his stage name as a tribute to U Roy and in reference to his lighter complexion. He first showcased his skills on smaller sound systems like Antone The Killer, steadily honing his craft before linking with producer Bunny Lee in 1975. Together, they recorded his first album, Satta Dread, which was released the following year in the UK by Klik Records.

Almost fifty years after Satta Dread made its debut, the respected French label Irie Ites has presented a fresh project from the veteran deejay titled Still Chanting Rub-A-Dub. Unlike his 1976 debut, which featured only his solo cuts, this new set contains twelve tracks, ten of which are collaborations with fellow Jamaican artists such as Glen Washington, Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson, and late greats Frankie Paul and Sugar Minott. Backing comes courtesy of heavyweight musicians and producers including Roots Radics, Mafia & Fluxy, Med Tone, The Ligerians, and the Irie Ites All Stars.

Still Chanting Rub-A-Dub transports listeners straight into the spirit of the late ’70s and early ’80s, when the rub-a-dub and early dancehall sound ruled the dance. The album opens with Run Come Dance, a vibrant solo piece that perfectly displays U Brown’s classic toasting style. Yet the real gems lie in its collaborative moments, such as Rub-A-Dub School with Frankie Paul, where both artists ride Irie Ites’ rework of the riddim once used by Prince Jammy for Black Crucial’s 1983 track Mr. Vincent. Another highlight, Hard Road, features U Brown and Trinity flowing effortlessly over a deep, bass-driven Roots Radics riddim. Linval Thompson also reappears with a revamped version of his Ganja Man, first released earlier this year, in a lively combination track. Similarly impressive is Whip Dem with Eek-A-Mouse, a song that could easily connect with listeners in the same way Thompson’s Original Ganjaman did. Closing the set is Ruff Ina Dis Ya Time, a fresh interpretation of Al Campbell’s Jah Love Conquers All, delivered on the 2023 Ina Struggle Riddim, and it provides the album with a fitting finale.