So much trouble in the world… Elder reggae statesman King Jammy returns to his dub laboratory to craft a new sonic message of positive vibrations. Jammy’s handpicked peacekeeping force of Kingston 11 stalwarts drops ten fresh boomshots aimed at healing the nations and uniting 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. These deconstructed riddims are presented in high definition on heavyweight vinyl for full dub technicolor. Traces of foundational riddims thread through the mix: “African Queen” channels the rocksteady gem “Queen of the Minstrels,” and “Cry Freedom Dub” incorporates a bassline reminiscent of the 1980s dancehall favorite “Peenie Peenie.” “Winds of Change” revisits the Taxi Gang’s “Revolution” riddim, while the Studio One classic “Nanny Goat” by Larry Marshall—often credited as reggae’s first song—gets a relick on “Dub for Change.”
Under Jammy’s direction, this 21st-century A-Team band, featuring Andre Dennis, I Sax, and Brandon Harris, breathes new life into these tracks. Jammy, alongside son John John and rising engineer Romeo ‘Shemmo’ Facey, expertly blends digital sounds and live instrumentation with his deft touch at the mixing desk.
This rousing set of dubs is reinforced by its iconic sleeve design, created by acclaimed illustrator and selector Ellen G (from My Lord Sound). Drawing inspiration from longtime Greensleeves collaborator Tony McDermott, Ellen captures the album’s intentions in vibrant detail, portraying people of all races, creeds, colors, and genders united by the music of King Jammy.
Lloyd ‘Jammy’ James began his career in the early 1970s when dub originator and Waterhouse neighbor King Tubby recognized his prodigious talent for electronics. From there, Prince Jammy (as he was then known) emerged as a true dub master, later becoming a key figure in Jamaica’s digital revolution with Wayne Smith’s groundbreaking “Sleng Teng” riddim in 1985, earning him the title King Jammy. Now, in 2024, after nearly 50 years behind the mixing desk, Jammy continues to innovate. He is currently working on a King Jammy museum, ensuring his legacy lives on for future generations.
Pre-save HERE: KingJammy.lnk.to/UnitesTheNationsWithDub