Sound Systember 2

Saxon Sound System

 

Around this same time as Sir Coxsone Outernational, another crew, Saxon Sound, were also on the way  up. Saxon Studio International began operating in Lewisham, South London in 1976. Their Sound came to prominence in the early 80s because of the "fast chat" style which was pioneered by its deejay Peter King. Saxon Sound System's roster included Peter King, Maxi Priest, & Papa Levi amongst others. In 1984, Levi's "Mi God Mi King" went to number one in the Jamaican charts, the first British reggae record to do so. Its "fast chat" style was taken up both in Jamaica & in the UK, where it became dominant. British reggae was growing rapidly: Smiley Culture had two UK hits that year, including the Jamaican/ London slang glossary "Cockney Translation".

Other Saxon MCs included Smiley Culture, Asher Senator, Daddy Colonel, Daddy Rusty, & Daddy Sandy, each of whom developed this style & went on to release records. Some of the Saxon deejays such as Smiley & Tippa Irie achieved Top 40 hits in the UK national charts.

Here's a live one from the Factory, London, November 9, 1984. 

 

Saxon Studio International - Coughing Up Fire, UK Bubblers LICKWOOD 1, 1984.
all decryption codes in comments

Untitled - Papa Levi
Untitled - Daddy Sandy
Untitled - Tippa Irie
Untitled - Daddy Colonel
Untitled - DaddyRusty
Untitled - DaddyColonel
Untitled - Daddy Rusty
Untitled - Papa Levi
Untitled - Tippa Irie & Daddy Colonel
Untitled - Daddy Sandy
Untitled - Daddy Rusty
Untitled - Tippa Irie
Untitled - Daddy Colonel

(in Sound clash style-Set 1 - Papa Levi:Set 2 - Daddy Sandy:Set 3 - Papa Levi:Set 4 - Daddy Rusty:Set 5 - Daddy Rusty)

 

 

 

 

Tippa Irie is, like Dennis Bovell, the son of a Soundman. Tippa Irie started his musical career in South London on his father's Sound System called Musical Messiah. Family members soon realized that young Tippa had talent & encouraged him to enter local talent competitions. Most of the local Sound Systems in the area also recognized his talent. They invited him to perform on their Sound Systems.

The first Sound System to actually record Tippa was Sir Lloyd on the LGR record label where he made his first record at age 17, called "The Opposite". Shortly after, Tippa got his first big break when he was asked to join King Tubby's Sound. He stayed with King Tubby's for a couple of years before being spotted by Dennis Rowe & Lloyd Francis from Saxon Sound System, who were both blown away by Tippa's talent. They asked him to come to South London & join Saxon Sound. Tippa Irie soon became the frontman for Saxon.

Next is a compilation of Tippa Irie tracks...

 

 

Tippa Irie - Trippin' with Tippa da Selecta, NØ Comps., 2024.

The Opposite
Make it Work
Loud & Clear
Good to Have the Feeling
Strictly Heavy Dub
Angry
Righteous Way
Meaning of Dub
Them No Know ‘bout Pressure
Dub Brings Me Joy
Don’t like Police Part 1
Hot like Fire
Pass Me the Rizla

 

 

 

 

King Tubby's Sound System 

 

King Tubby's UK was a Sound System (not to be confused with the Jamaican originator King Tubby's Hometown Hifi) from Brixton in South East London, that was founded in 1970. The founder was Cecil Rennie. Cecil was born in the parish of St Thomas, Jamaica. He came to England as a teenager in 1965. His love of music wasn't left behind in Jamaica; it developed in England to become a lifelong passion. Cecil started his quest to be a leading Soundman by serving his apprenticeship as a dedicated producer/selector of Duke Reid Sound System. This association lasted until 1969. In March 1970 King Tubby's Hi-Fi was born making Cecil at the age of 19, one of the youngest Sound System owners in the UK.

Cecil is known as King/Father Tubby's. He chose the name as a sign of appreciation to Osbourne Ruddock (the original King Tubby) whom he saw as an inspiration & mentor. In 1973 Rennie introduced Dubplate specials on his Sound Systems, leading the way for other Sound Systems to follow. In late 1977 Tubby's had a residency at the White Swan pub in Crystal Palace. The Sound's reputation grew from playing locally in the Brixton area, soon there was not a venue in the UK King Tubby's had not played. King Tubby's caught the imagination of reggae music lovers everywhere. Their dances were always packed. Cecil's friendship & the close working relationship with Ruddock remained right up to the day of Osbourne's untimely death in 1989. At that time King Tubby's Hi-Fi became King Tubby's Sound System.

Deejays such as the later Saxon MC Tippa Irie started off on King Tubby's alongside General Slater. By the mid 80s the MCs Jubie Roy & Peter Irie were regulars on the King Tubby's Sound. Nowadays Scrappa (main selector), Bucky (Dub fi Dub specialist), Bigger U (main selector), & of course Cecil Rennie form King Tubby's. As I stated above, King Tubby's Sound System started in 1970, & they have been playing at Notting Hill Carnival every year since.

King Tubby's Sound System has been hailed as one of the most consistent Sound Systems over the last four decades. Their consistency & success are down to how the Sound is run. Everybody in the Sound is considered equal & everybody's role is important. Their years of hard work in London, in England, & throughout Europe paid off as King Tubby's took home the crown of the No.1 London Sound System in 2003.

Here's how you win No. 1... 

 

King Tubby's Sound System - Dubplate Showcase

Bass culture,
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