From BROTHERHOOD Bio 2005:
FOR THOSE WHO JUST TUNED IN
Reggae sound systems first appeared in Jamaica in the 1950s. Sounds as Sir Coxsones Downbeat Ruler and Duke Reid would set up at opposite ends of the same street, featuring the latest American r&b tunes, as well as the first Jamaican produced ska and rocksteady records. Whoever had the better sound quality and musical selection would obviously draw the larger crowd. This resulted in a form of competition that laid the foundation for todays soundclashes, which are currently witnessing a huge resurgence of popularity in the New York City area, rural Jamaica, Japan as well as in Europe. In a soundclash, two or more sounds play for an audience, which over the course of an entire night determines a champion by voicing its approval or disapproval.
Brotherhood was founded on the last weekend in September in 1992 in order to provide an outlet for upcoming, local reggae singers, djs and rappers. Historically, sound systems have been instrumental in launching the careers of many reggae artists, ranging from U-Roy and Junior Reid to Shabba Ranks and (Baby) Cham. A reggae version or instrumental, on the flipside of a record, is obviously more easily provided than an entire backing band. Many Jamaican entertainers therefore first established themselves by performing with sound systems in their local neighborhoods before breaking nationwide or even internationally.
Since 1992, Brotherhood has played well over 500 shows across the entire globe. We have played dancehalls all over the southwestern US and Europe;especially Germany and Holland during our relocation to Germany from 1995-2000 states Don Martin, Brotherhoods co-founder, selector (dj) and MC. Some of our most memorable shows were in the Gambia in West Africa in 1999. The West Africans were so knowledgeable and appreciative of reggae music. It was amazing! Pure forwards!!!
Brotherhood is the only sound system in the entire Southwest to focus heavily on the most current Jamaican reggae dancehall charts. While we are proud to feature the most cutting edge tracks out of Jamaica, we know how to please just about any audience with plenty of reggae classics as well, explains Don Martin.
Brotherhood usually starts out its shows with more rootical reggae and as the crowd warms up, it picks up the pace to feature one seamless transition after another, on the hottest and hardest Jamaican dancehall riddims (rhythms, or musical backing tracks). Don Martin, while he is spinning, works the crowd into a partying frenzy, hyping up the vibes on the mic. You love reggae music? Alla di people unnuh love fi hear reggae music mek some LOUD noise NOW! The MC, or mic-man, lifts reggae sound system way above the average dj just playing music. He communicates with the crowd, explaining and emphasizing the subjects of songs, continually demanding audience participation. This way, the audience is often able to steer, if not control the direction and musical selection of a reggae dance. Many newcomers to sound system reggae tell me after a Brotherhood gig Wow I shouted and sang more than at a show with a live band. We will pull out basslines and then drop them back in HARD, or let the crowd sing choruses of famous reggae hits, says Don Martin.
Besides playing regular tunes, Brotherhood has also created its own set of exclusive remixes, which never fail to push a dance to higher level. Recently for example, Don Martin explains, I took the famous hip-hop tune from Usher called Yeah, so we just call it the Yeah beat, and I remixed 2 big dancehall hits from 2004 by Mr. Vegas & Wayne Anthony, as well as from Cecile on that beat. Crowds go crazy when we play those, as everyone knows the riddim, yet were presenting something fresh on it. No one else has it, cause I MADE it! Thats what really defines a sound systems staus, besides dubplates and the elementary but essential mixing/dj and mic-skills.
Speaking of dubplates: Brotherhood Sound has built up quite an arsenal of dubplates, or special tunes pressed onto vinyl, which only they possess. Dubplates are an essential part of dancehall reggae, explains Don Martin. A dubplate has either a famous, or lesser known artists prasing or bigging up a particular sound. For example we have a dub from Spanner Banner, a Jamaican singer. He sings his smash hit Life Goes On for us, with the lyrics modified to Brotherhood Plays On. Brotherhood has specials from many of Jamaicas top-notch artists as Toots & the Maytals, John Holt, Capleton, Luciano, Everton Blender and many many others. We also voice plently of local artists, who perform live with us from time to time as well, Martin proudly claims. I have voiced Dabba, Mister Kali, Mister Abo, Sergeant Remo, Witniss and a few others. If you use these specials properly, you can achieve the same effect as if you played a tune or a special from a big Jamaican artist! Remember it was a small axe which fell the big tree!
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