Essential dub music listening

The albums that define dub music.

Our picks for where to start with dub music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The dub music essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Time Boom X De Devil Dead

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Time Boom X De Devil Dead

An adventurous blend of dub, reggae, and early jungle rhythms layered with Perry's surreal vocal improvisations.

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Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread

A vibrant fusion of reggae rhythms and surreal lyrical imagery, enveloping listeners in a psychedelic soundscape.

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Rare and Unreleased

Burning Spear

Rare and Unreleased

A collection of deep-rooted dub and reggae rhythms infused with spiritual and political messages.

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Marcus Garvey

Burning Spear

Marcus Garvey

A deep exploration of social consciousness set to hypnotic rhythms and soulful melodies.

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The Mirror Conspiracy

Thievery Corporation

The Mirror Conspiracy

A seamless blend of global rhythms and chilled beats that transports listeners across cultures and time.

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Saudade

Thievery Corporation

Saudade

A soothing blend of downtempo grooves and global influences that evoke nostalgia and warmth.

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Dub Meltdown

Bill Laswell

Dub Meltdown

A hypnotic blend of deep basslines and intricate rhythms that redefines the boundaries of dub music.

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Space/Time – Redemption

Bill Laswell

Space/Time – Redemption

A cosmic journey blending dub's rhythmic depth with jazz's improvisational spirit, creating an expansive auditory landscape.

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TwentyFourSeven

UB40

TwentyFourSeven

A vibrant blend of reggae rhythms and pop sensibilities, weaving socially conscious themes into infectious melodies.

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Present Arms

UB40

Present Arms

A fusion of reggae rhythms and socially conscious lyrics that resonate with the struggles of everyday life.

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Pomme Fritz

The Orb

Pomme Fritz

A whimsical blend of ambient textures and playful samples that invites listeners into a surreal soundscape.

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Orblivion

The Orb

Orblivion

A surreal journey through ambient soundscapes layered with textured beats and serene melodies.

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Holonic-The Self Megamix

DJ Krush

Holonic-The Self Megamix

A vivid collage of atmospheric beats and samples that melds hip-hop rhythms with dub influences.

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MiLight

DJ Krush

MiLight

A captivating fusion of atmospheric soundscapes and intricate hip-hop beats that transcends genre boundaries.

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NA9910º

99 Posse

NA9910º

A vibrant fusion of dub, ragga, and hip-hop energy pulsates through politically charged live performances.

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Incredibile opposizione tour 94

99 Posse

Incredibile opposizione tour 94

A vibrant fusion of dub, ragga, and rap that channels the fervor of political activism through rhythmic grooves.

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Earth's Rightful Ruler

Augustus Pablo

Earth's Rightful Ruler

A mesmerizing blend of hypnotic rhythms and celestial melodies that resonate with spiritual depth.

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East of the River Nile

Augustus Pablo

East of the River Nile

A vibrant fusion of deep reggae rhythms and ethereal dub soundscapes, capturing the spirit of Rastafarian culture.

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Dub Come Save Me

Roots Manuva

Dub Come Save Me

A fusion of rhythmic dub and alternative hip-hop that immerses listeners in a vivid urban soundscape.

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Alternately Deep

Roots Manuva

Alternately Deep

A vibrant fusion of alternative hip-hop and dub, layered with introspective lyrics and inventive production.

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Hussein Mahmood Jeeb Tehar Gass

Muslimgauze

Hussein Mahmood Jeeb Tehar Gass

A mesmerizing blend of ambient textures and tribal rhythms evoking a sense of both conflict and beauty.

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Deceiver

Muslimgauze

Deceiver

Ethereal soundscapes merge with intricate rhythms, evoking a sense of cultural and political urgency throughout the album.

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Everyday Robots

Damon Albarn

Everyday Robots

A contemplative blend of electronic textures and acoustic warmth that explores themes of loneliness and connection.

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