Afro – soul Sound System was founded in Spring 2006 by Sebestyén „Sebő†Szabolcs, SebÅ‘ „Sista†Gabriella and Baráth „Chi Korea†Zoltán. The 3 members passion for all kind of socalled urban music came to reality when they set up their own sound. In their programme they are trying to include the uptodate Hungarian and European „underground†urban music not to forget – of course – the classical afro – carribean vibes.At the end of 2006 their crew was joined by Laurence „LoltheHarp†Persad who is a British harp player from Tottenham and lived in Hungary. He is responsible for spicy up the wicked beats and riddims with the harsh tone of the harmonicas. His probably most catchy play is to hear on the bootleg version of Professional Ganjasmoker by General Levy, which was recorded inna Hungarian underground Tilos Radio live with the British – Jamaican artist together. Sadly he went back to London in November 2007,anyway he is still the member of the crew.Nowadays the very ambitious selector – team is, not only in the Hungarian Reggae Scene, promoting themselves and other artists to a wider audience. The – quite young – sound has let cutted their first dubplate by General Levy „Dem No Wicked Like Afro – soul Soundâ€. The original tune (Dem No Wicked Like We) was made in 1992, released at Fashion Records, and as General said: „This time was the first time someone wanted me do a dubplate from that song, it is really unique…â€After that several other specials were made, they worked together with singers like Andrew Paul or Jah Turban.At the end of 2007 SebÅ‘ has linked and met with Empress Ayeola from London, who is a very soulful, conscious, modern roots artist at Sirius Records. She has cutted dubplates (Afro – soul Is Love, Warrin’,Take Care of Our Children) and specials fi di sound system as another Sirius Rec. Singers (Nubiana – Afro soul Sound dubplate). In 2007, Empress gave a very vividly concert in Budapest@CorvintetÅ‘. In 2006 the soundsystem members have met the youngest and at the same time most conscious Hungarian modern roots band, Knotty Headz. From that time the 2 groups have featured at different occasions at each other’s show in Hungary and abroad as well. They (KH) give together a show with the above mentioned Empress Ayeola as session band. In 2009 February Empress Ayeola has returned for a show with an underrated jamaican DJ, called Wayne Lyrics, who has worked with a lots of artists (we can mention Anthony B.) not only from their homeland (Spanish Town) as well. They have given a very vividly concert at Gödör Club, organised by Shelter Foundation, and backed again by Knotty Headz.From the middle 2006 Afro-soul Sound has own shows at a small community radio station called „Fuzió radio†(www.fuzioradio.hu). Every Tuesday from 8 – 10 p.m. (sometimes untill midnight or even further) Chi presents „Urban Orthodox Jazz Collective†and plays mostly jazz and jazz – influenced hip – hop music, or inviting Hungarian DJs, MCs promoters have their own word or show live in the studio. Every 2nd Tuesday (before Chi’s programme) Sista makes her own show called „Sista Sound†in which she dominantly focuses on roots and modern roots / conscious music. SebÅ‘ every Tuesday from 10 – 12 p.m. presents with his friend Bomboleee „Reggae for all days†where they spin every kind of urban music with reggae flavor. In these programmes young artists and musicians have the opportunity to represent their work by – as easy – sending their own material from all over the world. They are checking out the myspace community site for new / or underrelated artists to present their work for a wider massive, and give live album reviews on the same show. Thanks for Wayne Lyrics, from 2009 April SebÅ‘ presents 2 shows on the internet radio called www.reggaewave.net which is based inna London. The programmes can be heard every Thursday evening 7-9 p.m. CET (6-8 p.m. GMT) and are called ’Uplifting Vibes No MuSick’ and ’International Vibes’.From April 2008 Chi – Korea hosts on Tilos Radio his show called „Striitnoiz†, is a slampoetry programme every 2nd Monday from 1 – 3 a.m. CET. He invited SebÅ‘ for rhyming live on the show and guest poets / mc’s are coming to present what are their imagination of slampoetry.Afro – soul Sound System has very strong links to a Hungarian Charity Organisation called „Menhely AlapÃtvány / Shelter Foundation†and to the first Hungarian Streetpaper called „Fedél Nélkül / Without Roof†They have organised together the first Reggae Soundsystem Charity Party in the Hungarian Reggae History to help the vendors of the newspaper. This kind of concept was taking over by other charity organisations and in other 2 cities – Pécs and GyÅ‘r – were held shows alongside with Afro – soul Sound. However thanks for this kind of charity DJing in 2007 the organiser of Ten Feet Away Homeless Arts Festival invited them to London to play at the Festival. The story will continue, for international booking don’t hesitate to call 00 36 20 290 9870 or write an email to SebÅ‘
[email protected]
