Highness Sound System - a reggae night out

[leggo rocker]

Years ago I used to enjoy going to the sessions on a Saturday night at a local Afro-Caribbean social club. A big sound system would rattle the windows of the hall as a sound man selected the latest songs and the DJs chatted pn de mic. It was great.

I wondered lately if I'd ever again witness a true sound system playing classic reggae from the golden era, the Roots- Archives era of the mid 70s to the mid 80s. I've been to a few dances lately and the music has been far too modern, so I was excited to hear that Highness Sound System played only roots rock reggae.

I chose to go out to check them on New Years Eve as they played a special night at the Golden Fleece in Nottingham. I took along my partner, Laura, so we could see in 2008 while winding our waists to the reggae riddim.

Highness Sound System is the real deal. Huge speakers were dotted all over the pub. These were being driven by a pair of massive valve amps connected to a Jah Tubby pre amp. This is a real classic sound system set up, a home made but very capable system. Once those big valves were warmed up, and that took about two hours, the entire building was resonating to the booming bass lines of some brilliant classic cuts.

The music was absolutely spot on. Real roots rock reggae. No digital, no ragga, just proper classic reggae. A whole lot of Djs stepped up to the mic during the session to toast along to the dub versions.

The crowd were dancing, smoking and joking without a hint of trouble in the dance. The session was rammed with young and old alike all grooving to the reggae riddim.

Sadly, shortly after 1.30 in the morning, a drunken dancer stepped down on Laura's Achilles tendon with a stiletto heel leaving a nasty gash on Laura's leg. I had to take Laura home and so I missed the last few hours of the session.

I had heard enough, however, to make sure I get along to the next regular Highness Sound System night. It's held every third Saturday of the month, at the Bodega Social Club in Nottingham.

If you want the thrill of attending a real reggae Sound System again, or you've never had such a pleasure and want to check it out, then get along and hear the lads at Highness do it the way it should be done.


http://www.myspace.com/highnesssounds

http://www.myspace.com/socialnottingham

[ras_gaks]

never attended 1, but there is one being aired in my country live from Tilburg...
Boom!FM, d crew-Irieginal n Ras Dré- plays deadly vintage tunes from d 70's n 80's!
it rocks my sunday afternoon....


ras_gaks

[Survival]

on radio ras gaks? is it available in zuid holland? wich frequency?

[ras_gaks]

yeah Survival,

not so sure whether it airs in Holand...
I'll confirm it from dem if they air over deh, then post it here.
u can check out their prof, www.myspace.com/boomfm2005

bless
ras_gaks

[Irieginal]

Greetings

first ..Big Up Ras Gaks for full stop support of we works !! really apreciated...as the i knows

and survival..am sorry but the show is exclusive for the kenya people dem .

Plenty people offered me stream on i-net but as oldskool as i am ...i truely prefer the exclusivity ..like we work now . i always feel that , when i start working on i-net, the personal feeling kinda fades away..... as i-net is a world-wide-ting.

BoomFmReggaeRadio is a special feeling ( for me at least) from me to the kenyan ppl ( eventough i've never been in Kenya i-self...yea yea Ras ...that really should happen in 2008 .....already working on that )

also the fact that it's only broadcasted on fm radio makes it more personal and in my opinion there would be no better way to serve the kenyan people with foundation reggae music !!

alright ...

stay blessed and more love

Irieginal

[leggo rocker]

I'm off to listen to Higness Sound System in action again on the 19th of January at the Social in Nottingham. Any other Roots-Archivers like to come along? It would be pretty cool to meet up there.

[ras_gaks]

mmmhh....
enjoy yourself n tell we wh'appen deh wen u back.


ras_gaks

[leggo rocker]

I will ras_gaks!

[bullit]

Thanks for the heads up on this sound, will have to check it when im nottingham way. tunes on the myspace seem nice too.
Sorry to hear about Lauras foot Leggo, hope she was alright.

[leggo rocker]

Yeah she was fine James, just no fun at a dance if you can't dance!

MightyZ and his wife are joining us for the January 19th show. Any other takers?