Wow. Its been an adventure.
Who would have thought that that first time I licked the chalice at Felix's would have led me here.
My love of reggae roots was undoubtedly formed in the G-Rage. Top chill spot. A safe space for youts to be youts. To experiment. To explore. And yes to make mistakes.
So much gratitude to the Big Legends Alison and Steve, Chazza's parents. My life would not be the same without them and everything that they are ultimately responsible for being in my life. Charzard for one. The garage. All the close pals I have because, at least in part, of that special place.
Then there is the music. I thank Max, Charlie's big bro for getting us started. Showing us the way to the Dub.
When I was a yout I used to listen to Mungo's inna di G-Rage.
Now I am a man I listen to Dubs inna di dance.
Sound system champions was a formative album throughout my youth. That is for sure.
Yes I am a herbalist. Aye aye.
Then we grew up. The garage became too small, and if I am honest we might have overstayed our welcome and taken some liberties with Alison's generosity.
What can I say, we were little youts. All water under the bridge these days. Am I right Alison ;).
The I-town massive turned its sights on Leeds.
Dances like Jungle Jam.
Unity Day.
Sub Dub.
Dancing to an Iration vibration.
Good times. Young ravers.
But time moves ever forwards.
University happened. I found myself in York.
A pretty small, touristy city. More renowned for its 12pm-12am day drinking than Dub.
But in Britain if ye want Dub, Dub ye shall find.
In York I found Irie Vibes Sound System playing outta the Cresent Community Center. Irie vibes. Big time.
Apart from little old Ilkley, there is no place in the UK that I have lived where I have failed to find a sound system.
In fact come to think of it, pretty sure I have seen Sinai Sound System up on the moors past Askwith.
The UK is truly blessed in that regard. The sound system culture runs deep.
Without doubt, the people from the West Indies, and indeed from all over the world, all over the "British Empire" especially, have made the UK a more interesting, more vibrant, more lively place to be. I am grateful everyday for their contributions to this place I call home. Contributions that are evident and obvious for all to see if you just open your eyes and tune in.
The West Indies though. Those from the Carribean. The Windrush generation. They have a special place in my heart. They have my deep appreciation. They came to this country seeking a better life for themselves, their children and their future generations. Throughout all the hardship. All the bullshit. All the institutional racism, some of which persists at least in some form to this day. They succeeded in carving out a life for themselves. Not only that. Together they crafted a fun, vibrant, playful community and culture here in the UK.
In the process they have changed and shaped the UK beyond recognition. I know. This sound system culture that they shaped has shaped me deeply.
Thank you. You have my gratitude and my deep respect.
Anyway back to my journey.
Alongside, and really a bit before, university times were the festival times. Times that continue to this day.
Many a lazy morning has been spent monging at Bushrocker Hi-Fi in the magical Shire of Beatherder.
Then there is Boomtown Festival. Wow. Words cannot describe the reggae temple that the Lion's den was. Bring it back I say.
Daym, that brings back some memories. Been skanking at the Lion's Den since 2012.
Lion's den give me a rooaaaarrrr. Big up Solo Banton. Undisputed mayor of Trenchtown.
You Sir are a legend.
The festival scene deepened my knowledge and appreciation of reggae music.
It introduced me to legendary UK Dub acts like the Dub Pistols, Gentlemans Dub Club, the Skints and many more.
We also got to see O.G. legends of the reggae world. Barrington Levy, Sister Nancy, Tanya Stephens. You name them, if they are reggae there is a decent chance I have seen them on the festival scene.
I feel very lucky to be able to say that. Mad.
Then there is bad gyal Eva Lazarus. Not sure when she came on the scene, but daym has she got some fine ass tunes.
Ooooo Babylon raid.
Wild aswell, I feel like I know her life fairly well. At least the highlights. I have seen her first child grow from a lil bubba to a lil G with Eva kinda confidence on the mic even at 5 or whatever. I have seen her perform pregnant. And see the baby after it was born.
Somewhere in this mix Kathy and I went to Notting Hill Carnival. Carnage is what it was. Great stuff.
Then there is there are my more modern explorations in Dub.
Living in Edinburgh.
Regularly skanking to the Messenger Sound System. Dub messengers with a message. Big time.
More recently I have finally got to experience the sounds of Hometown Promotion Soundsystem from Glasgow. These boys know how to throw a rub-a-dub party. An Island Vibe for sure.
Glasgow got a Dub ting going. Mungo's you started my Dub journey and you are still their influencing it today. No doubt. Big respect.
Big up all the Scottish posse.
After Edinburgh I moved to London to be with my gyal Kathy. Finally.
Since then I have been dragging her and anyone else who might be around all over the city in search of the Dub.
Channel One Sound System at the Village Underground. Of course.
But so many more.
Iration Steppas vs Channel One at the Steel Yard. Big lockdown release.
Aba Shanti-I
Stand High Patrol.
The Pistoleros Dub Boat.
Etc, etc.
This year has seem be further deepen and strengthen my understanding of the roots of Reggae music.
I was fortunate enough to visit Kingston, Jamaica. Dub club up the Reggae mountain, my days. I made pals with Mr Gardine, A.K.A Kush Dan-I, who introduced me to the old school reggae roots like the Hemptones. I visited Bob Marley's uptown house. And dove in to Channel One's discography.
Jamaica vibrates at a different kind of frequency. Music is life over there. It was a joy to experience.
Then there was Glastonbury this year. An all start line up of O.G reggae legends who probably played with Bob back in the day. Still going strong. Still playing sweet reggae music for the people.
Burning Spear.
Cymande.
Black Uhuru.
The Third World.
I saw them all for the first time. Ridiculous. What a treat.
Give the legends them a props.
What a stage for reggae music the West Holts is.
Finally, this weekend Jimbob Jones, Kathy and I saw O.B.F and Iration with Charlie P, Mr Williamz, Prince Fatty, Horseman and Lian Bailey. Big bad line up that. Proper family vibrations. All at the Fox and Firkin. What a place.
This year I have also been getting into crate digging. Building that record collection. Big up Zen Records in South Tottenham. Only just found this place and I will be sad to see it go when Robert hangs up his needle in September. That man has been in the game for 20 plus years and boy does he have some stories.
Some bad boy dubplates too.
Man like Barry Brown.
Labels like Greensleves.
Proper Dubs from the foundation.
I was inspired to write this first by Hometown Promotion Sound System and the deep, thoughtful documentary they filmed on Sound System Culture in collaboration with Ossian. We got a sneak peak at the Island Vibes, but watch this space it will be out soon.
Second by Iration and O.B.F's last song on their new album Revelation Time.
Asking for perspectives on the meaning of Dub.
Well, what does Dub mean to me?
Dub is family. Dub is positive vibrations. Dub is musical meditation. It helps you to slow down. To tune in. To spread joy. It is restorative. Regenerative. Is is magic. I facking love it.
What does Dub mean to you?
Something worth pondering.
Big love x