The hop fields of Paddock Wood in Kent, for so many years a site for seasonal pickers balanced on stilts, will this summer be filled with towering piles of speaker boxes.
One of the greatest collections of traditional sound systems will be “stringing up” in the Garden of England, offering a rare chance to experience a music form that is slowly being driven out by technological change.
Coxsone Outernational, Saxon Studio, Youthman Promotion, Aba Shanti-I, will all be present along with both Jah Tubbys and King Tubbys. So too will Unity and Channel One. Most of the cream of British proponents of the Jamaican art of sound system – all on one farm.
We tend to think of the sound system as an urban phenomenon, the speakers stacked high on a street corner at Notting Hill carnival or a similar big city event. But the culture’s origins are also in the Jamaican countryside, as touring night-clubs that would play under the stars on the village green, or “lawn” to use the sound system vernacular.
“From their beginnings in Jamaica, sound systems have existed in outside locations and the English countryside is a perfect place to hear them,” says Dan Wiltshire, managing director of the One Love Festival, who has brought all the systems together in a rural setting. “So you have the sights, the smells and most importantly the sound of reggae music which you can literally feel as it comes off these big speakers. It’s multi-sensory overload.” ' The independent
Legendary Producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee confirmed
We are very pleased to announce confirmation of Prolific Reggae Producer Bunny Lee will be conducting a very special Q&A session at this years event. Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee is one of the most influential and pivotal producers in the history of Jamaica, and the history of popular music. With a career spanning over 40 years, his contribution is undeniable: breaking some of reggae’s biggest names, having a literal and metaphorical hand in the creation of dub, and pioneering the deejay sound that would later form the backbone of rap music.
Rastamouse Confirmed for Children’s Area
RastaMouse will be making a appearance over the weekend at this years Childrens and Family area. Rastamouse is a cool crime fighting mouse who plays in a reggae band and through the power of redemption always ‘Makes A Bad Thing Good! The show follows crime busting mouse reggae band Da Easy Crew, who split their time between making music and solving mysteries for Da President of Mouseland. The stories emphasise the importance of solving problems through mutual understanding, love and respect, and without resorting to punishment. Rastamouse's ethos is redemption and not retribution — "make a bad ting good" — helping wrong-doers to redeem themselves from their mistakes.
Interview With Dan Wiltshire Founder of One Love Festival
http://unitedreggae.com/articles/n1033/071112/interview-dan-wiltshire-from-one-love-festival
Published on 17 July 2012 by Wayne Feltham
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