Ahead of the second turnout from Jamaica streets finest reggae collective, we sat down with two of their top boys and had a chat. First up we chilled with Subculture stalwart Harri who, despite what you’re used to hearing him play, has a penchant for reggae beats. Next up it was local selector and musical library Greenman, who forms the second half of the young team. JSRF are coming to Sub Rosa on Wednesday the 22nd for a night of proper jerk vibes…
First up, Harri, we hope you’re well. It might comes as a bit of a surprise to people who know you from your Subculture residency with Domenic that you’re into far reggae beats and even fatter spliffs. So, what does reggae culture mean to you?
Harri: TBH…I’m not that clued up on modern reggae, it was something I got into in the late 70s early 80s, then it was about a reggae club in East Kilbride run by a friend, marijuana, blues nights in Notting Hill, Dub Vendor record store and proper Rastafarians. Nowadays Mungos Hi Fi, Walk ‘n’ Skank and a few others are still flying the flag.
Is it a genre of music that’s always been a part of you’re life?
Harri: The first few reggae records I heard that really blew me away were Dave and Ansell Collins Double Barrel and Monkey Spanner and later Rupie Edwards Ire Feelings; I’ve been hooked ever since.
As you have to be on point, every single week. You must spend forever trawling through rowdy tunes that most people will only pop on when they’re a few beers down. Does it come as a nice escape from hunting for pumping Saturday night tunes?
Harri: Reggae has always been my default music of choice, I probably listen to a lot more reggae at home and when travelling than I do house music…I think there are loads of similarities between reggae and house.
How did you start getting into reggae?
As I said earlier, I got into reggae early 70s onwards… firstly from the few tunes that broke the UK charts and latterly from the John Peel show.
Is it good to have a chance to play reggae in a club?
I enjoy playing reggae in clubs, but probably enjoying playing house a lot more, as I keep up to date with house music. Maybe just me, but I’m not hearing much innovative reggae these days, seems to be recycling of old riddims….anyone out there that can turn me onto new exciting reggae, feel free to get in touch!
Can you leave us with a tune that might make an appearance on the night?
I’m never really sure what I might play on a night, it usually depends on what is played before I go on, pretty sure I will play some sleng teng stuff…
Danny Greenman – Stay Fresh
Greenman is a well-known face around the Glasgow club scene and can put his hand to just about any genre of music. For those who don’t know you, do you fancy letting them in on who you are and what you’ve been doing?
I’m moving flats at the moment, trying to find a good place with a studio/office space to focus more on music production and promotion. I play with Stay Fresh; we are in our 4th year now. I also hold down residencies every Thursday in Edinburgh with i-AM and the 1st Saturday of the month in Flat 0/1.
Do you usually get the chance to play out reggae?
Not as often as I used to but that’s more a reflection of where I’m going with my music these days. When I play bar sets I usually slip in a wee reggae section, even at weddings. Nowadays it’s faster paced dancehall and steppers records I’m playing.
Last time round you were showing Harri a thing or two with your reggae knowledge, have you still been keeping up with it?
I was showing just a knowledge of another direction of reggae in dub and steppers. Recently I have not been focusing on dub music, but instead keeping up with the grime and garage scene. I still listen to new mixes and reggae radios shows but I’ve not been buying much, however I’ll be stocking up at the Scotch Bonnet record store day event on Saturday.
You seem to be a bit more connected to what’s going on with the Glasgow reggae scene at the moment… For those who don’t usually frequent those kind of nights can you give us a brief outline of its health right now?
Glasgow has an increasingly vibrant reggae scene in which there is as much camaraderie as there is competition. Alongside well-established systems like Bass Warrior and Argonauts, there are younger newcomers from further afield such as CC Sound and Crutial Roots. I have recently started a new venture with James from Mungos and Jerome, owner of Mungo’s little brother Bass Alliance Sound System. ‘Levels’ focuses on the deeper end of bass music and vinyl culture from the past 10 years and into the future, and will take place in Stereo bi-monthly.
Can you leave us with a couple of tunes you’ll be playing on the night?
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Sub Rosa’s recipe of the week: No-Fuss Jerk Chicken
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons allspice berries
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 Scotch bonnet or habanero chilies, halved, stems removed
• 6 scallions, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 2-inch piece ginger, thickly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce, optional
• Juice of 2 large limes (about 4 tablespoons)
6 large chicken legs, leg and thigh attached
Prep:
1. Put allspice, thyme, garlic, chiles, scallions, peppercorns, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, soy sauce and lime juice in a blender or food processor and grind to a rough paste.
2. Put chicken in a baking dish, add seasoning paste and coat chicken well, using a spoon. Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bring chicken to room temperature. Turn chicken once more in marinade to coat well, then put baking dish in the oven, uncovered. Bake for 1 hour or until well browned and juices run clear when probed with a paring knife. Put dish under the broiler for a minute or so to char chicken slightly. Remove and serve with coconut rice, if desired.
Sub Rosa welcome back the Jamaica Street Reggae Fleet this this Wednedsay. Limited Guestlist available HERE on the day, or £5 on the door.