Covered Dub

Back in April, I posted Under Dub Covers, a selection of reggae and dub cover versions and it was well received, so here's the follow up!

Fourteen tracks this time, a 50/50 split between reggae and dub, 60s-90s and 21st Century, but 100% certified excellent. Well, the tunes, if not the sequencing!

Some of my all-time favourite singers are featured, opening with Pat Kelly and Marcia Griffiths, taking in Horace Andy, Dennis Brown and Jackie Edwards and, more recently, Shniece McMenamin.

Sly & Robbie, Adrian Sherwood and Lee 'Scratch' Perry feature heavily throughout, whether up front or in the studio.

This week in 1985, I Got You Babe by UB40 "with guest vocals by" Chrissie Hynde first entered the UK singles chart at a modest #22. It was Top 5 a couple of weeks later and #1 a couple of weeks after that. 

There was a dub version on the flip side but no extended version on the 12", so I've taken the liberty of creating my own edit for this selection. I've literally spliced the dub intro and outro with (most of) the vocal version. A dub sandwich, if you will, crackles and all.

1) Stoned In Love (Cover of 'I'm Stone In Love With You' by The Stylistics): Pat Kelly (1979)

2) It's Too Late (Cover of Carole King): Marcia Griffiths (1974)

3) A Wonderful Version (Cover of Louis Armstrong): Rhoda Dakar ft. Natty Campbell (2023)

4) Safe From Harm (Album Version By Adrian Sherwood) (Cover of Massive Attack): Horace Andy (2022)

5) Night Nurse (Dub With Vocal) (Remix By Mick Hucknall) (Cover of Gregory Isaacs): Sly & Robbie ft. Simply Red (1997)

6) To Love Somebody (Album Version By Lee 'Scratch' Perry) (Cover of Bee Gees): Busty Brown (1969)

7) The Model Dub (Cover of 'Das Modell' by Kraftwerk): Prince Fatty ft. Shniece McMenamin (2020)

8) Chase The Devil (Adrian Sherwood Dub) (Cover of Max Romeo): Dubblestandart ft. Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Coshiva & Emch (2014)

9) I Got You Babe (Dub Sandwich Re-Edit By Khayem) (Cover of Sonny & Cher): UB40 ft. Chrissie Hynde (2025)

10) Long As I Can See The Light (Adrian Sherwood's Dub Lighting) (Cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival): Monkey Mafia ft. Shirzelle (1998)

11) Dock Of The Bay (Cover of '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of Tthe Bay' by Otis Redding): Dennis Brown (1972)

12) Everything I Own (Dub Version By Stewart Levine) (Cover of Bread): Boy George (1987)

13) All Shook Up (Cover of Elvis Presley): Jackie Edwards (1979)

14) Exodus (Dubvisionist Dub) (Remix By Felix Wolter) (Cover of Bob Marley & The Wailers): Tackhead (2011) 

1969: The Upsetter: 6

1972: Superstar: 11

1979: So Proud: 1

1980: All Shook Up EP: 13

1987: Everything I Own EP: 12

1997: Night Nurse EP: 5

1998: Long As I Can See The Light EP: 10

2011: Exodus EP: 14

2014: Dubblestandart In Dub: 8

2015: Play Me / Sweet And Nice (Expanded Edition): 2

2020: Disco Deception Dubplate LP: 7

2022: Midnight Rocker: 4

2023: What A Wonderful World EP: 3

2025: I Got You Babe (bootleg MP3): 9

Covered Dub (59:23) (GD) (M)

You can find Under Dub Covers here

A few cover versions that didn't make today's final selection were produced by the legend that is Dennis Bovell. That didn't sit right with me so, as compensation, I've restored links to the two DB-themed selections that I've previously posted. With the above, that's pretty much four hours of dub nutrition!

Weakened/Weekend In Dub (August 2023)

From Conception To The Grave (October 2021)

All That's Written Is Not So

Sixty-two minutes of Horace Andy for your listening pleasure, proof if needed that I don't need a birth, marriage or untimely passing to celebrate a great artist.

Horace Keith Hinds turned 74 in February and is as vital as ever, not least a stunning live performance with Massive Attack at last year's ACT 1.5 event in Bristol and a brace of Adrian Sherwood-produced albums, Midnight Rockets and Midnight Scorchers.

It was Massive Attack's Blue Lines album that was my proper introduction to Horace Andy's music, and I've been trying to keep pace since, with his extensive back catalogue and prolific contemporary recordings.

This 14-song can't hope to be comprehensive, and leans heavily on collaborations from this century, though it easily demonstrates how consistently brilliant Horace has been throughout his career and why he's considered a giant in the genre.

1) Control Yourself (Single Version By Horace Hinds): Horace Andy (1978)

2) Careful (Album Version By Adrian Sherwood): Horace Andy (2022)

3) Money Money (Remix By Tad A. Dawkins & Sylvan Morris): Horace Andy (1980)

4) (Exchange) (Version): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy (1998)

5) Just Say Who (Gaudi Rootikal Remix By Daniele Gaudi): Almamegretta ft. Horace Andy (2008)

6) Babylon You Lose: Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle (2008)

7) Airbag (Cover of Radiohead): Easy Star All-Stars ft. Horace Andy (2006)

8) If I (Album Version By Horace Hinds & Everton Da Silva): Horace Andy (1977)

9) Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Album Version By Mad Professor) (Cover of The Temptations): Horace Andy (1997)

10) Girl I Love You (Album Version): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy (2010)

11) Fly High (Album Version By Howie B.): Two Culture Clash ft. Howie B. & Horace Andy (2004)

12) Skylarking (Album Version): Horace Andy + Sly & Robbie (2006)

13) Racing Away (Album Version By Duncan Bridgeman & Jamie Catto): 1 Giant Leap ft. Grant Lee Phillips & Horace Andy (2002)

14) Hymn Of The Big Wheel (Album Version By Massive Attack & Jonny Dollar): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy, Mikey General & Neneh Cherry (1991)

1977: In The Light: 8

1980: Showcase: 3

1991: Blue Lines: 14

1997: Good Vibes: 1

1997: Roots And Branches: 9

1998: Mezzanine: 4

2001: 1 Giant Leap: 13

2004: Two Culture Clash: 11

2006: Livin' It Up: 12

2006: Radiodread: 7

2008: Inspiration Information: 6

2008: Vulgus: 5

2010: Heligoland: 10

2022: Midnight Rocker: 2

All That's Written Is Not So (1:02:39) (KF) (Mega)

How To Fall From Grace And Slide With Elegance From A Pedestal

Celebrating Marianne Faithfull, 29th December 1946 to 30th January 2025.

I was talking to Mrs. K, when Marianne's passing was announced on BBC News, so I was admittedly only half-listening as the prepared obituary was delivered, but the snippets I caught made me increasingly upset.

I know obituaries by their very nature frequently celebrate and devalue a life in a few paragraphs or minutes. Even so, the fragments that penetrated my consciousness seemed to focus on Marianne's achievements in the 1960s, living in the shadow of men (including several Rolling Stones) and the drugs. Of course, the drugs.

What I wasn't picking up was Marianne's incredible achievements beyond the 1970s and 1980s and well into the 21st Century, in the face of prejudice, preconception, misogyny, debilitating and near-fatal health challenges (not least COVID) and inevitably the ravages of time from life lived increasingly on her own terms.

I don't have a huge amount of Marianne's music in my collection, but it charts an incredible journey and a fearless confrontation and defiance of convention. Not just as a singer, but a songwriter (for Grace Jones), a collaborator (Bowie, Sly & Robbie, Patrick Wolf) and an interpreter of other's songs (everyone from Sonny & Cher to The Decemberists). 

Marianne released a single written by Serge Gainsbourg in 1967; forty years later, she revisited another of his songs to celebrate his life. Both are very special interpretations by a unique artist.

I've included a version of As Tears Go By, transmitted as part of a David Bowie special on US TV in 1973. The Rolling Stones regretted passing on the song when Marianne had a hit and belatedly recorded their own version. It's good, but not as good.

I've omitted Sister Morphine, the song Marianne subsequently co-wrote with and for the Stones. Likewise, I've not included the original version of Broken English, the title track of Marianne's 1979 album, opting instead for a remix and a cover version, both from the 2000s.

I bought a secondhand CD of Patrick Wolf's 2007 album The Magic Position (which is brilliant, by the way) and discovered halfway through the song Magpie, featuring a surprising and delightful appearance from Marianne. It's a highlight among highlights and just one example of her continuing relevance and inspiration to future generations of musicians.

Sliding Through Life On Charm, written with Jarvis Cocker, Mark Webber, Steve Mackey and Nick Banks from Pulp, is a semi-autobiographical rollercoaster and provides the title of today's post and tribute selection. To quote the full verse,

I wonder why the schools don't teach anything useful nowadays 

Like how to fall from grace 

and slide with elegance from a pedestal 

I never asked to be on in the first place

You can read much about Marianne, including much in her own words, but we'll never know the whole story, really know Marianne. But what a legacy she leaves.

Rest in power, Marianne.

1) Broken English (Baron Von Luxxury Light Touch Remix By Blake Robin) (Downtempo): Marianne Faithfull (2008)

2) I Got You Babe (Live @ The Marquee, London) (Cover of Sonny & Cher): David Bowie ft. Marianne Faithfull (1973)

3) I've Done It Again (Album Version): Grace Jones (1981)

4) The Crane Wife 3 (Cover of The Decemberists): Marianne Faithfull ft. Nick Cave (2008)

5) Guilt (Album Version): Marianne Faithfull (1979)

6) As Tears Go By (Live @ The Marquee, London): Marianne Faithfull (1973)

7) Hier Ou Demain: Marianne Faithfull (1967)

8) Lola R. For Ever (Lola Rastaquouère) (Cover of Serge Gainsbourg): Marianne Faithfull & Sly And Robbie (2006)

9) If I Never Get To Love You (Cover of Lou Johnson): Marianne Faithfull (1965)

10) Broken English (Cover of Marianne Faithfull): Claudia Brücken & Andrew Poppy (2004)

11) Magpie: Patrick Wolf ft. Marianne Faithfull (2007)

12) Sliding Through Life On Charm (Album Version): Marianne Faithfull (2002)

1965: Marianne Faithfull: 9

1979: Broken English: 5

1981: Nightclubbing: 3

2002: Kissin Time: 12

2004: Another Language: 10

2006: Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited: 8

2007: The Magic Position: 11

2008: Easy Come Easy Go: 4

2016: Love Hit Me! Decca Beat Girls 1962-1970: 7

2017: The 1980 Floorshow: 2, 6

2021: Luxxury Edits Vol. 3: 1

How To Fall From Grace And Slide With Elegance From A Pedestal (46:05) (KF) (Mega)

Growing In My Backyard

Sun is shining, bass is booming, rhythm is rocksteady...must be be another Sunday reggae and dub session.

Hometown rockers Talisman get things off to a superb start with the 11-minute 12" mix of Dole Age, originally a vinyl side in 1981, introduced to a whole new audience (me included) with the excellent 2011 compilation The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983. An essential purchase.

From there, it's a mix of 20th and 21st century sounds. The latter is represented by all-female combo Tight Spot with an unreleased song discovered and released by Happy People Records on 7" vinyl in 2021. An album highlight of the same year was Clarion Call by Xan Tyler and Mad Professor, delivering sharp lyrics with sweet rhythms. Rhoda Dakar delivers a David Bowie classic with aplomb, offering up a dubbed out version on the flipside. And three legends come together, with Horace Andy teaming up with Sly & Robbie for a modern dub colossus.

There's a brief stop in the 1990s to witness Benjamin Zephaniah and The Hazardous Dub Company with a cautionary tale that sadly resonates three decades later.

Back then to the 1970s and 1980s, a veritable who's who of reggae, lovers rock and dub legends, with Bob Marley & The Wailers versus a pre-'Scratch' Lee Perry, Louisa Mark, Tapper Zukie, Sylvia Tella and King Tubby dubbing up Yabby You. 

 

In 2021, Happy People also offered up a deep cut vinyl 7" by G.T. Moore & The Reggae Guitars. Remembered as the first white group to attempt an authentic reggae sound on record, their self-titled debut in 1974 closed with a version of Bob Dylan's Knocking On Heaven's Door. Sound familiar? Well, this guy had a hit with an 'inspired' version less than a year later...

Ending the selection the only way possible, Black Uhuru sing the praises of Sinsemilla, the title track of their third album from 1980 and the record that crossed over to a global audience. Michael Rose, Sharon 'Puma' Jones and Derrick 'Duckie' Simpson telling it how it is, Sly & Robbie laying it down. It doesn't get much better than this.

 

1) Dole Age (12" Mix By Talisman & UK Scientist aka Richard Grassby-Lewis): Talisman (1981)

2) Air Tight (Version By Spero Anthony): Tight Spot (2003)

3) Like Birds: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor (2021)

4) Spell (Album Version By Lloyd Charmers & Maxi Million): Sylvia Tella (1981)

5) The Man Who Dubbed The World (Cover of David Bowie): Rhoda Dakar (2022)

6) I'm Alive Dub: Horace Andy + Sly & Robbie (2006)

7) Allies (Album Version By Dr. Love & Dennis Rootical): Benjamin Zephaniah & The Hazardous Dub Company (1995)

8) Firey Dub (Version By King Tubby): Yabby You (1977)

9) Rush I Some Dub: Tapper Zukie (1977)

10) Sun Is Shining (Dub) (Version By Bob Marley & Lee Perry): Bob Marley & The Wailers (1971)

11) Keep It Like It Is (Album Version By Clement 'Bush Ranger' Bushay): Louisa Mark (1981)

12) People (Who Killed People) (Album Version By Gerald Thomas Moore & Tony Braunagel): G.T. Moore & The Reggae Guitars (1975)

13) Sinsemilla (Album Version By Sly & Robbie): Black Uhuru (1980)

1971: Soul Revolution Part II ('Rhythm' Version): 10

1975: Reggae Blue: 12

1977: King Tubby Meet Vivian Jackson (Yabby You): 8

1977: Tapper Zukie In Dub: 9

1980: Sinsemilla: 13

1981: Breakout: 11

1981: Dole Age EP: 1

1981: Spell: 4 

1995: Back To Roots: 7 

2006: Dubbin' It Up: 6

2021: Clarion Call: 3

2021: Time Heals Everything EP: 2

2022: The Man Who Sold The World EP: 5

Growing In My Backyard (57:45) (KF) (Mega)

Like The Sweet Sound Of Hip Music

Well, after that week, the only thing for it is two hours of disco.

15 songs intended to put a smile on your face, a spring in your step and a groove in your hips, creaks permitting...

Happy Friday, everyone!

1) And The Beat Goes On (Album Version): The Whispers (1979)

2) Check Out The Groove (Album Version By Rodney Brown, Willie Lester & François Kevorkian): Bobby Thurston (1980)

3) Hopscotch (Remix By Larry Levan): Gwen Guthrie ft. Sly & Robbie (1983)

4) Get Down (Special Mix By Rick Gianatos): Gene Chandler (1978)

5) Make Me Believe In You (A Tom Moulton Mix) (Cover of Curtis Mayfield): Patti Jo (1976)

6) Rivers Of Babylon (12" Disco Version By Frank Farian) (Cover of The Melodians): Boney M. (1978)

7) Make Love To Me (12" Version): Helen Reddy (1979)

8) Vertigo / Relight My Fire (Full Length Version By John Luongo & Michael Barbiero) (Re-Edited In 2005 By Ben Liebrand): Dan Hartman ft. Loleatta Holloway (1979)

9) You've Got The Power (A Tom Moulton Mix): Camouflage (1976)

10) Don't Stop The Music (Album Version): Yarbrough & Peoples (1980)

11) Got To Be Real (Special Disco Version): Cheryl Lynn (1978)

12) Galaxy (Album Version): War (1977)

13) Party, Party (Long Version By Frank Farian): Eruption (1978)

14) Right On Target (12" Version By Patrick Cowley): Paul Parker (1982)

15) Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus (Full Length Version By Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte) (Cover of Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin): Donna Summer (1977)

Like The Sweet Sound Of Hip Music (1:59:44)

Always Be At Peace With Your Soul, You Were Never Alone

To ease you into the weekend, a selection of dancehall grooves from the 1990s, featuring three UK Top 5 hits (Dawn Penn, Bob Marley & The Wailers and Aswad), one Top 15 single (Sly & Robbie) and, surprisingly, one Top 40 (Mishka).  

 

I say surprisingly for the latter, as I remember rolling my eyes when I first saw the video for Give You All The Love on The Chart Show. Adding grist to the mill, it was released in 1999 by a then-sinking Creation Records (they sunk that same year). A few years later, I spotted the CD single in a record shop and it was the remixes by Mad Professor and Bristol legends Smith & Mighty - and the 50p price tag - that convinced me to give it another go. I'm glad I did; I generally skip the album version, but the remixes are great. For all you trivia fans out there, Miska is the brother of Heather Nova.

In just under an hour, you get the brilliance of Adrian Sherwood, Bim Sherman and Jah Wobble, a 'lost' Marley song rediscovered a decade after his passing, and a version of Aswad's 2nd biggest hit that may appease those who thought they'd sold out by getting Beatmasters to remix the main 7" and 12" singles. Danny Red may be familiar to any of you with a copy of Leftfield's incredible Leftism album, as he contributed vocals to Inspection (Check One).

 

I don't usually comment on the accompanying photo but, in keeping with the relaxed rhythms of today's selection, I was working in Coleford the other day, a town in the heart of the Forest Of Dean. In a similarly relaxed style, I was tickled to see that they've been in no hurry to take down their Christmas neons. Either that, or it's taking this sentiment far too literally...

 

1) Solid As A Rock (Hexadecimal Remix Full Length By Steve Osborne): Bim Sherman (1996)

2) Night Nurse (Jah Wobble 12" Mix) (Cover of Gregory Isaacs): Sly & Robbie ft. Simply Red (1997)

3) Mammoth Galactica (Album Version By Audio Active & Adrian Sherwood): Audio Active ft. David Harrow (1995)

4) You Don't Love Me (No, No, No) (Extended Mix By Steely & Clevie): Dawn Penn (1994)

5) Iron Lion Zion (12" Mix By): Bob Marley & The Wailers (1992)

6) Riddimwize (Part II - Re-Assess Your Style) (Remix By Nick Manasseh, Martin Madhatter & Peps): Danny Red (1994)

7) Shine (Majorwad Mix By Aswad & Carlton 'Bubblers' Ogilvie): Aswad (1994)

8) Give You All The Love (Smith And Mighty Club Mix): Mishka (1999)

 

Always Be At Peace With Your Soul, You Were Never Alone (53:39)

Bass, The Final Frontier

Celebrating Robbie Shakespeare, 27th September 1953 to 8th December 2021.

I read the sad news less than an hour before posting this, so today's selection is particularly on the fly and, like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Richard H. Kirk previously, how do you begin to do justice to an artist whose contribution to music has been so vast, so far reaching?

I couldn't avoid including some of the obvious choices that will have been popping up all over the internet in the wake of his passing, but I've tried to include some less well-known pieces, whether as Sly & Robbie, providing essential bass to iconic songs or at the controls, producing and remixing. If Robbie Shakespeare had 'only' been a bass player, he would still be a legend. His impact on my musical education and the sheer joy of hearing him in perfect harmony with Sly Dunbar gets me every time.

 

1) Legalise The Dub: Sly & Robbie Meet Bunny Lee (2002)

2) Fu-Gee-La (Sly & Robbie Mix): Fugees (1996)

3) Dub The Government: Sly & Robbie (1997)

4) Sound Man Style (Prince Jammy Presents Uhuru In Dub With Sly & Robbie): Black Uhuru (1982)

5) Night Nurse (Sly & Robbie Dub Mix): Sly & Robbie ft. Simply Red (1997)

6) Aux Armes Et Cætera: Serge Gainsbourg ft. Sly & Robbie, Ansel Collins & The I Threes (1979)

7) Private Life (Long Version By Chris Blackwell & Alex Sadkin) (Cover of The Pretenders): Grace Jones ft. Sly & Robbie (1980)

8) Superthruster (Album Version): Sly & Robbie & Howie B. (1999)

9) Spasticus Autisticus (12" Version): Ian Dury ft. Sly & Robbie (1981)

10) Ruined In A Day (Rhythm Twins Dub By Sly & Robbie): New Order (1993)

11) Mop Head: Sly & The Revolutionaries (1977)

12) Strange Turn: Adrian Sherwood ft. Sly & Robbie (2003)

13) Getting Hot (Original 12" Version By Steven Stanley): Gwen Guthrie ft. Sly & Robbie (1983)

14) Boops (Here To Go) (Vocal 12" Version By Bill Laswell): Sly & Robbie ft. Shinehead & Bootsy Collins (1987)

 

1977: Go Deh Wid Riddim: 11

1979: Aux Armes Et Cætera: 6 

1980: Warm Leatherette: 7

1981: Spasticus Autisticus EP: 9

1982: Uhuru In Dub: 4 

1983: Padlock EP: 13 

1987: Boops (Here To Go) EP: 14

1993: Ruined In A Day EP: 10

1996: The Score: 2

1997: Dub Rocker's Delight: 3 

1997: Night Nurse EP: 5

1999: Drum & Bass Strip To The Bone By Howie B.: 8

2002: Sly & Robbie Meet Bunny Lee At Dub Station: 1 

2003: Never Trust A Hippy: 12

 

Bass, The Final Frontier (1:00:39)

I Dub From Another Planet, Baby

It's Saturday, it's raining, here are some dub drenched sounds to brighten your day.

 

1) Bag A Wire Dub: The Aggrovators + King Tubby & Friends (1976)

2) Fever Dub: Horace Andy (1977)

3) Epic One Drop (Album Version By Adrian Sherwood): Playgroup (1982)

4) Share It Out Dub: Bob Andy & Mad Professor (1989)

5) Good Times Dub: The Roots Radics ft. Gladstone Anderson (1982)

6) Some A Dub: The Congos (1976)

7) Substyle: Dub Syndicate (1983)

8) Dub To My Woman: Sly & Robbie (1997)

9) We Need Love (Wrongtom Inna West London Style): Hard-Fi (2007)

10) Weeping Willow: Black Uhuru / Prince Jammy With Sly & Robbie (1982)

11) Di Black Petty Booshwah (Dub) (Version By Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980)

12) Cool This Dub: Tapper Zukie (1977)

13) Guiding Dub: Impact All Stars (1973)

14) Dub I Just A Man (Version By Dennis Bovell): Steve Mason (2011)

15) There's Dub: Glen Brown & King Tubby (1979)

16) Slow Country (Strictly Rubbadub): Spacemonkeyz Versus Gorillaz (2002)

 

I Dub From Another Planet, Baby (58:13)
Listen to I Dub From Another Planet, Baby on Mixcloud