Is Living Dub Vol. 2 a good place to start with Burning Spear?

Yes, Living Dub Vol. 2 is recommended as a starting point for new Burning Spear listeners. Ethereal echoes and deep basslines weave together, creating a transcendent soundscape that immerses listeners in the essence of roots reggae. Released in 1980, Living Dub Vol. 2 followed Burning Spear's acclaimed album, Marcus Garvey, solidifying their reputation as pioneers of roots reggae and dub music. At this point in his career, Burning Spear was gaining significant recognition for his spiritual and politically charged lyrics.

Who is Living Dub Vol. 2 for?

Living Dub Vol. 2 works well if you're into steady rhythmic exploration, meditative listening experience and hypnotic bass-driven grooves.

How many songs are on Living Dub Vol. 2?

Living Dub Vol. 2 has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Living Dub Vol. 2

Burning Spear · 1980

39 min · 10 tracks · dub music

Ethereal echoes and deep basslines weave together, creating a transcendent soundscape that immerses listeners in the essence of roots reggae.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cry Africa (Cry Blood Africans) Start here — This opening track sets a powerful tone with its lush instrumentation and urgent call for unity among African people, embodying the album's themes.
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Telegram Dub (African Postman) — This track exemplifies the artistic experimentation inherent in dub music, using echo and reverb to create a rich auditory landscape that invites deep listening.
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Marcus Dub (Follow Marcus Garvey) — Named after a pivotal figure in Rastafarian culture, this track honors Garvey's legacy while showcasing intricate rhythms and sophisticated production techniques typical of dub.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative dub techniques and cohesive sound create an immersive experience, solidifying its place in reggae history.

What we noticed

The album features extensive use of reverb and echo effects, creating a spacious sound that emphasizes the deep basslines.
The sequencing of tracks maintains a consistent tempo, with subtle variations in rhythm that enhance the immersive quality of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady rhythmic exploration
meditative listening experience
hypnotic bass-driven grooves
spiritual vibes for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases innovative dub techniques, solidifying Burning Spear's influence in reggae.
Career context: Released in 1980, Living Dub Vol. 2 followed Burning Spear's acclaimed album, Marcus Garvey, solidifying their reputation as pioneers of roots reggae and dub music. At this point in his career, Burning Spear was gaining significant recognition for his spiritual and politically charged lyrics.
Stylistic neighbors: Peter Tosh· Black Uhuru· Culture