Pioneers honoured at Reggae Month Echoes of Sound

Towering, wall-to-wall sound boxes; zinc fences scrawled with graffiti and more foundation sound man, selectors, box man and dubplates ever present in the same space at the same time, were the ingredients which transformed the National Indoor Sports Centre into one big (covered) lawn on Saturday. It was the inaugural staging of Echoes of Sound, the advertised ‘dancehall event of the century’, featuring 12 big, bad, sounds in one venue, and since it was a free event, there was no need to try and beat the gate or shout, “leggo mi han gate man mek mi come in”.

However, “people are you reeeeaadyyyy!!!” was still the rallying cry and all 12 sounds from across the island – Jammys, Muzik Masterz, Sound Trooper, Black Scorpio, High Tension, Sound Wave, Presto Mix, 8 Miles Music, Super Strong, Klassique Disco, Swatch International and Jam One – were ready at the touch of a button. It was all systems go as the selectors displayed their skill in 15 and 10-minute segments, playing vinyls or using their laptops, and enjoying friendly rivalry, as the massive showed their favour with hearty gyrations and deafening vuvuzuelas or their disfavour with immobility and silence. Of course, there were the obligatory, “If yuh love yuh madda, put yuh hand inna di air!”, followed by a slew of Mama songs; and “From night mi nuh hear no selector bless Fada God. Who God bless, no man curse!” and a host of songs dedicated to Fada God and Jah. Then, there was also the declaration from High Tension Sound that, “Di whole a we a family, because we all have di same last name – ‘Black People’,” followed by Half Pint’s One Big Family. The big tunes were too many to mention, and so too were the ‘riddims’. Mud Up, Sleng Teng, Showtime, Taxi, Ole Dog, Stink, Answer, Pepperseed, Far East, Buy Out ane Tonight were among the riddims which could be counted as favourites.

AWARDS

Another of the well supported Reggae Month events, Echoes of Sound was definitely all about music, specifically the sound system, which Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, pointed out “is the only sector that penetrates every corner of the island,” because there is a sound system in every community. Sharing her own experience, Minister Grange, a champion of the sound system, spoke of her days dancing on the sidewalks, as the music pumped through her community. “I grew up on Bond Street in West Kingston and Duke Reid was just up the road from my yard. I danced on the sidewalk because I didn’t have a living room,” Minister Grange said.

Stating that too often, persons who deserve credit are given the flowers when they have passed, she declared, “Tonight is a historic night.” It was a night on which several individuals and sound systems were honoured with plaques for their outstanding contribution to the development of the music industry.

“[The music] that the sound system plays is not about the badwords and the noise, it is about inspiring the people. Nice up yourself and be a part of history. One love,” Grange told the sound system royalty present.

Among the awardees were Danny Dread, Jah Screw, Ilawi, Peter Metro, Yellowman, Burru Banton, Stone Love, Metro Media, Bodyguard, Merritone, Supa D, Silver Hawk, Jah Love, Xodus Nuclear and Stur Gav. And, just like at the JaRIA Awards, a few days earlier, gratitude was the name of the game. Most of the awardees were present, and those who weren’t, showed respect by sending a representative.

And, in such a convivial atmosphere, the still vexing issue of the Noise Abatement Act, wasn’t pressured, instead, praise was showered on the Entertainment Minister for recognising and honouring the sound system culture.

Notably, the work of late sound system titan, Louise Frazer-Bennett, was properly acknowledged. Her award was collected by Ricky Trooper.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com