DUBROOM: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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DUBROOM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

STYLE CLASSIFICATIONS, RATINGS ET CETERA

In the Dubroom Reviews, you can find ratings and classifications. This page is about that particular aspect of our reviews. For information on financial aspects, go to BUYING MUSIC.

When you are a producer or promoter who wants to know how to get reviewed, go to LABELS, ARTISTS AND PRODUCERS.

What is the philosophy behind your ratings of products?

The Dubroom has a different philosophy behind the selections and subsequent rating of the works reviewed on the website than most other publications

As a matter of policy, we only review material that should at least NOT dissapoint you, as buyer or downloader.

This means, that we we review it, it's good.

Why should you have to browse through a selection only to find you still have to find the good stuff amongst the bad?

I see that music is being rated from 1 to 3 stars. Can you give me an explanation of the different ratings?

			TRY
			FAIR
			BUY IF YOU CAN
			RECOMMENDED
			MUST HAVE
			TOPPER!

I see that music is being classified in different styles. Can you give me an explanation and examples of the different styles?

OK, here they come. Just click on "go" to see our most recently published review in the specific genre:

THE GENRES:
CONTEMPORARY ROOTS	DANCEHALL	DJ/TOAST
DUB	DUB POETRY	LIVE AND DIRECT
LOVERS' ROCK	POP REGGAE	ROOTS, ROCKERS
RUB A DUB	SKA, ROCKSTEADY	SUBDUB, DIGI DUB
UK DUB AND ROOTS	VARIOUS

CONTEMPORARY ROOTS

Many people think that Roots Reggae is Reggae Music from the 1970's, which is only partly true. "Orthodox" Reggae, musically spoken, is of course being made until this very day.

To help people making the distinction between Roots Music from the 1970's and that of roughly the mid to end 1980's until now, the Dubroom makes a distinction between Roots Rockers from the 1970's and "Contemporary" Roots, which is basically everything which fits the label of "Orthodox", "Original" Reggae. Not in a religious manner, but music-technically.

SEE ALSO: ROOTS/ROCKERS

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DANCEHALL

Dancehall is not easily defined, as the music changes every year and 1980's Dancehall or Rub a Dub sounds very different from Ragga, which is more 1990's Dancehall Reggae. The Dubroom makes a distinction between Rub a Dub and Dancehall. On this site when music is classified as Dancehall, the music is Ragga and beyond.

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DJ/TOAST

Introduced by U Roy, at least according to many, comes toasting or DJ Style. Not singing, but rhythmically chanting over a rhythm. Many know this style as Hip-Hop or Rap, but originally it comes from Jamaica, where DJ's chanted over the B-Sides of Reggae 7" Singles.

SEE ALSO: DUB POETRY

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DUB

Remixed reggae, with the drum and the bass rolling, instruments fading in and out while all possible effects are applied over the mix. Sometimes Dub includes some vocal lines, but not always.

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DUB POETRY

Ever since UK based poet Linton Kwesi Johnson recited his poems over heavy Dub riddims, DUB Poetry has been recognized as a separate discipline in Reggae than the DJ Tradition Dub Poetry obviously came out of.

SEE ALSO: DJ/TOAST

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LIVE AND DIRECT

Since Reggae Music is predominantly a Studio Music, there is always that special vibe when artists perform Reggae Music live on stage. This is where you hear your favorite tune in a totally different way, this is where you hear how people who love Reggae respond to the music when they are together. Anyway, that's why: Live and Direct!

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LOVERS' ROCK

Sweet Love Songs over sweet Reggae Music. Gregory Isaacs has performed many Lover's Rock tunes.

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POP

Popular form of Reggae Music. This is the more lighter and easily accessible kind of reggae.

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ROOTS/ROCKERS

Roots Reggae is "Original", "Orthodox" Reggae in the musicological sense of the word. Unlike many people think, it is not just the Reggae Music that was played in the 1970's even though that music was indeed called Roots Music too.

The Roots Music from the 1970's and a bit beyond, was also often called "Rockers". A motion picture of that very same name was released in the time that Root Rock(ers) Reggae was at a peak.

SEE ALSO: CONTEMPORARY ROOTS

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RUB A DUB

Roughly spoken, this is Reggae, mainly from the late 1970's, early 1980's, where DJ's chanted and Singers sung over very tracks that were mixed in a dub style. Today, Rub a Dub files under Roots Reggae and the difference between Roots and Rub a Dub is not always that clear.

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SKA

There's two different kinds of ska. The first one is together with Rocksteady a sort of pre-reggae Jamaican Music. Ska is also a form of very fast music based on reggae and earlier ska. It was famous in the UK in the 1980's under the name "2 Tone". the Specials is an example of this style of music.

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SUB DUB, DIGIDUB, TRIP-HOP, ETC

This is a term to define electronic dubbish music that have many Dub sounds and techniques incorporated as crucial elements. In certain Electronic Music scenes, this style of music is labeled as "Dub". And sometimes, some electronic music would be labeled as "Dub" by those who know their Reggae. "Trip-Hop", for example.

To wipe away alla dat confusion, the Dubroom chooses to use the term "Sub Dub" for this. It is NOT meant in any negative way whatsoever!

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UK DUB AND ROOTS

UK Roots, or UK Dub, obviously is Roots or Dub reggae that originates from the UK, or the United Kingdom. Especially London serves as a central point. The UK has always been, because of the colonial relations between Jamaica and the UK, an important country in Reggae Music. The style of Roots and Dub from the UK have their own distinctive elements and sounds.

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VARIOUS

Obviously, there is no such thing as a "various style". But still, there are things reviewed on the Dubroom that might not fall under any other category or genre. A band which uses Reggae as an inspiration, for example, and might still be relevant for some reason to be reviewed on the Dubroom.

We also use the word "various" when we would describe the whole oeuvre of an artist, or when we review a podcast or compilation album.

Probably you'll have to browse though "various" to com[pletely get the point.

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NO ANSWER? ASK THE QUESTION!

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