A label I just started noticing is a UK based one called Metro. They have released some pretty quality albums by the likes of King Tubby and Augustus Pablo and this new one is no exception. Filled with 16 tracks or pure vintage dub mixed by the likes of Tubby, Lee Perry, Jammy and so on, "Dub: Original Bass Culture" is sure to wet the whistle of most dub fans.

Most of the tracks (about six of them) are King Tubby dubs of Bunny Lee produced songs of the 70s. classics like Cornell Campbells "The Gorgan Speaks" ("Gorgan Speaks Version"), Johnny Clarkes "Rock With Me Baby" ("Crabit Version"), Lynval Thompsons "Money" ("Straight To The Capitalist Head") and others, the Tubby/Bunny connection has proved to be great time and time again (note the countless number of records with this combination) and this time is no different. "A Better Version", which is Bunnys recut of Horace Andys "Skylarking" classic is probobly my favorite on the disc because of the time timeless rhythm and Tubbys explosive use of the mixing console.

Another man featured quite a bit on this is Lee Perry (with 6 tracks as well). Perry mixes with fine style on tracks like "Dreader Locks" which is a nice version of Junior Byles classic "Curley Locks" with Lee Perry talking over the rhythm. Also good is "Too Bad Cow" which is has Perrys classic sound effects. Other tunes not to be missed are "Nyambie Dub" with the heavy echos and the chorus of "Traveling to Rastafari" echoing in and out of the mix.

Featured with 2 tracks is Niney the Observer. The first of his offerings is a mean mix of "Bring the Couchie Come" with a almost hypnotizing rhythm and trumpet. The other track is "No Conscience", a mix of Dennis Browns "Wolf and Leopard". This a nice track. Pretty heavy bass and drums with plenty of echo when ever Dennis' voice passes through the mix. Also the barely audible echo on the horns adds a nice touch.

The last two on this album get one offering each. First, the late great deejay Prince Far I and the Arabs band. They bring "Foundation Stepper" which is a nice horns dub track with some great reverb and excellent niyabingi drums. The last is Tubby's apprentice Prince Jammy on the tune "Waterfront Gang War" on the "Ire Feelings" rhythm which has some excellent rining sounds and beeping sounds and shows what Jammy has learned from Tubby and how he still has his own style. Nice tune.

This is a good, solid album. One which may interest many dub fans. It is recommended but not quite enthusiastically as it gets a little boring with a couple of listenings. The music is solid and the mixes are nice though. And as with the other Metro releases I have seen, the packaging isn't bad at all.