King Jammy - King Jammy's Unites The Nations with Dub (Jammy's / VP) LP

So much trouble in the world….Elder Reggae statesman King Jammy returns to his Dub laboratory to forge a new sonic message of positive vibrations in Dub. Jammy’s hand-picked peacekeeping force of Kingston 11 stalwarts precision drop ten fresh boomshots for the healing of the nations to unite the world through Dubwise pressure - when these Dubs hit you feel no pain!  

Expect original Jamaican drum and bass with blazing horns, expansive plate reverbs, razor-sharp skanks and tumbling drums echoing into oblivion, punctuated by swirling dub sirens and custom effects units. These deconstructed riddims are presented in high definition on heavyweight vinyl for full Dub Technicolour. Sure, there are traces of foundation riddims in the mix, “African Queen” channels the Rocksteady gem “Queen Of The Minstrels” and “Cry Freedom Dub” incorporates a bassline which is reminiscent of the 80s Dancehall favourite “Peenie Peenie”. “Winds Of Change” provides a new take on the Taxi Gang’s “Revolution” riddim and even the Studio One classic by Larry Marshall, “Nanny Goat”, often credited as the first Reggae song, gets a relick on “Dub For Change”. However, under Jammy’s direction, this 21st-century A-Team band, including Andre Dennis, I Sax and Brandon Harris, breathe new life into these versions. Jammy, alongside son John John and future star engineer Romeo ‘Shemmo’ Facey, then mould these raw riddims utilising their deft touch on the mixing desk to expertly blend digital sounds and live instrumentation. 

This rousing set of Dubs is reinforced by its iconic sleeve design, created by acclaimed illustrator and selectress Ellen G (from My Lord Sound). Ellen, who cites longtime Greensleeves collaborator Tony McDermott as a great influence and inspiration, has beautifully captured the album’s musical intentions in stunning vibrancy, portraying all races, creeds, colours, and genders united at the prospect of listening keenly to Jammy’s master tape of crucial Dubs.  

Lloyd ‘Jammy’ James began his career when the Dub Originator and fellow Waterhouse resident King Tubby became aware of Jammy’s prodigious talent for electronics in the early 1970s.  An illustrious career followed and soon Prince Jammy (as he was then known) emerged as a true Dub Master in his own right. He was one of the key figures responsible for kickstarting the Jamaican digital revolution with Wayne Smith’s Dancehall bombshell “Sleng Teng” in 1985 after which he was eventually crowned King Jammy. In 2024 Jammy continues to innovate even after nearly 50 years behind the mixing desk and is currently in the process of creating a King Jammy museum, ensuring his legacy is preserved for future generations.