Martin Campbell: Roots Revivalist with a Modern Sound

Deep Dubs, Conscious Lyrics & The Legacy of UK Roots Reggae

Dubmatix

Jul 09, 2025

Transcript

(You can also grab the show in 320k mp3 download here)

This special mix celebrates the voice, vision, and vibration of Martin Campbell, one of the UK’s most dedicated roots reggae artists. With haunting vocals, militant riddims, and dubwise production, his sound remains a powerful bridge between the message-driven reggae of the 1970s and today’s global dub revival.

This was an artist I’d never crossed musical paths with, so when I first heard “Wicked Rule,” my ears perked up. The music was different, his voice stood out with a unique tone and delivery that made me stop and ask What was that? T’ Then I had to relisten several times to wrap my head around what this guy was doing. Released in 1990, it was a blend of digital dancehall sounds, soundsystem-style steppers, and bass, with minimalist production.

Who is Martin Campbell?

Martin Campbell is a Jamaican-born, UK-raised singer, musician, producer, and engineer whose work has helped preserve the integrity of roots reggae through the decades.

Unlike mainstream reggae artists chasing commercial trends, Campbell remained fiercely independent, building his studio, pressing his records, and maintaining complete control over his output. He embodies the DIY ethos of the UK roots movement, and his work speaks directly to the heart of Rastafari culture, social justice, and spiritual elevation.

A Brief Timeline

Early Life: Born in Jamaica, raised in England — steeped in both Caribbean and UK cultural influences.
1982: Releases “Jah is My Light” on his own Log On! Records, a spiritual roots track that defines his stripped-down, meditative style.
1980s–Present: Records dozens of singles and albums, collaborates with sound system producers, and builds a reputation as a quiet legend of UK dub.

Labels & Collaborations

Log On! Records – His independent label, self-releasing since the early ‘80s.
Hi-Tech Roots Dynamics – A long-time studio and alias collaboration for deeper dub explorations.
Alien Dread – Collaborated on the powerful “Don’t Cry Dub.”
Zion Gate Music / Black Legacy Records – Other key imprints distributing his sound.

Themes in His Music

Spiritual strength in Babylon
Praise for Jah and Rastafari
Warning against greed, war, and systemic corruption
Encouragement of poor and struggling people
Meditative reflection and personal resilience

Songs like “Babylon Come,” “Ignorance & Poverty,” and “Give the Poor Man a Try” are timeless expressions of faith, survival, and truth.

Signature Sound

Minimalist roots grooves with heavy drum & bass lines
Live instrumentation, self-played or dub-mixed in the studio
Warm analog textures, often recorded on tape
Lyrical repetition and vocal echo — pulling from Studio One, King Tubby, and early Channel One traditions
Deeply spiritual and hypnotic delivery

Martin’s Influence on UK Dub

Martin Campbell has influenced generations of selectors, dub engineers, and roots vocalists. His records are championed in European dub circles and sound systems from Brixton to Bordeaux. Like Alpha & Omega, Disciples, or Aba Shanti-I, Campbell kept the roots torch burning even when the genre went underground.

His legacy is not in hits but in truth, tone, and timelessness.

Final Thoughts

In a world of trends, Martin Campbell is a root.
In a time of noise, he is the message.
In an era of overproduction, he is dub purity.

Whether you’re lighting a spliff, meditating, or rolling through a Sunday session, his music invites you to slow down, think deep, and skank with purpose.