Tonight at the Cellar is the advance-tickets-sold-out event-of-the-year-so-far Outlook Festival Oxford Launch, featuring Red Bull Culture Clash Champions and long-time (30 years strong) soundsystem veterans Channel One. With doors opening at 9pm, and with the added incentive of drink deals until 11pm, make sure you get down early to avoid disappointment. There’s also a host of local DJ talent on the bill brought to you by Free Range, so expect a bit of everything; from hip-hop and dubstep to dancehall and reggae. If you don’t get in, don’t say we didn’t warn you and make sure you keep a closer eye on Sensible Dancehall for future happenings. Coming up this weekend is Mungo’s Hi-Fi at the Bullingdon Arms, and later this month The Heatwave come to nice up the Cellar, if it’s still in one piece after tonight.
Last weekend Oxford’s leading roots reggae act Dubwiser supported Lee Scratch Perry at the Jazz Cafe. Playing both Friday and Saturday nights, below is the recording taken straight from the sound desk.
Having supported Dubwiser since the website’s birth almost a year ago, we gave away an exclusive mp3 from their then forthcoming record A Crack In Paradise (now buy online) and celebrated their rise to the cover of Nightshift, a fantastic achievement for any Oxford band. For news of upcoming tour dates and releases from the band, stay locked to Sensible Dancehall.
First posted 09.01.12. Updated with official video and link to Hi-Lo article.
Back in October we made a vow to start writing regular food reviews on Sensible Dancehall, expanding our attention to Caribbean delicacies in Oxford and beyond. Having brought you features on Littlemore’s Taste of Jamaica and Cowley’s Jamaican Spice, we’ve now also visited the local institution that is Hi-Lo Jamaican Eating House. After hearing Patexx take on the TGIF riddim (above), in which he explains the dangers of drinking on an empty stomach, we’ve been inspired to continue the culinary content and will be making an asserted effort to update you with local Caribbean restaurant & takeaway reviews, as well as the odd recipe using ingredients purchased from within the city. Next week we’ll have an update on the Taste of Jamaica but in the meantime check out our previous articles and get ordering. You can read all our local Food Reviews so far by clicking here. Extra festival with mine, cheers.
On Saturday 25th February, The Heatwave come to Oxford for a party like no other. If anyone has been lucky enough to catch them across the country on their Hot Wuk tour, Wednesday night’s Madd Raff party in the capital, or were in attendance at their now legendary ‘Showtime’ night last year, you will know that The Heatwave not only build the hype, but smash it through the roof each and every time. After announcing the show a fortnight ago, we have Extra Curricular to thank for bringing them to Oxford for the first time, and we’re equally thankful for them booking us (Lord ‘av Mercy!) to support.
In their own words, “The Heatwave are the UK’s number one bashment sound”, but you could equally argue they are challenging for the worldwide title. Over the last twelve months, the London-based dancehall DJ and MC collective have played across Europe as well as releasing a Pitchfork & Fader (not to mention Jamie XX himself) approached refix of Adele’s Rolling in the ‘Heat’ that has taken clubs across the globe by storm.
Their aforementioned ‘Showtime’ brought the biggest names in dancehall, reggae and grime together for a night that will go down in UK bashment history for years to come. Wiley, Glamma Kid, General Levy and Stylo G among others headed the bill, for a proper old-skool mic-passing soundsystem affair. Make sure you get the DVD (available here) to relive it in the comfort of your living room. It’ll give you a little glimpse of what The Heatwave are all about; pushing boundaries on what is possible with a live dancehall show.
Hot Wuk aims to bring the biggest dancehall parties across the country, spreading the best vibes and music high and wide over the UK. We were lucky enough to go to their recent night at Brighton’s Life club, and the vibes were undeniably massive. Their newest weekly Wednesday night Mad Raff is taking the capital by storm and grinding Thursday offices to a hungover stand still by supplying the best party you could imagine for a weeknight. Again, never short of a special guest DJ or MC, you won’t be disappointed.
As if that wasn’t enough, The Heatwave also host their own weekly radio show, live on Rinse FM from 1-3am on Monday mornings. Check out the latest recording above, and our full feature on reggae/dancehall radio at sensibledancehall.com/radio. With all that in mind, you’d be a fool to miss their Oxford debut later this month. Get on the Facebook page, invite your friends and get your tickets sorted.
Whilst this week’s focus has been on the Channel One and Mungo’s Hi-Fi shows coming next week (oh, and Hi-Lo - please sign the petition) don’t think for one minute we’ve forgotten about what’s coming up this weekend. On Friday night, Skylarkin’ Soundsystem takes to the Cellar to present The Drop, fresh from the success of Takeover (above) worming it’s way into the British reggae conscious by way of numerous DJs and radio shows, including a certain Mr Rodigan. Support comes from Count Skylarkin and Mr Benn, who comes hot on the heels from a summer of festivals, including Shambala 2011, in which you can listen to the whole set below. Count Skylarkin recently conducted an interview for the Selfish Dan blog, chatting about Oxford past, present and future, and selecting his most influential tracks.
Saturday sees the launch of Natty Hi-FiBob Marley Festival 2012, with a big set down in the Bullingdon Arms on Cowley Road from 10pm. Sensible Dancehall favourite’s Jamatone (below) head up the bands, with Groundation Sound from Coventry down for a live PA alongside the resident DJs. It’s four pounds on the door, with rich roots sounds bubbling ‘till 3am. The Natty festival continues on Sunday, with the crew migrating to Iffley Road for an all day session at the Chester Arms. The day starts at 1pm with music from Ras Keith performing conscious acoustic reggae, whilst resident chef Pippa cooks up the best Caribbean food in the city. Anyone who’s been to a Natty all-dayer before will know what to expect; big vibes every time.
