Sound September 6

Mad Professor

 

Decided to share some Mad Professor here. Although Mad Professor never had his own Sound System, he & his Ariwa label worked closely with Jah Shaka & many of the Sound System culure figures.

I think it is important to acknowledge Mad Professor's huge influence on bringing Dub music to the mainstream in the UK & beyond. His Ariwa record label has released over three hundred records. He is a one of the cornerstones of UK Dub. I have shared much of his music here in the past

Here's a few of his collaborations with Jah Shaka... 

 

Jah Shaka meets Mad Professor - At Ariwa Sounds, Ariwa & Jah Shaka SALP001, 1984.
all decryption codes in comments

Side 1 -
Satta Dub
Almighty Dub
Warrior Dub
Living Dub
H.I.M. - Jah Shaka

Side 2 -
Creation Dub
Atmospheric Dub
Claps like Thunder
People of Yoruba
Rorima - Mad Professor

 

 

 

 

On the fifth installment of Commandments of Dub, Mad Professor takes the boards... 

 

Jah Shaka - Jah Dub Creator (Commandmets of Dub Part 5), SHAKA856, 1985.

Side A -
In the Begining Dub
Jah Creation Dub
The Spirit Dub
Dub, Like Water
Jah Light Dub

Side B -
The Firmament Dub
Heavenly Dub
Earth Dub
Night & Day Dub
Very, Very Good Dub

 

 

 

 

The next share is a follow-up to the in-demand 1984 album Jah Shaka meets Mad Professor - At Ariwa Studios. As the titles says, here's a new decade from the Prof & the Zulu Warrior...

 

 

Mad Professor & Jah Shaka - New Decade of Dub, Ariwa ARICD116, 1996.

Ecological Dub    
Natural Roots    
One Million Man Dub    
Wig Wam    
Chanting Down the Wicked
New Decade Dub    
Gautrey Road Style    
Roots Jamboree    
Zulu Hut    
Morphing Dub    
Only One God

 

 

 

 

But even before Jah Shaka was to influence Mad Professor with the Sound System Sounds, the Prof was already producing music akin to or leading the current trends in UK Dub. The Ariwa backing band was the Elektro Robotik Dub Orkestra or just the Robotiks. Under the Robotiks moniker, Mad Professor issued one of his early classics of quirky analog dub. It is a fantastic juxtaposition of retro sci-fi & Afro-futurist Sounds. 

 

Produced in Ariwa Studios, 42 Gauntrey Road, SE15, Dub Peckham.

 

 

Robotiks - My Computer's Acting Strange, Ariwa ARICD027, 1986.

Dodgy Contacts
More Dodgy Contacts
The Dopler Effect
Drop Out
Dub Bonus
Funk-a-Dub
Electromagnetic Seduction
Echoes of Deaf Journalists
Deaf & Dumb
Thermal Runaway
The Duke
Livication Dub
Sicilian Rock

 

 

 

 

One last burst of Mad Professor before moving onward. From 2015, just to show he's still at the height of his game, teamming up with Prince Fatty, another producer closely associated with Sound System culture...

 

 

Mad Professor meets Prince Fatty - In the Clone Theory, Evergreen Recordings, 2015.

Dub Revolution
Devil Dub featuring Winston Francis
Fanfare Dub
Back Off Dub    
Torah Dub
Final Stage Dub featuring Earl 16
Cork Ball Dub
Idi Amin Dub    
Brute Dub
Marijuana Dub featuring Earl 16

 

 

 

Bass culture,
NØ

Sound Systember 5

The Disciples 

 

 

The Disciples are a Dub roots crew that was formed in 1986 by brothers Russ D. & Lol Bell-Brown. Russ acquired some basic recording equipment in 1985 which started their productions. Shortly after this, they teamed up with the rising star Jah Shaka. The brothers were given the name The Disciples by Jah Shaka while producing exclusively for him in the mid-to-late 80s. They recorded four albums of instrumental dub for Jah Shaka Music label during 1987 to 1990. 

 

Jah Shaka & the Disciples - Commandments of Dub Chapter 6: Deliverance,
Jah Shaka Music SHAKALP860, 1987.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Jah Disciples Dub
Testament Dub
Commandment Dub
Tribute to His Majesty
Inspiration Dub

Side B -
King David's Dub
Blessings of Dub
Deliverance Dub
Kingdom Dub
Redemption Dub

 

 

 

 

Following up with this one...

 

Jah Shaka & the Disciples - The Disciples, Jah Shaka Music SHAKALP871, 1989.

Side A -
The Disciples
Son of God
Jah Man
Peace Maker
Prophet

Side B -
Prayers
Daily Bread
Worship
Multitude
Simeon

 

 

 

 

The Disciples built their own Sound System in 1991. They began playing events across the UK in the following years. They played alongside Aba Shanti-I, Iration Steppas, & Channel One Sound System. Musical content was strictly Roots reggae & Dub music from all eras. 

 

Their first label, Boom Shacka Lacka, was formed in 1993 for releasing heavyweight instrumental Dubs. During this time their tracks were featured on compilations for labels such as Virgin (MacroDub series), Dope On Plastic, Zip Dog, & Dubhead. Albums were released with artists such as Rootsman, Dayjah, & Sister Rasheda.They released their own album on Boom Shacka Lacka in 1996.

 

 

The Disciples - For Those Who Understand, Boom Shacka Lacka BSL101CD, 1996.

Prowling Lion (extended mix)    
Chetswayo    
Upliftment    
How Long    
D.P. Special    
Dub Revolution (Raw Shaka mix)    
Kali
For Whom the Bell Tolls    
Struggle of Life    
Abyssinia    
Sunrise    
Three in One    
Afrika Macka (Zion I Dub)    
Uprising (Shanti Special)    
Guidance Style    
Humble Lion (Ital Vibes)

 

 

 

 

The Disciples are well known on the UK Dub scene. They have never been afraid of pushing the boundaries. From their reknowned Dub plates for Jah Shaka, their own Boom Shacka Lacka Sound System, to their tracks on the avant garde Macro Dub Infection compilations, to some more techno-tinged excursions, their versatility & dexterity is legend.

In 1996, The Disciples formed their second label, Backyard Movements, which was designed as an outlet for more Roots vocal leaning releases. The label has released works of both UK & Jamaican artists including Prince Alla, Michael Rose, Bunny Lie Lie, Lutan Fyah, Prince Malachi, Tony Roots, Danny Vibes, Christine Miller, Ras Mac Bean, High Priest, Anthony Que, & others.

Here's a strictly Disciples Dubwise release from Backyard Movements with intros from African Simba...

 

Disciples - Presents Backyard Movements Dubwise 2001, BM101LP, 2001.

Brighter Days Dub
Deeper Roots Dub
Dub Shackattack
Outta Di War Dub
Hotta Dub Fire
Forces of Dub    
I & I Dub Truths
Realms Dub
Feeling Dub Vibes
Blood Red Dub
Dub Deliverance
Yerushalem Dub
Bus Dem Judgement Dub    
Works to Do Dub    
Dub Protection

 

 

 

 

The Disciples are one of my favorite UK Dub/Roots outfits. If you like what you've heard here, there are plenty more shares around NSS. You might have to read the comments on some of the posts to find more.

Bass culture,
NØ

Sound Systember 3

Jah Shaka - Zulu Warrior 

 

 

This Sound System pioneer was born in Jamaica, coming to England in 1956 as part of the post-Windrush wave of Caribbean immigration which so enriched the country. Based in South East London, he melded the Rastifarian term for God with the legendary Zulu leader to become Jah Shaka, spearheading one of the city's most popular Sound Systems.

As much as I called Lloyd Coxsone the Godfather of UK Sound System culture, Jah Shaka was the true Father. The undisputed progenitor in cultural excellence, Jah Shaka paid supreme attention to Sound, giving his Sound System a boost that others lacked. Tapping directly into Jamaican culture, he also looked to the UK as becoming a focal point for African-Caribbean communities in London & beyond.

A key player in bass culture, Jah Shaka featured in the seminal 1980 film Babylon, a film that will come up more times during this journey. He stayed true to the spiritual elements inherent within Dub & Roots reggae even as Jamaican music strayed towards the more lavish colours of dancehall & ragga.

An enigmatic & highly individual performer on the UK Sound System scene, Jah Shaka's forward-thinking style combined steadfast Rastafarian beliefs & Roots reggae Sounds with a Dub experimentalism that incorporated electronic elements without losing any heaviness. Jah Shaka's studio output in the 80s & 90s was also exciting. He worked on various chapters of his Dub Salute series, as well as installments of his Commandments of Dub sets. Shaka's style was highly influential on the waves of UK Dub that followed as well as jungle, drum-n-bass, & other bass-forward forms of electronic music. In addition to running his own label, he remained highly active with Sound System performances until slowing down somewhat after suffering injuries related to a house fire in 2000. 

 

Jah Shaka died April 12, 2023.

Following are just a few shares from a storied career.

Let's start of with a Soundclash between Fatman (Side a) & Jah Shaka (Side b). The front cover title is Dub Confrontation Shaka (Warrior) VS Fatman (Killer) but Shaka VRS Fatman in a Dub Conference appears on the labels & spine. Fatman was no stranger to Sound System culture himself. He was a Selector for Sir Fanso the Tropical Downbeat until Fanso moved to Jamaica in 1974. Fatman (Kenneth Gordon) started his own Wild Bells Sound System, then Imperial Downbeat Sound before deciding on Fatman HiFi.

This is Jah Shaka's first ever record.... 

 

Shaka vs Fatman - Dub Confrontation, Live & Love LAP12, 1980.
all decryption codes in comments

Side a -
Ranking Dub
Jahoviah Dub
Aggro Dub
Bitter Dub
Reenge Dub

Side B -
Repartriation Dub
Chapter 2
Dreader Dub
Collie Dub
Africa Dub

 

 

Early on Jah Shaka worked a great deal with Mad Professor. Although Mad Professor ran Ariwa Studio & did not have a Sound System, I will touch on him this month because of his work helping many Sound System artists get their Sounds to a larger audience.

Here'a an early teaming of Jah & the Mad Prof...

 

Jah Shaka - Revelation 18, Jah Shaka Music SHAKA 821, 1982.

Side A -
Revelation 18 - Jah Shaka
Side B -
Revelation Dub - Shaka Ridim Section

 

 

 

 

From that same year... 

 

Jah Shaka - Lion Youth, Jah Shaka Music SHAKA 828, 1982.

Side A -
Lion Youth - Jah Shaka
Side B -
Beyond the Realms (pt I & II) - Mad Professor & Shaka Ridim Section

 

 

 

 

The following year Shaka released this full length, mixed by Jah & Mad Professor...

 

Jah Shaka - Brimstone & Fire, Jah Shaka Music SHAKA 831, 1983

Side A -
Preacher Dub
Prophet Dub
Vision Dub
Judgement Dub
Conquering Dub

Side B -
Lightning Dub
Powerful Dub
Thunderous Dub
Seven Seals Dub

 

 

 

 

Isses Dread & Fred Ironworks were two brothers from Bedford, UK. They were in the band Tarishi who along with another brother led group, Russel & Lol Brown's The Disciples, created much of the original riddim tracks for Jah Shaka's King of the Zulu Tribe label. I'll get to The Disciples soon.

Here's the groundbreaking Iron Works...

 

Dread & Fred - Iron Works, Jah Shaka Music SHAKA875, 1989.

Side A -        
Mighty Sounds
High Priest
African Dawn
Warrior Stance
Spirit 2000

Side B -
Ironworks
Steady Rock
Zulu Skank
African Seashore
Mission Dub 

 

 

 

 

In the early 90s Jah Shaka offered up his New Testament of Dub... 

 

 

Jah Shaka - New Testament of Dub Pt. 1, Jah Shaka Music SHAKACD923, 1992.

Promise Dub
Real Dub
Natty Dub
Testament Dub
Armegedon Dub
Right Dub
Alert Dub
Halilujah Dub
Sunshine Dub
History Dub

 

 

 

 

One final offering from the 21st Century, Jah Shaka teaming up with King Tubby's Firehouse Crew...

 

 

Jah Shaka meets Firehouse Crew - Authentic Dubwise, Blow BLOWCD04, 2002.

Identity Dub    
Homeland Dub    
Restoration Dub    
Intervention Dub
Dub Oof Desire    
Persecution Dub    
Dub Comfort    
The Kingdom Dub    
Dub Key    
Messiah Dub    
The Witness Dub    
Poor People's Dub    
Dub of Justice    
Rastafari Dub    
Dub for Everyone

 

 

Jah Shaka forever,
NØ

"Music is a Universal Language"...Jah Shaka

Friend of NSS kostas.p tipped me to this one that I had missed. So many greats passing on that it is hard to keep up, let alone process. 

 

Jah Shaka, the Dub/reggae pioneer of London Sound System culture passed away April 12th at the age of 75. Shaka moved to London from Jamaica as a child in the late 1950s as part of the Windrush generation.

The singer, producer, & label owner also known as Zulu Warrior released some of the scene's most seminal records on his Jah Shaka Music label. He also manned the influential Jah Shaka Sound System since the 1970s. He influenced everyone from the next generation of Dubheads such as Iration Steppas, Zion Train, Dougie Wardrop's Conscious Sounds, & Jah Warrior to post-punk musicians including the Slits & Public Image Ltd. (Don Letts has frequently referenced the influence of Jah Shaka on John Lydon & the British punk scene as a whole).

I've featured Jah Shaka several times before, check the Labels list or the top-left search. Here's one to celebrate this Shining Star. Jah Shaka & the Fire House Crew with vocals by Max Romeo. 

 

Jah Shaka - Far-I Ship Dub, Jah Shaka Music SHAKACD989, 1992.
decryption code in comments

Perfect Dub
Smiling Dub
Far-I Ship Dub
Dub of Praise
One Dub
Don't Stop Dub
Peoples' Dub
Kumbia Dub
Dub Away
Suffer Dub
Roman Dub

Jah Shaka Zulu R.I.P.
NØ

Dub September - 5th

Jah Shaka - presents Dub Symphony, Mango 539 884-1, 1990.
decryption code in comments

Side A -
Black Steel
Dance Wicked   
Dub Symphony   
Come & Get Dub
Sound Clinic Dub

Side B -
Cryptic Dub
True Independence
Mystic Dub
Immortal Dub   
Earth Rightful Dub

Enjoy,
NØ

Magick from the Zulu Warrior

Before I plague you with my next disease, here's the remedy in advance. Take it full strength & often.

Jah Shaka, Twinkle Brothers, The Fasimbas, & The Shaka Allstars.

Jah Shaka – Dub Salute 5, Jah Shaka Music SHAKA954, 1996.
decryption code in comments

side one –

Jah Shall Reign Dub

Give Us the Power Dub

Rasta Surface Dub

New Day Dub

side two –

Praise H.I.M. Dub

Africa Dub

Rise & Shine Dub

Zion Dub

Fare thee well, me bruthas (& sistas),

NØ