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.
Side A -
Ital's Anthem (Trebledown / Bassup mix)
Side B -
Science (1st mix)
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...
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...
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.
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...
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