Official Reggae Sound Clash: Downbeat Sound System vs Soul Stereo Sound ...

Official Reggae Sound Clash: Downbeat Sound System vs Soul Stereo Sound System

Since the early 70’s, Tony Screw, a.k.a. Downbeat the Ruler, has been entertaining and educating crowds, from Brooklyn to Berlin, with his inimitable blend of stage presence, exclusive dubplates and a second sense for keeping a dance floor packed. Named in honor of Tony Screw’s musical mentor Sir Coxsone Dodd, Downbeat the Ruler Sound has introduced generations of reggae fans to the sounds of Studio One, the blueprint of Jamaican music.

For those who really don't know the history of Down Beat "The Ruler" here is the bio... New York City, home to a sizeable population of Jamaican emigrants, maintained a relatively low profile in the reggae world until the 1980's. Then, the music's transition from roots to dancehall was accompanied by explosive growth in New York's local reggae scene. In the Jamaican tradition, this scene was centered around locally-run sound systems, and of these, the sound now known as Downbeat the Ruler (originally called Downbeat International) has proved to be the most enduring. Founded in the seventies by selector Tony Screw, Downbeat rapidly became not only a regional force, but one that could compete with the strongest sounds from Jamaica. In the "rub-a-dub" era of the 1980's, sound systems were as much a showcase for live performances as they were for records, and Downbeat ensured its success by regularly featuring the best of Jamaica's microphone talent. Brigadier Jerry of Jah Love Muzik was a frequent visitor, and other top artists like Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, Super Cat, Shabba Ranks, Lone Ranger, Nicodemus, Early B, Jim Brown, Johnny Osbourne, Ninjaman, Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie, Professor Nuts, Wolfman, Peter Metro, Ricky Sterio, Colin Roach, Major Mackerel, Michigan and Smiley, and more came to New York to perform for the sound. In addition to hosting these Jamaican performers, Downbeat provided exposure for New York's local artists, some of whom went on to achieve worldwide recognition. The core of the Downbeat crew included Shinehead, Louie Ranking, Sister Carol, and Santa Ranking, and other locals like Mikey Jarrett, Burru Banton, Alton Irie, Reverend Badoo, Verdi Green, Neville Valentine, and Brimstone would occasionally appear as well.

In addition to this large and varied supply of top-ranking live performers, Downbeat was also known to possess a deep box of "dubplates," exclusive recordings cut by artists for Downbeat alone to play. Featuring custom-built lyrics proclaiming Downbeat’s dominance, these dubplates served the sound well in sound clashes (face-offs in which opposing sound systems exchange exclusive tunes and improvised lyrics in attempts to win crowd support). Armed with its fearsome wax and sizeable host of artists, Downbeat successfully clashed not only American competitors like African Love and Papa Moke, but also top sound systems from Jamaica like Silverhawk, Black Scorpio, Volcano, and Stereo One, who would fly to New York to battle the local champion.

The Soul Stereo Sound was created in November 1998 by Fatta & Reeko who will be joined in 2003 by Tarzan…

The first Official Dance they kept was at Divan du Monde Paris in December 1998, since they have being keeping Thousands Shows all around France & Europe…

Many Artists appeared alongside Soul Stereo & came entertain during their set…

Many Reggae Legends did Tour with them, like Johnny Osbourne, Lone Ranger, Carlton Livingston, Luciano, Mickey Général, Junior Kelly, Morgan Heritage, Aidonia, Bitty McClean, Ras Demo, Anthony Red Rose, King Kong, John Wayne, Chronicle, Reggie Stepper, Echo Minott, Jim Brown, U-Roy, Alton Ellis, Dawn Penn, U Brown, Alpheus, Rod Taylor, Earl16, Joseph Cotton, Dennis Alcapone, Daddy Nuttea, Taiwan Mc, Marina P, Guive and many more…

They keep the Old Tradition of Live Shows on Sound System Style. During their career that took them to Jamaica many Times, Soul Stereo have recorded a lot of Dubplates regularly & finally enter the European Sound Clash Business in January 2004 when they won the South Clash2 against Heartical Sound. There, they prooved to the World that the Soul Stereo Sound is ready to take over the Dancehalls…

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They did the Studio One Revue in Garance Festival 2011 with more than 15 Studio One Artists, the Musical War with Downbeat the Ruler from NY at the Garance 2012 & with Killamanjaro from Kingston in Garance 2013…

They created also the Label Soul Vybz Records, released Riddims like the Sunrise, the National Front, the Rise or the GP with Artists like Capleton, Luciano, Barrington Levy, Anthony B, Busy Signal, Demarco, Pressure, Fantan Mojah, Junior Kelly & Chezidek…


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