02 September 2024

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...
 
 

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... 
 

Bass culture,

7 comments:

  1. Hi NØ!! It's been a long time...I am having some difficulties for quite some time now but I couldn't miss the dubtember !!! I don't have access to internet other than my phone so I'll have to wait for downloading your special treasures!!I also cannot upload to Rebs blog.Thank you for keeping up the vibes and the spirit alive.Jah know!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great to hear from you. Reb kept me posted as to your extended abscense from his blog. Take care of yourself, my friend. The music will be here waiting for you when you're ready. Much love.

      Delete
  2. I have downloaded a great deal of great music from your excellent site - some knowwn tome some unknown. I have been remiss in expressing my gratitude for all your hard work due to the fact that I suffer from chronic clinical depression which mAore often than not prevents me from carrying out the simple tasks of everyday life. As you are probably aware music is medication for the mind, spirit & soul so, again, you have my gratitude. One of my prescribed medications is dexamphetamines of which I imbided 1/2 a dozen & here I am.
    Praise The Lord and Pass The Medication.
    Reverend Doctor Baz Hunt
    Minister: The Church Of Ecstatic Truth
    Chaplain: The Cosmonauts Of Inner Space

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Music is definitely my number one medication, but I often use other medications in combination to enhance the experience. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Appreciate that you took the time from your problems to leave word. Your church sounds perfect, I do love my truth ecstatic but I'm kinda a solitary cosmonaut sailing my own private spaces. Thanks again, Rev. Doctor Baz.

      Delete
  3. Thanks NØ! This is a generous offering for the second day of Systember. The extended information on the various sound systems is much appreciated as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, brother. Much more to come before the end of this tale. This is the path of UK Dub & bass culture.

      Delete
  4. Coughing Up Fire
    6cV5THEfjGTdn5tNjXMc9Ci9jxy5GCtsCXobi9ZIxx0
    Tippa Irie
    Trippin’ with Tippa
    SgXaG1zpt532AkRy1n9I9j7J2YYxlfGcjFSCXR2eZao
    King Tubby’s
    Dubplate Showcase
    6E2jR5WPLvl061xjy4Iem69fhd8n2eea-6uzvqNd14I

    ReplyDelete