Present Arms in Dub explained

Present Arms in Dub is a remix album by UB40 released in October 1981. The album contains eight remixed instrumental versions of original tracks from Present Arms and its bonus 12" single; only the tracks "Don't Let It Pass You By" and "Don't Slow Down" are not remixed and included. The album was the first dub album to enter the UK top 40, where it reached number 38 and spent 7 weeks in the chart.^[1] The dub style is characterised as a mainly instrumental version of an existing song, typically emphasising the drums and bass.

Track listing of CD

1. "Present Arms In Dub" - 3:04
2. "Smoke It" - 3:23
3. "B-line" - 4:36
4. "Kings Row" - 4:57
5. "Return Of Dr X" - 5:23
6. "Walk Out" - 3:13
7. "One In Ten" - 4:15
8. "Neon Haze" - 4:21

• The song "Neon Haze" ends at 4:02. At minute 4:06, begins a hidden track: it is an industrial noise that closes the album.

Track listings and connection to Present Arms CD album

Present Arms in Dub CD album	Linked to	Present Arms CD album
Present Arms In Dub	>>	Present Arms
Smoke It	>>	Don't Walk On The Grass ###
B-Line	>>	Lambs Bread
Kings Row	>>	Sardonicus
Return Of Dr X	>>	Dr X ###
Walk Out	>>	Wild Cat
One In Ten	>>	One In Ten
Neon Haze	>>	Silent Witness

The track listing shows that most of the dub versions have different song titles to those used on Present Arms. But in keeping with typical reggae dubs, they still have some sort of song title connection to the original song title names. Note ### = 12" record included free with the original album

Personnel

UB40

• Jim Brown - drums
• Earl Falconer - bass guitar
• Ali Campbell - rhythm guitar
• Robin Campbell - lead guitar
• Michael Virtue - keyboards
• Norman Hassan - syn percussion, trombone, congas
• Brian Travers - saxophone
• Astro - trumpet

Production

• Produced by UB40 - Ray "Pablo" Falconer
• Recorded at - The Music Centre, Wembley
• Engineered by - Pete Wandless

Notes and References

1. The Guinness Book Of British Hit Albums