Saxon Studio International
Encyclopedia
Saxon Studio International is one of the best known London reggae soundsystems. It is notable for being the first UK soundsystem to win an international competition and also being where three artists who went on to achieve UK Top Forty
hits first came to prominence.
Saxon Studio International began operating in Lewisham
, South London in 1976.
The sound came to prominence in the early 80s because of the "fast chat" style which was pioneered by its deejay
Peter King. Other Saxon MCs included Tippa Irie
, Smiley Culture
, Asher Senator, Papa Levi, Daddy Colonel, Daddy Rusty and Daddy Sandy all of whom developed this style and went on to release records, some (such as Smiley and Tippa) achieving Top 40 hits in the UK national chart.
Singer Maxi Priest
also began his musical career on Saxon.
In 1992, Saxon won the UK Cup Clash (a tournament for reggae soundsystems).
In 1994, Saxon became the first UK soundsystem to win the World Clash
.
Saxon continue to play internationally, including an annual outing at London's Notting Hill Carnival
. Their style has influenced artists such as Massive Attack
(who invited them to play at the 2008 Meltdown festival
which they curated) and The Bug (who has collaborated with Tippa Irie and Saxon selector Trevor Sax).
However an official recording of a mid eighties session in Paddington
West London entitled "Coughing Up Fire" was released by the Greensleeves Records
subsidiary label UK Bubblers in 1984.
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
hits first came to prominence.
Saxon Studio International began operating in Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, South London in 1976.
The sound came to prominence in the early 80s because of the "fast chat" style which was pioneered by its deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
Peter King. Other Saxon MCs included Tippa Irie
Tippa Irie
Tippa Irie is a British reggae singer and DJ from Brixton, South London.He first came to prominence in the early eighties as an MC on the South London reggae soundsystem Saxon Studio International....
, Smiley Culture
Smiley Culture
David Victor Emmanuel , better known as Smiley Culture, was a British reggae singer and deejay known for his 'fast chat' style. During a relatively brief period of fame and success, he produced two of the most critically acclaimed reggae singles of the 1980s...
, Asher Senator, Papa Levi, Daddy Colonel, Daddy Rusty and Daddy Sandy all of whom developed this style and went on to release records, some (such as Smiley and Tippa) achieving Top 40 hits in the UK national chart.
Singer Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest
Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most...
also began his musical career on Saxon.
In 1992, Saxon won the UK Cup Clash (a tournament for reggae soundsystems).
In 1994, Saxon became the first UK soundsystem to win the World Clash
World Clash
The "world sound clash" was started by world promotion in 1993, the first clash was at the Roller express in London. Body guard sound system was the first world sound champion....
.
Saxon continue to play internationally, including an annual outing at London's Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , London, UK each August, over two days...
. Their style has influenced artists such as Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
(who invited them to play at the 2008 Meltdown festival
Meltdown (festival)
Meltdown is an annual, English festival, held in London, featuring a mix of music, art, performance and film. Meltdown is held in June at Southbank Centre, the arts complex covering and including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Hayward...
which they curated) and The Bug (who has collaborated with Tippa Irie and Saxon selector Trevor Sax).
Recordings and releases
Many recordings of Saxon sessions circulate unofficially on cassette tape, CDR or mp3.However an official recording of a mid eighties session in Paddington
Paddington
Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
West London entitled "Coughing Up Fire" was released by the Greensleeves Records
Greensleeves Records
Greensleeves Records & Publishing is a record label specialising in dancehall and reggae music. The company was founded by Chris Cracknell and Chris Sedgwick and started as a small record store in West Ealing, London, in November 1975 and is based in Britain....
subsidiary label UK Bubblers in 1984.