#digidub

As well as house music beginning to flower in Chicago 1985 is the year Jamaican music went digital. Electronic instruments had been used on reggae tracks made in the UK and USA almost since the beginning of the decade but in 1985 Jamaica delivers its version. Like the innovations of reggae music before, synthesisers are used in a way not heard outside the small Caribbean island. Dancehall is the most popular sound at the time with Tenor Saw's 'Ring The Alarm' being the biggest hit of the year. Synths are used to make the Dancehall sound colder - like the DJ is chatting over 'Are Friends Electric?' by Tubeway Army

The track to begin the digidub revolution was Wayne Smith's 'Under Me Sleng Teng' produced by Prince Jammy. King Tubby had a response with 'Tempo'

King Tubby is remarkable and should be mentioned in the same breath as the most revered producers Brian Wilson, Dilla, Giorgio Moroder...

I'd argue King Tubby is the biggest pin-up of all music producers. The one that gets onto more t-shirts and posters - I don't think it's Dilla, Lee Perry might give him a run for his money. I'd be curious if you had a poster of Phil Spector on your wall - Joe Meek gets a pass Puffy does not

King Tubby uses the Tempo riddim again the same year on John Wayne's 'Love A Kill Me'