After almost four years of blogging and DJing, I’ve decided to call time on the Sensible Dancehall project. Over the years the website has promoted some of the best shows and promoters in Oxford and beyond, crossed the world to review other local scenes, and brought you countless videos, mixes and tunes.
From this platform, we set up the monthly Lord ‘av Mercy night at the Port Mahon before moving to The Library in 2011. This year the night transformed into Tun Up! bringing a stage for local reggae DJs in the city,alongside the larger tropical carnival night Pon de Floor at Oxford’s leading club The Cellar. As well as promoting these nights, I’ve been lucky enough to play shows with some of the leading names in the genre, including Major Lazer, The Heatwave, David Rodigan, Mungo’s Hi-Fi and Jus Now, as well as headlining the local House of Roots and Skylarkin Soundsystem nights, playing at Oxfordshire's legendary Truck Festival, Cowley Road Carnival, the infamous Sommerville-Jesus ’Last Ball’, O2 Academy’s Propaganda night as well as flying out to Greece to play a beach party. I was also asked to record a mix for Hipsters Don’t Dance and had my Latin American mix cosigned by NYC-scene-leaders LargeUp. You can check out all my mixes here:
As well as the live shows and mixes, last year I dropped the first little SD production/refix, combining the massive vocal of Ninjaman's Ninja Mi Ninja and Baauer's original bass-heavy 8-bit EDM of Iced Up. With a thousand plays in the first two weeks, it received critical acclaim, receiving airplay from New York's dancehall dons Federation Sound and featuring on the Mad Decent website.
Whilst the Oxford website output will hault, this summer sees the incarnation of Sensible Dancehall: Sydney, where SD contributor phatmattbaker has set up a similar hub of local events alongside international features from his hometown in Australia. As for Oxford blogging and events: vibes done. Thank you for all your help and support; to everyone that’s booked me to play, come out to party or simply enjoyed reading the website. Please support Matt's Australian project, and continue to ram venues across Oxford with positive vibes. Thank you!
After announcing the end of the Sensible Dancehall Oxford project last year, it's taken just nine months to dust off the headphones once again, having been asked to return for this year's Cowley Road Carnival. Later in June we'll launch a little competition via the Facebook page, as well as dropping a couple of fine preview mixes (business as usual!) but today we're having a little look back at the three years of SD prior to the hiatus. Enjoy!
10. Jus Now at PON DE FLOOR
Having launched in January 2013, our 'third Thursday of the month' slot at The Cellar gained quite a reputation as the number one dancehall night in Oxford, and we were lucky enough to have Jus Now headline out March session. Having gone on to have a Radio 1 playlisted track, massive carnival and festival appearances, and a career destined for even more success - if you missed it, you missed out.
9. Headlining 'House of Roots' Bank Holiday Special
Following the previous August Bank Holiday 'Soundclash' with the same promoters, I turned up to The Cellar to find it already packed with Red-I supplying a hefty selection of dub and reggae vinyl. With Paul Williams promoting the night, a longtime Oxford promotional monster and the man behind Dub Politics, Bassmentality and House of Roots, I knew what to expect, and the crowd didn't disappoint, dropping everything from Konshens to Kano. Great night, top company and fond memories of the Oxford music fraternity.
8. Playing Somerville & Jesus colleges 'Last Ball'
Following national press coverage in the lead up to the event (remember shark-gate?), a quiet start shortly turned into a rammed tent as the Oxford University crowd wined for the first (and possibly last) time in the lives. With so much free booze on offer, we were looked after very well by the organisers; my mate woke up in the flowerbeds and my other half cellotaped herself to a friend - naturally.
7. Hearing the Ninjaman refix on Federation Sound
Hearing the ultimate dancehall crew from across the pond dropping my little Bauer x Ninjaman refix on their weekly radio show, followed by a mention on the Mad Decent website, was pretty fucking awesome. Listen to the track below:
6. Hipsters Don't Dance at PON DE FLOOR
In what turned out to be one of the last guest PDF sessions, we were delighted to welcome London DJ duo and long-time peers Hipsters Don't Dance to our monthly night. A notoriously difficult time of the year for promoting club nights in Oxford, the punters came out in their droves and the night was a great success.
5. Every single Lord 'av Mercy! session
In January 2012, Ed and myself (above) took over the last Friday of the month at the then newly opened Library pub on Cowley Road. Kicking off at 8pm with laid-back reggae and dub, by 10pm every session had turned into a road-block, pushing back the tables, wining and daggering madness. Too much booze, too much bass, too much sweat - the best night in east Oxford by a country mile.
4. Truck Festival 2013
Having attended many times as a punter, getting the opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names across genres at Oxfordshire's number one music festival was a real treat. Together with Matt and Ollie, the Jamalot Sound crew looked after us very well, and certainly packed a punch with their rig and tent (above).
3. Supporting The Heatwave
After only a few months of mixing one tune into another whilst pressing down hard on an airhorn (giving away all our secrets!) we were delighted to be asked to play alongside another one of our peers, London based dancehall specialist The Heatwave. On the brink of their now global fame, having released countless widely received refixes and presenting their weekly Rinse FM show, it was a crazy night down in the Cellar, which seemed about three times over capacity. The success of this first big show, I later went on to play with fellow genre-pioneers Mungo's Hi-Fi and David Rodigan (twice!).
2. Major Lazer afterparty
In what was another ridiculous night, Major Lazer passed through Oxford on their worldwide tour, and the O2 Academy asked us to host the afterparty. With the crazy sold-out ML show ending around 10pm, we took over the front room for tunes through till gone midnight. Totally hyped, we spotted the entire Lazer crew vibesing throughout the night, not to mention all the punters that continued to wine and wave on a school night. Check out the rest of the photos.
1. Cowley Road Carnival 2013
"Pretty much the best day ever" - nothing more to add really, click the link for more photos and comment. Roll on Sunday 6th July where we'll do it all again!
So the greatest sporting event in the world started yesterday. Kicking off in Brazil for a month of pure summer football vibes, by now you should have your wall chart proudly on the wall, sticker book almost complete and fridge stocked full of cold Brahmas. Whilst you concentrate on the fun on the pitch we'll forgive you for overlooking the soundtrack to the summer, which is where we come in.
Mixed by Cardiff-based SD selector Ollie Castell, with contributions from Australia general phatmattbaker and Molassie in Oxford, we've put together the biggest baddest global bass soundtrack, featuring tracks and artists from every nation, with selections from across the globe.
After dropping the mix to coincide with the kick off last night, we've already received heavy signal from JMC, Serocee and Jus Now, cosigning the mix within 24 hours of it's release. Don't miss out: listen and share, and after 1k plays will give you the download link. Enjoy!
1) Intro
2) Cup Full - Gappy Ranks, Photo Romance remix (France)
3) Diablos - Panama BML [Lechuga Zafiro remix] (Uruguay)
4) Zlatan - Sanjin & Youthman (Bosnia)
5) Con Algo Simple Los Elimino - Toledo (Costa Rica)
6) Mongulu - Garifuna Collective (Honduras)
7) Homenaje a Justino - Grupo Socavon [Uproot Andy Remix] - (Columbia)
8) Persian Algebra - Sticky K (Iran)
9) Vengo Akay - Ritmo Del Ghetto (Chile)
10) Football Sample
11) Mexico - Mexican Institute Of Sound (Mexico)
12) Golden Sound - Zangalewa (Cameroon)
13) We Got This Ting ft. Roots Manuva - Riva Starr (Italy)
14) Meme Pas Fatigue - Magic System ft. Khaled (Algeria)
15) What's Cooking - Las Balkanieras (Croatia)
16) Going to the Dancehall - South Rakkas Crew feat. Catnap (Argentina)
17) Azonto - Fuse ODG [Jus Now remix] (Ghana)
18) Treaty - Youthu Yindi (Australia)
19) Tonight - Burna Boy [Murlo remix] (Nigeria)
20) Differentology - Bunji Garlin [Busta Rhymes remix] (USA)
21) Money Ah Dem God - Lady Chann [Weedy G Soundforce remix] (Switzerland)
22) Girl Fight! - Tigarah (Japan)
23) Badman Style - Mega Banton (Korea)
24) Football Sample
25) Kabaco - Christy B (Ivory Coast)
26) Corre Corre Ere - Karol Conka (Brazil)
27) Sound Of Kuduro - Buraka Som Sistema (Portugal)
28) Unknown Ghetto Punta - Aziatic and Griga Boyz (Honduras)
29) Football Sample
30) Shottas - A Tribe Called Red [Munchi remix] (Netherlands)
31) Enters - Helando Negro (Ecuador)
32) Sturridge Dance - JMC (England)
33) Bienvenue en Belgique - Uman (Belgium)
34) Give Me Food - Miss Platnum (Germany)
35) That Gurl - Alizzz (Spain)
36) Football Sample
37) Амфетамины - Ellijah (Russia)
38) Goal - Locomondo (Greece)
39) Zizou Outro ft. Mogwai - Half Time
Dub bass-master The Bug returns with his long-awaited follow-up to 2008's London Zoo in August, and if the little teaser below is anything to go by, it's going to be absolutely epic; click play and wait for your ears and eyes to be well and truly blasted.
In Oxford we are lucky enough to experience this LIVE on Thursday 19th June, with Kevin Martin on the buttons and Flowdan on the mic, downstairs at The Cellar. There's no advanced tickets (£5 with a flyer and £7 without, on the door from 10pm) so make sure you're down early as this is gonna be an absolute roadblock - check the Facebook event for more details.
'Keeping You Warm' on the Sensible Steel Riddim (Wiley x Sean Paul x SNSBLPRDCTNS) is the latest free remix/production from Sensible Dancehall courtesy of long time contributor and selector Ollie Castell.
Nothing brings the carnival vibes more than a big steel drum sound and since we first heard Wiley’s ‘Can You Hear Me’ in 2012 we’ve been longing for a dancehall mix of the huge steel drum riff, so much so in fact, that we cracked and just had to produce it ourselves! With chops, horns, shouts and sirens aplenty a pitchshifted and effected Sean Paul vocal adds the fire.
Last Thursday Robin, Ollie and Matt sat around with a few beers and three laptops then pressed record. Going through one mixer with no monitors, we went tune-for-tune and this is the result: a rough and ready mix of soca, dancehall, reggae, jungle and bits of Balkan, with the occasional Baker shout-out, bringing you the closest thing to a live Sensible Dancehall experience we could muster. Listen here.
Bringing you a summary of our favourite tunes from the last twelve months and a few exclusives (listen carefully at 46 minutes and you'll hear the next SNSBLRMX courtesy of Ollie), we've also tried to include those tracks that stand out in the recent memory (Tun Up at Cowley Road Carnival, RDX in Berlin etc). We hope you've had as much fun as we have, and don't forget to bookmark Matt's new Australian output coming your way via Sensible Dancehall: Sydney.
Back in March last year, one of dancehall's most prolific and much-loved artists Ninjaman was released on bail from prison. To the relief of the bashment fraternity, a year later he produced arguably the track of 2013: Ninja Mi Ninja proving once again he's firmly back in the game. At the same time, American EDM producer Baauer was rattling off some of the heaviest bass tracks on the Mad Decent roster. Whilst we all know the song that became 'meme of the decade', the Brooklyn-based button-basher had previously dropped the incredible Iced Up. Today, we are delighted to bring you the first SNSBLRMX: Ice Up Mi Ninja.
Last weekend Gerard, Ollie and Matt slugged it up to Derbyshire through some hard rain to play a secret stage at this year's YNOT Festival. For the full round up and photos, click here to be redirected to Matt's new brainchild.
Sensible Dancehall takeover the Jamalot Stage from 3 till 5pm on Saturday afternoon at this weekend's Truck Festival. Fresh from last night's summer party rave at the Cellar, phatmattbaker and Ollie Castell will join SD head-honcho Molassie for what will be his last show for the foreseeable future. We've got about a million whistles, a massive banner and without doubt the biggest summertime carnival vibe in the 'shire - make sure you join us!
Don't forget we're back in OX1 tonight to nice up The Cellar with our Sensible Dancehall Summer Party. It's gonna be great fun, with phatmattbaker and Ollie Castell providing support for Bristolian bassmentalitist Ironside, out of temporary hiatus for for one night only, brining only the best dancehall, moombahton, jungle, reggae and soca together for a guaranteed night of pure vibes. It's just four quid on the door, with tunes running 11pm till 3am. Get on the Facebook for all the details.
Next week we return to The Cellar for a one-off summertime party special with one of Bristol's most legendary underground bass DJs headlining the night. On Thursday 18th July, Ironside joins a host of Sensible Dancehall resident DJs for a night of reggae, dancehall, reggae, jungle, drum'n'bass, moombahton and all types of bass music in between. Having played a key role in the legendary West Country night Toxic Dancehall back in the day, Ironside is a member of both the [dissent] and P.R.A.N.K crews outta Bristol, with his finger firmly on the pulse when it comes to fresh future bass music. It's just £4 on the door, a bargain for four hours of pure Sensible Dancehall party vibes; get on the Facebook page for more details and check out his live set from the infamous Black Swan Dub Club below, opening with a Jus Now remix of Serocee: BIG!
Various selectors played big reggae, dub, dancehall, afrobeats, soca and jungle on the Sensible Soundsystem at Cowley Road Carnival on Sunday, but it was one track that will live long in the memories of those there. Representing the incredible vibes and immense fun we, and everyone who passed by, had throughout the day, the track, of course, was by Jus Now with this year's carnival banger Tun Up. Check out the video above, and more footage of our involvement in the carnival here.
So Sunday was pretty much the best day ever. In almost three years of running this website and DJing, having played alongside Major Lazer, David Rodigan, The Heatwave, Mungo's Hi-Fi and Jus Now, headlined sold-out Cellar nights, and run one of the most popular monthly residencies in the city, on Sunday I was lucky enough to live-out another dream and play a key role in the legendary Cowley Road Carnival.
None of it would be possible without Matt Baker, who organised everything, smashed it with the preparation, guaranteeing a very successful day of big vibes, massive tunes and thousands of very happy Oxfordians; big respect and thanks to the Kingdom of Jamalot guys for supplying the soundsystem and hanging out all day to make sure everything was sounding great throughout - make sure you get to their own stage at Truck Festival the weekend after next; thank you to all the selectors of the day: Matt, Ollie, Gerard, Rupert, Noel, and the Positive Vibes Crew; thank you to the Cowley Road Carnival organisers for allowing us to run a system and raising enough cash to allow the carnival to be back in it's rightful place: the road; and finally a big thank you to everyone that passed through, said hi, danced, jumped, blew a horn, got down low, jumped up high, hula hooped, skateboarded, whistled and helped create the fantastic vibe throughout the day - you were all amazing.
After the jump we've started to collate some of the best photos and videos of our soundsytem on the day - please pass on any others you have through the email or social networks. On 19-20th July I'll be crossing off another bucket-listing, playing a set at the legendary local Truck Festival; stay tuned to the website for more details.
Fresh from Sunday's amazing all-day soundsytem affair on Cowley Road, we return to the Cellar on Thursday 18th July with Bristol's legendary underground DJ IRONSIDE (BASHOUT / P.R.A.N.K). Ironside has been caning dancefloors for over a decade with the P.R.A.N.K. and [dissident] soundsystems in addition to his residencies at Bristol's infamous Toxic Dancehall and Bashout club nights, and festival appearances at Glade and Boomtown. Ironside unifies multiple bass genres and tempos from reggae to jungle and beyond under a common cause: partying hard! Support on the night from Sensible Dancehall resident DJs phatmattbaker and Ollie Castell who'll be throwing down dancehall selections and essential carnival tunes. Ollie and Matt are leaving town shortly so this is their last gig on the same bill and last gig in OX. We're going out with a bang. Get on the Facebook page for updates.
Matt & Ollie, who without we wouldn't have a soundsystem at Cowley Road Carnival on Sunday, modeling the SD banner. It's gonna be crazy this Sunday - we're running tunes from the Jamalot Soundsystem from 12 noon till 7pm on the corner of Jeune Street. Come down early and stay all day. Drink Red Stripe in the sun. Vibe to our tunes. Have the best day ever.
Check out this crazy footage of Jus Now at The Blues area of Glastonbury last week. For those with short memories, we invited the Trinidadian-infused-Bristol based soca-masters down to the Cellar in March for our short-lived-but-mad-vibes club night PON DE FLOOR. This Saturday, Jus Now join the hefty bill curated by Red Bull at this year's St. Paul's Carnival in Bristol. Make sure you head down for the day - if four of you travel on the train together it's just over a tenner each for a day return; get on it!
Then we're back in Oxford to prepare for Sunday's Cowley Road Carnival. There are a number of soundystems down the road (from 12 noon till 7pm) including outings from Skylarkin at the Bully, Simple at Baby Simple, and the whole community crew packing out the EOCC. We will be running our own SENSIBLE SOUNDSYSTEM on the corner of Jeune Street, playing the best reggae, dancehall, dub, jungle, world bass and global bangers all day, powered by the amazing Jamalot Soundystem guys. Make sure you get down early to kop a very limited edition poster (and t-shirt!).
This Sunday we'll be bringing Sensible Dancehall to the streets for the Cowley Road Carnival. With the fantastic help from local crew Jamalot Soundsystem we'll have a big rig in the first official spot on the road - right at the top of Jeune Street. We've got a whole host of Sensible Dancehall resident selectors and special guests bringing an eclectic bag of tunes throughout the day. After the jump you can check out our full schedule, confirming the belief that you really don't want to stray too far from our soundsystem.
Noon - Sensible Intro: Catch the whole crew going tune-for-tune giving you a taste of what to expect over the day. Everything from reggae and dancehall to afrobeats and soca, with everything in between. The perfect warm-up to the day.
1pm - Molassie: You’ve seen him alongside everyone of note in Oxford of late; David Rodigan, Major Lazer, The Heatwave and Mungos Hi-Fi, this is his last show before heading to Truck Festival. He’ll be bringing his usual high intensity vibes, dancehall, soca, and relentless enthusiasm.
2pm - Procession
3pm - Ollie Castell: Global electro head, he’s got tunes ready for the sunshine that include crossover electro dancehall hits that are guaranteed to get you jumping. Last seen nicing up the PON DE FLOOR dances with everything from bassy moombahton to wining anthems at The Cellar, you're in for some real worldwide bass treats.
4.15pm - phatmattbaker: Some Balkan badman classics to go with the electro and dancehall from across the globe, Matt's latest outing saw him play soca and bashment bangers alongside Rodigan-approved Bristolian 'next big thing' Jus Now. With a truly eclectic global bag in tow, Matt will also be holding up the jungle end of things as the situation gets messier.
5pm - Gerard Hanson: Fresh from headlining our summer Carnival Warm-Up Party last week, literally tearing The Library roof down, Gerard is well known in the local reggae, dancehall and jungle scene. He used to run Beetroot out of the East Oxford Community Centre and is a figure with a lot of rare dancehall classics that have to be heard.
5.30 - Positive Vibes Crew: Having previously played shows alongside Toddla T, Gappy Ranks, Roni Size, High Contrast, Dub Pistols and Gentlemen’s Dub Club, the local four-piece MC/DJ collective have been making some serious waves over the last twelve months, with shows in Poland and Spain. Expect a feast of reggae, roots, dancehall, hip hop and dnb, leaving no stone unturned through their selections.
6.15pm - Sensible Finale: Whole crew join forces for some big juggling and bigger clashes. Everyone on mic, airhorn till we outta gas, whistles loud and flags high; make sure you're at the system for the final hour of classic carnival tunes.
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