concept

DUBWISE

1970s reggae language → presentJamaican recording and sound-system culture → global usage
THE STORY

A signal that the mix is about to open up: vocals thin out, drum and bass step forward, and echo or reverb starts moving through the track. Dubwise is an approach before it is a genre label.

GO DEEPER

In reggae language, “dubwise” often means treating a song or performance with dub methods rather than making a separate claim that the result belongs to a new genre. A vocal tune can go dubwise for a section; a selector can call for a dubwise cut; a producer can build a dubwise mix from the same riddim. The useful distinction is between Dub as a historical Jamaican music and dubwise as a flexible instruction or quality. The latter can appear inside roots reggae, dancehall, UK dub, jungle, electronic music or a live performance whenever the mix foregrounds drum, bass, space and effects.

mix treatmentdrum + bass forwardecho + reverbnot always a genre
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King TubbyLee “Scratch” PerryScientist
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