Dread at the Controls Dub:

Critic's Review

Dread at the Controls Dub
Artist: Augustus "Gussie" Clarke
Release Date: Oct 15, 2007
Label: Auralux
Styles: Dub, Roots Reggae
Critics' Rating:
read review
Avg. User Rating:
0 ratings
Your Rating:
write a review
Critic's Review:
By 1978, Mikey Dread was one of the biggest names in reggae: his show on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, Dread at the Controls, was one of the first national radio programs to play nothing but the hottest contemporary reggae and dub, and he would soon temporarily move to England and enter the Clash's orbit. His production and mixing of the Clash during their Sandinista! period would make Dread one of the most familiar reggae names to the punk and new wave audience. However, those folks should be warned: Augustus "Gussie" Clarke's 1978 dub release Dread at the Controls Dub, though it lifts its name from Dread's popular radio show, otherwise has little to do with Mikey Dread, who does not appear here as a producer, mixer, or performer. But don't let that stop anyone: Dread at the Controls Dub is vintage late-'70s dub well worth a listen. The original tracks were recorded by the Revolutionaries, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare's pre-Taxi Records band, behind singers like Leroy Smart and the Mighty Diamonds; here, the ten tracks are transformed into deep, heavy dub audibly influenced by Lee "Scratch" Perry's contemporaneous work, including many of the oddball sound effects and sonic manipulation pioneered by the master. However, ever since 1978, information about this album has been difficult to come by, and this otherwise exemplary remastered reissue is equally unforthcoming: Clarke produced the original tracks, not the dubs, and although rumors have suggested many different mixers (including Mikey Dread himself, which both Dread and Clarke deny) were responsible for these inventive and drop-dead cool versions, it remains unknown whose mixing talents are on display on gems like "Double Bubble" and "Michael Campbell Theme," which pays homage to Mikey Dread under his real name. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
buy album from Zune
Currently Unavailable.
advertisement
Music data provided by: AMG