Young, gifted and baaad #17

Today, we’re talking with a sound from the north of Germany, which is known for its excellent Dances, much appreciated Mix CDs and their good reputation all over germany and europe.

Ladies and Gents, please welcome the Righteous Warriors Massaya Sound from Hamburg to our Blog!

#Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

Massaya Sound – Hamburg’s finest in reggae and dancehall

Our Sound consists of 5 Members: Trappa (the MC) and the 4 selectors Smart, Semik, Roman and Till.

#When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

The sound was founded 2003 by Trappa, Semik, Roman and Pruzza who decided to leave the sound in 2004. A few months later Till was integrated in the sound. Smart joined the sound in 2008.

We all have different musical backgrounds. Trappa and Semik used to be in a rap crew called “Subkultur” in the 90s where they had their first stage experiences. Smart was the main selector of the parked-up sound Hammerheart soundsation which was founded in 1995.

#Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

We play all kind of styles of reggae music. It all depends on the massive. But I guess we are known for not only playing what the people already know but to vary our style throughout an evening. There are more then 50 years of jamaican music out there and many songs – not only out of the last 20 years – deserve to be danced to.

#Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Hm, the cornermarks of our sound. Let me start with an event called “Upclose and Personal” which was our first dance we organized ourself. We played alongside the Hamburg roots and dub sound “Stepping Warrior” in the legendary venue “Rote Flora”. Over 600 People came out to enjoy this session and most Hamburg Soundmen came over. It was aswell our first collaboration with Nico Liebetanz who since then is responsible for the whole Massaya Artwork and our CI.
Another cornermark was the win of the Hamburg 45 Clash 2005. In that clash we played our first Spruddy One Dubplates and they got HUGE forwards. Spruddy One is part of the Massaya Family. He’s the first lovers-singer (who has various different topics, still) from germany and we try to support him in every aspect.
During the last years we were juggling alot – touring the whole a germany and several parts of Europe.
One of the most important cornermarks was our dance alongside Black Scorpio and General Trees in 2005. The Dance was held in the Basement of the Rote Flora which is a very small lane that only fit a handfull of people. Vibes Mad!
Our biggest success was to be the first dancehall sound from continental europe to ever win a clash in the UK – the “Bring You Tunes And Defend Your Sound Euro Edition” clash in London in March 2009.

#Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

In the near future we are planning to defend that title in Camden (London) on November 29th. Then, there might be a next clash in the UK in early 2010, but it might as well be that the promoter for that clash cancels his plans – we’ll see and let you know.
In the long run, we’re thinking about establishing Massaya as a label to put out a few productions. We’re still a bit hesitant about it cause that would also mean to voice less dubs and we’d probably take a break from clashing for a little while.

all pictures (c) by niculai constantinescu

#Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

We are highly influenced by the soundsystem culture in a whole. Too many to name them all. In fact we are all inspired by different personalities and sounds – to each his own. But just to drop some names: the hamburg local soundsystem who were active in the 90’s had a huge impact on us i.e. “Lionhearts”, “Hammerheart”, “Crucial Vibez”, “Roots Commandment”, “Silly Walks”. On top of that we are inspired by Soundsystem tapes and live recordings from all sounds all across the world.

#What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Our first dubplate was General Degree. We dont play it too often though.

Thank you Semik for the Answers!

Please check the latest Mix of Semiks Satisfaction Guaranteed Series by clicking the Cover.

Also check Massayas Soundcloud Profile for the other Mix CDs of this Series and some more stuff.

Young, gifted and baaad #16

We’re flying across the pond for another time and heading to the city that never sleeps aka the 5 Boroughs aka the Big Apple.

To be excactly, we’re visiting just one borough uptown called the Bronx.

Maybe you already noticed that I’m not just sticking to the “Young” anymore, neither to the very “Upcoming”, but I think thats not the worst thing if I can feature such sounds as the big, bad and bold

BLUNT POSSE from the Bronx, NYC

#Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

BLUNT POSSE SOUND FROM BRONX N.Y.

As far as “members” its a Posse of us. Immediate members you we would say Father Blunt, Ajax, Mr. Lee, Dutchman, & Diamond (and we currently working with a new addition to the posse name Mix A- Lot).

Then the street team consists of Aggie B, Tru Dad, Ricky, Run Run, Big Ralph and a few others. So its really and truly a Posse.

#When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

The Sound was officially launched around 1997 by Father Blunt, Ricky, Dutchman & Tru Dad.

Ajax came along a year and a half later. We got our start doing house parties, basement dances & block parties.

#Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

These Days our sound is balanced as a hardcore jugglin clash sound. The style of the sound can vary on any given night. It all depends on the vibe of the patrons.

#Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

One of our major “corner marks” in Blunt Posse History was when we first played Killamanjaro for our first big dance in a club called ACT III in the Bronx. Afrique sound was originally billed for the dance with Kilamanjaro but they backed out of it two weeks before the date. The owner of the club asked Father Blunt if he could fill in for Afrique. That night everyone including Ricky Trooper was in for a big suprise.

Another cornerstone in Blunt Posse history was when we clashed Mighty Crown in the Bronx. They underestimated Blunt Posse and the dance is talked about still today.

A more recent accomplishment was defeating Bass Odyssey & Luv Injection in UK War Of The Worlds.

#Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

In The Near Future we plan To create an even greater international perspective for the sound and eventually turn BLUNT POSSE into a brand.

#Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

Basically every soundsystem & producer that has contributed to this dancehall movement in some way or another is an Influence  to Blunt Posse “musically wise”.

#What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

One Of The first dubs we ever voiced was “Mr D.C.” by Sugar Minott and we still play it today. We even revoiced it with Sugar in combination with a DJ.

Thank you very much for your time and big up yourself. Also a big thank you to Bonita Desperado again!

You guys can check these Live Audios and Mixes from Blunt Posse in the meantime:

Sizzla Kalonji 45 Mix

Blunt Posse live@U-Club, Germany, March 2008:

Young, gifted and baaad #15

Today we’re featuring a spanish Sound, again. From the beautiful city of Barcelona, we welcome Luv Messenger, the 4×4 Sound!

# Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.
Luv Messenger is Supah Lion, Don Rolando, Uri and RudeTeo.

# When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?
Luv Messenger was founded in 2007 by Supah Lion and Don Rolando after many years of good work and experience in their individual trajectory; Supah Lion as a Member of Roots&Vibes and Rolando with Soundsgood Intl. from Austria.

# Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?
As lovers of all eras of jamaican reggae, our selection is suitable for all audience that enjoys good music, no matter if oldies, digital, new roots, the latest dancehall smashers or all-time favorites out of any music genre. Vibrating energetic sessions and the contact to the massive make Luv Messenger shows nights to remember.

# Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.
This year we had a couple of crazy dances outside, like Fiestas de Gracia in Mozart Street, as well as the San Juan Celebrations at the Beach are always a highlight during the summer season in Barcelona.

# Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?
Barcelona might be well known all over the world for many things like tourism and football, but the reggae scene is still underdeveloped. That’s why we are still looking forward to have our own regular dance to be able to promote reggae dancehall the in our way.

# Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?
hehe.. too many to mention… sound: Stone Love, Label: Motown, Artists: all of them.

# What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?
Luv Messenger has voiced a handfull of Dubs and likes to play Reggie Stepper’s “yes indeed” once in a while, but generally we are a sound that does not rely on dubplates to perform.

#Last Words?
Love is the Message (Jacob Miller)

Thanks for taking time to answer my questions, Don Rolando.

And to my Readers, please check out the latest Mix CD from Luv Messenger here, or visit their myspace page to get more mixes.

Edit: This mix is even newer

Young, gifted and baaad #14

Today we gonna take a look to the land of the rising sun and feature a very young, but yet successful sound from Japan, namely

YARDBEAT SOUND

Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

We are Yard Beat the garrison sound. We have two teams, one in Japan and one in New York. The official members are Desem, Mitch and Taka with the Holy Box Crew (Sound System engineers). Desem and Taka play in Japan at least 3 times a week. Every Monday 8pm to 10pm, Mitch plays in New York with other selector on the Xclusive Radio (FM97.5) with Tek 9 Sound from Brooklyn.

When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

Yard Beat was founded in January 2008. Desem has been dijing over 15 years. He used to play for Infinity 16 Sound before. Mitch also used to play for other sound. We have been listening to Reggae music since we are 15 years old.

Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

We love the sound clash because we are addicted to dubplates LOL… But we can play jugging style and sound clash style. It really depends on the vibes and line up… We juggle most of the times in New York but we have 5 clash dates in Japan next month. We can fit to anything.

Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Even though we have enough experiences individually, we are still a 2 years old sound.

But we played the Global Clash 2k9 in New York.

We got defeated but it was just beginning and we are willing to take more

clash dates anywhere in the world. We never stop clashing!

Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

We are looking for other clash dates overseas. Just keep on doing our best and build the reputation in overseas. Get the trophy!

Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

It is extremely hard to name one but I would say Biltmore days in New York…

What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Israel Vibration, and yes, it is our anthem.

Thank you Desem and Yardbeat Sound for the answers.

You guys can check out more of Yardbeat Sound at

Website: www.yardbeatsound.com

Myspace: www.myspace.com/yardbeat

Twitter: twitter.com/yardbeat_ny

Xclusive Radio Station FM 97.5 (NY) Every Monday 8pm – 10pm Yard Beat alongside Tek 9 aka NY to Japan LINK

www.xclusiveradio.com

Young, gifted and baaad #13

Okay, maybe the man behind our next featured sound isn’t that young, but definitly gifted and baaad. And the Sound he started a few years ago in Milwaukee and than moved to the windy city can be described as a young sound still.

So Ladies and Gents, please put your hands together for the midwest ruler

Killa Face Sound

Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers:

KILLAFACE SOUND STATION Based In USA & JAMAICA

Lion Face, the  Owner (Selector and MC), Nambie Killa (Selector), Bryno (Selector & MC), Freddo Killa (MC), Krazy Hype (Selector & MC), Blazing Fiya (Selector & MC).

When was the founding of your Sound and when did you begin dj-ing?

I have been playing music since 1990 when I started collecting records and making tapes for my friends.

1992 I was playing a local sound in my area called champion star, then a year after starting playing Jamrock Sound. In 1994 I was playing Metromedia and 1997 I moved to the United States and started my international experience with Katarock Sound. Killaface sound was found in the month of august 2001 in Milwaukee then moved to Chicago 2003.

Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly:

Consist of hardcore juggling style, meaning dubplates mixed with regulars tunes more geared towards dancehall and foundation music.

What are the most important cornermark in the sounds history?

2002 Milwaukee 45 Shoot Out, 2004 Chicago Cotton Club 45 Shoot Out

2005 Detroit Rumble In The Midwest, California Club Dread Sound Clash, Milwaukee Gulf War

2005 California Fully Loaded

2007 Dance Or Die Killaface vs Black Kat, 2008 Chicago Sound & Selectors Of The Year

What plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real long-term plans for it?

In the fall of 2009 we will be traveling to Italy, for our first time in Europe. Our long-term plan is to be one of the best Sound Systems of this generation and grow toward being an International Sound, traveling from country to country. We want to be a household name in the industry.  Also, starting our record label and productions…setting a mark for generations to come.

Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musically wise?

Sounds:

1. Rory from Stone Love

2. Dup Dap from Jamrock

3. Malcolm X from Stone Love

4. Jam Master All from Crystal Disco

5. Baby Face from King Addies

6. Tony Matterhorn from King Addies

I’ve played alongside a variety of artists, and my favourites have been Sizzla and Jr. Reid.

What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

First dub and the first Dancehall dub I voiced was Alozade, Under My Skunk and Bad Man Nuh Watch Gal, on the Duck Riddim. My first Foundation dub was Culture and Carl Dawkins. My first Culture dub was Capleton and Terry Linen. I still play each of them.

Thank you very much Lion Face for the interview, and all the best for the future. Also a big thank you to Bonita Desperado and Desperado Promotions for the link.

You Guys can check out the wicked Classic 90’s Singerz Juggling, mixed by Blazin Fiya, by clicking the front image:

or the “It Mad It Bad It Wicked” Mix done by Lion Face:

Young, gifted and baaad #12

Welcome back again to our Young, gifted and baaad Column, for the first time with a sound from the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain.

Not only the city’s football club is off the hook, so please check out

Nyahbingi Sound.

Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers?

Nyahbingi Sound is one of the firsts sound systems created in Spain. We havee played all over Spain and also in countries like Scotland, France, Italy, Chile or Colombia and played alongside sound systems like Stone Love, David Rodigan, Saxon Sound or Mighty Crown.

Always linked to the jamaican music actuality, members of Nyahbingi Sound run also NBC Producciones, one of the most active black music agencies from Spain. They manage artists like The Pepper Pots, Hermano L or Soweto, do the spanish booking for Dr.Ring Ding, Bitty McLean, Derrick Morgan or Ken Boothe, and also organize festivals or tours during all year.

Nyahbingi Sound also plays alongside artists like General Levy, Bitty McLean, Chukki Starr, Chuck Fender, Earl 16 Derrick Morgan or Dr Ring Ding.

Nyahbingi Sound members are Leggo (mc), Rochi (selektah) and Mr.Pep (selektah).

When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

The Sound System was created in 1999, our first show was in May that year and also it was our first djing experience.

Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

Our style is a mixture of new and classic.

Actually all members of the sound started listening Ska, Rocksteady and Roots so these styles are always very present in our sessions and old tunes of Early Rub a Dub and Dancehall. We like Jammy’s productions, Volcano or Techniques. They always have an important role in our sessions.

Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

During these 10 years we have participated in some Clashes (Spanish Clash 2002, Bilbao Sound Clash 2008, …) and been lucky to get shows at big festivals (Rototom Sunsplash, Downtown,…) but I think in the end what makes a special show are the vibes and the feelings with the people.

So It was our first show outside of Spain, with Mungo´s Hi Fi in Glasgow, shows performed with artists like Alton Ellis, Derrick Morgan, Chukki Starr or Bitty Mclean, our anniversary party we held in a ship in the port of Barcelona and the last show in the city with Mighty Crown.

Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

This year we have regular dates in two little clubs in Barcelona.

We will continue organizing events in other clubs like the Bcn Reggae Soundclash, or our annual anniversary party.

We also have organize a European and Southamerican tour with some singers, but is still too early to say anything concrete.

Finally, coinciding with our 10th anniversary, will be the second part of our mixtape “200% Pure Dubplates” after the previous edition surpassed the 30,000 downloads.

Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

Each Sound System that has influenced us has done for very different reasons.

I like the energy of Rodigan, the force of Poison Dart, the attitude of Pow Pow, the imagination of Mighty Crown, the wisdom of Down Beat and Stone Love´s style.

If I had to choose two artists, a classical and other current, I will choose  Alton Ellis and Bitty Mclean.

What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Our first 3 dubplates was recordedby U-Brown after he performed  alongside the sound system in Barcelona and Madrid and we still play it. I think it was in 2000.

Any last words?

Thanks for contacting us

If you want to know more about us please visit the website of Sound:

www.nyahbingisound.com

www.myspace.com/nyahbingisound

Like the web of NBC (Nyahbingi Crew):

www.nyahbingicrew.com

www.myspace.com/nyahbingicrew

Thanks

Greetings!

Jordi “Leggo” Gramunt

Nyahbingi Sound

You can check the first edition of their 100% Dubplate Mix CD by clicking the covers:

Young, gifted and baaad #11

Alright, it’s interview time again!

This time we feature a young sound from the southwest of germany, that want to promote the real way of playing a sound to the audience. Talking bout big soundsystems, racks full up with effect-units, live chanting inna rasta way and so on.

As you already read a while ago, this sound was the initial inspiration for Sting like a Bee to start play Dances, so Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for the mighty Ganja Riddim Sound from Pforzheim, Germany

# Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

Greetings & Love! This is Ganja Riddim Sound, founded in Pforzheim and now based in Karlsruhe, Southwest Germany. We see ourselves as a humble but heavy Roots & Dub Sound and try to help establishing the Roots & Dub culture here in (southwest) Germany. Although we wouldn’t describe ourselves as 100% Rastas we are inspired by the idea and livity of Rastafari. Spreading Jah love & message and positive & upfull vibes to the audience is our aim.
Right now we are 2 active members: Jan & Alex. But we get support by different other people, especially Sebastian (Roots Ark Soundsystem) and Benny (Dub down Babylon / Youthstone Hi-Fi) in the last years and Sebi & Nic who help us to organize Sessions in our new hometown Karlsruhe.

# When was the founding of your Sound and since when do all of you djing?

Well we were a crew of about 8 friends who have been interested in all kind of “underground” music styles: hiphop, jungle and reggae. We started playing records and doing freestyles at private partys and organizing sessions at about 1997. It was not our plan to become a “Sound” (also our name was just a spontaneous thing – in these days we were only interested in 2 things, you know…), all happened through a natural progression cause there was a big demand for sessions like ours and everything got bigger and bigger.

# Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

We concentrate on deep & heavy Roots Reggae and Dub music, especially UK Dub. For us it is important to play music with a positive message, music we can “feel”. A lot of people in Germany associate boring and slow music with “Dub” – something we want to change! Heavy basslines and stepper riddims, powerful lyrics & chantings, crucial Dub-versions and top-notch productions – this is what we are dealing with! We don’t want to kill Sounds, we come to uplift Sounds & people!

# Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Well the most important Session for us was the first Roots & Dub Dance with King Shiloh Soundsystem (Amsterdam) and The Disciples (London) in 2002. The year before we somehow lost the vibe and interest in Jamaican Dancehall music. We got bored of the lyrics, the productions and vibes but did not really know where to go musically. And this Session really opened our eyes and ears. From that night on we knew which road we have to take sound-wise. After that we did 5 more Session with King Shiloh and last summer we had the honor to play in Amsterdam on their set as the first German Sound.

Other inspiring Session were trips to foreign countries like our link up with Moa Anbessa in Venice and playing in Vienna or on festivals like Irie Vibes (Belgium) and the Fusion and many other nights we won’t forget.

Another big influence on our Sound-mentality had several trips to England to catch the original Soundsystem vibes and to learn what it means to play Roots & Culture music in a Rastaman tradition.

# Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

For us it is important to keep on promoting Roots & Dub Soundsystem sessions. Therefore we concentrate on pushing crews which have their own boxes and equipment. Cause after all these heavy Soundsystem Sessions InI cannot do without heavy basslines and the special Soundsystem feeling –  who feels it knows it.
You know, it’s not all good what comes from The UK and what these Soundsystems do. The loudness for example is a serious point. We do not want to harm people with the music and it makes no sense to need earplugs when listening to music. But for us no Sound, no matter how many dubplates he got in his box, on a laptop or burned on CDs, can match up with the vibes of a crew with self build boxes, customized pre-amps, own chanters and special effects. Of course we also love to hear exclusive music, but for us it makes no sense to pay a huge amount of money to hear artists singing our name (which they do for countless other sounds in almost the same way). You also get exclusive music in Roots & Dub dances – in most cases this means unreleased tunes or one-away mixes you only get through a personal contact with the producers. This gives dubplates a deeper or more serious meaning in our opinion.
So as we did not have the time and possibility to run our own Soundsystem in the last years our big plan for the future is easy to guess: to build our own boxes & equipment and play the music we love in our own way.

# Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

As I said, King Shiloh Soundsystem was and is our big inspiration. They taught us a lot of the Soundsystem culture and the approach as a rootical & conscious Sound.

For the UK Soundsystem scene Aba Shanti I is InI favourite Soundsystem heard live, but a lot of inspirational Sound come from over there… Can’t miss out old Jah Shaka tapes and sessions/ recordings of The Disciples, Iration Steppas, Channel One, Jah Tubby’s, King Earthquake, Bush Chemists, Alpha & Omega and many many more.

In Germany we have a strong link to Dandelion Soundsystem with which we did our first “german” Soundsystem Session. They put a lot of energy and love in the music & Soundsystem and Ical Ises (Selecta, Operater & Chanter) is spreading upfull vibes everytime – as one of the first also in german language, which is an important development from our point of view. In general it is good to see how the Roots & Dub culture is getting bigger in Germany over the last years. A lot of crews are coming up with their own Sounds, Labels get started, and the cooperation between the crews is very good – also through the help of the website www.rootssound.net. I am sure that there will be a lot of positive development in the next years! If you look to France you can see what is possible for Roots & Dub Soundsystems in Europe outside of the UK.

# What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Our first dubplate was from a Studio Sessison with Ras Abraham and Jah Sesco from times where you could not order Dubplates online! We did not play it for a long time, but maybe it gets a dub steppers remix some day.

Our first “Anthems” were Flowin Immo’s “Jaman” and General Levy’s “Wicked”, which mashed up many dances in Pforzheim and around.

OK, thank you for the Interview Jan and do you have any last Words for the Readers?

Well, love &  respect to everybody who helps to spread positive Reggae vibes, it’s not easy to do it on a proper level and takes a lot of energy and love for the music – still it’s well worthy! Of course special thanks to Way above the Level for linking up and the good works.

If you want to contact Ganja Riddim feel free to send an email to jan.hecht [at] web.de or send a message via myspace.

Also, you can download our brand new Mix-CD called “Bass Culture Mix” here:

Links to our older “Upliftment Mix” and “Roots & Culture Dubliftment” can be found on our Myspace-Blog.

Check out the coming generation of Roots & Dub Sounds in Germany… nuff tings a gwaan! JAH love and guidance & protection from Ganja Riddim!

Young, gifted and baaad #10

Yes, it’s true! We’re celebrating a little anniversary today with our 10th interview in this column.

Just been back from Salento and already have the next part of our Young, gifted and baaad interviews for you.

This time, for the first time, with a real hard working sound from the Netherlands, who keep pushing dancehallmusic forward since 2003.

People, please make some noise for the Dutch Delight KEYTOWN SOUND.

# Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

Blessings to all massive and crew, this is “The Dutch Delight” Keytown Sound, all the way from a place called Leiden ina Holland.

Keytown consists of 3 members: Ard aka Martial is the sound’s man on the mic, Leon is the jugglin part in the machine and handles all bookings and Marcus aka Senior is a selecta specialised in foundation tunes

# When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

Keytown Sound was formed in 2003. There had not been a Reggae party in Leiden for years and we had the opportunity to host our own night called The Glue Factory at a venue called LVC the same year.

TheGlueFactory started out with 2 resident sounds: Ruff-E-Nuff was formed by Martial and Senior,  One Blood Sound consisted of Yabba Youp and Leon.
MC and Singjay Papa Aya sang tunes with both sounds, Nieke, Marko, Jennifer and Julius aka The Chairman (R.I.P.) created all decorations for the party.
After a while Yabba Youp formed his own sound Crucial Warrior, Leon joined hands with Martial and Senior and Keytown Sound was born..

Senior started out DJing in the early years of LVC, playin Funk, Reggae and more.
From root he’s a musician, started out as a bassplayer but playin way more instruments.
Was part of a project called Rohan Lee & The Recipe wich he toured Europe with, also they made an album together.

Martial started out playin HipHop, Funk and Reggae by his self and  with the bredda who paved the way for Dancehall in Leiden DJ Wrok, playin at several venues in the region.
Later on they formed Ruff-E-Nuff, being a fresh follow up for Leiden’s foundation sound Runcome.

Leon started out DJing HipHop in Leiden’s local youthcentre BreeHuys, later on in Coffeeshop Bebop. Discovered Reggae and Dancehall music in 2000, lovin and representin it to the fullest from then on. He also worked in legendary Reggae recordshop Boudisque in Amsterdam till it closed down in spring 2008.

# Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

We play everything, from Foundation Roots Reggae to the baddest latest Dancehall and everthing inbetween.
A set from Keytown means you’ll hear tunes in a jugglinstyle, with every now and then a dubplate, backed up with decent speech.

# Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Baddest dance for Keytown up till now was last year in Pescara, Italy. We were invited by our breddas from Pure Love and Balooba, 2 rising sounds ina Italy, to come play in their resident club called Wake Up!. Club positioning is very nice, near the harbour of the Adriatic sea. Vibes from the massive were MAD!!

As for our own bashment TheGlueFactory in our hometown, the dances with mr. David Rodigan and Bass Odyssey were mad.. The 5th anniversary with Sentinel and Herbalize It was also a BIG party, Kim LaQueen was also in the place with a wicked performance, place full up, crazy night!

# Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

We try to keep our people in Leiden up to date with TheGlueFactory providing the best in Reggae Dancehall music. A few weeks ago we had our biggest party up till now, ting called “The Champion’s Week”. Saturday June 20th we invited Mighty Crown, Saturday June 27th Bass Odyssey was our guest. We just played at Herbalize It’s bashment Ring Di Alarm with them plus Jah Melody and Marlon Asher.

Later on this year we’re going back to Pescara and we were invited by the big bad Sentinel to come play in Stuttgart. Germany is definitely the country in Europe where we would love to play more so there is a big part of our focus.
Locally August brings a birthdaybash from Leon, Crucial Warrior and Papa Aya and in September TheGlueFactory line up is nice with Herbalize It, Balooba and Keytown.

For Keytown Sound the plans are simple: just promote Reggae Dancehall music as much as we can in Holland and cross the borders, meet good people throughout the music and keep doin our likkle part keeping the Dutch Reggae Dancehall scene going.

# Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

Speaking of artists Capleton is definitely our favourite artist from long time. As for sounds we rate all soundman, just because yuh do yuh ting! Personal favourites are Bass Odyssey, Mr. Rodigan, Supersonic, Sentinel, Mighty Crown, Jah Sound International, Herbalize It.

# What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Luciano – Stay Away on the Doctor’s Darling riddim. Beautifully voiced, for sure we play it.

#Any last Words?

Have to promote our breddas from outta Holland! These men make serious big tunes, so make sure to check out tunes from big singers like Ziggi, Maikal X & Joggo. Big up yuhself kings!

And just big up REAL people. Everyone who LOVE Reggae Dancehall music and livin a good life!

Thank you for the Answers Keytown and big up yourself!

If you want to check out some Keytown Juggling Audios make sure to download this two dances:

CD1: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GJZTDMLE

CD2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W8HC0ZTA

CD3: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CYX7ZEIV

CD1: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RYTCS73U

CD2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J2GU8WGS

CD3: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LS2DH5CC

Young, gifted and baaad #9

Well well, it took a long time, but I’m back with a new Interview!

This time we all take a look to the k.u.k. nation namely Austria and get used to the positive sound from Tragwein called

Good Vibration.

# Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

Well, this is Good Vibration also known as the positive sound from Austria.

The crew-members are so far: Highman (our Top-Selecta), Klopi (MC, Selecta, founding member and musical mastermind), Kutchie (MC, Selecta, Operator), Neule (Selecta, founding member, Soundengineer) and Rudy (Selecta, founding member, Management)

# When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

Good Vibration was established in 2003.

Klopi has been in the music biz over years and started djing around 1997, as well as Neule.

Highman – formerly Fireclath Sound – is selecting since 2000.

Kutchie is the veteran in the Sound – formerly Old Dog and Jah Power Sound member – spinning and operating since 1995.

Rudy has been listening to reggae music for a long time and started selecting around 2003.

# Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

We focus on reggae and dancehall, but Hip Hop, RnB and Soul are played as well.

Good Vibration is known for excellent juggling and speeches, perfect teamwork and the biggest and most powerful soundsystem in Austria.

In the early afternoon the crew begins stacking the soundwall for high quality entertainment, original soundsystem culture, simply jamaican style.

# Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Good Vibration has not been part of a soundwar till now, and clashing is not our first priority.

We`ve played  in Jamaica a couple of times.

These great experiences were really pathbreaking for us.

In Austria we have organized open air dances up to 2000 people and played alongside sounds like Bass Odyssey, Stone Love, Black Scorpio and so on.

# Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

Step by step, we don`t rush it! Always working on our performance and skills. In the future Good Vibration should be well known in the international reggae scene.

# Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

Selecta Bert & Soundsgood Intl, Stone Loves’ art of juggling, Zee Original Bass Odyssey, King Jammys Super Power, Black Scorpio, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Sizzla, Anthony B…to many great artists and Soundsystems to mention.

# What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

The first dubplate for Good Vibration has been voiced by Lone Ranger, and yes, we still play and enjoy  it.

Thank you very much for the Interview Good Vibration and good luck for the future!

Make sure to check out this 80min. Live-Audio of Good Vibration juggling.

Young, gifted and baaad #8

This time we feature a Sound from the east of europe, more exact, from Slovakia.

It’s the big, bad and bold Ghetto Youths Sound from Trencin.

The Founder of the Sound, Dj MeSs, plays Reggae and Dancehall since one decade and tries to spread the music all over Slovakia.

Today he’s gonna answering my questions.

# Please introduce your Sound and all the members to the readers.

Ghetto Youths Sound is the number one soundsystem playing dancehall-reggae-soca in the region of Slovak Republic and its surrounds.

We have four members, the founder Dj MeSs , Andyman, Dj Simple Sample and Dj Young J.

# When was the founding of your Sound and since when do you djing?

I have founded the sound in 1999, I can’t remember the exact date.

The same year is when I started djing.

Im going for the goal that people in Slovakia will know the spirit of dancehall, after 10 years, when the scene was down low to nothing, I can say, that much has changed, altough its hard to compare with western states of Europe.

The city that I come from lacks various cultural aspects, there aren’t many immigrants, that would raise interest of the population in dancehall and reggae culture as such.

In Slovakia, mainly the younger generation of people listens to Dancehall-Reggae, so I hope I can see, that in another 10 years the scene will be in a different place.

# Can you describe which style your sound plays mostly?

I play mainly dancehall, reggae and in mean time soca, which is all well
accepted in the audience.

Dancehall remains top! We have no border in inclining to hip-hop, r’n'b and reggaeton.

# Please tell me about the most important cornermarks in the sounds history, like clashes, the baddest dances, etc.

Slovakia is a country with not so many soundsystems and definitely not those which would play dubplates.

Therefor our Sound as such didn’t yet
take part in a clash, altough I, by myself, did it twice.

I have been in the final rounds of two “45 Clash”, which where based in Prague (Czech republic).

Both times I got myself up to the final round, and even though I could claim my stand, I wasn’t the winner, that the crowd selects – they gave the praise rather to their homie Dj – so the prize stayed in Prague.

In Slovakia we have organized the first clash “One Will Survive”, where Djs stood against each other, but we as the organizing party didn’t attend as a sound – in this form we made a perfect neutral ground – and playing in your own city wouldn’t be fair against the odds.

Concerning gigs, we are doing what we can, to bring in the best of the sounds that are abroad – altough we have to go under the conditions our country offers.

We have played alongside Soundbwoys Destiny (DE), Blessed Love (DE), Bad Fish (AT), Straight Up (FR) and with artist like Million Stylez, 3gga, Buddha Monk, and many others so far.

Dj Simple Sample along with his friends, organizes now the second sequel of reggae festival called Uprising, which was highly favoured the first year and took the scene a big step further.

A year ago, I, together with my team, have raised “Most High
Magazine & Records“, webportal, recording and producing
studio, which cares about our mixtapes and brings in the news about
Caribbean music, interviews with artists, sounds and lots of stuff, more to come…

# Which plans do you have for your sound in the near future and what are the real longtime plans for it?

Shortterm and longterm plans are roughly the same, we enjoy djing,
increasing our dubplates library alongside with putting out mixtapes,
which we produce in the last few months in rapid firing.

We opt for having even more fans, not only for our sound, but for dancehall
generaly.

Wanting the culture to grow in form and the people to grow into more love, of what we love.

It is a long way, our sound has been working for 10 years without a break and I hope that we will succeed in another ten, entertaining the people in parties.

This journey, we take it as a mission!

Right now, Dj Simple Sample is getting the “Uprising
Mixtape” done and Im about to finish “Most High Mixtape vol.3″
alongsinde the third sequel of well fit “Socaration”.

Stay tuned!

# Which persons, sounds, artists have influenced you musicallywise?

I am only answering this question for myself now.

When I was about 14 years old, the first time I found myself at a reggae party, Dj Ras Domcek was playing (at that time it was one of the first reggae parties). He is the first slovak reggae Dj and still performs.

This man charmed me so much, that the same year I’ve made a visit to Jamaica and I started to build the base of the sound.

There are a lot of sounds and artist that inspired me and influenced me, but I am talking about who opened my eyes and showed me the way that I was supposed to go with my life.

Big Respect for all the sounds and artist, that spread the positive
message.

# What was the first dubplate you ever voiced, and do you still play it?

Of course I can not forget the first plate!

In Montego Bay I have met an artist named Brilliant, who voiced my first dubplate.

From that time I started to collect dubplates and for long time I was the only in wholeplace to do that.

I used to play this dub for a nice part, but now-a-days I only pick it up for memories, but definitely will play it once more, when the right time comes.

OK, thank you for the Interview and I wish you all the best for the Sound in the future!

If you want to check out some of the sound mix cds, don’t hesitate and click the covers to download.

Dj MeSs presents Lee’tal Mixtape 2008

Socaration presented by Dj MeSs 2008

Socaration 2 presented by Dj MeSs 2008

Most High Mixtape vol.1 presented by Dj MeSs & Dj Simple Sample 2009

Rising To The Top Mixtape 2009

Most High Mixtape vol.2 presented by Dj MeSs & Dj Young J 2009