Yabby You’s “Jah Vengeance,” originally released in the mid-1970s, is a roots reggae classic known for its heavy bass, spiritual lyrics, and King Tubby’s dub mixes, making it a natural fit for Subatomic Sound System’s live sets. The group, founded in 1999 by Emch and Noah Shachtman, is celebrated for blending 1970s Jamaican dub with contemporary genres like dubstep and dancehall, often incorporating live instrumentation (guitar, bass, percussion, horns) and electronic elements like sub-bass and digital drums. Their live shows, which have toured globally with artists like Lee “Scratch” Perry, are known for dynamic, improvisational dub performances that pay homage to reggae’s roots while pushing sonic boundaries.
Subatomic Sound System’s performances frequently feature covers or reimaginings of reggae standards, as seen in their work with Perry’s Super Ape Returns to Conquer (2017), where they reworked classics like “Chase the Devil” and “Zion’s Blood” with vocalists like Jahdan Blakkamoore and Screechy Dan. Their live sets often include dubplate-style mixes or unreleased versions tailored for sound system culture, which could explain why “Jah Vengeance” is a staple in their performances but not formally released. The track’s iconic riddim and spiritual weight make it ideal for their high-energy, bass-driven shows, likely featuring Emch’s live dub mixing, Troy Shaka Simms’ saxophone, Larry McDonald’s percussion, and vocal contributions from collaborators like Screechy Dan.
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