Crytuff Dub Encounter: Chapter 1

British dub master Adrian Sherwood collaborated with iconic Jamaican toaster Prince Far I for the first time on this powerful slice of version reggae, which includes performances from the likes of Sly Dunbar, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Earl "Chinna" Smith, and Dennis Bovell. While Prince Far I's vocals are not to be heard on these sessions, the deep-rooted presence of his personality is certainly felt, and the strength of the rhythms bubbling up through Sherwood's layers of echo and reverb are striking in and of themselves. While these cuts sound fathoms deep, on closer examination Sherwood's arrangements are pleasingly uncluttered, and while he certainly avails himself of the many possibilities of his mixing board, the effects thankfully don't wear out their welcome — the strength of the performances and the skills of the musicians are what shine brightest on these tracks, and the dub trickery only enhances their work rather than interfering with it. While Cry Tuff Dub Encounter, Chapter 1 lacks the righteous Rasta fire of Prince Far I's toasting, the shamanistic power of these dub mixes speaks to the soul as much as the eardrum, and the results are a landmark of the form.