For you chance to win 2 tickets to the night, all you have to is answer this simple question:

At the beginning of the Woody interview is a link to dope Mini Mix. The question is when did he record the mix?

a) 2005
b) 2006
c) 2007

Email the letter a), b), or c) to: freerangecompetitions (at) gmail dot com

Free Range: Shogun Assassins Tour

Date: Friday 21st November
Time: 11pm - 4am
Price: £15 in advance MOTD (discount for Bass Associates)
@ Oxford Carling Academy, 190 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1UE

Tickets available from ticketweb or from the Oxford Carling Academy Box Office.
Tel: 01865 813 500

For more info on this event check out the Free Range Events page.

A member of the Free Range team will contact the winner via email.

1. Calibre – Carry Me Away [Signature]

Not a lot can be said about Calibre that hasn’t been said already. The term genius is usually bandied about and I for one think it is well and truly justified. A crisp rolling intro mixes sublimely into almost anything, and its subtle drop into a lush warm bass and haunting piano sample captures what the man’s all about. His tunes make a strong case for ‘less is more’ and although it must be said that his formula is a tried and tested one, the results are still beautiful, deep slices of drum & bass. The man really can do no wrong, and considering the amount of releases to his name that’s pretty impressive.

2. Dillinja (& Bert) – Lionheart

People talk about ‘old Dillinja’ and ‘new Dillinja’ as if they were two different people and if you didn’t know any better, you could be forgiven for thinking that they were. This is ‘old Dillinja’ at his absolute best, the man who could do things with amens that no-one else could, the man that made the most furious jungle imaginable, and comparing this to his recent ‘fast car’ efforts honestly brings a tear to my eye. This is 100% guaranteed to smash absolutely any and every dance floor across the land with its insane second drop, massive bass line and chopped amen. I paid a heinous amount for this on Ebay but it was the best money I ever spent. One of the prize jewels in my collection without a doubt.

3. Digital – Restless [Reinforced]

This is where I reveal myself to be a bit of a digital fanboy. I have more digital records in my collection than any other artists by a long shot. I love this man. I would have this mans babies if it were possible and I could walk around the proud dad like Arnold Schwarzenneger in ‘Junior’. He writes the biggest & baddest tunes out there, and this 2001 outing on the legendary reinforced is one of his best offerings. The intro is a DJ’s dream with its catchy drum rolls to cut in and out of the mix and the drop into a dubby bass heavy monster is befitting of Digitals ‘Dubzilla’ title. Massive in every sense.

4. Suv – Output [Full Cycle]

Whilst it was Roni Size, Die and Krust who basked in the full cycle lime light, Suv quietly went about producing some of the sickest beats to appear on this sadly now defunct label. The track is taken from the ‘Free Beat’ EP with which Suv developed the use of the ¾ time signature to devastating effect. The intro builds ominously with some bass weight to test even the loudest systems and it drops into an old school jungle style roller - definitely a tune for the heads. In much the same way I lamented the demise of ‘old Dillinja’, Full Cycle’s departure from the classic sound captured so well in this track to the ‘Clipzy’ sound it focused on at the end makes me cry.

5. Equinox – Ital Lion Luff Head [Intasound]

Equinox has been around a while but hes the leader of the ‘nu-skool’ breed of jungle producers and you can see his influence on artists such as Breakage, Dub-One, Nolige and the like. This track is pure equinox with its throbbing bassline, layer upon layer of crisply chopped amens and deadly second drop. Dancefloor destroyer as standard.

6. Drumagick – Night In Tunisia [Vinyl Vibes]

A tune that can work in large parts of Miles Davis & Charlie Parkers’ ‘Night in Tunisia’ gets a big thumb up from me. The intro to this tune is 128 bars long and its use of the aformentioned sample is inspired, making it the perfect first tune of a set as it builds and builds until the drop comes from absolutely nowhere, taking it from gentile jazz tune to bassy d&b roller. The main bass line ‘body’ of the song is only 64 bars long so you’ve got to be quick in the mix, but that again is what makes it so perfect to start with as it gets the ravers screaming for more straight from the off. And thats what its all about really.

7. Suv - Afromba Magica [Full Cycle]

Fast forward a few years from ‘Free Beat’, and Suv is still churning out little gems that seem to disappear under the d&b radar. You can hear the gradual progression toward the more jump-up sound mentioned earlier as the eerie, haunting intro gives way to a big squelchy bassline that does the business on the floor. One of Suv’s last releases on Full Cycle, but one of his best.

8. Cyantific – Little Green Men [Hospital]

Quite a dramatic shift away from the traditional Hospital sound with this release. Another slow building intro (I do seem to like those), it breaks down into frantic, sometimes glitchy drums, thumbing b-line, and wailing female vocal. Another DJ’s dream with lots of little bits to play around with in the mix.

9. Mutt & Outlook – Dreams [Xtinction Agenda]

Yes, you’ve guessed it another epic intro. Soulful female vocals, strings & keys all combine to add to the very orchestral feel. This tune is such a favourite because the drop, with its ferocious drums, is something totally unexpected from the build-up, much like ‘Night in Tunisia’. The theme continues throughout the tune and takes the listener (or the raver…) on a journey through a lush drum & bass soundscape like no other.

10 . 4Hero – 9×9 (MIST Remix) [Reinforced]

Everybody who buys records has these moments – you trawl through box upon box of tunes for hours until all of a sudden, BAM!! A diamond in the rough. I had one of these such experiences with this tune, finding it deep within the murky depths of avid records basement. A very happy man I was indeed, as this tune is an anthem in every respect. Marcus Intalex & ST Files’s classic reworking of 4Hero’s ‘9×9′ is the very definition of ‘liquid funk’ with Imani Uzuri’s unfathomably catchy vocal over some warm bass and rolling drums. Sounds good whether played out on a big system or through some simple ipod headphones. Quality through and through.

Words: Fonik

After arriving at 11.30 I eventually got inside at 11.50 and the club was rammed but I managed to take up a position with drink in hand and I settled in for Appleblim’s set. He came on at 12 o clock and entered at a restrained pace, minimal influenced rollers dominated the early section of the set and created space and atmosphere. The pace was increased gradually, the set moved into more up tempo territory as kick drums propelled the set into more overtly techy sonic regions. Detroit and deep house style chords provided a soulful edge to much of the middle of the set and added a healthy dose of colour which both soothed my tired head and kept my pissed body dancing.

Appleblim added some two step flavours into the mix creating an infectious rhythmic dynamic that went down a treat with the crowd and which led consummately into the end of the set, here the energy really picked up. The crowd had thinned and this created a more manageable amount of space within which to shake a leg as Appleblim dug deep into his bag and pulled out some stone cold classics, DMZ – Chamber (pure percussive cacophony) and Skream and Benga – The Judgement (a dark, two-step growler) were both in there and apart from absolutely going off, they also provided an historical tether to Appleblim’s futurist selection. By this time my dancing got more vigorous and my recollection got hazier (the two could be related) but I can assure you the set ended with a bang and at the end of it all I was very impressed with the way Appleblim built his set and kept the crowd along for the ride.

It’s a rewind, my dear

So my high hopes for Appleblim’s set were fulfilled but I did have two niggling reservations before I went out. Firstly: would the midweek student crowd be into Appleblim’s deeper take on things, secondly: would the sound system be up to the task of representing the all important sub bass of the music? I’m happy to say that my reservations were unfounded. The crowd got straight into Appleblim’s set and followed wherever he went, dancing all the way. Everybody was bang up for having a ‘spiffing good time’; and that, after all, is what these things are all about. The crowd did not seem massively clued up about who Appleblim is, at least not to the level you would expect at your average dubstep night, but this created a party atmosphere that was refreshingly free of train spotter chin-strokery. Although it did also produce some interesting misunderstandings: a special shout has to go out to the girl who wouldn’t leave my mate alone because she thought something was wrong when he was standing with his eyes closed listening to the music, and also to the girl who was confused after a rewind; the complete look of bafflement on her face when the music stopped was pure gold! A brief introduction to UK sound system culture and then off she skanked again.

As for the system: I was pleasantly surprised. In my opinion there is not a system in any club I have been to in Oxford that can do justice to the bottom end of dubstep, that considered I think the system at Baby Love Bar did a decent job of showcasing the tunes across all frequency ranges. So a success then, I would say, and with any luck this is an indicator of things to come within Oxford.

Appleblim is founder of the Applepips record label, co-founder of the Skull Disco label www.skulldisco.com. Dubstep Allstars Vol. 6 is available now from HMV. Find out more about Appleblim at www.myspace.com/appleblim.

This was a guest post by Interpolate

Now here’s the deal. Illustrate aka Ollie Bates aka Wheres Wally, has put in so much effort on this with the support of the mighty Headcount Records. We all know in this day and age how easy it is to download tunes for free. I’ll say only this, follow the link to the Suspect Packages website, give yourself a cheeky preview of some of the tracks. If you like what you hear, then splash out £7.99 and feel great knowing you’ve just made a sound investment.

For more Illustrate and Headcount goodness check out their Myspace.

Anyone who’s been involved with making music will appreciate how hard these guys have worked. I first got to know them when they submitted a track for LMFLH Vol.2 a couple of years back.  It would appear that the villages around Oxford are a hot bed of hiphop talent (take Reeplay or Random Hero as a case in point).  Anyways, 4 years of hard work later and Community League have just released their Community Spirit EP. It’s pretty special. I caught up with part-time MC part-time English teacher The Wise to ask him about the forthcoming release.

Easy, how you doing?

Que onda.

What’s good?

It’s been a good week, Community Spirit arrived at Opp’s casa yesterday.

Big. Tell me more about the release.

It’s an amazing feeling to have a finished piece of art, was reminiscing about all the times it took to put it together. Right now we are trying to get all our ducks in line, it will be sold on the internet and hand to hand.

So speak to me - why you so hyped about Community Spirit?

Because…we’ve been making music for, maybe, 4 years now. We have a lot of projects going on but 2 years ago we put our focus on Community Spirit, a collaborative work involving the whole family.

Creatively it has been great, sharing ideas and joining imaginations…not to mention travelling. These songs and concepts came about all over the world just because of how the League is spread out like that but they were all put together at home in The Shire

So who’s reppin on this?

The music is Special Opps and myself giving you our thoughts and tales in rhyme to the music of DJ Thundercat and Jokz. Opp and I worked together writing rhymes and bringing ideas and themes to the songs and, really, Thundercat put it all together, he is the producer. Jokz has some music on their and he is really a genius so he has taught us a lot and creatively is a great person to be around.

Lot’s of other people have been involved in helping the art to grow but those are the musical minds.

Augustus Rufff (known to many as simply Nick, jajaja) is the man with the vision behind the whole Community League. He always had it in mind to start a record label, he is a lifelong friend and one day wqe decided to start working at this and all the connections grew from there.

Well I’m hoping we have the chance to see some of this shit live. You doing shows soon?

damn, I don’t know about any shows any time soon you know. Right now we are all kinda disparate and mobility isn’t easy (for me anyway). It’s more likely we will be doing individual shows where ever we happen to be.  We have been gigging with this music though, a lot of people know the songs through live performance.I hope we can get together again soon, I need the guys to come down here to Mexico, maybe we can get some spring break shows popping or something?! jajaja that’s kind of a long way off though.

Me personally, I will be trying to get shows in my city and make connections here. I met a guy from Guadalajara the other day and he is into the scene there so who knows.

What tracks stand out for you on the album?

The intro track is one of the dopest for me, we had to set it off right. It is called The Garden Path…the funny thing is I loved the original version of this beat and was well opposed to Thundercat going back in on it but, shit, I was blown away by how he transformed it, he made the old one (which I loved) sound like I had made it on a toy keyboard.

Any anthems on there?

Ummm, maybe KONY (Kings of New York)…that’s like a national anthem right there, it is mad regal, my favourite loop we ever found. The story of that is simple, Opp and I were Kings of New York for 1 day and 1 day only…King’s for a day.

But, uh, I would say that Field of Dreams is really the community anthem:

‘It’s the Community’s roots and we branch like trees do
Not gonna fall off, no the League won’t leave you
The team is the truth
If you ain’t down with that bruv then I can’t believe you!’

Describe Community Spirit in 5 words

Postive Energy Activating Community Endevour

Haha, nice!  So where can we get our grubby paws on this ish?

Our shop is and will be ready soon (dunno when we’re going to press so it’s best to say that jajaja). You can check out another review and buy a copy here.

Besides that it is soon to be available in Oxford, New York, Philadelphia, and Mexico. Really this is where the work starts, the creation takes energy but isn’t really work cos it’s what we love but we are artists so selling and pushing it isn’t that fun. It leads you down some interesting roads tho.

Haha, yeah I learnt that lesson the hard way from LMFLH Vol.2! Links to yer sounds?

Yeah, check out my Myspace and also Special Opp’s.

Any thanks yous?

Yeah, thanks to you guys and everyone on Blunted who has supported us. I really appreciate it and I enjoy sharing with you all, I love Oxford and I love Hip-Hop so props to anyone who is striving to build. Viva Mexico and Viva Blunted Cabrones!

Wicked - good to link up mate.

Yes my friend, look forward to doing it again soon.

Who better to give you a little preview than their producer Bare Beats -

“The Kemistry are a new group from East London blending different styles of music together. With different understandings and beliefs about the latest forms of fashion and the latest music crazes, the fusion or these three individual characters (The Kemistry) is a rarity yet a reality. As the one thing we all understood was the music we made, we loved it and it got our souls moving on the same path, like a chemical reaction, that worked in the flavour of it’s substances and the music being a catalyst of three great friendships.

This video was made by cutting up a Public Domain film ‘Frankenstein’s Daughter’ Enjoy .

The trio have a Digital Only EP dropping on the 1st December . ‘The Kemistry EP’ is 20 minutes of niceness and introduces this new act to the world. This video is part of a series of cutting up old b-movies too fit certain tracks . ‘The Core’ is taken from The Kemistry’s forth coming album ‘A Difference’, which is still be made. Look out for more odd music videos coming soon . . . .“

Here’s a little preview of what to expect from DJ Woody, something to keep your head nodding whilst you read this interview -

Download: DJ Woody Mini Mix

Yes Woody how you doing?

Extremely well thanks.

Introduce yourself to the fam out there –

My names Lee Woodvine aka DJ Woody, the Peter Kay of turntablism.

When did you start DJing?

I got my first pair of turntables back in 1992.

How do you think you progressed over the years in the game?

Everything I’ve done during my career has come from my original goal of becoming a good all-round DJ. I’ve gone from jamming in a bedroom in Lancashire to rocking crowds of up to 50,000 with some of hip hop’s most respected names; the goals stay the same it’s just the goalposts that shift.

In 2001 you won the World ITF title and made history as the first European DJ to do so. What did that mean to you and how did it affect your career?

Looking back obviously I’m very proud, I took my brand of turntablism to it’s creative centre, San Francisco and brought home the bacon, the previous years winner was A-Trak of Kanye West fame. In 2001 myself and Plus One (Scratch Perverts) started a wave of European domination in the battle scene. Career-wise at this point I was still in my day job at Granada TV, but the following year after I took my 2nd World title and was subsequently presented with a lot of opportunities so I took the plunge and I haven’t looked back since.

You’ve done a lot of work DJ Vadim and ‘One Self’. Can we expect more from this project in the future?

One Self, I honestly couldn’t tell you I know Vadim is doing another solo LP, Yarah Bravo is working on one, Blu Rum lives back in the US now and I’m busy on my own projects so certainly not in the foreseeable.

As for work generally with Vadim well we did over 400 shows together so obviously we keep in touch, I did scratches for his last solo LP ‘The Soundcatcher’ and no doubt well do other stuff in the future.

3 highlights of your career:

• In 2005-2007 I help Vestax to design the worlds first ever turntable musical instrument, the Controller One, this takes melodic vinyl manipulation to it’s obvious conclusion and enables you chose your root note and play full scales. I’m currently using the Controller One in my work with a 20 piece big band jazz orchestra for some shows next year.

• Aside from the battle success I’m actually more proud of the fact that I invented quite a few new scratches and beatjuggle techniques at a time when most people were stuck in a rut, I even had Qbert on the phone asking how to do my ‘Woodpecker’ scratch.

• I’ve been lucky enough to play some dope festivals from the Big Chill to Spain’s massive VinaRock but one performance that gave me goose bumps last year was when I was asked to play at a summer jam in Crotona Park in the Bronx, one of Hip Hop’s original locations. I was introduced by Grandmaster Caz and played alongside DJ Red Alert, Jazzy Jay and Lord Finesse, apparently I was the first white guy they’d ever asked, but more importantly I DJ’d with the people who invented Hip Hop, to the people who started it, in the location where it was born!

3 disappointments:

• I’m disappointed that I never got to rep the UK in the World DMC competition as I think I could have brought it home, but I felt strongly that the competition needed some kind of judging criteria and so boycotted it after 2002.

• In 2002 I toured the States with Madlib and other Stones Throw artists, we had a New York show where Madlib was supposed to be hooking up with pretty much every important NY producer you can think of Pete Rock, Premo et al. However the night before the show some politics went down which meant we had to cancel the gig, gutted.

• I was lucky enough to perform on 2 John Peel sessions at Maida Vale which was obviously a massive privilege but I wish I’d have had the bottle to try and have a proper chat with the great man.

Favourite meal:

Previously steak with stilton cheese n caramelized red onions, yum, but I gave up red meat so I’m on some sushi shit right now.

Favourite clothing label:

Adidas, for reasons outlined in the next question.

Favourite artist/act:

An impossible question but one act that I can honestly say have altered the course of my life immeasurably would be RUN DMC.

I imagine most people reading this interview are now ready to get a good listening dosage of Woody. What can you recommend from your back cat?

Go to my Myspace and I’ve put 2 of my mix LP’s ‘Bangers & Mash’ and ‘A Country Practice’ online to download for free, there’s some other too. Check out One Self’s ‘Children of Possiblity’ LP, the new Bomb the Bass LP or Aquasky’s new Breakbeat Bass mix for a taster.

For more info on the man himself, check out his website - woodwurk.com. To see the man himself, plus a lineup to make a grown man weep (Friction, Dillinja, Spectrasoul, Benga, Youngsta, Caspa & Rusko to name but a few), make sure you head to Oxford Carling Academy for Free Range presents The Shogun Assassins Tour on Friday 21st November. To buy your tickets in advance click here.

Back to to the mix. Here’s some more words from Jibba -

“Horror fans take note…here’s a mix to satisfy your twisted minds and rupture your tender eardrums. Featuring real clips from some of the best horror films you’ve ever seen…Halloween, Scream, Candyman, the Exorcist and more! With tunes to fit the season’s mood, showcasing dark atmospherics, throbbing bass weight and sinister undertones. Handily fits onto a CD with the artwork also available for print. Liven up those Halloween house parties by putting some real filth on.
Feedback on this mix much appreciated.“

Tracklisting:

1. “What an excellent day for an excorcism”
2. Kryptic Minds & Leon Switch  - Minor Nine [Headhunter Remix]
3. Rob Sparx - Independent Life [TRG Remix]
4. “If you look into the mirror and say his name 5 times”
5. Roommate - Youth Promotion
6. The Others - Bed Bugz
7. Coki - Bloodthirst
8. Cluekid - Monkey Style
9. Sphefrix - Goblin
10. Zed Bias & Joshua Black- Solitary Drop
11. M2J - Raven
12. Santori - Time To Kill
13. Benny Page - Swagger
14. “Certain rules in order to survive a horror movie”
15. Roguestar - Full Throttle
16. “The Amityville Horror”
17. Rob Sparx - Attack Of The Wobble
18. Sariantis - Spark
19. “Halloween Theme Tune”
20. Kromestar - Heavy Mental
21. KA - Insanity
22. “Nightmare on Elm Street” - Outro

Download: Halloween Filth - Dark Dubstep Mix
Stream Live: Halloween Filth - Dark Dubstep Mix

Let me be the first to say this mix disgusts me. Good work.

Those of you who went to The Big Chill will have no doubt checked Toddla T. This Sheffield born and bread producer is currently tearing up dancefloors/halls/fields/tents across the land. He’s had such a profound effect on our Blunted compradre DJ Indecision that he actually felt compelled to pull his finger out and write something up about Toddla for the website… he must be good.

“People who know me well might have heard me bang on for the last 6 months about a young man named Toddla T.

I first became aware of him, when I saw this strange name was booked to play the dance tent at The Big Chill this year. Having not seen anything about his profile previously, I was intrigued. Then I saw he was slated to produce a couple of beats for a certain Mr Manuva’s new album. Hailing from Sheffield, and only at the tender age of 23, he’s really started making waves having produced Rodney’s single ‘BUFF NUFF,’ his own releases on 1965 records - ‘Manabadman’ , ‘Sound tape killin’ & ‘Fill up mi portion’

Blending abrasive Ragga, House, Techno, Dubstep, Dancehall, Drum and Bass & Hiphop, Toddla T is, quite frankly, one of the few DJ’s I have been genuinely excited about for a long time - I’m anticipating his debut album with baited breath.

Easily the most fun I had at the Big Chill this year was, surprisingly, not chilling out - but running round like a loon for 2 hours while ‘Big T Willy’ did his thing for me and 1,999 others.  Toddla T’s Ghettoblaster is what I hope to be the first in a long line of mixes from the man himself, perfect for bumping loud before you go out on the night. Easily the best DJ mix I’ve heard this year, maybe not to everyone’s taste, but fuck it - at least he’s being original!

Now his website is up proper, you can download it for yourself, and for free! - I implore you! Go to ‘Mixes’ - The link is there as well as his mini mix for Annie Mac - bad!  Hosted by long time associate MC Serocee, this packed with lots of dirt, but above all - lots of fun!

DJ Indecision.

Indecision has recently taken over Promotions at Gramaphone in London. Anyone who wants to keep up to date with it’s goings-on, look it up on Facebook.

As well as Yoda’s unique cut’n'paste style sets which are bound to go off, they also have Jungle Drummer vs DJ FU ft Stamina MC, Virus Syndicate, Count Skylarkin’ and Mr. Lager. The night’s proceeding will be hosted by the solid skills of MC Mantmast.

Win 2 tickets to Free Range feat DJ Yoda!

“Free Range is a brand new night brought to you by Hit&Run promoters DJ Fu and Charris. Catering to all of Oxford’s bass-addicted party animals, we serve up a diet of nothing but the finest drum&bass, dubstep and hiphop. No VIP room, no dress code, we simply mash up the hottest local talent with the biggest names in the scene to bring you an attitude-free night that’s all about the bass and the beats.

With a Bass Associates discount available for both Oxford and Brookes students, Free Range is one of the most affordable nights out in the city. Alternate Wednesdays at the Cellar bar and selected dates at the Carling Academy Oxford. Sign up to be the first to know what’s going on in the world of Free Range…” - Free Range

For you chance to win 2 tickets to the night, all you have to is answer this simple question

What is DJ Yoda’s real name?

a) Anthony Hor
b) Martin Reeves
c) Duncan Beiny

Email the letter a), b), or c) to: freerangecompetitions (at) gmail dot com

Free Range feat DJ Yoda’s Audio Magic Tour

Date: Friday 31st October
Time: 11pm - 4am
Price: £12 in advance MOTD (discount for Bass Associates)
@ Oxford Carling Academy, 190 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1UE

Tickets available from ticketweb or from the Oxford Carling Academy Box Office.
Tel: 01865 813 500

A member of the Free Range team will contact the winner via email.

Here’s an interesting little nugget. 3 decks and 7 tunes into one, that one being Chase & Status’ ‘Duppyman’. Lazcru can be found smashing up Drum and Bass sets in Oxford as well as running his now infamous Out In The Stix nights. Instead of the standard mix, Lazcru, aka Joe Perry, brings this one tune with 7 teases. I asked him what his motivation was for putting this together. ‘I wanted to do something short like a track so peeps could get an idea of my mixing skills. I tried to squeeze in as many tunes as I could into Chase & Status‘ ‘Duppyman’, it’s a wicked tune to mix & has loads of break downs’.

Tracklist:

Duppyman - Chase & Status - Ram
• Deadline - Digital - 31 Records
• Profiler - Lomax - Bounce
• Trust Me - Roni Size - Talkin’ Loud
• Huggy Bear - Ram Trilogy - Ram
• Strictly - Commix - Metalheadz
• Disco Dodo - Lynx - Creative Source
• Diplodocus - Nosia - Quarantine

[See the post to listen to audio]

Download: 7 Tunes into Duppyman

For those of you that know about Out In The Stix I’ve been reliably informed it’s returning in December/January so watch this space….

A message from Count Skylarkin’

‘Last Friday my friend Tom asked me what was the show I’d put on that I was most proud of. I answered without hesitation. Alton Ellis. That night, Alton finally lost his year-long battle with lymphatic cancer, aged 70. I found out about 7pm on Saturday night. I hadn’t known he’d been ill. I was about to start packing records for my regular set at the Hi-Lo in Oxford. This became a painful job, as all I wanted to do was listen to Alton Ellis tunes. Breaking Up, You Make Me So Very Happy, Duke Of Earl, Too Late To Turn Back, Girl I’ve Got A Date, Dance Crasher, I’m Just A Guy, the seminal Rocksteady… In the end I shoved them all in and half-ran the short distance to the restaurant. Andy, the owner, didn’t know that Alton had died. He had tears in his eyes as I told him the news.

Alton Ellis was one of the most important, most revered figures in the history of reggae and Caribbean music. To my mind, he was the greatest, most expressive Jamaican singer there ever was. I can even remember where I was the first time I ever heard an Alton Ellis tune, My Willow Tree, on the radio. It was a privilege to have seen him play and an honour to have known him.

Earlier today a journalist called me to ask for a quote for an obituary he was writing. Apparently Alton had said in an interview that last year’s Oxford show was among the best he’d ever played. I was stunned. I bumbled out a few lines, hung up and promptly burst into tears.

It had been nothing short of a lifelong dream to have Alton Ellis perform at Skylarkin’. He’d rung me himself, in September 2006, to inquire about playing. At first I thought someone was winding me up, but no. We set a date there and then for the following February and I went about trying to find him a backing band. I was struck immediately by his humbleness and humility. On meeting him for the first time on the evening of the gig (five minutes before doors opened, head leaning out of the passenger seat of his wife’s car, three grown-up children squeezed in the back, asking if there’d be time for a rehearsal!), the legend didn’t disappoint. He was a true gentleman. Later that night he would invite each of his children to join him onstage in singing Rocksteady, bursting with pride as he watched on, mouthing the words. I glanced to my left, and saw a look of adoration in his wife Judith’s eyes that I’ll never forget.

I last saw Alton Ellis live at the Secret Garden Festival in July. He was sensational as ever – you’d never have known that he was suffering from ill-health. He acknowledged me from the stage and I felt ten feet tall. Walking away after his performance with some dear friends, all of us grinning from ear to ear, was perhaps the best memory I’ll take away from this summer. I’m devastated by the news of Alton Ellis’ passing, but treasuring the wonderful way in which he affected my life, just as he affected so many thousands the world over.

Skylarkin’ Soundsystem pays tribute to Alton Ellis all this month, every Thursday night at The Zodiac, Oxford.

Featuring:

• October 16th - Mr Benn & Souls Liberation (Daddy G’s Bristol Hi-Fi)
• October 23rd - DJ Andy Smith (Portishead / Trojan Records / The Document)
• October 30th - DJ Derek (Trojan Records)

Rest in peace, Alton’

The question is:

What is Krafty Kuts real name?

a) Christopher Reeves
b) Martin Reeves
c) Vic Reeves

For your chance to win 2 tickets, email a, b, or c to: ed (at) steele-dixon dot co dot uk

Join the Facebook event. To buy your tickets click here.

Although some would argue that the UK hiphip scene is floundering, I’ve stumbled across something that has renewed my faith.  Rup has teamed up with his 27Beats accomplice Naim. I think what makes this tune something special is the amount of thought and effort that has gone into making it happen.  The tune is being being released on Hear Today Records in late 2008 and they have gone to the trouble of making a dope video to accompany ‘Style That You Like’.

The tune has been describe by HTR as “3 minutes of Rup’s musings over sparse Scandinavian electronica, punctuated by Naim’s infectious vocals. All visualized by illustrator-come-video-artist Rich Clements.”

If you’re feeling this make sure you check out their website.  If this vid is anything to go by then their future projects should be worth looking out for!

By now you know that Shears is one modest mofo. So, when he posted up about this album I thought I’d share it with you all. It’s also in keeping with Blunted keeping up it’s Aussie links so it’s all good. The album also features beats by Lewis-one & Purpose amongst others. Shears had this to say; “Just thought I’d let you guys know about this free album these guys are giving out, I produced track 1 and 11 and it also features stuff by Kelakovski…”

Afore Mentioned is Purpose and Motive, and here is what they have to say about their free release:

We have just finished work our first release titled Red October. It is a full length, all originally produced street release, 14 tracks deep feat. Pagen Elypsis and Pure Product (bris) and production by Purpose, Answer, Shears, Lewis-one, Vokab and Kela.

Tracklisting :

1. Red October
2. Knock Knock
3. Dig A Bit Deeper
4. For What It’s Worth
5. Piece Of Mind
6. History in the Making ft. Pure Product
7. Rich Man
8. Look at you
9. Purple Drank
10. When im Gone
11. Give Em What They Want
12. Carry On
13. Gloves Are Off feat. Pagen Elypsis
14. Long Way Down

Download: Afore Mentioned - Red October