Sound Systember 11

Manasseh & Sound Iration 

 

 

The next few days I will be touching on some of the Sound Systems & their operators who decided to follow the example of Jah Shaka, The Disciples, or Mad Professor & set up recording studios to further the UK Dub sound. This was the era when Sound System operators shook out their mane, raised proud their Jah lion's head, & roared out the mighty sound of UK Dub. Many of these I have shared extensively in the past: Adrian Sherwood & On-U Sound System; Dougie Wardrop & Conscious Sound; Zion Train & Universal Egg are just some. These artists realized that Dub is the ultimate studio music: it exists on vinyl, but only lives & breathes in the natural habitat of the dance!

I will try to share music that was connected to Sound System culture that I have not previously touched on here. Let's start off with Manasseh Sound System. Nick Manasseh is a UK dub producer/selector. Nick teamed up with schoolmates Ed Maiden & Billy T in 1985 & created Manasseh Sound System. Based out of West London in the Shepherds Bush area, they debuted on Sunday morning at the Notting Hill Carnival '85. Manasseh Sound System played Root reggae, a style not prevalent in the UK scene at that time but added that Dub-wise Steppa style.

Nick joined up with Steve 'Scruff' Gilder & formed the group Sound Iration. They are widely credited for pioneering the 'UK Steppers' genre with Sound Iration's  "Seventh Seal" in 1988.

 

Sound Iration - Seventh Seal 12", Mystic Red Corporation MRC8888, 1988.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Seventh Seal
Side B -
Dub Seal Part 1
Dub Seal Part 2

 

 

 

 

Here's another taste from the following year...

 

Sound Iration - Sound Iration in Dub, WAU! Mr. Mojo Recordings MOWLP001, 1989.

Side 1 -    
Iration Time
New Style
Satta Light
Revelation Dub

Side A    -
C.T.U.F.B.
Free 1
Holshe's Dub
Dub Seal (Part 3)

 

 

 

 

For a more indepth look at Nick Manasseh, Roots Garden records, & more Manasseh shares try here.

I shared 1993s Dub the Millenium here where Manasseh meets the Equaliser (Jeremy Armstrong). The two teamed up a few years later for this one... 

 

 

Manasseh meets the Equalizer - Shining, Acid Jazz DUBID CD6, 1996.

Darkest Dub
Flash it Again
Dub the Fire Burning (vocals – Mickey Mystic)
Rasselas Dub
In Depth
Planet Humanity (vocals – Rasi Golding)
Looking Glass Dub
Dub the Profile
Masai Movements
Shining
Darkest Return

 

 

 

 

Year Zero re-released Sound Iration in Dub. It led off with CD1, the original eight tracks then added CD2,  an additional forteen tracks. Here are the additional tracks from that 2010 re-issue.

 

 

Sound Iration - Sound Iration in Dub 2xCD re-issue, Year Zero YZDD003, 2010

CD2 -

Melody Roots (Part 1)    
Melody Roots (Part 2)    
Ruff Song
The Storm    
Nasty Dub    
The Ether    
Tubby's & Rock 92 Style
Charlie's Roots (Part 2)
C.T.U.F.B. (4 Trk Parts 1 & 2)    
Seventh Seal (TN Dub)    
Satta Light (CTS Dub)    
New Style (Melodica Dub Plate)    
New Style (Scruff's Dub)    
CTUFB (Dub Plate style)

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ