Sound Systember 16

Aba Shanti-I 

 

 

Like many Sound System operators, Aba Shanti-I's father also ran a Sound System, the popular Count Alan Sound System in the 1960s. Aba Shanti-I (born Joseph Smith) has been a Sound System operator & Dub producer since the 1990s. He has been a resident Sound System at Notting Hill Carnival since 1993.

 

Aba got his start with Jah Tubby's Sound System where he was known as Jasmine Joe. In 1990, Aba took over the running of Jah Tubby's. Aba Shanti-I produces / records with his brother & their band the Shanti-Ites on their own Falasha imprint. Their first record, Tear Down Babylon was released in 1993.

 

Blood Shanti & Shanti-Ites - Tear Down Babylon, Aba-Shanti-I ABA001, 1993.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Tear Down Babylon - Blood Shanti & Shanti-Ites
Tear Down Babylon (Verse II)

Side B -
Tear Down Babylon (Verse III) (Aba on the Board)
Tear Down Babylon (Verse IV) (final mix) - Shanti-Ites

 

 

 

For the remainder of Aba, I am sharing the top-shelf trilogy of The Wrath of Jah...

Aba-Shanti-I & the Shanti-Ites - The Wrath of Jah-Verse 1 (Earth Rocker),
Falasha Recordings ABACD001, 1996.

Joseph    
Mighty Aba Shanti    
Zulu Warrior    
His Majesty's Theme    
Benjahmen My Son    
Love & Unity    
Earth Rocker    
Free the Nation    
The Wrath of Jah    
Babylon Bound to Fall    
Zulu Warrior ('96' mix)    
The Wrath of Jah (Part 2)

 

 

 

The Mighty Aba-Shanti-I & the Shanti-Ites - Verse II (Jah Lightning & Thunder),
Falasha Recordings ABACD003, 1996.

The Warning
Free he Multitude
The Elements
Brimstone
Forces of Selah
Groundation Rock
Vibration
Crowning of the King
Jah Lightning & Thunder
Jah Lives
Jah Lightning & Thunder (Verse 2 )
bonus track -
Jah Lord

 

 

 

 

Aba-Shanti-I & the Shanti-Ites - Verse III (Jericho Walls), Falasha Recordings ABACD004, 1999.

The Tower of Babel
Man in the Hills
Higher Plain
Players of Instruments
Farewell
Jah Love
Iman Iwah
Tribute to Tommy McCook
Jericho Walls (Verse I)
Rejoice
Shanti-Ites
Iver & Iver
Battle of Jericho
Guidance & Protection
Jericho Walls (Verse II)

 

 

 

Sound System forever,
NØ

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

Sound September 14

Conscious Sounds Sound System 

 

 

Conscious Sound is the umbrella created by Dougie Wardrop to canopy Centry, Music Family, Bush Chemists, Hydroponics, Dub Specialists & more. Wardrop ran a record stall in Camden Market in the late 80s & set up his Sound System to help promote the records he sold, as well as the Dub tracks he created on a 4-track recorder. In the early 90s he started the Conscious Sounds label. Wardrop mostly produces DigiDub influenced Roots with tastes of jungle & Dubstep. He also produces Jah Warrior who I will share later this month.

Although Centry was Wardrop's initial outlet, the Bush Chemists became the more prolific project. I am concentrating on their sound here. The Bush Chemists are primarily Dougie, his Conscious Sounds partner Paul Davey, along with Chazbo & Culture Freeman.

 

One of Wardrop's earliest releases was 1994s Strictly Dubwise by the Bush Chemists originally released on CD by Universal Egg. Vital Dub. 

 

The Bush Chemists - Strictly Dubwise, Universal Egg WWCD6, 1994.
all decryption codes in comments

Dub to Selaisse
Jah Kingdom Dub
Science
Shanti Rock
Tribal Dub
Drugs is a Ting
Some People Dub
Northern Lights
Tomb of Soloman
Healing Dub
Sub Dub
Bongo Man Dub
Maniac Dub
Firehouse Dub
Purple Skunk Dub 

 

 

Next up was this one on ROIR US... 

 

Bush Chemists - Dub Outernational, ROIR USA RUSCD8221, 1996.

Dub Exploitation    
Got to Be Conscious    
Show Them the Way    
Give Thanks & Praise    
Let Us Know Dub    
Teaching of Love    
Survival Dub    
Armagideon Dub    
Cultural Dub    
Dub Outernational    
Searching Dub    
Watchful Dub    
Pure & Clean    
Roots, Rock, Reggae    
Righteous Dub

 

 

That same year, Light Up Your Spliff ... 

 

 

The Bush Chemists - Light Up Your Spliff, Conscious Sounds DNCCD005, 1996.

Light Up Your Spliff
Bush Chemist Country
Dub Until Dawn
Firing Dub
Help Us Dub
Time of Tribulation
Mount Zion I
Speak the Truth
Cymbal Rock
Earths Rightful Ruler
Earths Rightful Dub
The Power of Tape
Raw Indica
Seperation

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ

Sound September 13

On-U Sound 

 

 

I have always found Adrian Sherwood to be a top notch songwriter/musician/producer who has been vital in the creative evolution of UK Dub. On-U Sound System promoted a myriad of artists, getting their Sound out to the music-hungry fans. Sherwood created Hitrun Records, Green Tea, Soundboy as well as co-founding Carib Gems & Pressure Sounds. I have probably shared more of On-U Sound music here at NSS than any other. Therefore it was a hard struggle as to what to share this Sound Systember. 

 

Two acts that deserve my attention here are New Age Steppers & Revolutionary Dub Warriors. The Steppers I have not shared enough & RDW I have shared much of their limited output but they are one of my favorite usually-overlooked bands. So I'm going to hit both of these now.

First up, New Age Steppers.

New Age Steppers was the brainchild of Adrian Sherwood & Ari Up. The Steppers were a constantly changing Dub collective that featured at various times On-U stalwarts Bim Sherman, Style Scott, Eskimo Fox, with artists like Ari Up & Viv of the Slits, Mark Stewart & Bruce Smith of the Pop Group, Keith Levene, & many others (greats like Michael Rose, Neneh Cherry, Nick Plytas, Bingy Bunny & Bubblers, Vivien Goldman...).

I've shared their 1980 self-titled debut here.

In 2021 On-U released a five CD box set containing the debut plus the follow-up Action Battlefield (1981) & Foundation Steppers (1983) along with Avant Gardening, containing rare Dubs, version excursions, & unreleased tracks from the vault 1980-1983 (listen particularly for dearly departed Mark Stewart on "May I Version", a bonus digital file not on the LP).

Making up for having slighted them in the past... 

 

New Age Steppers - Stepping Into a New Age 1980-2012, On-U Sound ONUCD149, 2021.
all decryption codes in comments

Action Battlefield Disc 2 -

My Whole World    
Observe Life    
Got to Get Away    
My Love    
Problems    
Nuclear Zulu    
Guiding Star

 

 

 

 

Foundation Steppers Disc 3 -

Some Love    
Memories    
5 Dog Race    
Misplaced Love    
Dreamers    
Stabilizer    
Stormy Weather    
Vice of My Enemies
Mandarin

 

 

 

 

Avant Gardening Disc 5 -

Aggro Dub Version    
Send for Me    
Izalize    
Unclear    
Singing Love    
I Scream (Rimshot)    
Avante Gardening    
Wide World Version    
Some Dub    
May I Version

 

 

 

Revolutionary Dub Warriors

 

The Revolutionary Dub Warriors were formed in 1991 in the Reading area by some of the originators of the Free Festival scene whose prime musical interest was Reggae Sound Systems. Their contemporaries were the Megadog & Whirly-Gig outfits, Zion Train, Dreadzone, & the Orb. The interest in Bass & space were the only rules which governed their Sounds.

All of these groups had Dub as a common theme, to greater or lesser extents. All of them used their music to feed this Dub-influenced Sound into new strains of the genre.

 

Revolutionary Dub Warriors' debut was 1994s Deliverance with On-U Sound which I’ve shared here. RDW's sound is that of raw Roots Dubbed up in their own unique way. The band feature live drums, bass, & percussion but also use electronic effects & instruments to enhance the mesmerising effect of their music. The Dub Warriors were known on the Free Festival circuit for their incendiary live sets. It was perhaps this quality which helped them gravitate towards the On-U Sound stable who at that time had become regulars on the festival scene through the contributions of African Head Charge, Gary Clail with On-U Sound System, & the mighty Dub Syndicate. On-U were also at a critical stage in their history as a label in that they had to expand their artist roster, most of whom had grown with the label, in order to keep some freshness & variety in its output.

1994 - Live at the Boatrace & 1996 - Know Your Enemy here.
1996 - State of Evolution here.
1998 - teamed with Mad Professor for Ariwa release 1998 Dub Fusion here.

Here are two live sets, where RDW are at their finest showcasing their Sound System style, that I have yet to share. Starting with the 1993s self-released cassette on Warrior Dance...

 

Revolutionary Dub Wariors - Live at the Marquee cassette, Warrior Dance, 1993.

Side A -
Centenary
Demascus Gate
Homeward Dub
Changes
Wicked Dub
Creation

Side B -
Creation (Reprise)
Dread Dub
Freedom
Dub Warrior
Resistance

 

 

 

 

& one from Brighton's Essential Festival the following summer, a live mix from Adrian Sherwood for the On-U Sound System.

 

Revolutionary Dub Warriors - Live at Essential Festival, Brighton, May 30, 1994

Dub the E (Intro)
Creation
Walkabout
Mount Uhuru
Dread
Dub the E
Industrial
Warrior

 

 

 

 

Dub Warriors frontman, bass player, & songwriter Steve Swann has worked with & been part of such luminaries as the Kaya Collective (1983), Military Surplus (1984), Radical Dance Faction (1984), Dub the Earth (1987), Hi Tech Roots Dynamics (1991) before becoming a founding member of Revolutionary Dub Warriors (1991).

Here is one from Dub the Earth with Steve Swann...

 

Dub the Earth - Heatham House: The Lost Tapes '94.

MF'er Dub
Slug Shag
Knock on Wood
Thailand Dub
Vivisection
Running Out
Hard & Soft
Release the Dub
Pressure Drop
Heartbreaker Dub

 

 

 

 

Steve was also part of Hi-Tech Roots Dynamics, a project for Martin Campbell. Campbell is a UK roots & Dub veteran, the founder of Channel One (UK). HiTech Roots Dynamics consisted of Jah Rej Forte (riddim & lead guitar, Jah Works label owner), Steve Swann (bass, guitar), Martin Campbell (drums, bass, keyboards), MJ Harris (keyboards, riddim guitar), Timm Hill (saxophone), Squidjy (piano).

Here Hi-Tech meets up with Gerald Thomas Moore aka The Outsider (melodica, lead guitar, keyboards, penny whistle). This one's got it all: Jah Works; The Outsider; Steve Swann, Channel One (UK). Gotta love it... 

The Outsider meets The High-Tech Roots Dynamics - At Channel One UK, 

Jah Works JW011CD, 1993.

Alfa
George William Gordon
Rumours of War
Demascus Gate
Warm Love
Jerusalem
Livin' Vibes
Serengeti
Freedom Struggle
Distant Thunder
Cool Runnings
Jerusalem Dub

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ

Sound Systember 12

Zion Train & Universal Egg

 

 

Universal Egg was initially begun by Zion Train to promote their music & productions. This expanded into the release & promotion of labels like Studio One, Blue Note, Real World, ECM, Deep Root, & Sun Ra's Saturn imprint.

Zion Train are a British Dub ensemble that formed in Oxford in 1988. They have consistently released music & toured from 1992 to present day. Their mix of Dub reggae with dance music was a notable innovation in the early 1990s.

Although initially formed in Oxford as a Sound System in 1988 by Neil Perch & Ben Hamilton, Colin Cod & Dave Tench joined in 1990 upon Zion's relocation to London. Their first release was the single "Power One" b/w "Power One (version)".

 

Zion Train - Power One, Wibbly Wobbly World of Music, 1991.
all decryption codes in comments

Logo Side -
Power One
Blank Side -
Power One (version)

 

 

 

 

The Zion Train crew added vocalist Molara in 1992. That same year they released the groundbreaking "Follow like Wolves" single, which fused Dub with acid house styles. Here's a compilation they released of their early recordings...

 

Zion Train - The Early Recordings, Universal Egg, 1992.

Llanberis Pass (previously unreleased demo)
Amlach
JD Dub
8.90m (previously unreleased version)
Eagle Ray (previously unreleased version)
Darker
Jupiter (previously unreleased version)
Watch Out Dub (previously unreleased version)
Spiky Dub
Granby Street
Elephant (previously unreleased version)
Follow like Wolves (previously unreleased demo version)
Untitled
bonus track -
Follow like Wolves (single)

 

 

 

 

Zion Train have released numerous albums on Universal Egg & other labels. Additionally, they have worked with The Shamen, Afro Celt Sound System, Loop Guru, Kava Kava, & many others. Also they have recorded extensively under the name Tassilli Players.

 

Zion Train presents Tassilli Players - The Wonderful World of Weed in Dub,
Universal Egg WWCD011, 1995

Sensi
Kerala
Durban Poison
Malawi
Hawaiian
Coconut Island Special
Purple Power
Northern Lights
Level 11
Poison
Twilight Zone
Pumping up London

 

 

 

 

This just in: I just got this from a good friend, been searching for it for quite some time, decided I'd add it on here cuz it's a doozy. The Tassilli Players going at us from Outer Space...

 

Tassilli Players - Outer Space, Universal Egg WWCD021, 1996.

Interstellar Overdub    
Bass, the Final Frontier    
Bass 1999    
Satta Light of Dub    
Outer Bassways Incorporated    
Dub of Tranquility    
One Giant Dub for Mankind    
Hubble Dub    
The Race Into Bass    
Neuromancer    
Lunar Module    
Untitled

 

 

 

 

Last up is a live Sound System set from 2001. Shortly after it was recorded, Neil Perch moved Zion Train, Universal Egg, & the newly christened Abassi Hi Power Sound System to their current home base in Cologne, Germany...

Here's that live set...

 

 

Zion Train - Live in Brighton UK, 2001.

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ

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

Sound Systember 10

Channel One Sound System & the story of the other Mikey Dread. 

 

 

Channel One Sound System is one of the UK's foremost & best-loved Sound Systems. In 1979, Mikey Dread & his brother Jah T took over their father's Sound System. They began by providing music for local blues parties & dances.  Shortly thereafter, Mikey took the name Channel One in homage to the legendary Channel One studio in Jamaica.  In 1983, Channel One started playing at Notting Hill Carnival where they have played every year since, even doing the Covid-era 2020 Carnival online.

Channel One Sound play a unique selection of conscious Reggae, exclusive Dubplates, & uplifting Steppas.  Channel One's old-school style hand-built Sound System provides a rich heavyweight bass Sound complimenting their tight selection of old & new Roots music.

Here's a look at the inspiration of this tremendous, long enduring Sound. The enigmatic selector Mikey Dread was set loose in the Greensleeves archives, curating a serious set of Roots & Dub gems that have featured over the years on Channel One's unique hand built Soundsystem,  Revered Jamaican vocalists such as the Wailing Souls, Michael Prophet, Linval Thompson, Hugh Mundell & many more feature on this collection plus the second disc enters the Echo Chamber for their Dub counterparts from the likes of Sly & Robbie, Scientist, Augustus Pablo, & The Rockers All-Stars. These are the tracks they play when their Sound is shakin'.

Pictured on the back cover of this release is Mikey Dread working the Sound live

The note with the gatefold sez:
     "The heaviest vocal & Dub cuts from the vaults hand picked by the mighty Channel One Sound System, the Roots defenders of Notting Hill Carnival."

 

 

Channel One Sound System - Down in the Dub Vaults 2xLP, 2023.
decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall -  Wailing Souls
Ghetto Rock - Reggae Regular
Just Talking - Michael Prophet
Trappers - Tetrack
Black Star Liner - Reggae Regular

Side B -
Joker Smoker - Tristan Palmer
Let Go This One - Anthony Johnson
Can't Pop No Style - Hugh Mundell
One More Chance - Linval Thompson
Bloody Eyes - Keith Hudson

Side C -
Kingdom Rise Kingdom Dub - The Roots Radics
Ghetto Dubbing - Reggae Regular
Just Dubbing - Hi-Times Band
Trappers Dub - Sly & Robbie
The Dub (It's Coming) - Reggae Regular

Side D -
Joker Smoker Dub - Dean Fraser & the Roots Radics
Let Go This Dub - The Roots Radics
Can't Pop No Style Dubwise - Rockers All Stars
One More Dub - The Revolutionaries
My Eyes Are Red - Keith Hudson

 

 

 

 

This one finds Mikey in action with that Mad Professor doing the Channel One Sound System thing. Produced & arranged by Mikey Dread featuring Ras Kayleb, Robert Dallas, Ras Tuffy, &
Danny Red. 

 

Mad Professor meets Channel One Sound System - Channel One Side, Ariwa ARILP281, 2016.

bonus - Intro: Mikey Dread
Cornmeal Dub    
Kings Dub    
Rastaman Dub    
Channel One Special    
Rebel Dub

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ

Sound Systember 9

Aswad 

 

 

Next up I am sharing some Aswad. Aswad did not have their own Sound System. Aswad was a deeply soulful UK reggae outfit originally formed in 1975 in Ladbroke Grove area of West London. The original members of Aswad were guitarist/vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer/vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist/vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, & keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings.

Their music was unique to the UK, as they wrote songs that dealt with the issues surrounding the experiences of black youths growing up there, such as "Three Babylon". 

 

Aswad - Three Babylon 7", Island Records WIP6338, 1976.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Three Babylon
Side B -
Ire Woman

 

 

 

 

I mentioned in the last section how Aswad would play "Warrior Charge" at midnight at Notting Hill & the bass would echo throughout the streets of West London. It was the 1980 release of this powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge" b/w "Dub Charge" that really brought them to the attention of a larger audience.

 

Aswad - Warrior Charge, Island Records IPR2037, 1980.

Side A -
Warrior Charge
Side B -
Dub Charge

 

 

 

 

Tying Aswad more to Sound System culture, the song "Warrior Charge" was used in Franco Rosso's film Babylon, which I have mentioned several times already. Babylon follows a young reggae DJ Blue, played by Aswad guitarist & vocalist Brinsley Forde, of the Ital 1 Lion Sound System in Thatcher-era South London as he pursues his musical ambitions while also battling fiercely against the racism & xenophobia of employers, neighbours, police, & the National Front. 

 

Connecting them even tighter to the Sound System culture, on a warm Sunday in August 1983, Aswad played a live set in Meanwhile Gardens at the Notting Hill Carnival. The resulting live album Live & Direct is a record of that event. Their song "Love Fire" was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land", for another Sound System connection.

 

 

Aswad - Live & Direct, Island Records IMA6, 1983.

Not Guilty   
Not Satisfied   
Your Recipe   
Roots Rocking   
Drum & Bass Line   

Side 2 -
African Children   
Soca Rumba   
Rocker's Medley    
     a. Ease Up
     b. Your Love's Gotta Hold on Me
     c. Revolution
     d. Water Pumping
Love Fire

 

 

 

 

Their involvement with Sound System culture runs deeper still. They often performed live with Jah Shaka Sound System. They recorded In Addis Ababa Studio with Jah for his Jah Shaka Music label.

 

 

Jah Shaka meets Aswad - In Addis Ababa Studio, Jah Shaka Music SHAKALP850, 1985.

Side A -
Addis Ababa
Shaka Special
Aswad Special
Rockers Delight

Side B -
Drum Dub
Behold H.I.M.
Creation

 

 

 

 

One final favorite of mine from 1995, Dub: the Next Frontier. This one has been in heavy rotation with me since it first appeared on the horizon of outer space nearly 30 years ago. That's a lot of orbits. This IS Jah Music!

 

 

Aswad - Dub: the Next Frontier, Bubblin' Records BUBBCD3, 1995.

2 Makes 1    
Fever    
Warriors    
Shine    
Day by Day    
Deeper than Deep    
Rhythm of Life    
Give Me a Reason    
Pickin' Up    
So Good    
Dancehall Mood

 

 

 

 

Bass culture, my brothers & sisters,
NØ