Dubhead Volume One (Shiver, 1995)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: dub isn't what it used to be.  Too far removed from their roots, modern dub artists (those who weren't among the '70s and early '80s pioneers) too often make music that has more in common with modern electronica (techno, house, drum and bass, jungle, ambient, etc.) than with reggae.  Of course, a large portion of electronica subgenres are derived -- at least in part -- from reggae, but if you're gonna make music that falls into that sound, don't call it dub.  That said, Dubhead Volume One contains 14 artists that dare to keep dub true to reggae.  These tracks feature a rootsy reggae sound (with the standard digital effects) that would make itself at home in the '70s.  While the sound is nice, the individual songs aren't especially great.  Little truly stands out from the pack, but several are fairly enjoyable: Armagideon's "Victory Dub" -- with its nice classical strings -- Centry's jazzy "Before Christmas," Aba-Shanti's plink-plunky "Free the Nation," and Jah Warrior's bass and flute-driven "Righteous Children" feature nice touches, while All Nation Rockers' "Talking Dubheadz," Henry & Louis' "More Love," and Alpha & Omega's "Jerusalem" are also solid.  There may be hope for modern dub yet.