OBF Soundsystem Interview

Original Bass Foundation ( OBF ) is currently the most renown soundsystem in whole Europe. Their music is DUB, but they make/play not only UK style rootsy steppers, but also play Dub has influenced by ragga/dancehall and other music. They play those new school dub with their tuff bass boxes set to kill. If you were at Outlook fest 2013, you must have bounced your chest in the yard. We Riddim Chango FM did an interview with Rico ( selector and  track maker of OBF ) about their releases, soundsystem and reggae culture around him.

● Could you please introduce what OBF is and members 

Rico = selector / dubmaker

G = operator
Shanti D = singer
Goldy / Mad codiouf / lone robin / ironD =  sound crew
Manager = Stef

● How did you start your career as OBF?

We Started OBF in the cave in Geneva. After collecting music for years, we decided to organise our own dance in an underground place, cheap entrance, home made sound and positive message and vibez.

● Your music sounds it is influenced not only Roots/Dub/Digital Dancehall, but also something else. Do you have any musical influence apart from Reggae?

yes you know, as a youth from the 80/90's we grew up with hip hop /rap / raggamuffin / reggae and electronic music, this was what all the youth were listening in France. And I think you can find different influences from this period in our music, we still have those influences, You know. I think it s good to listen what is going now in the music business to know where you are going and where not to go .

● Could you tell us the spec of your soundsystem? ( if you don't mind )

12bass boxes turbomax loaded for low frequencies!!!, then mid and tops for higher frequencies,,, sharp!!!!, and we use some home made amps,, and some commercial stuff.

● Currently you base Geneva/France and France has been establishing itself as the leading reggae country these years. Do you think why Reggae scene is getting so much bigger in France?

Reggae always been big in France, when I say big that was like people loved gladiators, burning spears and stuff like that. but anyway that is reggae. but we had a French artists who were alright, some of them were big like raggasonic, and they did a lot for the reggae scene in France,, including us ( and they were singing in french so that s good for the message,, because sometimes lyrics are hard to get / understand for French massive,,, ) anyway, reggae always been big in France, but now,, dub scene is getting stronger and stronger, and people love it and feel it! Because you can find a lot of influences in it,,,, also you can see Rasta people, youths, old people and electronic music lovers are having a fun together in dances and feeling the vibez together, and we love it! because we are not the kind of crew playing tunes for only one kind of people,, we play for everyone!

● Also you have been playing in UK constantly, What do you reckon the difference between British dub scene and French one.

UK's massive scene has got the proper roots sound system culture of course. They've been growing with the culture all over the country. For example people don't get surprised when selector press stop button and grab the mic for 2 minutes beetween 2 tunes and talking to people,, and crowd understands tunes goes from pt 1, pt 2 to  pt3 dub mixes, they are used to see the way to play dub.
but it becomes normal in France as well,, French people used to it now, and they love it. 

● Which artists do you notice/remark at the moment? ( artists in France, Europe, wherever )

there re too many artists to mention,,, but... here we go,, sorry for those I forgot to mention...
about the dub artists, I mention the local artists only because too much to mention!!! sorry.... So this one go to all the Geneva crew,, the young generation are ready for everything, buildin dubz, building boxes, mixing riddimz like crazy,, trust me,, like dub fever, Iron Dubz, Sis I-leen, Natural Steppers, Jahmean Possee! and more..
for the forward think reggae music ting.: stand high patrol since long time ago!! respect anytime familly! PART2SYLE from Japan, you know them? And Mungo's Hi-Fi / Iration Steppas / Jah Tubbys / Aba Shanti / Bush Chemist are BIG, but we knew that people allready know... but I wouldd like to mention them one more time!

● What is OBF's plan in rest of 2013 and future?

We have a release coming soon with Wayne Smith, and,,, more infomations are coming soon,,, and we gonna promoteour new label soon.. Dubquake record with weeding dub featuring a grime MC on A side,, and a proper OBF bad boy dub on B side. more infomations are coming soon 

● What do you know about Japanese Reggae/Bass music scene? if you know and reckon something, please let me know. 

I know Dry & Heavy since long time ago ( BIGGG ), Mighty Massa, and Shaggy Itak, They are proper dubwise artists, no compromise, so I love it! Some new stuff coming outta Japan. They mix digital reggae with brand new electronic influence like PART2STYLE and Reggae Toybox and we love it in france!!! brand new dub makers linked us recently like Sak dub-I and Pupa Kazuman and their tunes sound rufffff. Apart from dub/reggae style, we love Goth Trad because he knows about dub music and u can feel it in his dubstep , respect for that! Tuff riddim!

http://www.obfdub.net/~newsit/

Bristol Brightness: Dub Boy Interview

 Tim "Dub boy" is a DJ / producer raised in Bristol, UK, as it is named, he has a lot of special Dubs with top Reggae/Dancehall artists on his and current top Riddim makers and mashing-up tunes with his consistent taste of Dancehall / UK bass music.






 .
 He is also leading current Reggae / Bass music scene in Bristol with his crew Ruffnek Discotek, their legendary party Monster Bass ( 2008 -2010 ) had brought not only well known artists like The Bug or Mala also brought fresh and edgy talents of those years like Heatwave, Lil Silva, Lady Chann, Mr. Benn and many more ( some of those became big name currently ) with less known Mungo's Hi-Fi's full soundsystem at the time.


 We had an interview with Dub Boy about his music and his beautiful hometown and the top Regggae/Bass music city Bristol.


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What music and kind of club parties did you grow up with?


Well when I was a youth I used to see punk bands and go to reggae dances. I wasn’t really into clubbing… whilst everyone around me was obsessed with drum n bass. So I went out on my own a lot! But it was a great education. It gave me an eclectic and open minded approach which I’ve always expressed through my own music and parties. I was very lucky to be able to spend my formative years surrounded by a great period in Bristol’s musical history. There were some wicked parties back in the 90’s.....


Who was your favorite Djs or artists and venues in Bristol at the time?


Well at that time I was into More Rockers, Portishead, Aspects, Strangelove, Gary Clail & On U Sound stuff, Third Eye Foundation… stuff like that, and Bristol reggae soundsystems like Qualitex & Unique Star. Of course Bristol has a worldwide reputation for its Drum n Bass output, but I was never part of that scene. I always preferred the edges y’know? And in a place like Bristol, where subversion is pretty easy to find, I always found things to interest me that were a bit rough around the edges ha ha.


There were some wicked dances I used to go to at Easton Community Centre, Maze, Powerhouse, Trinity Centre, Thekla, Blue Mountain and gigs at the Louisiana & The Fleece. Yea they were good days, there was a lot of freedom compared to now. There was also a really big underground techno & punk scene, it was all a bit ‘dogs on strings’, but it made for a lot of mad warehouse parties. Not really my thing but it all helped create a bit of an outlaw feel to the music scene at that time. Ashton Court festival, which was a community festival that stopped a few years ago, was also amazing during the 90’s…. I remember one year seeing Spiritualized & Portishead there. That was a real jewel in Bristol’s crown at that time and reflected how different groups of people mix so well here.


How did you start DJing?


I got into Djing late! I used to play in bands as a teenager so never learnt to mix like all my mates who were into DnB. It’s a funny story ….. we all call Bristol the ‘Big Village’ because it’s small so you get to know people quickly. I used to buy records in Rooted Records (RIP). One day I was in there the guy behind the counter said to me, “I’m sure I’ve seen you in my street”. Anyway it turns out that was Peverelist, who was living with Pinch. I had already begun attending Pinch’s early Context parties cos I wanted to check this new ‘dubstep’ stuff that was coming through. This was early 2005 I guess. We’d been living next door to each other for a year without realising! After becoming friends with them they start telling me… “Tim you’ve got all these great records, why don’t you get a pair of decks”. So with
their encouragement, I get a pair of decks at the ripe old age of 25 ha ha.


A week later Pinch knocks on my front door and tells me he’s putting on a party on the Friday and would I like to play? So I’m saying, “I can’t DJ… I’ve only had decks a week!”, but he tells me not to worry and I should do it. Anyway, it turns out this party is the first of his legendary Subloaded parties and I’m playing on the same bill as Kode9 and Plastician. Not a bad first gig eh? Of course I loved it…. Properly had the bug ever since. So my DJ career is all thanks
to Pinch & Peverelist…. I have to pay my respects to them. 


In terms of music scene, what is difference between Bristol and London?
( or other cities in UK )


Well Bristol is a very compact city. It’s easy to get around and the geography of the place mean people mix. So different musical scenes and cultures are always interacting and that gives it it’s personality I think. This is a trait that you can see all the way through I think…. The Wild Bunch are probably the best example of this. In other cities things
seem a bit more polarized.


Bristol is a very close knit so people are usually really supportive of each other. Other cities perhaps don’t have that characteristic in the same way Bristol does. There is healthy competition for sure but it makes for a strong musical scene as people are always collaborating, sharing music and pushing themselves. Although being Bristol it’s all done at
a slow pace….. there’s always tomorrow ha ha. I also think Bristol music doesn’t jump on trends or get caught up with hype, we do things on our own terms. And the cider plays its part!


What were you thinking about Dubstep when it exploded in Bristol.


Excitement! I picked up on dubstep in 2004, and of course living next door to Pinch & Pev I got to hear plenty of it. Those days were so exciting…. A lot of us came through at that time. This is when we started our Ruffnek Diskotek parties. I saw dubstep as part of the soundsystem culture we already enjoyed in Bristol, and we wanted to join the jots between dubstep and jungle and reggae, which were our collective tastes. In 2005 most club nights were pretty much strictly one genre so we felt we were really doing something different at that time. We had all worked really hard to push this sound we were so passionate about and the larger musical lineage it was part of. It brought a lot of people together at a time where scenes had become a bit split in Bristol. Dubstep dances brought together people who were into DnB, Techno, Electronica and Reggae. There was something for everyone, a sense of
endless creative possibilities and a real buzz in the air (and a lot of ganga smoke). It was great to be part of that. It’s different now of course, but on a personal note I think dubsteps lasting legacy is turning on a whole new generation in Bristol to soundsystem culture.


Who is Bristol's new talent ( Dj, Producer, MC ) should be remarked?


Gorgon Sound (aka Kahn & Neek), Tenja, Evermoor Sound, Atki2, J-Man, Hothead and Jus’ Now are all doing exciting things. Between them those artists are making dub, ragga, juke, house, jungle, funky bashment and soca….. and of course blurring the boundaries in-between them. Only in Bristol!


Please recommend some Places ( shop, restaurant, whatever ) in Bristol

Idle Hands for records, Tobacco Factory Market on a Sunday morning for Bristol’s best Jerk Chicken, Ashton Court estate for a picnic, The Apple for a good pint of cider and Cosies for a night of pure Bristol vibes.


You have many of your dub, remix / mash-up tunes when did you start making music?


It’s quite recent really. Djing is my passion, and that’s how I’ve built my reputation, so it’s been a natural thing to add more and more dubplate specials to my bag, and more edits & mashups. The motivation is to create weapons for yourself! And now that’s naturally leading on to production. Myself & Atki2 released a tune called Tigerflower on Idle Hands in 2010, which also got included on Punch Drunk’s ‘Worth The Weight’ compilation. He was on the buttons, I was playing basslines on my guitar and tapping out rhythms, that’s how we wrote it. The tune did well and seeing people react to that got me inspired to learn how to start producing. You know I’m in no rush…. I got into Djing late anyway so I’m happy to let this music thing take its natural course, everything happens when it’s meant to. Like anyone genuinely in love with music, it’s a passion for life, so longevity is
the key. If the quality is there, things will be fine.


A lot of UK bass music producers tend to make deep, dark and hard type of tunes in its whole history. but your music sounds happy, light, wide and flexible, the result it sounds fresh
and different from others. how did your taste become like that?


Yea that’s true. I’m not into dark, moody music really. I like bright music, with melody, hooks, catchy lyrics to sing along to…. And I love riddim, y’know music that really gets your hips moving. That’s my tastes so it’s only natural that my DJ sets and my own music is going to reflect that.


Deep, dark music is important, it reflects a natural human emotion and this is what music is about. It’s all things to all people. You’re not going to listen to me if you want a reflective, intense soundtrack to your evening. I’m about fun… I’m about Friday night and you’ve just been paid and you want to dance, and release the stress from working, and have
a good time! I think I’m quite a happy, positive person so perhaps that is reflected in my tastes.


Are you planning to release more tunes?


I certainly hope so. I just have to keep on creating and keep my standards high and hopefully everything will follow.


What are you planning this summer and rest of this year?


This summer will be busy with festivals. I’ve had the good fortune to play some fantastic festival shows in recent years and this year looks to be as enjoyable as ever. I’ll be playing Outlook, Boomtown Fair and Womad amongst a fair few others which I’m really looking forward to. They’ll be plenty of gigs I hope, our Ruffnek Diskotek parties in Bristol, and
I’m planning on finally starting a Ruffnek Diskotek record label as well this year. It’s long overdue!


What is your impression of Japanese Reggae/Bass music things?


It looks brilliant! What I love about listening to reggae music for so many years is always hearing the message that the music is universal. And now we can see the passion for this music and the soundsystem culture all over the world. Everyone has their own personality and expression of the culture. UK, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, France, Jamaica, Italy, Switzerland ….. everyone brings their own flavour into this universal musical culture. It is hugely inspiring. Man, I love watching those Mighty Crown YouTube clips! And the dancehall queens. And the interest in Bristol! The passion you guys have is so strong. I have promised myself I will visit one day!


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It needs to be said he is excellent mix maker as well his mixes and more music from his soundcloud, check Dub boy hypes!

TAPE 2 TAPES

TAPES is an east London based Digital Dub/Reggae producer,
He has released EPs & 7" from the sensational future digital dancehall/dub label Jahtari ( Leipzig / Germany ) and his own label Selah Wadada.
TAPES' tracks are progressive electric reggae with raw analogue texture, a taste of 80s Digital Dancehall/Dub and pure musical niceness.

His new wicked digital track "Old Pan Sound" withVernon Maytone ( from Maytones )

 We had a short interview with him about his music, how he plays music etc.
Check out his 8 bits of Q&A below.
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What is your musical background?

  Ait has all ways been and forever will be dub... but i hear its aesthetics

in radiophonic and old experimental library music too. it all sounds the

same too me.

How do you play in your live set?

  I play off cassette tape and only use high bias chrome C10 cassettes which

are like 7's (1 track on each side) with the track tittles written on the

case so I always know whats playing when. When I'm gigging, I usually bring

2 cassette payers and few FX units and some sort of mixer. How I play, is

similar to that of a reggae selector... but with a little more body thrash

and strange faces than your average rootsman.

Your favorite digital dancehall tracks?

  Currently my 2 favorites are:

   Horace Andy 'Gunshot' TAXI

   Absolute killer sinister production from Sly and Robbie. The riddim is too

solid, backed by carpenter 'esque synths that really bigup that cold

spooky feel.

Junior Murvin 'make it and set it' TAURUS 
Pure, amazing snare work out. The filtered rolls sound all to similar to

the reverse delay technique that you hear on early bbc workshop records.

some wicked interplay between murvin and the riddim on this... but you'll

never find. rare as hens teeth.

How do you make music?

  That's a very philosophical question that many musicians never really

consider. the answer, I think, can only be attained once you fully

understand your own creative confines. thankfully, there is a very strict

rule which is inherent to creating a reggae track: it must have a rhythm.

so i start with the bass, drums and a skank, working almost exclusively

with analog synthesis. my approach is to attempt to marry these 3

characteristics as one, using an array of technology and recording

techniques. its actually dead simple when i put it like this... maybe even

boring to some, but if i could give any advice to the other producers out

there it would be this: If you want to keep it interesting, you've got to

ask questions because if your not asking questions, your not learning

anything. maybe the question "what is reggae?" hasn't been considered

enough.

How and when did you join Jahtari and released with them?

  I met Jan (disrupt) in 2007 in London. eventually he invited me to Leipzig

for some dahl and we became good friends. when I first heard his music I

was utterly astounded at what sounded to me like the missing link between

dubstep and dub. I had been toying about with sound for a few years before

I finally sent him some cassettes in the post which he seemed to love

because I later moved to Leipzig for a month in the summer of '09 to

finish and master what became the hissing theatricals e.p. It was once of

the greatest experiences of my life and i have so much to thank him for.

What do you think about current UK underground music/club scene?

  Massively under appreciated. I don't go out that often to be honest.

What other Artists currently influence you?

   My main man Godsy (aka cherrystones) never fails to sonically blow my mind
on a day to day basis.  Lukid, Rekordah, Samoyed, Architeq and Mr Beatnik
have been massively supportive over the past few years... In making music
in London, i'm constantly surrounded by other artists on a similar tow
path... but its the ones with an open sense of kindness and generosity
that end up being your life long mates. My partner too, Rosie Emerson,
whos the biggest reason i get up in the morning and truly knows the
meaning of great art.

What is your plan of activity for the rest of 2011 and 2012?

  Right now all I want to do is make more music, play more gigs and eat more

pizza.

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Gig information from Tapes.

17/09/11 with Tobi el Fata @Take 5 cafe, Bristol.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226669467381053

Check out & Tape2style explosion at Bristol. 
Massive thanks for Jackson aka TAPES.