Sound Systember 15

Mark Iration & Iration Steppas 

 

 

Encouraged by his elders to build his own Sound System, Mark "Iration Steppas" Millington from Leeds set up Ital Rockers with Sam Mason. They played parties of all kinds, spinning rocksteady, lovers rock, soul, Dub. They released classic records such as "Ital's Anthem" & "One Day". before starting up Iration Steppas, a strictly Dub affair. 

 

Ital Rockers - Ital's Anthem 12", Bassic BASS3T, 1990.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Ital's Anthem (Trebledown / Bassup mix)
Side B -
Science (1st mix)

 

 

 

 

Ital Rockers - One Day, Outer Rhythm FOOT16, 1992

Side 1 -
One Day
Ital Selection (Dubplate Style)
Side 2 -
Dreams
One Day (Piano mix)

 

 

 

 

Ital Rockers hosted the famous SubDub nights at the Leeds West Indian Community Centre. Guests over the years have included Johnny Clarke, Horace Andy, Lee Perry, Mad Professor, Jah Shaka, Scientist, Jah Tubby's, Zion Train, the Disciples, Alpha & Omega, Bush Chemists, Twinkle Brothers, Channel One, King Earthquake, the Rootsman, Smith & Mighty, King Shiloh, Aba Shanti & Dreadzone. SubDub Nights are still going strong in their new home at the Leeds Vox Warehouse.

In the early 90s Mark first teamed up with Dennis Rootical to form Kitachi. Sound Sysyem culture was slowly winning the battle against racial prejudice & opening up to a more universal audience. Kitachi's first release was A Strong Unit. Some versions contained a second CD of live music from Kunstencentrum Belgie, Hasselt, Belgium. Here's that live set, Sound System style...

 

 

Kitachi - A Strong Unit CD2, Rough Trade RTD129.3358.2, 1996.

Live in Hasselt Belgium    

Realms of Dub    
Time Out    
Constructive    
Spirit    
Scratch    
Chronic    
Heavyweight

 

 

 

 

Next for Mark & Dennis was the game-changing Iration Steppas Sound System & production unit, their Leeds based Dub affair. Their first release was Original Dub D.A.T. which I previously shared here. Their sound now encompassed not only the Roots Sound Sytem culture ala Jah Shaka, but also new interpretations of that sound aimed at a wider base. Iration's production style was nicknamed "Year 3000 Dub" in reference to its ability to straddle both the past & the future.

Their next release was Dubz from de Higher Regionz...

 

 

Iration Steppas - Dubz from de Higher Regionz, Dubhead DBHD033CD, 2004.

Angelic Symphony Dub    
Wat Dem ago Do When di Right Time Come Dub    
Revelations Dub    
Talking 'bout Jah Love is Sweet    
Locks    
I'm a Warrior Dub    
Rice & Peas    
Babylon Fall Police Dub    
No War Dub    
Rastadub    
Jah is My Protector    
Rasta Headquarters    
Rejection Remix    
Africa    
Follow Me Come

 

 

 

 

For their next one they teamed up with Improvisators Dub. 

 

 

Improvisators Dub meets Iration Steppas - Inna Steppa Dub, Hammerbass BASSCD031, 2008.

Cornal Mind    
Cornal Mind (Chopz Dub)    
Injustice    
Dub Injustice    
Critisize    
Critisize Dub (Organ Dub mix)    
Fuss nah Fight (12" mix)    
Ghetto Life    
Ghetto Dub (Chop raw cut)    
Youth Man (12" mix)    
Wah Wah (12" mix)    
Jah Jah Badda (12" mix)

 

 

 

 

Iration Steppas Sound System remains one of the UK's treasures, a gyrating wall of sound that continues to entertain British Dub enthusiasts to this day. Here's their very latest. Love Sound System...

 

 

Iration Steppas & O.B.F. - Revelation Time 2xLP, Dubquake Records DBQKLP14, 2024.

Side A -        
Righteous Way
Revelation Time
Love Sound System

Side B -
Goldfingas - Interlude
What a Ting
Calling Jahovia
Roadblock
Earthman Style

Side C -
Serious Time
Warrior
The Juice - Interlude
Roots Radics
Chant Down Babylon

Side D -
Caution
Wicked Man
The Meaning of Dub - Outro

 

 

 

The  "Year 3000 Dub" Sound of the Irration Steppas is now fully upon us. Now in the 21st Century, venues are scheduling Sound System events & holding Sound System nights, there are numerous festivals across the breadth & width of the UK showcasing the new Sound. Deejays, producers, & selectors are mixing a perfect blend of DigiDub sounds with their Roots-style Dubplates. Label owners like Sherwood, Mad Professor, Manasseh, & Dougie Conscious are appearing live showcasing their latest sounds. The UK Dub scene has blown (& grown) up.

 

Bass culture,
NØ