Nettie Hurley gets a good dose of reggae and dub at East London's roots night, Reggae Roast.
It's Friday night and Reggae Roast returns to CAMP with The Trojan Soundsystem to blast out the best roots riddums to all believers. I'm excited because if the last one's anything to go by, it's going to be great.
CAMP is a wicked venue buried below the Old Street industrial roundabout. It's a world far away from the drivers' Charybdis that spins above while stacked soundsystems pummel far below. I arrive early with friends who're anxious to pay the half-price entry thats on offer till 11. And it's definitely worth it as there's barely a queue and by the sounds of it the party's already buzzing. There's an earthquake trembling beaneath me, a reggae paradise that resonates freedoms and wisdoms from downtown Jamaica, all the way to this underground bass bunker.
As soon as I open the door I'm hit by the breath of a raging system that pounds me with everything I've been anticipating. It's the addiction I've come to feed – the sound, power and rawness of a roaring trunked system. What could be a better way to spend a Friday than indulging in rum reggae and some serious skanking? Playing tonight is Earl Gateshead, a wise, white dubplate connoisseur of a similar calibre to the selector Dave Rodigan, an old friend of his, and with whom he shares the turntable throne at their monthly night, 'Rootikal', at East Village.
Earl's roots reputation grew out of the soundsystem he planted in Soho's Dive Bar. From there, with his constant nurturing and devotion, he's continued to decorate the city's dub scene with his blossoming sounds. His journey speaks of complete dedication and his presence tonight radiates nothing less. Earl emiits a wise aura, which entrances me with a wash of admiration for the passion and love that's utterly free from pretence – here, it's all about the music.
Joining him on the decks tonight are Daddy Ad, Superfour and Chucky Banton. Between them they play a pick 'n' mix of reggae classic revival and dub hits that span the years and all the while MC Ishu dominates the mic. As the hours spin away the night continues to fill until it's completely rammed – Reggae Roast squeezes its walls with an eclectic mix of all ages from reggae rascals in flat caps to dreadlocked dreams and gorgeous girls.
It's always refreshing to see a night that welcomes such variety and there's even two devoted guys on crutches. Celebrating all kinds of roots music, the Reggae Roast residents, Exel and Moodie, play out a selection that embraces all that's dub-tinged – there's even dubstep wobbles as they drop the hit 'Jahova' by Rusko. They also introduce some new tracks that will be released off the Reggae Roast imprints label in the near future – all of which the crowd go crazy for.
The night ends all too soon and suddenly it's time to levitate to reality. I feel thoroughly nourished – roots culture lives on as the strong foundations of the music world and Reggae Roast is a night which wholeheartedly embraces this philosophy. Roots music is blessed with love and longevity. And it'll continue to thrive, thanks to nights like Reggae Roast.
Reggae Roast ressurects every month (or so) at CAMP.
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