Ranking Joe - World In Dub

Ranking Joe - World In Dub - M Records CD 450 -2006

When I left the world of reggae music a few years ago, I missed the emergence of the "home-dubbers"( for a lack of a better term). The home-dubbers are self taught producers, arrangers, and reggae entrepreneurs. They are often also white.

If I would have been around at the beginning of their emergence, I would have been very sceptical because I would have felt that while their hearts where in the right place, the "feel" that one finds in Jamaican music would be missing. For example, listen to the "reggae" of Big Mountain. Their hit of the Peter Frampton song, "Baby I Love Your Ways", is a perfect example of what I mean. In other words, the reggae music of the home dubbers would be soft.

As I mentioned, I was not around at the beginning so I now I am able to hear the home dubbers after they had a chance to mature. Ryan Moore, the Canadian behind M Records, is one of those home dubbers that has matured very well. All in all, I have heard a few releases by Mr Moore and Twilight Circus Productions and I have walked away not only impressed but a big fan. I now consider M Records as crucial source for modern roots music. To put it simply, what sets M Records apart from others is that Mr. Moore "gets it". That is, his sense and feel for Jamaican reggae music is authentic. So, when one is listening to an M Records production, it is as if one is listening to a quality JA production. Maybe that is the highest praise I can give to Mr. Moore; his sounds are Jamaican.

On this specific recording, a dub version of Ranking Joe's World In Trouble (also on M Records), Mr Moore uses some of the best JA musicians and along with his own musical talents on bass, keys and drums. Overall, the record has some nice, crisp, and new rhythms that receive the dub treatment from Mr Moore. The record gets off to a nice start with World In Dub and the quality does not really fall from that point. One of the highlights for me is Dub Babylon since it contains just a trace of a vocal by Michael Rose.

The quality is high and sounds are tight. If you are looking for new roots music of a superior quality, please seek out Ryan Moore's material and make sure to pick up this record along the way.