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#keithhudson #vinyl #vinylrecords
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Keith Hudson’s seminal album Pick A Dub, a deluxe reissue has been unveiled, offering fans not only the original groundbreaking record but also an additional album, Pick A Vocal, which features eight bonus tracks. Released in 1974, Pick A Dub is a landmark in the evolution of reggae music, showcasing Hudson’s pioneering approach to the genre during a period of significant change and innovation. The album’s raw and stripped-back production, devoid of the usual studio effects and gimmicks, has continued to captivate audiences, making it as compelling today as it was five decades ago.
Keith Hudson, born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1946, is celebrated for his influential role in the dub movement. Raised in a musically inclined family, Hudson attended Boys Town School, where he organized concerts featuring future reggae legends such as Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, and Ken Boothe. His early exposure to the vibrant Jamaican music scene, coupled with his association with sound systems like Coxsone Dodd’s Downbeat, laid the groundwork for his future success as both a producer and an artist. Hudson’s early career saw him experimenting with rocksteady rhythms and vocal tracks, quickly establishing himself as a force within the Jamaican music industry.
Pick A Dub, widely regarded as one of the first thematic dub albums, marked a significant shift in Hudson’s career. The album was a deliberate and cohesive collection of tracks specifically mixed in the dub style, featuring instrumental versions of songs such as “We Will Work It Out” and “S-90 Skank,” which included contributions from the legendary Augustus Pablo. The album also featured remakes of iconic tracks like The Abyssinians’ “Satta Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights.” Notably, Pick A Dub was among the first dub albums to be released in the United Kingdom, where it gained a considerable following and solidified Hudson’s reputation as a dub pioneer.
Following the success of Pick A Dub, Hudson relocated to the United Kingdom, where he continued to innovate and experiment with his sound. His subsequent albums, including Flesh of My Skin, Blood of my Blood and Rasta Communication, further established his legacy as one of reggae’s most visionary artists. Despite facing challenges later in his career, including a brief and ultimately unsuccessful foray into soul music, Hudson remained committed to his roots. His final years were marked by a return to the classic rhythms that defined his early work. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in 1984 due to lung cancer, but his impact on reggae music endures.
The 50th anniversary reissue of Pick A Dub serves as a reminder of Keith Hudson’s extraordinary contributions to the reggae genre. With its raw, unfiltered sound and innovative approach to dub music, the album continues to resonate with listeners, old and new. This deluxe edition, featuring additional vocal tracks, not only pays homage to Hudson’s legacy but also introduces his groundbreaking work to a new generation of music lovers.
