Conquering Lion of Jamaica Street, leading us from Babylon to an aural promised land with Sunday’s grounation, comes Subculture’s long serving master Harri alongside bredrins Mungo’s Hi-Fi.
Harri has never hidden his love for all things dub under a green bushel, always ready to let his love for reggae shine through his mixes, sets and recordings over the years. From the roots of Rocksteady through the backstreets of Trenchtown, the rebel sounds of Kingston translate with irie to the Sub Club sound system and we look forward to some rare dub stylings as he brings a lifetime of knowledge and his 45s selector’s knowhow to the club.
On a ragga tip Harri managed to catch up with Mungo’s James Whelan. Here is what went down in Albert Town…
First Reggae record you heard that got you interested?
Lee Perry’s “Super Ape” LP was the first dub record I heard. I remember a friend bringing it round to my place and we listened over and over, it really pushed some buttons in my mind and made me begin to understand dub music. Since then my tastes developed more into rub-a-dub & digital dancehall styles – the sweetest form of reggae music!
Best live Reggae gig you have seen?
For a live gig Barrington Levy was wicked at Reggae Sun Ska last year, but we’ve always been about the sound system session. Seeing artists like Daddy Freddy totally mash it up in a session is a sight and sound to remember.
Favourite vocalist?
For Jamaican artists from days gone past I still can’t get enough of the soft tones of Don Carlos after all this time, as well as Jamaican reggae sound system legend Little John, who we were lucky enough to have some dubplate recordings from very recently. For current-time artists in the UK we’re proud to count some of the most exciting artists around as part of our family at Scotch Bonnet Records, including Charlie P, YT, Solo Banton, Mr Williamz, Soom T and Parly B amongst many others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecu4_veSb7U
Favourite album?
Right now it’s “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly“ on Dennis Star records featuring Mikey Melody, Sanchez & Courtney Melody.
Vinyl versus digital, whats your opinion?
I prefer records for collecting, and there’s more of a vibe when playing records in a session, however i don’t think think it’s a case of “vinyl vs digital”, there’s no war and both have their advantages. There’s nothing worse than going to a gig and the turntables aren’t isolated, i’ve found traktor/serato are really useful in these situations, as well as reducing baggage fees on flights.
Best soundsystem in europe apart from Mungos?
There’s a better soundsystem in Europe than Mungo’s? Just kidding. From the ‘old school’ we have clashed a few times lately with Iration Steppas, who run the SUBDUB session in Leeds, from the ‘new school’ we vibe to OBF sound from Geneva every time we hear them play,
O B F @ REGGAE BUS FEST 2013 by Dub Runnings on Mixcloud
…and for up and coming, watch out for the Dub Smugglers from Manchester.
I am lucky to be on Mungos promo list, but apart from that I am not really up to date on current Reggae, can you recommend ten records from the last few years that are essential listening?
Midnight Walkers LP – Stand High Patrol (Stand High Records)
Dancehall Hobby EP – Jahtari & Mr Williamz (Jahtari)
Know Bout Style – Tradesman & Parly B (Scotch Bonnet)
Mad Man Style – Ranking Levy (Jahtari)
Find Jah Way – Gorgon Sound (Gorgon Sound Records)
Represses Self Control – Patrick Andy
Watch How The People Dancing LP – Various Artists (Unity)
Come – Barrington Levy Fight Fight Fight – Sowell Radics
Give Me Some More – Lilly Melody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4vyHsGKoDc
THIS SUNDAY’S EVENT AT SUB CLUB IS FREE TO ALL TRADE STAFF, FIRE IN BABYLON ARE ALSO HOSTING A PRE PARTY IN MACSORLEY’S, WITH LIVE MUSIC AND TRADITIONAL WEST INDIAN FOOD FROM 1PM…
£5 Advance tickets for Sub Club are available here or in store and online from Tickets Scotland.
KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR AN EXCLUSIVE MUNGO’S HI-FI VINYL GIVEAWAY.