The Matador and Steady D : THE STORY SO FAR The Matador and Steady D, Gary Attico (matador) and Delroy Ellington(Steady D) and Elias (The Lucian Cat )has been friends since they were 5 yrs old they went to the same primary school Duncombe Primary School and went to Tollington Park and Ackland Burleigh secondary schools respectively more about those schools later, growing up in a environment where places like The famous Black House in Holloway Rd ,Keskidee Club(Big up the Village Mans dem)The Cape,Wooden Bridge and more that’s what’s was the entertainment ,they were hit by the music bug early in their lives.They grew up in the Holloway area of north London, and was surrounded by sound systems such as the Legendary Fatman, Sir Dees ,El Rico , Sir Lord Power , Ironbird , Count Shelley, and the great Sir Biggs The President whom the matador’s family was a next door neighbours and Biggs and his wife Miss Arlette were good friends of both the guys parents also the Matador was schooled musically by the Legendary Duke Vin (the first sound system operator in England 1955 – present and selector of the fabled Jamaican sound Tom The Great Sebastian) and Daddy Peckings (the late Roy Price) of the world famous Peckings Studio1 record shop another two long time friends, both educated the young Matador and the Cat to the finer points of sound systems and original R&B and Ska both was impressed of the knowledge and overstanding and above all genuine appreciation of those tunes of that time, with such a young age they took him under their wings Steady also was inducted to what the great David Rodigan said it “the college were you get your musical knowledge†those two guys knew just about everyone in the Jamaican music industry personally as friends such as :Prince Buster (who proclaimed on a interview on Kiss FM That Vinny(Duke Vin) was the Genesis of sounds and development of Jamaican popular culture) Bunny Lee ,Duke Reid, Justin Yap,The Skatalites, Alton Ellis ,The Wailers ,Sonia and Cecil Pottinger, Dave Barker ,the list goes on and on.The guys parents who came over from Jamaica and St Lucia respectively had records R/B Ska Rock Steady Reggae Country and Western and both was fortunate to be exposed to a wide range of music and the shops that were frequented by dad with little Matador on tow was Rita and Benny’s R and B record shop in Stamford Hill, Paul’s records Later named Harvey’s in Finsbury Park, Desmond’s Hip City in Brixton, Music City in Dalston and Shepherd’s Bush ,Trojan,Bamboo Records On Stroud Green Rd(Finsbury Park) Count Shelley’s in Stokie (Stoke Newington) and Lasco’s now named Regal Records and later on Matador and Steady themselves was DEB records in Battersea, Lloyd Coxsone shop in Brixton Gangstervilles ,Hawkeye,Sir Jessus in Goldhawk Rd Third World in Tottenham Ital Records and others ,plus friends used to bring the latest from Jamaica and as the Matador recalls soundmen also trips to the docks out of London to pick up tunes plus guys who were getting tunes from JA and literally selling door to door (Daddy Peckings did this also before he got the shop), many of (the records) what these nowadays these new collectors connoisseurs and dealers are going mad for and exchanging for extortionate prices(we dont beleive or support buying one copy of a record for extortionate prices when the artist got pittence or nothing and many a time was suffering we support the artistry and the music not the rarity)there were tunes played by sound systems in clubs, and the so called deeper tunes were played at blues and rent parties (remember them) they were played late into the early hours and sometimes as warm up tunes and also clashes, the two of them growing up amongst all of that at home and outside was exposed to the majority of those tunes from toddlers and beyond as our friend the great Champion of Jamdown Rockers and now resident dj for the tighten up crew would say"if it wasn’t for sound man collectors wouldn’t know a thing" that’s so true all of this before auction and wants list and internet.Growing up in such environment meant that the guys sooner or later would branch out into the world of sound systems ,The Matador’s older brother(Peter aka Sir Washington) had clubs in the 60’s and early 70’s he was a partner in the famous Q club with his friend Count Suckle and had clubs in west London and west end famous luminaries that’s went to the clubs and some became life long friends were :The Motown acts when over here with the famous Motown review you must know the names ,James Brown, Major Lance,Dusty Springfield (who was a big lover of soul) The Rolling Stones ,Prince Buster,Jackie Edwards,Jimmy Cliff,The Beatles, Georgie Fame ,Edwin Starr ,Ray Charles and many others like Emile Shalit of Blue Beat records (the matador said he reminded him of Sir Les Patterson his dress sense, the Barry humpries character and always buying him fruit pastels lol ) when Peter told the guys of this the roll call and name dropping it was too much to mention here the Matador can recall seeing some of those people himself although a little kid himself and Peter’s kids was into Northern Soul and the young Matador saw the scene in the 70’s but not until later(he was too into his rockers lol) understood and appreciated it.At primary school the first signs of sound system fever hit the teachers use to let some of the boys bring records from home and rig up the school turntable to the speakers and let them play their records the two of them also Keith son of Sir Biggs Clive the two Freddie’s Clevie, Eaton were the main protagonist, other kids and the teachers in the school were exposed to the latest tracks from Jamaica and Stateside we are now talking 1969-1973 and it went down so well the teachers gave us a slot during assembly (that was progressive at the time) the teachers themselves demanded and encouraged it ,tracks like Stalag,Give me a chance,Mek yu go on so,Breakfast in Bed/skank in Bed,Unbeleivable Sounds ,East of the River Nile, Drum and Bass Version, Cherry Oh Baby, Dirty Harry,Time has Come etc was all tastefully selected for the schools musical pleasure some of the records named and other were Jamaican PRE and released tracks and English released (Pre released as we knew it were what is nowadays called blanks no label, and some time they were called test press) all of this was at PRIMARY School.The trend carried on when they went on to secondary school when 2p dances at lunchtime were the LICK held in the main hall form classroom or drama hall, in both Tolly and Burleigh schools Steady’s older brothers were part of the sound Sir Marcus when the sound split up a load of killers were lost some of the records and the equipment went to Clevie (who’s brother Barry was a part of the sound and whose dad had tune galore and held blues in their yard ) Delroy (steady) Elias who’s parents had tune and parties galore at their yard and older brother Vic had tunes galore ,ska rock steady reggae and the latest of that time early seventies ,many of which ARE the so called big tune collectors worldwide are coveting and collecting the Matador himself went with him on a couple of occasions to buy tunes, other guys in the set was Tony AKA Banton, went on to call the new set Morika The Sweeter , the Matador aside of getting into Mischief lol was going to build his own set and played with Rocker’s Unique sound system and guest selected and freelanced on others declining the offer to join because he wanted to build his own and he knew what direction he wanted to take it.The guys raved like nomads east,west north and south London Reading Luton the Midlands and beyond They started of early (not telling you all what age) but it was places like The Hercules,Archway Central Hall after penny club in school ha ha, they were there following the likes of the extremes for eg: Sir George a brilliant party and lovers sound to Phoebe’s and Moonshot etc with the Legendary Jah Shaka, Sir Coxsone,Sufferer Hi -Fi,Fatman ,Biggs ,Intrepid, and Quaker City, Duke Alloy ,Wasifa all from the midlands and too many other sounds, the clubs were Norreik seven sisters Rd Tottenham end , 4 Aces in Dalston , Cubies in same manor ,Pheobe’s, Nightingales over Wood Green sides , the Bali Hi and Bouncing Ball Southside and numerous house parties and blues dances and when at times after raving here and there end up at All Nations North east side , Soul clubs like The Royalty Southgate ,Crackers and Samantha’s and 100 club in da west end not forgetting The Lycuem on Friday nights also in the west end , Hammersmith Palais ,Wag Club, as well as playing their own sound, there they would hear many tracks, some that were killers was played only once and never again either on plastic or dub the majority of collectors don’t know them tune trust us and ask people who were there they will say the same.In the 80’s due to politics and changes of attitude sound systems were getting less and less those who were selectors in sounds went onto community radio station to make themselves heard for eg: The Great Gladdywax formerly of Leisure Sound system and the Legendary Quaker City went onto the radio the Matador himself was on Crystal FM operating out of east London,and his brethren The Great Asher G (who selected on his dad’s set from the age of 7 Count Wally The Mighty of Stokie and Clapton )who was on City Radio and Station FM his shows was BAAAAAAAD and Beres aka Jazzy B of Soul to Soul fame who the guys grew up with in the manor (his brother Romeo aka Popsy was in EL Rico sound system) and also suddenly there was more DJ’s some of whom never had sound system experience who went onto radio or clubs and made a name for themselves, suddenly there was more DJ’s than sounds , plus everyone tired Fe lift up box lol, so the guys went with the flow : BUT WE MUST BRING BACK SOUND SYSTEMS THE TUNES SOUND MUCH BETTER ON A PROPER SET TRUST ME.In the 90’s The Matador entering sound clashes of oldies in the famous Bouyfoy’s Arms ran by the Great Lord David and played in numerous other places but stopped when personal tragedies hit him at the time Steady continued to select one time Morrika came back out as ONE SOUND , but Steady came and played with his own small set with Dj Spears and Ricardo at clubs and parties and official functions and The Lucian Cat played out from time to time ,as for Asher G he was playing out in clubs and clashes and on radio and built a sound of gigantic proportions named MUSIC CITY now they guys are now back and can be heard at the brilliant Coast to Coast ( it was thier friend DJ Cello brought Matador out of semi retirement) with their friend the equally brilliant selector DJ Cello and Turbo AC and many others such as Duke Vin, Gladdywax ,Asher G , Chris Lane , etc and other functions when advertised Steady became the mc by accident , when Matador had a sore throat he was such a success on the mic at coast 2 coast he can be heard at times there on the mic, also it has to be said and clear up he is first and foremost a selector, Matador has been known to take the mike for Duke Vin and others from time to time ,but prefers to play records reflecting all this history and records from Original R&B ,Ska ,Rock Steady,Reggae,Roots and Rockers,Early Dancehall,Northern Soul, Soul.Ragga to Modern R&B and Bashment makes it a very interesting musical journey they have got the tunes of these era’s to play at any function if the genre is required they can go from underground deep tunes to party and well known classic hits and when Rico’s around at the party jams a little bit of cheese lol.The Matador stepson Kyran aka Boycie is trying a musical ting although its grime/Hip hop/a little bit of rock and he is only 15 he too knows some of those oldies and ps Duke Vin himself wants to school him no lie and not forgetting the baby who knows if he will follow in Grandad ’s and Uncles and dad’s and big brothers footsteps watch this space lol THIS IS OUR STORY.......so watch and listen out for the guys at a place near u PEACE AND ONE LOVE AND BLESS 2 ONE AND ALL.we would like Big up and Hail up and bleessings to the following people friends and family: Jah Almighty, Amanda, Jayden ,Kyran , Jos ,Alberto ,Stien and Big Al, Vicky, Joy ,Tia ,Paul ,Janice ,Jamie ,Ashley ,Rebecca ,Cane ,David,Sandra ,Shane, China, India, Sheena, and the rest of our family,Duke Vin and Miss Vera ,The Lucian Cat aka Elias,mum and dad,Sylvia,Cherrie,Auntie Lenis and family,Trevor, James W, Liam,Tyrone,Val,Sharon,Josie, Jason and Family,Mikey,Jo,Mikey C,Mr and Mrs Fraser,Jahiem,Jada,Stilly,Jimmy and Karen AND family,Ronnie,Jah Wayne ,Phil ,Dee, Frances, Caz and family,Maxine, Lydia,Badger,Chris and Eva and Family,Mark,Andy aka Homes,Sunil and family,Vanessa,Auntie Lila,Ants aka UNITY,The Hill Family, Bambos, Mikey Lloyd (keep up the good work), Joel, Pennant, Anthony ,Stuart ,Clevie, Barbara, Lorraine, Barry and Family,Stan and Juliet, Rick,Banton, James, Cavie, Helen, Mr Bunny Lee,Chris and Duke Price:the Peckings Clan (keep up the good work and bless 4 carrying on the name and legacy) Fatman,Prince Buster,El Rico:Alfie(the Maestro)Best,Patrick,Johnny ,Popsy thanks guys4 the memories and of course the music,Mr Gaz Mayall,Sir Bunny,Asher G and Claude and family, Count Wally,Count Shelley,Gladdy aka Gladdywax, DJ Cello and Turbo AC (bless 4 keeping the fire burning) BIG UP COAST TO COAST ALL DA TIME , Tyber and Si(The Dualers keep it up guys ) ,MDV:Roots Reggae Musical soldiers bless spread da word :Hamza,Sticky1,Ranks,The Prophet(and their families) and Korus big up my yutes,The Kosmos: Andrew Crayford (the best unsigned group in the world everyone will soon know that) Duke Neville,Pheebus,The Baron and Mikey,MJ the Party Professor, Richard the Duke,DJ Stein,and LG Lewis (aka the system) Tyrone and the Diamonds(a girls best friend) crew ,Mikey Studio, Daddy Studio, Duke Alloy, Jesse James ,The Kraze Twins:Hey Boycie thanx keep on movin and growing ,Sir Biggs, Mellow Bostic ,Mr Bunny Reds, Chuckie ,Champion(if it wasn’t for soundman collectors wouldn’t know a ting yu know),Archie ,Gaffa Blue ,Bongo,Dj Pinty ,The Soul Jazz records shop,Carl,Nicole ,Abby ,Stewart ,John ,the whole clan,Keith Stone (Daddy Kool:Thanks 4 your friendship,advice ,support since my mid teens big up u and the family) Eddie Regal, Roy(Hawkeye) ,Charles aka Charlo aka Jackie Wilson :the walking Soul Music Encyclopedia,Bill(Hanway st record shop,one of the nicest guys you can meet)all of the Manor too numerous 2 mention both guys and dolls,coast2 coast regulars Byron,Robin and his partner name(sorry mate i we forgot her name) John the owner of On The Rocks,Old Man Shaun, Tim and Mr Brown(long time no see keep up the good work RA RA Tighten up makes us musically liven up),Ras Digsy:Jessus 4 Iver ,Screbby, Mark the Professor,Texes Ranger,Jean Paul C(keep on keeping on),Festus and Lloydie Legends of Coxsone sound,Jah Shaka,Mr Natty Frontline(long time no see),Skinnyman aka Alex, RS Digital ,Big Foot, Jude, Scully, Ragga Twins,Beres aka Jazzy B and Daddy Harvey and the Soul2 Soul crew,Kevin, Tony ,Dave Hendley, Chris Lane, Laurence Cane Honeysett ,Steve and Benji ,Joseph , Gadman and all of the Shaka mans dem, Arsenal FC and Mr Wenger ,Doreen,Margaret,Tony and Karen and family big up the N19 Bar its nice place 2 drink and chill and listen 2 music ,and numerous others guys and dolls if you was not mentioned you all know who you are p.s THANK YOU DAD 4 ALL OF THOSE RECORDS RIP either Jamaican and Stateside (gary).RIP: Mum and Dad,Poppa,Daddy Peckings and Miss Gertie,Sir Coxsone Dodd,Gideon,Cheryl,Paulette,Mr and Mrs Punter,Mr Archibald and Mrs King,Uncle Mike and Auntie Maureen,Auntie Jean,Studio 1 Pete, and others, gone but never forgotten in our hearts and minds bless you all and thanks 4 da memoriesThe Matador and Steady D : Makes u da people dance, smile and rave :)
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