Asher’s Story...continued

We Continue… Mission Two

As I was saying earlier, “what did I know about putting on Cup dances and how would I start?”… Well I’ll get to that very soon…but in the meantime let’s take another look back at what came before... Its the 80’s now, Saxon Sound System have gone strength to strength becoming King of Dance Hall, with Tippa Irie, Trevor Sax, Muscle Head, Maxi Priest, Papa Sandi, (Daddy Colonel), Papa Levi, Rusty and not to forget Smiley Culture.

“……Sista Gad’s teacher…..”

Many, many, boy plenty years later Trevor Sax would be Sista Gad’s teacher, bringing her on Station 89.8FM and teaching Sista Gad what he knows as a Sound Man and Radio DJ…RASPECT Mr Trevor Ras Sax.

“…..Jah Shaka in the Finals……”

JAH SHAKA is going strong; bringing Roots & Culture to the next level. Many Sounds Systems had been parked up, while few Sound Systems remained. Shaka even starred in a Film called Babylon.  If you have not seen the film, then it is one that needs to be in your collection! The film is about a Cup Dance Competition where at the Start Young Lion Sound had just won their Semi Finals dance to then meet Jah Shaka in the Finals…hmmm. It’s 1990, my friend Richard, myself and Sista Gad went out, which would turn out to be the first time that she would hear JAH SHAKA playing at Ashwin Street Dalston, E8.

You see how life is strange, 7 years later (we) Jah Works Promotions held the third Dub Cup Final at the very same venue called the AFRICANA Hall in 1997 with Jah Marcus vs. Stormbringer.

Jah Shaka played at this venue a few times, then on my own I went to hear Shaka play at the ROCKET. I was in for a big surprise that night. When I first got inside, the venue was packed with 80% white students, which was good but the big problem for me was that a lot of them were drunk, some laying or sitting on the wet floor. Most of the female students where dressed (if you can call it that) as if they were at the gym, half naked! I was shocked!

“……...Exit stage left…....”

The pushing and shoving was getting to me. No discipline, no manners or respect was shown in the dance. I made my way to the stage and stayed there for a little time, Shaka seemed to be playing pure Dub. Whilst I was listening, an Indian Youth that was sleeping in the foetus position on the edge of the stage, woke up turned on his back and spread his legs wide open (he was wearing shorts) and started to scratch his balls…I made a quick (...Exit stage left...) beeline to the bar.

Getting fed up now! I’m not use to this kind of behaviour in a Roots dance. I’ve never see anything like this in Phebes or Twelve Tribe Dances, with JAH REVELATION Sound. You hear me... The final straw came on the way to the bar, a black person with funky dread, looked at me and called me a “Screw-Face”. Well it was already hot in here, but now hearing this just made me vex. At this point in time I no longer have locks but now have plaits on my head (but don’t think this makes me a baldhead. A baldhead is a person who shaves their hair in contempt and turns their back against JAHOVIAH!).

So on the face of it; there’s nothing really stopping me from kicking off on this person but I did the right thing marched out the dance with mixed feelings. I said to myself I’ll never come back HERE again to listen to Shaka, if this is what it now comes down to. By the way six years later I was at the Rocket giving out flyers at another Shaka Dance for the 1996 Unification Cup Dances. “Never say never”, that’s what they say!!

A few weeks had passed by since Shaka’s dance where I picked up a few flyers; One being the DUB CLUB in Archway. Sound playing on the night would be Boom Shaka-lacka. I decided to go by myself to hear this sound, for the first time. When I got inside the Club the music sounded strange, as I was walking up the stairs to go in to the hall… I know I’m in the right club…but as I said the music sound different. As I got in the hall area by the bar the music had stopped.

“…..the birth of U.K. DUB……”

I looked ahead of me and saw a few white guys around the sound. When the next tune came on I could not understand what it was. I’ve not heard anything like it before, the music sounded distorted; with lots of effects in it. It sounded like space music, with jumbled up bass. I flew out of the place quicker than I went in there. That was to be the last dance I went to for 1990 (little did I know that what I heard was the birth of UK Dub). In the same year I started listening to HIP-HOP, like Snoop Dog, Ice T, Ice Cube to name just a few. I got more vibes from their works, which was against the oppression of black people that was powerful, raw and by any means necessary (NWA can tell you all about it!)

Slackness music had taken over proper dance music, not my cup of tea!

It’s early 1991; Sista Gad dragged me to a dance in Dalston which she had heard about. Sounds Playing on the night were Aba-Shanti and Jah Youth Sound Systems. I would not forget Jah Youth they had and still have, a beautiful Amp Case with Jah Youth painted on the front – their system was balanced and clean - no red scoop boxes yet! Jah Youth played a lot of revival tunes, which was nice to hear. Raspect, Alan, Locksley, Dawna Lee and the Jah Youth Family.

“……..the mic-man on……….”

Aba Shanti was playing Dub on Dub Plates. This System was heavy but raw. What I mean is that the backs of his speaker boxes were rattling, when Aba dropped the bass.  But it gave the desired effect. I liked it; he seemed hungry to make an impression. Aba had a few sistrens around the set that was good to see. I enjoyed myself and thanked Gad for taking me there. As we were leaving I looked at Aba and realised that I knew him. He used to be the mike-man on Jah Tubbys – MC Jasmin Joe back in the 80’s but now he’s got locks; that’s why I did not recognise him at first. That was to be my first and last dance for 1991.

I would meet Aba again 3 years later; Raspect to Aba Shanti, Blood Shanti and the Shanti Family.

Mission Two

Well let me get on with the telling of it...

The agenda...

• ADVERTISMENTS
• VENUES
• MEET OTHER PROMOTERS
• OBSERVING OTHER ROOTS DANCES
• MEETING THE NEW SOUNDS OF THE 90’S

“……16 sound systems…...”

Sista Gad (not known as yet) and I decided to get some flyers designed to let people know about the Unification Cup Dances for 1995 and some flyers for the Sounds Systems on how to CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED. Things were starting to move in to gear now, I have put pen to paper and come up with the literature. While I was writing the literature for the flyers, 16 sounds popped into my head; I stopped writing and began to query why 16 sounds?  I started to work out the ramifications it amazed me, what I had now was the foundation for the event which would consist of:

• First round heat with Sixteen (16) Sounds
• Quarter-Finals with Eight (8) Sounds
• Semi-Finals with (4) Sounds
• Then the Final Two Sound Systems

Afterwards I said to myself “this is Jah Works”. Everything seems to be falling in place what’s going on? Rah I said that it, that’s the name JAH WORKS, I’ve been busting my head for weeks to find a name; Now I’ve got it JAH WORKS PROMOTIONS!!! Give Thanks JAH.

Sista Gad designed the flyers and photocopied 4,000 of them for me at her work place – then the Ministry of Defence MoD – talk about using the system!

I responded to all contacts from the Sound Systems, which came through the feature placed in Reggae Trade and after a few weeks received interest in the works.

“…..…Station 89.8FM…....”

I started networking with the Sound Men over the phone I’ve not met any of them yet. I was ready to put an AD in the Reggae Trade the Editors name is Ash. Ash gave me a full page AD for the Cup Dance for £50. I paid £30 and gave him the rest at a later date. Ash told me he liked the idea that’s why I got the AD cheap; later Ash would make me a jingle for the ’95 UK Roots & Culture Cup Dance. He didn’t charge me for it; Ash was also a DJ on Station 89.8FM so no problem for him to give it a shout. Give Thanks Ash and those at Reggae Trade.

“……..venues to hire………”

We need more magazines like Reggae Trade in this time to represent underground Roots & Culture music industry. With all the networking that came from the magazine I was doing with Sound Men and producers; even Bredrens from just those I have mentioned I began to get links for venues to hire which was all and good because I didn’t know of any like I do today. Some venues were too early for the event or it was to near residential areas. So at that time what venues I got I took.  No research was done only networking, I knew no better, but I was getting results.

BACK TO THE DANCES – 1994

I went to check out the DUB CLUB at the DOME in Tufnell Park, North London; I wanted to meet the promoter of the event. The last time I went there was in 1990. My objective was to introduce myself to all the Promoters who put on dances involving Sound Systems. My aim then was to reason with them to see if someone could promote the Cup Dances with me, because I held no experience within this field of works; only the blue-print in my head. Anyway back in the Dub Club; Entebbe done tell me the name of the promoters running it ”CULTURE PROMOTIONS”, Nicky and then husband Tony. I introduce myself to them they were quite pleasant to me. I told them about the Cup Dances a yearly event for Sound Systems playing Roots & Culture but that I needed someone to promote it for me, with me.

“…….declined her offer and ……”

Nicky liked the idea and said she would promote the dance if Culture Promotions is on the flyer; I said yes no problem both names would be on the flyer; Nicky replied only Culture Promotions can go on the flyer If she is going to promote the dances; I declined her offer and bid my guidance.

The Sound playing on the night was JAH WORKS record label, a white brother by the name of Rej Forte and four other white rasses I hailed them up and introduced myself to Rej. When I told him the name of the promotions I got a cold reception from him, I still showed love; Jah Works is for everyone, I thought to myself with a smile.

Next stop Vauxhall the ARCHES every Sunday night.

Sound System playing on the night the Mighty ABA SHANTI Sounds of Jah Lighting and Thunder. Promoter – Styler – HOUSE OF ROOTS (now UK HOUSE OF ROOTS – Raspect).

I’ve paid my money at the door, you have to walk up some steps before you reach the hall; I can feel the pressure of the bass already as I got nearer the hall.  When I open the door the bass towards me was unreal. The Dance was packed full of people – this can not be the same sound I heard in 1991 – when I saw the operator for the sound, this confirmed it for me. This was the same ABA SHANTI I’d heard. I was impressed with his sound, but saying that I came to meet the Promoter – Styler.

Anyways, I introduced myself to Styler and he made I feel welcome from the start. In other terms I felt good vibes coming from him, we reasoned for some length of time telling me about some of his works and where he was coming from. It was interesting to know Styler and Joey Jay from KISS 100 FM use to promote Shaka in the earlier days. Raspect for them dances like in Ashwin St, Dalston. I told Styler where I was coming form with regards to the Cup Dances and that I had no knowledge of how to promote a dance; so would it be possible for him to help me promote the Cup Dances.  Styler declined my offer because he had projects of his own that he was working on. I said give thanks for hearing me out. I enjoyed the rest of the dance session even through Aba was playing pure Dub. It was good to hear a new sound making progress, I’m all for it.

Making my way home on the night bus, I was thinking “What am I going to do now????” 

“………size of a cassette..…..”

Next Stop on my list was SOUTHALL COMMUNITY CENTRE on Friday nights. Sound Systems playing on the night was BOOM SHAKA-LACKA and ABA SHANTI-I.  I can’t remember if another sound was playing but anyways I met up with Promoter – Robert Tribulation. A nice brother, but guess what he’s also got a sound called WORD SOUND & POWER. I never even bother to ask Robert the question. Just told him about the Cup Dances and took his details and logged it into my Sony mobile phone, which was the size of a cassette tape. Whilst everyone else was using the brick M30 heavy duty mobile phone the size of your head, do you remember them?

Anyhow Disciples (Boom Shaka-Lacka) who I first heard of in the Dub Club in early 1990 was playing Dubs. Which I now realise was the birth of home grown U.K. DUB the new sounds of the day. I gave Disciples and Aba a flyer which told them about the U.K DUB CUP and how to enter the event (we first gave out these flyers in Notting Hill Carnival in 94 when we gave flyers to all the sounds, that’s how I first met Mikey Dread – CHANNEL ONE Sound System). I continued to give out flyers to everyone you never know who knows who!

Next Stop on my list was SOUTHEND Football Stadium; the SHRIMPERS NIGHT CLUB. Sound System playing on the night was IRATION STEPPERS. The first sound for me to be playing DAT tapes on their Sound System. They were different Mark was up front with the crowd. What I mean by that is Mark talked (and still does) to the people and got a response; I like that. Iration was playing raw Dub the whole session; later into the dance I introduced myself to him too, and gave Mark information about the Cup Dances.

It was time to make my way back to London – Gad Man (a.k.a Briggy Banton from Revolutionaries and Fine Style Sound Systems) drove me to Southend and back home. He is Sista Gad’s brother – from that day Gad Man said if I ever need to go anywhere in the Country he will drive me there.  Give Thanks Gad Man.

It’s November 1994. It is time to give out the second lot of flyers, but this time for the general public to know about the Roots & Culture Cup Dances for 1995. At this point, all of what was manifesting in front of me did not seem real, but it was because the Cup had been on top of the TV, this time its engraved “JAH WORKS PROMOTIONS – 1995 U.K. ROOTS & CULTURE – UNIFICATION DUB CUP”, a lot had been done from since July.

I had a full page AD in Reggae Trade, which really helped for the sounds to contact me. Leaflets on how to enter were sent to:

• Scotland
• Cornwall
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Leeds
• Bristol
• Swindon
• Wolverhampton
• Gloucester
• Leicester
• Nottingham
• Luton
• London

• Leeds
• Bristol
• Southend-on-sea
• Luton
• Birmingham
• London

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS CUP COMPETITION???

I have met so many sound members in and around London North, South, East and West before the Cup Dances took place. This Event is for all Sound Systems from different backgrounds but with the same up bringing; what I mean is that they could be a dancehall sound, calypso, soul, jungle or lovers sound, I did not care because on the night its Roots & Culture being played. This would also include the up & coming Roots Sounds in the U.K.

“………..no Roots music coming…..”

The love of Reggae music put them where they are, today’s term Roots & Culture. At this point many Sounds were parked up (in lock-up garages) due to lack of interest by Promoters, Roots music has stopped coming from Jamaica, the home of Reggae music. Dance Hall has now been replaced by slackness, which in turn is being replaced by the Original Gold Teeth NINJA MAN. With no Roots music coming out of JA you can understand the birth of U.K. DUB, Jah Shaka had been doing his already which influenced the new Dub Sounds of the 1990s, Iration Steppers, Boom Shaka-Lacka (Russ Disciples), Aba Shanti-I.

“……what about the message……”

But you also had sounds like Entebbe who came back on the scene round about 1993 or ’94, Channel One, Jah Youth, Jah Observer, King Original, Jah Trinity and Word Sound and Power, who where still playing vocals and dub, the ORIGINAL FORMAT. But, like I said Dub was the new lick in the Dances, more physical vibes than spiritual vibes which I CRAVE; Saying that if it’s all Dub, what about the message, if no Artist is singing then there is no message. That’s a big problem as you need to have a balance.  

“…….Singers and Players of …….”

For the Sounds that enter the Unification Cup Dances it means more Sound Systems near and far participating in the Works, Jah Works has no limits. More Sounds means more Roots & Culture being played near and far outside these events, more Roots & Culture played promotes more Singers and Players of Instruments, which is your works nobody does it better than you. Stand up for your rights if you want it!

So there we have it, a Cup Dance for all Sound Systems promoting and playing Roots & Culture and starting the Unification Roots & Culture Cup Dances for an Annual Event for Sound Systems to Progress.

SIXTEEN SOUND SYSTEMS

I needed sixteen (16) Sound Systems to enter the Jah Works Promotions Unification Roots & Culture Cup Dances, knowing how many sounds were active did not make matters better, it would get worse. I did not get any calls from the active sounds. So I called them or I went to see them, like Jah Youth who invited me into their home and made me feel welcomed. Of course we reasoned about Jah Youth Sound history, which was interesting to know. Jah Youth today played in different parts of Africa, and the last I heard from Alan the operator was that they played in Cape Town, South Africa, wish you well Jah Youth. When I asked Locksley the selector if they would enter? He replied one day when the Cup Dances get bigger!! I said give thanks. 

“…..I ain’t into running………..”

I phoned Aba Shanti and asked if he would enter the Event? Shanti said no because he’s not into competing with another Sound. I asked him what he meant. He responded because if they get funny with me, I would just have to turn up on a Sound; and I don’t want that. So I said to Shanti it’s not just about turning up on a Sound (turning up the volume on the Sound) it about playing vocals & dub plus there are rules for the event. Shanti went on to say, right now it’s the Dub I’m running and I ain’t into running vocals right now. Just before we finished reasoning, I said by rights you should be playing vocals, so people get the message as well, soon after I bid my guidance to Aba Shanti.

A few years later at a dance in Bedford we heard (Sista Gad and I) Shanti say, “…from now on this Sound will be playing strictly vocals….”. We looked each other and smiled and I said to Sista Gad that I was glad to hear that. Raspect Shanti.

I then called Mikey from Channel One Sound and we had a good reasoning about the Cup Dances, when I asked Mikey if he would enter? Mikey said “Asher mek me tell you something me too old fi dem deh dance right now”. I could not stop laughing when he said that to me. Mikey’s got a deep voice like Barry White – Trust; Big up Mikey, Trevor, Linda P and Kaleb.

I then called and spoke to Wasir - King Original who said no. Then called and spoke to Milton – Jah Trinity, who said that he was not interested; but in 1996 Jah Trinity entered the Midlands Unification Dub Cup; Raspect to Milton and Terry Gad. I spoke to Robert Tribulation – Word Sound and Power; Robert said no Bredren.

I then called Mark – Iration Steppers and we reasoned for a while about the Event until I said no DATs were allowed in the Event; the response I got from Mark was heated, today when I think about it, he had all rights to defend his unique Sound System. Mark said if no DATs are allowed that means I have to spend money to get Dub Plates. I said yes that’s right Mark. Mark replied right now its technology and its DATs he’s playing. I said fine but don’t tell people n the dance you’re playing Dub Plates because you’re not; you’re playing DATs (a DAT is used in mixing studios to record music). We reasoned for a while, and then I bid guidance. 

I was wrong to say no DATs in the Event to Mark, but the reason behind this was because DUB was now replacing Roots & Culture or Reggae Music if you like. These new Sounds were making U.K. Dub, which was needed due to nothing coming from JA but one very important ingredient from the U.K produced Dub – was the total lack of vocals. No vocals, no message; no message, no teachings. I just could not understand how they could forget this.

Nevertheless, all this would change one day due to the Unification Roots & Culture Cup Dances and the Sound Systems that entered, participated and promoted Roots & Culture to put U.K. ROOTS where it is TODAY! Or Reggae Music as I like to call it. Today, Iration Steppers are playing Vocals which I was very glad to hear, plus Mark has found that round Bass Line. He’s got it all set, Mark Iration is very competitive with his Sound unique and one of a kind Vanguard of Dub; Raspect Iration Family. I would eventually allow DATs & CDs to be played in the Cup Dances.

There was one more Sound to call, and I was not expecting him or asking him to enter the Cup Dance. I just called him to tell him what I was going to do, this person is the King of Sound Systems Jah Shaka the Zulu Warrior!!!.

TO BE CONTINUED … in Part 3