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Leicester based Soundman, Selector and toaster, Mr Feelgood has been running dubplates, holding mic from long time!! He is a good friend of ours and you can still catch him regularly at various events in Leicester, he has a deep knowledge and background in soundsystem and reggae culture and we are very happy to have him on 5 Questions.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

One of my very early memories sound system was Fatman Hi Fi back in the 70s, in those days sounds ran on valve amps & when they glowed & warmed up the sound was indescribable 🔊

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

Record shops I went to were in Leicester, such as Herdle White on Evington Rd, Bobs Records on Berners St, Raddels Books Berners St, Anileys Records in town. Also spending days hunting down tunes Leeds Manchester Nottingham Derby Birmingham Coventry & of course London.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

My first record I bought to be honest difficult to remember really, it should be special & on display, in this case memory & time have surpassed me, however Nicky Thomas... Have A Little Faith 7" Trojan 1974 springs to mind, I remember purchasing it in a record store on Barhomeloe Street in Highfields, can't remember the name.

Dubplate is easy, Leicester artist Lorita Grayham 1988. She had a single released called, Young Free And Single, big hit at the time backed by Aswad.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being an artist yourself?

Inspirations over 50 let's keep it simple. The Godfather Daddy U Roy certainly had an enormous influence on growing up in the golden age of reggae music, sound systems like Sir Coxsone, Saxon Sound, Mighty Crown, Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti.

Following the whole reggae roots scene just encouraged me to build my own sound Ghetto Warrior & by that time with my record collection building up the natural way to go was to MC as well. The 90s I began to work on various radio stations which helped develop my mic technique to the max & even got an award for the best personality.

2000s got back on the roots scene with Emperorfari as the MC then later with Higher Meditation where Addis produced & released my first 45 Rootsman Sound, Addis also encouraged me to concentrate on writing more songs which I have done. So with my vinyl collection & writing songs the work has just begun.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

One of my best tracks happens to be a dubplate cut straight from Jamaica @ the Arrows Studio Kingston 11 1995. My link at the time General Shcreechie was in Jamaica hunting down dubs for me. All directions headed towards Arrows Studio, where he linked up with Tony Tuff as he started to voice my song, Jimmy Riley (father of Tarrus Riley) walked in the studio, suddenly General Shcreechie sized the opportunity & asked Jimmy Riley if he could perform a combination for Mr Feelgood, he of course agreed.

6 months later I was playing @ The Porsche Club Small Heath Birmingham where I faced David Rodigan. When I played the dubplate for the first time, the crowd went mad with appreciation & David Rodigan struggled to find a counter action & was truly stunned.

Since then we have sadly lost Tony Tuff in 2024 & Jimmy Riley in 2016. I think this has to be my best track because it's so unique, cut when dubplates had a real solid meaning & creativity.

Mr Feelgood Steel 🇦🇬👍🏿🏆

Founder of BXL Underground, long time DJ, promoter and producer, Thomas is one of the key figures in recent years with pushing underground music in Brussels (and he is a very close friend of ours for many years!).

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

My first experience was when I was 13 years old, at Reggae Geel. They had a dub corner in the forest where I felt the bass in my chest for the first time. I can't remember who built that sound system, but I remember the sensation very well, it was the first time I experienced dub and reggae through a sound system, not just on a hifi at home. The one I remember most, years later, was in Holland with King Shiloh Sound System. The wall of bass is what stays with me most.

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

I started buying records in 2003. I went every week to a shop in Louvain (Belgium) called JJ Records. I was mainly digging jungle, DnB, and dub at the time. DJ Wontime ran the shop and always helped me discover new records. Nothing beats the feeling of finding the newest promo.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Phantom Force - Digital & Spirit - Phantom Audio.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being an artist yourself?

Many people. From the early breakbeat DJs of my town to people I met later, like The Untouchables, Flatliners, J Robinson, and Morphy. They were the ones who opened up my taste to the dubwise, 170bpm influenced sound.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Dennis Brown - The Exit. A King Jammy production, probably one of the best dancehall riddims of the 80s. Dennis Brown has always been one of my favourite singer, lyrics everyone can understand, sung with so much soul.

▶ Listen: Dennis Brown - The Exit

Roos Dierickx is an up and coming sound woman in Brussels, pushing roots music and starting her production journey.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I think it was a free event by a local soundsystem in Ghent. It was super busy, but the vibes were really nice. Hearing the music you love on a proper soundsystem is a different experience altogether. For me, it's hard to put into words. I have so many special moments, but also hearing your own soundsystem blast for the first time, that's a different kind of joy.

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

Music Mania in Ghent and Arlekijn in Sint-Gillis (Brussels).

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Ijahman - Haile I Hymm.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being an artist yourself?

I've always loved music a lot, especially dub and reggae. I was always very shy about starting to play myself. But then I met Lars and Lore, my friends who asked me to join Solar Soundsystem. Still my biggest passion to this day. Still learning a lot about owning and managing a soundsystem.

But especially having fun while playing, and being surrounded by people who really inspire you and believe in you, that made me really start believing in myself and wanting to play my own selections. Later it expanded into experimenting more with soundsystem music myself. And also being given chances by people who really believe in me, my family from Saintklet.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Fire Is Burning - Freddie McKay

▶ Listen: Freddie McKay - Fire Is Burning

Fuelled by foundation jungle culture. Moved by the melting pot Driven by futurism, eclecticism and those exciting playgrounds between the genres, the eras and the flavours; Yorobi's been deep the laboratory since 99, forever studying the dark art of expression through beats and bass.

Magnetised to the movement through her own mixed heritage roots, her musical vision is one of unity, fusion and no boundaries. Whether it's released on heavily respected labels like Exit and Parallax; whether it's performed at nights such as Rupture London and clubs like OT301 Amsterdam (or any inclusive free rave in between); where it's broadcast on radio stations like innovative new radio platform Echobox or the legendary Jungletrain where she made a name for herself in the mid-2000s; Yorobi's selections and productions consistently create space for tempos, emotions and genres to blur and mutate with tension and release

1. First soundsystem/event

I started going out around when I was 14 in my hometown Groningen. Mostly to squat raves cause I was just too young for regular clubs.

My first rave took place when I was 14 (1996) and I went with my oldest sister to a squatted terrain where all these punkers and old hippies lived in trailers.

My oldest brother lived in one of those and was part of putting on that rave. It was the middle of summer and the day kicked off with theatre for kids and they had these huge boats filled with beer bottles.

As the night went on, the music went from live punk bands to dj's and all though I had sprained my ankle I stayed all night, sadly not dancing but sitting around a campfire and getting to know all these interesting alternative people. This introduction basically introduced me to nightlife and an underground scene and ultimately pirate radio, which I ended up joining in late 1999 as a host. I can't quite remember the first time I came across a dedicated sound system. Back in the late nineties when I started going out more regularly, they were certainly more rare in Groningen. But I suppose it must have been around 2002-ish and most likely it was King Shiloh. I don't remember much of it though.

One of my most formative raves musically which made me want to dj for real (and drum and bass/jungle in particular, inspite of it not being popular anymore) was going to Lowlands Festival in '99. I saw Ed Rush & Optical, Roni Size & Dynamite MC, and many other wicked artists, like Public Enemy, Gang Starr, Speedy J, Oribital, Atari Teenage Riot, the sound was just so big. I loved it and I just wanted to spend every second inside of it.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Hemmes in Groningen (now continued as De Jongens van Hemmes)
Killa Cutz in Amsterdam
Triple Vision in Rotterdam

I must have started collecting around 98/99 and as soon as I had a student travel card with free travel on the weekends I would go out to raves and record shops all over the country. One because there weren't many jungle /dnb raves around in Groningen, but also because you'd get to meet a lot of people and the record shops in other cities had more stock. My go-to in Groningen back then, would hoard records for their own staff and then the dj's they considered established and so it could be very hard to actually get them. It was pre-internet days or the internet was just starting to come up. So later on I also ended up buying a lot of Chemical and Red Eye.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Not counting the records that came on flimsy red plastic as part of a listening magazine bought in Hungary around '89, I would say my first records were "Battle of the Year" a record with B-Boy breaks and really amazing art work by Mode2, Flytronix : Archive and Eat Statik - Science Of The Gods (that last one is a bit weird, and it has like a few jungly tracks on there) I honestly had no clue as to what was what, I didn't have a lot of access to records or information in those days and just bought what I thought sounded cool.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being an artist yourself?

I'd say music in general was the influence. Its' capacity to change the mood and escape the drudgery and being happy for no reason. Or the way sounds just wraps a cloak around you, its' incredible cathartic qualities. It just made me want to be in that flow state forever.

My dad never supported me in any of my choices and certainly tried to dissuade me to do anything remotely creative.

My mom when she was still alive would tell me to stop banging the pots and pans (I was 3-4) and whenever I could find a piano or any musical instrument I was all over it, not that I knew how to play it. My dad decided that because he hated piano, I should also not play it and got me a recorder and his dreadful girlfriend at the time gave me "lessons" and so I quickly became riddled with anxiety.

I thought collating music together was fun and actually I used to record songs on music cassettes as a kid (I was 10?), so I don't know where that actually started. I would sit in the closet under the stairs where we had a double tape deck and a radio and I would just record songs or play around with the speed of the tape to create weird effects.

And starting out as dj, I started dj-ing that because I thought I might never become a musician/producer, after all in the Netherlands there were no female musicians' of note that I came across, who were interested in what I was interested in and it was mostly a guys' world. I never thought I'd end up playing internationally or releasing music.

I've heard of dj's like Kemistry and Storm and thought they were awesome, but never thought I would actually end up with even the remotest of chances. Female dj's / producers were an exception and most promotors were happy to keep it that way. I didn't live in London either or even in the UK, so there was that.

I suppose people who spurred me on to try and make things or thought me bits and pieces or let me experiment will always have a place in my heart. Especially thinking of my next door neighbour growing up ( she had a collections of almost broken synths and organs like old Casio's, not sure how she put up with me making random noise for hours) or this hacker who introduced me to Rebirth and Reason. And also the people who sat with me and made music without judging my lack of knowledge like Tim Reaper (though granted he'd make most of the music as he's a machine). Martijn from Noisia for explaing the very basics of Cubase 3 in an hour somewhere around 2004 and hooking me up with a cracked copy I used for a long time, it was the first DAW that made sense to me.

Inspirations musically ; rave music and punk/grunge because of its' raw & incredible energy, like that music video for "No Good" by the Prodigy or Skunk Anansie, Rage Against the Machine etc. etc. The nineties just had such excellent range in terms of styles of music and counter cultures to listen to and were incredibly formative. I owe a lot of my music choices to the older brother or my friend next door who could go to raves and concerts when I was still too young and sharing his musical taste. I looked up to him a lot because inspite of his handicap (no fully formed under arms) he would climb walls and spray them full of grafiti and go to raves.

I listened to Music For The Jilted Generation - Prodigy on repeat for years on end as well as Mezzanine - Massive Attack (one of my faves still). Coldcut – Journeys By DJ: Coldcut (70 Minutes Of Madness) was just entrancing, I could just put this on and be gone. Another friend of mine had tapes with all these incredibly deep and spacey (I suspect) Lee Perry, King Tubby and Mad Professor tapes which I had borrowed and I would listen to that a lot as well. Bjork, Tricky, Goldies' Inner City Life on MTV The Black Dog, copied rave tapes of tapes I had no idea who the artist was, and down the road I re-discovered jungle and drum and bass via Roni Size Reprazent. Obviously the list goes on and way deeper than just this, but what I think it all has in common is that most of this music has some sort of own soul or character, made by people who needed to make just that. And that freedom and authenticity is something I strive for.

5. One of the best tracks of all time

Narrowing it down to just jungle/ dnb and because I've already mentioned Trace's remix of Babylon too many times: Breakage - Trance, Djrum - Plantain, Aphex Twin - 54 Cymru Beats

▶ Listen: Breakage - Trance
▶ Listen: Djrum - Plantain
▶ Listen: Aphex Twin - 54 Cymru Beats

Ant TC1 is a DJ, producer and the founder of Dispatch Recordings, one of drum & bass' leading independent labels. Active in the scene for over 20 years, he's known for his deep, uncompromising sound and has released music on labels including Metalheadz, CIA, Critical and Samurai Music, while performing at clubs and festivals around the world.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I was 13 (maybe just turned 14, it's hard to recall), me and a friend got on a train from Huddersfield to Sheffield to a rave that was for 16's and over (pretty sure it was at the old Wicker Arches). We got in with fake ID, we'd lied to our parents and said we were staying over at each other's houses. We knew we'd get away with it as our parents didn't know each other, as he was literally the first other kid I got to know at school who got into rave music around the time when I did. We decided to go not long after becoming mates.

It was actually really crap as a first experience. It was an all nighter and we couldn't afford a taxi back, we were already booked on the National Express for around 7am, and I think it finished around 8am even. We went fully expecting the rave of our lives but it weren't that great overall, we got ripped off on 2 pills we bought for about a tenner each too (which didn't do anything) and had no money left on us for the rest of the night after that.

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

Fulcrum and Fourth Wave in Huddersfield, Eastern Bloc in Manchester. Thanks always out to Mark XTC and Marcus Intalex RIP, who always looked after me and a mate in there given we pestered them for the freshest 12's literally every Saturday for years.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

That's a tough one to remember, I'm gonna skip the New Kids On The Block late 80's 7's I bought when I was maybe 10 years old and give you something more credible that I got into which I still feel to this day led me into the genre I'm so deeply involved in now. Eon's "Spice" was a definite very early one I remember buying. It's hard to define one clear one as I literally got my paper round money at the end of each week and had enough to buy 3 12's, there were always more I wanted to buy of course, just didn't have the money or had to get them later. I developed a love generally for what I learned, as I went along, was a genre called Acid House. I'd say this record was one of the early ones I bought that led me into buying more in that style, in an unconscious way. That was the good thing about the person behind the record shop counter, even if I wasn't sure what I was into or knew any of the names that well they could easily work out what else you might like off the back of that one you just bought.

A lot of those early Acid House records I went insane for at such a young age still sound great to me today.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being an artist yourself?

N-Joi live (at Quadrant Park in 1990) on a recorded tape just absolutely hooked me in to again something hard to describe, as some people would refer to this as the back end of acid house, others would call it rave / piano rave. I just followed what I loved hearing and I think what did it upon playing this tape was hearing the crowd go utterly insane along to a track I knew of already. Still gives me the shivers just thinking back to the feeling, that was it for me.

Another hugely influential artist who defined my being into rave / early jungle was Grooverider. Getting the tape recording of his '92 set at Donnington Park as a 13 year old had me taking his recorded set from the 6 pack to the record shop to play it in there and try track down the songs he was playing to buy them. I remember hearing Jonny L's "Hurt You So" (a tune I knew of already) mixing in as the 2nd tune and it absolutely blew my mind as I'd never heard a DJ mix. I was already massively into this music but only ever knew it as single tracks, saw videos on TV, heard on radio etc, but I'd never heard someone mix 2 records together in this way. I remember even asking the guy at the record store "How does he do this, I don't get it?", walked out of there deciding I had to now get a Saturday market job (on top of the 3 paper rounds) to save up and buy some decks so I could "be as good as that Grooverider guy one day."

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Hardest question yet! Pennywise "Neuromancer" or pretty much anything by Shades Of Rhythm, those 3 might just top the best to ever do it for me, it's so hard to say though, there's been so much talent out there doing this all so well in all the time I've been into it all.

▶ Listen: Neuromancer - Pennywise
▶ Listen: Shades Of Rhythm - Sound Of Eden

Photo credit: Justin Ness / Provoc

Crazy Bank is a UK garage producer, DJ and the driving force behind Blahh Records. With a sound rooted in the golden era of UK garage while embracing modern production. Through both his own music and Blahh Records, Crazy Bank has remained dedicated to keeping the underground garage sound alive for a new generation of listeners and DJs.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I remember planning a big night out with the lads, one of our first nights out clubbing in London. We bought tickets for a party called "Rave Of The Decade", think it was in Walthamstow, probably 1991. There was about twenty people there so bit of an anti climax, but amazingly Debbie Malone did a PA of "Rescue Me" so it was definitely worth it!

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

When I left school I got a job in a trading room near Piccadilly Circus, just a short lunch time walk from some of the greatest record shops on earth like Black Market. Spent far too long almost every day going from one West End vinyl empire to another!

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First proper records I bought were Unique 3 - The Theme and Renegade Soundwave - The Phantom, from Hitman Records in Brewer Street. Didn't cut any dubplates at that time, but I remember a few years later leaving a couple of copies of "Your Love" for Karl and Matt from TuffJam (and one for Frances James) with Keith at JTS who used to arrange our pressing for us.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

Too many to mention, but definitely Masters At Work. Obsessed with drums more than anything so was always into those early MAW beats. Todd Terry, 95 North, Mentalinstrum and Mood II Swing were always a source of inspiration.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

I'd give a different answer every day to this question! I mean I just heard F.S.O.L's Papua New Guinea on the radio, how about that for starters! Drums wise, in terms of house music, MAW's remix of Trey Lorenz is simply the best in my opinion!

▶ Listen: F.S.O.L - Papua New Guinea
▶ Listen: Trey Lorenz - Photograph Of Mary (Masters At Work Dub)

A respected DJ, collector and long-time figure on the Northern soul scene, Adam became known for championing the modern side of soul throughout the early to mid-1980s. He DJ'd at many of the biggest all-nighters of the era, including the legendary Top Dog Soul Club in Stafford, and was also a resident for the Central England Soul Club at venues such as Nottingham and Leicester.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

Northern Soul all-nighter, Coalville Tiffany's, aged 15, 1978.

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

1979, Selecta Disc, Silver Street, Leicester. Only record shop that stocked imported American records. However, I purchased my first 45 aged 13.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First serious record I bought was Velvet Satins - "Nothing Can Compare To You" (General America, a 70s bootleg of the super rare original). Purchased at Selecta Disc for £1.50.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

I started buying 7" records when I was 12 years old, I was always gonna DJ. As far as influences and inspirations, I'm not sure. Colin Curtis, Sean Hampsey and Richard Searling all played a part, but myself and Keb Darge came up through the Northern Soul ranks at the same time, both vinyl fanatics with a thirst for discovering the undiscovered, so we both influenced and encouraged each other over the years.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

That's a tough ask, too many, too many, but: Detroit Sound Of Friction - I'm Leaving You. This is a super hard 7" and I finally own an original demo copy.

▶ Listen: Detroit Sound Of Friction - I'm Leaving You

Adam In Action

See Adam in action at the Leicester Oddfellows All-Nighter, February 17th/18th 1984.

A long-time DJ and producer, Lewis has been immersed in drum & bass, jungle and sound system culture since the late '90s. From digging through Bournemouth's record shops to cutting dubplates at Music House, which eventually led him to become a cutting engineer himself.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

The first proper event I went to would have been Destiny at the Fire Station in Bournemouth around 2002. I vividly remember being down the front for Mampi Swift's set, doing some mad double drops on dubplates.

But my first proper sound system event was University of Dub at Scala. They used to put on regular clashes there, and I had only recently moved to London when a few of my mates took me along. It was a proper spiritual experience seeing Aba Shanti-I there. Serious bass weight!

2. Your go-to record shops in those early days?

I've been buying records for so long now, but my go-to shops back in the early days, around 1997/1998 onwards, were all in Bournemouth.

Destiny Records on Old Christchurch Road was right at the top of the hill. This was the go-to shop for drum & bass and happy hardcore back then, and I would go every Friday after work and spend about half my wages on records. Before that, I was buying tape packs while I was still at school.

Avid Records up in the Triangle was also a big shop for me. They always had loads of killer second-hand drum & bass and jungle in there, along with new releases on promo. I miss that shop and getting the bus into town on a Saturday. I remember they had loads of Tom & Jerry records in there back in the early 2000s, and they were cheap! I was so into Bad Company and RAM stuff then that I flicked straight past them. I massively regret that now!

Last but not least was Standout, just down the hill from Destiny Records. I remember buying the Bad Company remix of Atlantis in there. Good times.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

The first record I ever bought was the remix of Reach Out by Zinc on True Playaz. I picked that up in Avid Records and I still have it now.

As for my first dubplate, I remember going to Music House in Tottenham, they're still there now. Leon was the main guy I would see there. RIP Leon! A total legend and a lovely guy. He was definitely an inspiration for me to start cutting dubplates.

My first dubplate was either a G.H.O.S.T. track or something I'd made myself, I honestly can't remember which now. But I'll always remember going down there and spending time cutting dubs with Leon. That's a memory I'll never forget.

4. Who inspired or influenced you growing up and coming into being an artist yourself?

For me, the early inspiration would definitely be Bad Company, Dillinja, and the tunes coming out on RAM in the late '90s. What they were doing at the time was incredible. That sound definitely switched me on to drum & bass and got me hooked. Dom & Roland from around the same time was also a huge inspiration, but there are so many that it's hard to pinpoint just one person or group.

I think, in general, it was everything that was happening in drum & bass back then. Listening to all the tape packs led me to buying records, buying records led me to wanting to DJ, and DJing made me want to dig even deeper and start making that music myself.

The people who've influenced me the most have probably come later. The people I've worked with and made music alongside have inspired me to keep living this music-driven life. Rico at SRD stands out, as does Leon at Music House. I learned so much during that time, got to see and do so many amazing things, and I count myself lucky to have had those experiences. I'll always appreciate those people for that.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Dillinja - "You Don't Know" (Logic Records)

▶ Listen: Dillinja - You Don't Know

Cessman is a South London based Dubstep producer and founder of label Dubliminal Records.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

That first Shaka session in North London back in 1998. Pure weight. You didn't just hear the sound, it moved through your whole body.

Then came the University of Dub at the Brixton Rec in 2005. That was the real education. Seeing Iration Steppers, King Earthquake, and Aba Shanti, the whole building would literally shake. It was a different era before the smoking ban, the room was thick with smoke, people lost in the music, often just collapsing into the bass. It felt personal, spiritual, and completely immersive.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Big Apple, Black Market, Swag, Soundfusion, and Mixing Records were the absolute blueprint for me. Back in the early days, that heavy garage run was exactly where my roots in the scene and my obsession with the sound of bass started.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

The first vinyl I ever bought was "Melody" by Masterstepz.

As for the first dubplate, it was a production I created myself and took down to Transition Studios in London to cut.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up/coming up into being a DJ yourself?

My father was the main influence. He's a musician, so growing up, I was constantly surrounded by his music.

I started out listening to his jazz catalogue, but then I managed to dig deeper into his collection. Finding sounds like the Twinkle Brothers, Jah Shaka, and Mad Professor, and moving through dub, roots reggae, sega, seggae, and jazz, and then later on into garage and 2-step. All of those genres completely moulded me into the DJ and producer I am today.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Wes Montgomery - Four On Six

▶ Listen: Wes Montgomery - Four On Six

DJ Paydro is a long-time vinyl collector, radio DJ, and a good friend of ours. Growing up in North West London, he was surrounded by some of the most influential sounds, people, and movements in UK sound system culture. Decades spent collecting records, playing on the radio, and immersing himself in the scene have given him a deep appreciation and understanding of the music and its history.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I was born & bred in Kensal Rise NW10, the early home to two of the most famous sound systems in the area. One was The Mastermind Roadshow, a soul/R&B based soundsystem that also played other stuff, and the other was the Java High Power Soundsystem, a reggae based soundsystem. Both soundsystems used to test their sets in the front gardens of whoever's house the equipment was kept at, you could do that back in the day and no one would complain. As a youngster I would walk past where Mastermind were testing their sound and stop for a moment to listen, then continue on to the park where you could still hear them testing.

The Notting Hill Carnival is probably the first place I heard Mastermind playing their system under the bridge, alongside another soundsystem called Rap Attack who played beside them in what was called the cage, a place where football teams used to play and practice in Ladbroke Grove. I would've been about 12 years old, going to carnival with friends and my older brother, who was 15 at the time.

2. Your go to record shop in those early days?

As a person who started buying records at about 12 years old, I would buy records from anywhere that sold them. Bluebird Records just off the Edgware Road was the main shop, but also places like WH Smith's on Kilburn High Road (when they used to sell vinyl) and Our Price Records, also on Kilburn High Road. Or anywhere that sells records, I dig all over.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First record I ever bought was either Planet Rock by The Soul Sonic Force, Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club or Ghost Town by The Specials. First dubplate I cut was Something Through You. As much as dubplates are what they are, I was always more interested in buying and collecting vinyl. Back in the day I dug for more white labels, getting them earlier than the general release, when having a white label had more of a meaning than they appear to have now.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

Biggest musical influences growing up? We could be here a while! In no particular order, and just to name a few: James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Prince, The Police, The Specials, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Minnie Riperton, Anita Baker and a bunch of other artists.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Dillinja - The Angels Fell

▶ Listen: Dillinja - The Angels Fell

Martin Frings is the founder of Stamper Discs, a Galvanic Development company specialising in the production of stampers for vinyl pressing.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

Growing up in a sleepy Cotswold village there wasn't a huge offering of events. My first introduction to live music was aged 12 where there was a monthly night in the next town over where 'youth bands' could take to the stage. A fantastic introduction to live music, stage diving and setting off fireworks in the park! Still to this day, I regard intent and enthusiasm as infinitely more important than musical "talent".

2. Your go to record shop in those early days?

Once again there wasn't a huge offering of shops within the vicinity of where a bus could take me, except for one called Kanes that had a £1 CD bin where I'd buy anything even tangentially related to punk. My vinyl awakening really took place when I moved to Brighton a few years later and shops like Wax Factor, Across The Tracks, Punker Bunker and Monkey Music Emporium were all scoured weekly.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Whilst I can't remember the first record I ever bought aside from a Beach Boys Greatest Hits CD aged 7, I do remember the first record I ever became truly obsessed with finding a copy of, which was The Limps - Someone I Can Talk To 7", which took me about 5 years to track down at what seemed like a fairly huge sum of money at the time.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

I wouldn't describe myself as an artist! But the international 80's anarcho punk world of fanzines, tape trading and direct action remains a huge influence on me. It's somewhat contradictory that a scene that championed the phrase 'No Gods, No Masters' would lead to me becoming a boss of a factory, but it all started with thinking "I can do", releasing 20 copies of friends' punk demo tapes in my bedroom with a cassette duplicator off eBay.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

AK47 - The Badge Means You Suck

▶ Listen: AK47 - The Badge Means You Suck

How Stampers Are Made

A short video documenting the stamper manufacturing process at Stamper Discs' brand new facility in Sheffield, UK. Shot by cinematographer Max Smith.

Born in Jamaica and later settling in Leicester in 1973, Kulture D has been immersed in reggae and sound system culture for decades. In 1976, he started the Jah Massa sound system, becoming part of the rich history of UK sound system culture. He is now still actively holding the mic regularly in Leicester and is a well respected, key figure of the local roots community.

1. What was the very first dance you attended?

King Tubby's in Jamaica, 1971. I was 18 years old.

2. What made you smile the most in those days?

The music. Those were special times, and the music brought people together in a way that's difficult to describe.

3. Do you remember the first record you purchased, and which record shops you visited regularly?

The first record I bought was Wear You to the Ball by U-Roy. The record shops I was always checking were Randy's Record Mart, Joe Gibbs Record Shack and Music City at Studio One.

4. What is one of the greatest memories of your life?

Seeing His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I arrive in Kingston in 1966. I was only 12 years old, and witnessing that moment is something I'll never forget. It was a truly special day in my life.

5. If you had to choose just one record, what would be the greatest of all time?

Prophecy by Fabian.

▶ Listen: Fabian / Prophecy

Tom is the co-owner and founder of Redeye Records, established in 1992 as an Ipswich based record shop. Redeye is one of the most well respected and long serving dance music shops there is, and we love them dearly! Shout out Becksie and Vicks.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

Bad Manners at the Derby Assembly Rooms. My Mum took me and we had to sit on the balcony as it was too rough and I was about 12.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

I used to go to Sadler Gate in Derby, there were a few independent shops there. I would get the bus from my village on my own and buy records and cakes from Birds Bakery. If you're from around there you know.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

In person I'm not sure, but when I was about seven and staying at a friend's farm, I know I asked my Mum on the phone to get me a copy of Boney M: Ma Baker.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

I would not say I work in music because I can't play or sing, but that's why I started the shop. Selling records was the only way I could be involved in what I loved. It was not anyone in particular that inspired me, just music.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

The Velvet Underground: Sweet Jane. To be honest I hate trying to pin down favourites but this is a good record.

▶ Listen: The Velvet Underground / Sweet Jane

A producer, DJ and founder of the Cosmic Bridge label, Om Unit has spent well over a decade carving out one of the most distinctive producers in UK electronic music. Never one to be confined by genre, his productions effortlessly bridge jungle, drum & bass, dubstep, footwork, techno, hip-hop and dub, while always remaining unmistakably his own.

From acclaimed releases on Metalheadz to the hugely influential Acid Dub Studies series, his work has continually pushed boundaries, inspiring artists across multiple scenes while staying firmly rooted in soundsystem culture.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

My first time hearing proper sound system was Notting Hill Carnival in maybe 2001/2. I forget who it was but it was really the first time I'd heard bass like that. Prior to that I'd just been going to the odd club or student event but this was another level. The first meeting session I attended was King Alpha and King Earthquake at University of Dub in Wembley, that for me was where I recognised the spiritual importance of the movement. The atmosphere reminded me of attending spiritual ceremony that I had done previously, but with this confronting and loud message behind it that was very somatic, about being totally engulfed and transported by sound in your body and soul. I still feel that way about it to this day.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

I started buying records in 1994. Being a young kid from Berkshire where the culture was just mostly "get a job, any job and make a family and you'll be fine", something as futuristic as jungle felt like an escape from that reality. I used to buy records from a place called Shoebox Records in Maidenhead, above a skate shop called Hard Edge, run by a DJ and producer called SDR. I also used to go to the Record Basement in Reading. I used to spend all my money I earned working in a corner shop on vinyl and just went all in, as it was all I wanted to do.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

It was the Tek 9 remix of "Gwaan" on Flex Records, 10" press. Absolute sound murder!

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

My school art teacher Mr Wallace. He was a musician himself and used to let me play tunes I'd made on Screamtracker and recorded to cassettes in art lessons, around 1995/96. I had undiagnosed ADHD and couldn't really concentrate. One time he even got us signed out of school during PE to go to his mate's studio and see how they made music. I never forgot that because it showed me how people could do something for themselves instead of following the "default program".

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Phew! Right now "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears! But maybe a "cooler" tune in a sound system context would be "General" by Dennis Brown. The message is powerful, giving up this idea of being "bigger" or "better". It's a classic for good reason and it speaks to me as a DJ and producer to remember not to see oneself as better than anyone else.

▶ Listen: Dennis Brown / General

A true pioneer of UK drum and bass, Ink has been shaping the sound of the underground since the early 90s. As the founder of Architecture Recordings and a long-standing member of the legendary Metalheadz and Renegade Hardware families, his influence stretches across generations of producers and DJs. Ink's catalogue remains one of the most respected in the scene.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I think it was Roller Express in North London where you could hear all the latest jungle and DnB tracks at that time.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Pure Groove, Lucky Spin, Section 5, Black Market Records, Unity Records.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Jonny L: Hurt You So.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

Michael Jackson, Wu Tang Clan, James Brown, Mary J Blige, Roy Ayers.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Bill Withers: Lovely Day.

▶ Listen: Bill Withers / Lovely Day

Red-i is a dub producer and sound system operator from Manila, Philippines. His bass-driven roots and steppers productions have featured collaborations with artists including Macka B, Ranking Joe, Tippa Irie, Solo Banton, Rastaveli MC, Ras Taro and Jah 93, with a focus on music made for the sound system.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

My first bass and sound system event I experienced was back in 1998 when Goldie played in Manila, Philippines. That was also my first time hearing drum and bass music. I remembered standing next to the sub bass speaker box and couldn't believe the intensity and power of the bass feeling in my chest. Most of the crowd didn't know how to react, some people started a mosh pit. I guess the Filipino crowd at that time were more familiar watching bands and didn't know how to react to the drum and bass jungle music. I also remembered Goldie had a rasta MC toasting during his whole set. The whole experience of that night changed my perspective on music. I realised the power of sound can have the same impact from a live band or electronic music.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Around 2000 I started collecting vinyl records and also that was the year I got into DJing just for fun. We don't really have many record stores around Manila but we have lots of thrift shops or hidden spots that sell second hand vinyl records for super cheap, like 20 pence. So whenever we go record hunting we would just buy random records and we would discover lots of different kinds of good music.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

I don't remember the first record I ever bought, maybe because we didn't have proper record shops back then. But I remember buying an MC Lyte 12", "Act Like You Know." The reason I bought it, I saw it had an acapella on the B-side. I would practice scratching and mixing it to different instrumental tunes.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

My Dad taught me how to play drums at an early age, that's been my foundation ever since.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

"Rise and Shine" by Bunny Wailer.

▶ Listen: Bunny Wailer / Rise and Shine

Spooky (also known as Spooky Bizzle) is one of the defining figures of instrumental grime. While many people associate grime with MCs like Wiley, Dizzee Rascal and Skepta, Spooky helped shape the genre from behind the decks and in the studio, creating some of its most recognisable instrumentals and becoming one of its most respected DJs.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

Very first rave would have been Carnage at Oceans. A proper sound system one would have been FWD at Plastic People with the Function One Sound System.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Wired for Sound in Hackney was my first. Rhythm Division in Bow was my go-to, or Uptown and Blackmarket in Soho.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First record was UB40 "I Can't Help Falling In Love" on 7" with some mad jungle tune on the flip!

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

EZ and Slimzee inspired me as a DJ. Pirate radio also had a big influence. Producing came as second nature once I got into DJing.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Jack Sparrow and Ruckspin, Good Old Days.

▶ Listen: Jack Sparrow & Ruckspin / Good Old Days

If you're into authentic UK garage and jungle, Persian (formerly Persian Prince) is one of the true underground pioneers. While he never became a mainstream name, he's hugely respected by collectors and DJs for his innovative productions spanning breakbeat hardcore, jungle, drum & bass and UK garage.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I was DJing at 12/13 years old at my local youth centre playing jazz funk and hip hop for the local community. By the time I was 17 the rave scene had kicked in and I had begun to DJ with my mentor MixMaster Max, wherever he would go, be it Dungeons, Turnmills, Raindance, whatever and wherever. Before that, it was a lot of house parties. Being from East London, there was always sound system dances all over from Walthamstow to Hackney, including the main parks hosting all-dayers. We used to go to Dub Club which would host different sound systems every week. I have a lot of different memories from back then including seeing Soul II Soul when they were up and coming at the Tottenham Cultural Centre.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

I spent a lot of my youth in record shops buying EVERYTHING! Wherever I would find one, I would spend the whole day digging (depended on how much money I had lol). On Haringey High Road, there was the first Music Power record shop run by Greek Nick. He knew what the youths wanted and made sure to stock the latest trends. That record shop became so successful that he managed to open another Music Power in Ilford, which was even more successful. You would constantly see famous faces coming in and out. From the top of my head, I remember Slipmatt, Devious D, MC Duke, Richie Rich and so many more.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First record I bought was Renegades of Funk by Afrika Bambaataa, or it was Jam On It by Nucleus. It was definitely Electro! The very first dubplate I cut was of my early productions, Persian in aa Babylon / Dub Called Lion.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

My main inspiration was MixMaster Max! He was a legend before he even started DJing, being one of Britain's first ever breakdancers. Still a legend! Respect!

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

This one is very difficult to answer because there's so many. Any music that has a powerful message or meaning behind it will eventually become timeless. One example: Marvin Gaye, What's Going On (1971, Tamla Motown). Every word on that album is still relevant today. The craftsmanship, writing, innovations, arrangements, subject matters. It's only around 35 minutes long but manages to fit in everything from pure musical talent to the serious issues of the time: social ills, poverty, the Vietnam war, drug abuse, climate change, civil rights, racism, love, God and the right to protest. EVERYTHING about that album is PURE genius.

"War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate."

▶ Listen: Marvin Gaye / What's Going On

Lavery is a jungle producer and the founder of Sub Code Records. His productions capture the raw energy and authenticity of early to mid-'90s jungle.

He has released on Sub Code Records, Meditator Music, Beigel Breaks, King K Rool Records and RS Turbo.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I don't know who it was that put on the dance, but it was at the Borough Hotel in Southend. I thought it was drawing to a close but then the bass came on at midnight. Windows were rattling going mental.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

Vinyl Rhythm in Southend, Soundzone in Basildon, Rhythm Division in Bow.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

First record: Mo' Fire by Rawhill Cru. First dubplate: Badman Nah Test / King of the Beats, cut by Leon at Music House in 2016.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

Remarc, Potential Bad Boy, Shy FX.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

Fusion: Love For The World (1993).

▶ Listen: Fusion / Love For The World

Ben is the founder of Dalton Chillies, a Hackney-born jungle label (which actually started life as a chilli sauce company!). He also works closely with Fushara, with whom he co-founded the Constellations label, releasing a range of atmospheric jungle and breakbeat music.

Ben has released on the following labels: Future Retro, Renegade Hardware, Skeleton, Transmute, Vivid Recordings, Heavy Sounds, Uncertified, Make or Break, Dalton Chillies, Meditator Music and Constellations.

Ben has been a long-time friend of ours, so we're super happy to have him answer our 5 questions.

1. What was the very first sound system session or event you ever attended?

I grew up going to small festivals. I remember seeing Gary Clail, On U Sound System in the late 80's. Dub/Acid vibes. As for clubs, Labyrinth in Dalston. I managed to get in when I was 14, so that would've been 1993. We had a lodger who was 19 and pretty short, so I used to go out with him and his mates. We'd send him in first in the queue and then laugh and joke "ahhh Nick's getting ID'd again!" and security would usually laugh too and flag the rest of us in afterwards. I remember seeing Hype and Mickey Finn that night.

2. Your go to record shops in those early days?

I had some wicked record shops nearby. Wired 4 Sound in Hackney Central, the Jungle Fever Kool FM shop at Leabridge roundabout and Ibiza Records up in Dalston. I was also doing flyering for a club night to make some pocket money, so I'd be hitting up the record shops around Soho and Camden. I didn't really start buying records until 1995 but I spent hours in them soaking up new music.

3. What was the first record you ever bought... or the first dubplate you ever cut?

Can't remember what the first record I bought was but probably something on either Metalheadz, Moving Shadow, Reinforced or Good Looking. That's the kinda vibes I was really into when I started record shopping.

4. Who inspired / influenced you growing up into being an artist yourself?

I was lucky in that my mum was working in clubs, so I grew up around a load of diverse musical people, DJs, producers, singers. I was doing some studio sessions with family friends: Solar Quest, Euphonic (Children of the Bong), Spring Heel Jack and Joi, more leftfield stuff. But from within the Jungle/DnB scene, I'd say T Power. His Self Evident Truth album is what made me sign up to a production course at college in 1995. Also deeply inspired by Photek and Source Direct for the technicality, and PFM, Big Bud, Carlito and Nookie for their musicality.

5. One of the best tracks of all time?

A track that will always spin me out is No Tomorrow by Mirage on Odysee. That's a guy called Tilla and Phil from Source Direct. The first time I heard it, it just blew me away, the way the beats seemingly collapse and pull themselves back together with the most subtle and beautiful little interjections of guitar. Then when that warm pad kicks in halfway through, it's game over. Still goosebumps every time I hear it, over 30 years later.

▶ Listen: No Tomorrow by Mirage on Odysee

We recently teamed up with Leicester-based Skie One to create this artwork, The Dub Man!

Richard, the founder of Skie One, is an extremely talented artist. From street art, unique hand-painted portraits, sound system carpentry and hand drawings, it was a pleasure to work with him on this project.

He is also the founder and operator of the 12v One Sky Sound System.