Titling this "The Best Dub Album in the World" may seem like a reckless boast -- especially when the kid on the cover looks like he's about 18 years old, and given that he had only just emerged from the protective wing of King Tubby, arguably the greatest and certainly the most influential exponent of the dub craft in history. But young Hopeton Brown (professionally known as Scientist) backs it up nicely on this perfect jewel of an album. Originally issued in 1980, this collection makes clear what Brown had learned at the master's feet. His remixes of these classic reggae "rhythms" (or instrumental tracks) show the clear influence of King Tubby in their sense of aural balance -- notice how lovingly each instrument is showcased, even when he lays on the reverb and echo effects; notice also how the cuts and drop-ins seem to make musical sense even when they're surprising and seem to come out of left field. Other dub producers (such as the notoriously crazy Lee "Scratch" Perry) may have been more creative, and some may have been more popular -- but none was more scientific. So is this really the best dub album in the world? Well, no. That honor probably goes to the still-astonishing Augustus Pablo/King Tubby collaboration King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown. But this one is right up there. ~ Rick Anderson