Roots & Riddims: The Linval Thompson Story

Singer, Producer, Pioneer – One Hour Mix

Dubmatix

Apr 23, 2025

Transcript

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Back in 2007 I was working on my next album, Renegade Rocker, my 3rd release as Dubmatix, and I got in touch with Linval about voicing a tune. Anytime I’ve worked with singers, my goal is to give them the space to do what they do and what we’ve grown to love about them. This means I set no guidelines or parameters - I let them find their own vibe and voice it as they feel suits the rhythm. I sent the riddim to Linval in Jamaica and when I received the vocal files I was thrilled. His singing, on point as always, and his message - one that resonates and is needed more than ever in today’s world - ‘Peace & Love” (I’ve included that track in the playlist today). A few years later he was passing through Toronto and came by my studio to voice some dub plates. He was humble, open and warm. It’s these moments that remain indelibly etched in our life memories, so today I wanted to showcase several of his classic tracks, as well as his productions, and provide some insights and background about the man, his impact, and legacy.

Linval and me in 2011 at Renegade Studios, Toronto

Few figures have left as deep a mark on reggae and dub as Linval Thompson. Known both for his signature vocal tracks and for launching the careers of major artists as a producer, Linval’s influence stretches across decades—from militant roots anthems to the foundation of early dancehall and dubwise classics.

In this one-hour mix, we delve into Linval’s journey—from the mic to the mixing desk—with selections that showcase his solo career and the groundbreaking music he helped create for others.

Linval Thompson represents the full spectrum of reggae music, encompassing roots, riddim, dub, and dancehall. He made hits as a singer. He built careers as a producer. And his dubs still rattle speaker boxes today.

Whether you’re just discovering him or revisiting the classics, this mix is a tribute to a legend who helped shape the sound of Jamaica.

Linval Thompson: biography of the dancehall pioneer

A Brief History of Linval Thompson

Born: 1954 in Kingston, Jamaica
Raised: Between Kingston and Queens, New York
First recording: “No Other Woman” (with Future Stars label in NYC)
Breakout tracks: “Don’t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks” and “I Love Marijuana”
Producer credits: Barrington Levy, Eek-A-Mouse, Triston Palma, Freddie McKay, Papa Tullo, and many more
Labels: Founded Thompson Sound and Strong Like Samson
Studios: Worked extensively with Channel One, often backed by The Roots Radics

Leval Thompson / Elsa All Stars – No Other Woman / Woman Love – Vinyl (7", 45 RPM), [r5911496] | Discogs

Thompson’s work is rooted in militant one-drop rhythms and ganja-charged lyrics, but it’s his production legacy that made him a true architect of reggae’s golden age.

He worked extensively out of:

Channel One Studio – Most of his recordings in the late '70s and early '80s were done here, backed by The Revolutionaries and later Roots Radics
King Tubby’s Studio – For mixing and dub versions, Tubby’s was the go-to
Tuff Gong – On occasion, for certain vocal recordings

What Made Him Stand Out

Even without owning a physical studio:

He controlled the whole production process – artist selection, riddim creation, dub mixing, and pressing
He had access to top-tier musicians and engineers
He maintained a signature sound across his productions that fans instantly recognize

Preferred Engineers & Collaborators

King Tubby (Osbourne Ruddock)

Mixed many of Linval’s early dub versions
Tubby’s signature use of high-pass filters, spring reverbs, and Roland Space Echo helped shape the Thompson Sound dub identity.

Scientist (Hopeton Brown)

As Tubby’s protégé, Scientist mixed many tracks for Linval during the early 1980s
His aggressive dub style—punchy dropouts, feedback loops, and wild delay throws—can be heard on tracks like “Dub Conqueror” and “Samson Dub”

Soldgie (Anthony Kelly)

Another of Tubby’s engineers who worked with Linval in the dub realm, especially on more dancehall-leaning tracks in the mid-80s

PLAYLIST

Linval Thompson – Mariguana (1978)
Linval Thompson – No Other Woman (1974)
Linval Thompson – Jah Jah the Conqueror (1975)
Linval Thompson – Don't Cut off Your Dreadlocks (1976)
Linval Thompson – Rocking Vibration (1978)
Linval Thompson – Ride on Dreadlocks (1975–1977)
Linval Thompson – Blood Gonna Run (1978)
Dubmatix & Linval Thompson - Peace & Love (2008)
Barrington Levy – I Love I Love You (1980)
Toyan – Strictly The Dread (1981)
The Viceroys – We Must Unite (1982)
Barrington Levy – Jah Help Us (1980)
Eek-A-Mouse – Sensi Party (1982)
Wailing Souls – You Can Stay (1981)
Barry Brown – Love Is What the World Wants - Extended Mix (1983)
Johnny Osbourne, Papa Tullo – Back Off (Ringcraft) [feat. Papa Tullo] (1983)
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