RANKING JOE backed by Echodelic Sound @ Echoplex

9pm / $10 advance; $10 before 10pm at the door; $15 after 10pm at the door / 21+

A crackly slab of vinyl is placed on the turntables, a heavier than lead bassline oozes out of the speakers, followed by a cracking snare and kick drum. A performer takes to the mic and an echoed voice sings out, “way in my brainnnnn…” as the music is tweaked and dubbed out by the selector…then the record is spun backwards the needle lifted up and the 45 played again for the next vocalist…This is the classic style of sound system/dancehall reggae, which has influenced so much other music from Hip Hop to Dubstep. This show at Dub Club will feature some of the crucial performers in the history of dancehall and will be a night to remember.

Johnny Osbourne
The “Godfather of Dancehall” is the well deserved moniker for Johnny Osbourne describing his contribution to Reggae music as it evolved from the local Jamaican community to the international arena. A string of hits dating from the late sixties through the nineties defines Johnny’s longevity and artistic ability. Songs like “Buddy Bye” , “Truth And Rights” ,“Purify Your Heart”, “Ice Cream Love”, and so many others, have been played, remixed, recut and replayed nonstop by DJs right to the present moment. He has had the ability throughout many different eras and styles of Reggae to come up with that vocal hook, lyrics and delivery that will light the dancehall on fire and get the crowd dancing and singing along.
As Reggae historian Roger Steffens affirms , “ A 25+ year career that shows no signs of letting up , from soulful reggae to a massive dancehall catalog, Osbourne’s warm voice filled with conviction and yearning is one of the island’s best”.

Wayne Smith
Most people identify Wayne Smith with the digital super hit of 1984 “Under me Sleng teng”. In fact, Wayne Smith’s career started long before the digital riddim explosion in Jamaica, in the late 70s he recorded with the cult classic LP “Youthman Skanking” produced by Prince Jammy, which has recently been re-released, and the great roots 45 “Time is a Moment in Space” (adapted from a Barbara Streisand tune!) . But it was the riddim he composed on a small Casio keyboard that really brought him to fame. It was a totally new sound for Reggae and at first Prince Jammy did not want to release the record, it was only after he played it in a sound clash against Black Scorpio and the crowd went wild demanding to hear it over and over again that “Sleng Teng” was released, thereby popularizing the new digital style.

Ranking Joe
Ranking Joe is a longtime dancehall veteran and a favorite at the Dub Club. He is a disciple of the great U-Roy and learned his craft chatting on the microphone at innumerable dances in the ghettos and country yards of Jamaica throughout the 70s and 80s. Untouchable improviser, lyrical library, and rhythmatical warrior.

Echodelic Sound
The Echodelic crew have been running the Dub Club in Echo Park for over a decade now, bringing in legendary artists from Jamaica, and holding it down in their own fashion on the turntables week after week. DJ Tom Chasteen will be spinning the riddims for the artists on this show and has been well seasoned from countless hours working on the decks in the dancehall arena.

with Resident DJs:
Tom Chasteen
Roy Corderoy
The Dungeonmaster
Boss Harmony

Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall

Enter at:
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026

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