Mikey Samson profile picture

Mikey Samson

I am here for Networking

About Me

Sometime around 1990, what was a casual interest in reggae moved to the next level, sparked by a chance purchase of Lee Perry and King Tubbys masterpiece ‘Blackboard Jungle Dub.’ My original idea was to learn the bass guitar by playing along but the bass grew dusty while my record collection grew in leaps and bounds. The main focus of my collecting has been on all things Jamaican flavoured in it's myriad of forms and eras, but also includes funk, soul, jungle, electro, dubstep, hip-hop and jazz, In 1994, I joined my soul brother Big Matt for 95bFM’s weekly revive reggae show, ‘Downbeat’ which ran for over ten years. We also played numerous local gigs and dances as 'Downbeat' including a couple of residencies at the long-since-extinct 'Bob Bar' and 'Kurtz Lounge' Under the alias Yardboy, I've played support for Mad Professor, with Earl 16 & Nolan Irie in early ’99, and Ninja Tunes Auckland show ’98. I've appeared at The Gathering ‘98/99 in ‘99/00, One Love Unity Celebrations (AK) ’96-’99, regular summertime appearances at Leigh Sawmill Café, and numerous local sound system dances. After moving to Dublin in 2001, I linked up and became friends with the guys behind Firehouse Skank Sound System in Dublin who have been in the business since 1993. Guests on the Firehouse Skank Sound System have included: Jah Shaka, Disciples, Manasseh, RDK Hi-Fi, Love Grocer, Ras Ishu, Brother Culture, Bob Andy, Roots Ting, Channel One UK, Conscious Sounds, Mungos Hi-Fi, Revelation Sound (Cork), Rootical sound (Galway). During 2001-2005 I played in Dublin’s Thomas House Pub, Voodoo Bar, International Bar, SFX theatre and Parnell Mooney Pub (with Firehouse Skank). Since returning to New Zealand in December 2005 I've filled in for Dubhead on 95bFM’s ‘Rhythm Selection’ on 10/07/06 and 28/08/06 as well as two guest appearances prior to these dates; co-hosted ‘Ring The Alarm’ on BASE FM with Big Matt while regular host Peter McLennan was overseas 17/06, 24/05, and 01/07/06;and selected for ‘Buss It Up’ at the Rising Sun on 04/08/06. In 2007 you can catch me occasionally filling in for Dubhead on 'The Rhythm Selection' 95bFM Monday nights 9-11pm.

My Interests

Jamaican music from the 1970s to the present day, my family, photography, films, education, contemporary culture.

Music:

King Tubby, King Jammy, Dennis Brown , Bob Marley, Vivian Jackson, Jah Shaka, Itals, Tony Curtis, Ranking Dread, Wayne Jarrett, Cedric Brooks, Ethiopians, Culture, Carl Meeks, Chuck Turner, Michael Prophet, GZA, Thievery Corp, 9 Lazy 9, Shut Up & Dance, Disciples, Lidj Inc, Burning Spear, Horace Andy, Augustus Pablo, Balck Grass, Jeru Tha Damaja, Jah Warrior, Vibronics, Gussie Clarke, Roots Ting, Gussie P, DJ Krush, Ninja Tunes, Roman Stewart, Prince Far I, Bim Sherman, The JB's, Cymande, Sonic Youth, The Nextmen, The Clean, Studio One, Soul Syndicate, Roots Radics, Creation Rebel, Conroy Smith, Tony Tuff, Dennis Bovell, Alpha & Omega, Mikey Dread, Jah Tubbys, Barrington Levy, Jstar, Upstate Rockers, Unity, Bobby Digital, Dave Kelly, D.Germain, Fatta & Bulby, Fatis, Rodney P, Roots Manuva, Cocoa Tea, Courtney Melody, Congo Natty, Mungo's HiFi, Fat Freddys Drop, Neeko and the Rise Up crew, Freddie McKay, Mikey General, Rockers Hi-Fi......
Special respects to Big Matt, Dubhead, Stinky Jim & Irene, Slowdeck, Grapple, Roots Foundation, JJ, Giab, Jugglin Crew, Jafa Mafia, Champion Sounds, Selecto, Downtown Brown, Nomad, Rebel Bass, Messenger, Nemo, Firehouse Skank, Worries Outtanational, Turnaround Crew, Submariner, Open Souls, Bassteppa, all the NZ and Oz crews. If I haven't mentioned you personally... Respect still.

Movies:

Dead Man, Babylon, Seven Samurai, For A Few Dollars More, Cigarettes & Coffee, City Of God, Harder They Come, Rockers, City Of Lost Children, Delicatessen, Les Amants Du Pont Neuf, La Haine, Diva, The Hidden Fortress, Ghost Dog....

Books:

Lloyd Bradley - Bass Culture, Chris Salewicz - Rude Boy, Timothy White - Catch A Fire, David Katz - Solid Foundation, Laurie Gunst - Born Fi Dead, Guy Kennaway - One People, Linton K. Johnson - Mi Revalueshanary Fren, and poetry from Benjamin Zephaniah for starters.

Heroes:

...are what we need in this time.

My Blog

Playlist for the Rhythm Selection 31 March 08

Mikey sitting in for Dubhead on the Rhythm Selection Playlist: Horsemouth Wallace - Herb Vendor U-Roy - The Great Psalms Prince Alla - Ruff Ruff Way Ahead Barry Biggs - Work All Day Phillip Frazer and...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:03:00 PST

Springline Jamaica

My favourite forum for some relaxed chat and reggae music appreciation: http://onthespringline.proboards77.com/index.cgi Website for Springline Jamaica radio and dj mixes. There's a mix from yours tru...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:38:00 PST

More reggae related blogs to check

This is the muthalode http://nightofthepurplemoon.blogspot.com/2007/10/useful-list -of-reggae-album-blogs.html...but I recommend you support the artists by buying their material after finding something...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:21:00 PST

Playlist for the Rhythm Selection 17.09.2007

The Rhythm Selection - Monday 17th Sept 2007 9-11pmon 95bFM Auckland, NZ. Prince Buster - Idi Amin (cdr)Bob Andy - Ghetto Stays on the Mind (Sky Note)Mikey Jarrett - A Yuh (Wackies)Don Carlos - Laser ...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:57:00 PST

Playlist for 'The Rhythm Selection' 2 July '07

Playlist for 'The Rhythm Selection' 95bFM Monday 2nd July '07...sitting in for DJ Dubhead. Linval Thompson - Girl You Got To RunPrince Buster - Sounds and PressureCarl Dawkins - SatisfactionGlen Mille...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:17:00 PST

Current turn on's (May 2007)

Currently listening to: Struggler - Missa Man Deh (Faith)Shaggy - Ruba Dub Wi Want (Greensleeves)Burro Banton - MC Peggy (Massive B)Carl Dawkins - Satisfaction (Techniques)Manu Dibango - Countdown at ...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Fri, 18 May 2007 11:08:00 PST

In the box next to my decks right now...

Mr Vegas - Lean with it - Taxi (Darker Shade) 7" Various - Dancehall Session 2 - Union Square CD Stinky Jim - Stinkbombs 404 Music Murderation (Various) CD James Brown - Gold (2CD on Polydor that cove...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:36:00 PST

Some top podcasts to check out

These are a handful of podcast sites I frequent. There are plenty more out there and I'll try to post links to the more interesting sites as time goes by.   http://duborganiser.podomatic.com/ ht...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 06:30:00 PST

ALL ROADS LEAD TO GALATOS on Friday 23rd March 2007

Charity gig for legendary DJ with cancer..: Sufferahs Choice: Friday March 23 at Galatos, Auckland Top New Zealand DJs are joining forces to raise funds for cancer-stricken DJ Big Matt. All proceeds...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 08:50:00 PST

Reggaemusicstore 2006 recommendations

My best of the year: BEST JA ROOTS RELEASES Morgan Heritage  What A Day  Gibbo 7" Norris Man & Turbulence - Rules And Laws - Grillaras 7" Al Borosie - Herbalist - Forward Recordings 7" Prince Al...
Posted by Mikey Samson on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:25:00 PST