reggaedub

Reggaedub is a form of dub music rooted in Jamaican reggae, characterized by instrumental remixes that emphasize bass and drums while applying extensive studio effects. It emerged in Jamaica during the late 1960s and early 1970s as engineers and producers such as King Tubby, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Scientist developed the practice of creating "versions" of existing reggae tracks by mixing down vocal tracks and emphasizing the instrumental rhythm section. The production approach treated the mixing console as a creative instrument, using echo, reverb, equalization, filtering, and panning to sculpt space and texture.

Common features include heavy basslines, sparse or absent vocals, frequent use of effects, and a focus on the riddim. Tracks often exist as instrumental or with de-emphasized toasting/vocal lines, released as B-sides to original recordings. The style evolved with analog gear and later digital systems, moving from vinyl-only releases to multichannel configurations and digital effects.

Impact and legacy: Reggaedub influenced later reggae subgenres such as dancehall and various electronic genres, and contributed to the spread of reggae aesthetics worldwide through producer-forward remixes. It also helped popularize the concept of the "version" track—a studio-produced counterpart designed for deejays and sound systems. International artists and labels adopted and adapted dub techniques, spawning numerous regional variants.

Notable practitioners include King Tubby, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Scientist, and Mad Professor, among others; their work laid the groundwork for modern dub and its cross-genre influence. Reggaedub remains a reference term within reggae and dub discourse, used to denote reggae-influenced dub music that foregrounds studio manipulation and instrumental texture.