This panel discussion explores the evolution of dub and home-made sound system culture, radiating outwards from its native Jamaica, guided by key practitioners in the field: the Jamaican-born music producer and broadcaster, Lister Hewan-Lowe, who brought Jack Ruby’s sound system from Jamaica to the US in 1982; Barbados-born producer, musician and sound system operator, Ras Kush, the Haitain-born record producer and sound system operator that divides his time between Brooklyn and Kyoto, Neil ‘Mad Professor’ Fraser; as well as producer and live dub performer Laurent ‘Tippy’ Alfred, a leading light of the USVI reggae and dub scenes.
In discussion with author David Katz and journalist Angus Taylor, these dub innovators explore the transformative power of dub reggae and sound system culture as sonic sites of resistance and subversion.
Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred, a native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, is a musician, producer, audio engineer, and co-owner of I Grade Records. Since launching I Grade Records in 2001, Tippy I has produced, recorded, and mixed over 30 albums with a range of roots reggae artists including... Read More →
Lister Hewan-Lowe was born on September 26, 1952 in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn at the age of 13. Becoming an Island Records executive, he worked with artists such as Black Uhuru, and did PR for Bob Marley. He is also an accomplished painter... Read More →
Born in San Francisco but a longtime resident of London, David Katz is author of People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry; Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae; and Caribbean Lives: Jimmy Cliff. He contributed to The Rough Guide to Reggae, A Tapestry of Jamaica... Read More →
Selector Ras Kush has been an active part of the sound system culture since the early 1990s. His entry in the performing arena began with a sound system called “Roots Potential,” which eventually became “Black Redemption: Sounds of Praises” with the addition of personnel like... Read More →
Born in 1955, Mad Professor has been at the forefront of dub’s Joshua generation that followed pioneers Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby. As a boy, Neil Joseph Stephen Fraser became known as Mad Professor due to his fascination with electronics. He emigrated from his native... Read More →
Angus Taylor is a writer specializing in Jamaican music. He is chief editor of United Reggae online webzine, UK correspondent for Reggaeville.com, and a regular contributor to Riddim magazine. Taylor is a contributor of interviews and articles to a variety of other online and print... Read More →
The resurgence of a technological Maker Culture is undeniable, and Moogfest is a gathering for all those enthused by new tools for creative expression. This program includes a historical look at the evolution of dub reggae and home-made sound systems, radiating outwards from its native... Read More →
Friday May 20, 2016 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Armory