As the end of my twenties looms, I look back on how reggae and its sister genre, dub, have quietly infiltrated my musical tastes. Enjoying dub is like eating fine food; you have to develop a sensitive palate for its conceptualization and ultimate digestion. Not only does dub invoke the mystical talents of master mixers and producers, it reinvents classic reggae beats as an entirely new sound that can transport you to an alternate reality.
The most impressive thing about this reggae and dub compilation is the extreme versatility of the dub mixes. In order to provide a defined point of reference for each dub, the original reggae tune immediately precedes its dub counterpart. After renowned DJ Prezident Brown's smoothly flowing number, "Nothing Beats a Failure But a Try" pumps out heavy vibes and a smooth beat, the dub rhythm blasts into the upper atmosphere with even more positive energy. "Nothing Beats a Dub" rolls drum beat over drum beat as the reverb-soaked percussion drills out a spacious cadence, into which sinks the thick and mesmerizing bass line, instigating its hypnotic trance. Just as inspiring is famed Kingston vocalist Alton Ellis' "Here I Stay". This famed rock-steady founder proves that he still has a voice silky enough to ensnare you with its polished beauty, while a marvelous backbeat drives home his message. Earl Sixteen's "Reality Dub" is easily the disc's most innovative dub track. The heavily refashioned bass beats sound like computer-manipulated alien messages received by your CD player. While it sounds hip and modern, this dub still emanates a distinct vitality and depth that ties it closely to its original reggae source.
On one level, reggae fans can rejoice, as each of these stellar reggae tracks are consummately recorded bits of purity that offer many of the classic elements of Jamaican beauty. However, the real winners here are the dub remixes, which release a salvo of elaborate mixing techniques that can either deftly append the original tune's feeling or alter it entirely, creating a new musical entity. If you're ready to experience musical transformations as they glide past your ears, or if you're just another dub hound hunting for a fix, Jah Warrior Showcase Vol. 2 is a classic find with a mightily tasteful track listing.
