Sir Coxsone Outernational Sound System with Lloyd Coxsone
The Nottingham Irish Centre
The minute you hear Eek A Mouse (real name Ripton Hilton), you never forget him. Eek A Mouse sent the dancehalls raving in 1979 with his very DJ single; the Joe Gibbs produced “Once a Virgin”. I can imagine anyone not being intrigued by his nasal high-pitched voice and “biddy beng-beng, biddy meng-meng” scatting, though. This vocal style alone would set him apart from the pack of veteran DJs, but what truly elevates him above the rest is the quality of his melodies and music. Though generally considered a DJ, his style is distinctly Sing jay.
He's utterly unique, which is hard to say of an artist in any genre. Eek A Mouse's style is just plain fun to hear, as in the wonderfully playful 'Peeni Walli' or the hit 'Wa-Do-Dem”.
His 1988 album Eek-A-Nomics saw him begin to establish himself with an international audience, spawning a club hit with “The Freak”, and he was signed by Island Records in 1989. He returned to prominence with 1991’s U-Neek album, which continued the rock-oriented style, including a cover version of Led Zed Zeppelin’s “D´Yer Maker”, and from which the hit single “You Are The One I Need” was taken.
Eek A Mouse also featured on the alternative metal band P.O.D,’s album Satellite, lending his vocals to the rock-reggae track “Ridiculous” He can also be heard on South California based ska punk band OPM’s album , “For Them Asses”, combining hip hop, rock music and pop with laid-back reggae on the track “Perfect day.”
Eek A Mouse also has performances in the 1991 gangster movie New Jack City as Fat Smitty alongside movies stars like Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Mario Van Peebles, Chris Rock, Allen Payne, and Keith Sweat among others.
Though he continues to toil in cult obscurity, reggae singer Eek-A-Mouse remains one of Jamaica's most individual talents. Come and capture the legendary rude boy live, performing classics like 'Wa-Do-Dem', 'Terrorists in the City,' 'Anarexol.' “Virgin Girl” and quality exposure to a true character.
Iration Steppas are one of the top dubwise outfits in the world; initially starting out as a soundsystem in the 90’s they focused primarily on spinning dubplates before venturing into their own productions. Following in the footsteps of the sound systems that inspired him, Mark Iration, with partner Dennis Rootical, have moulded and crafted a very personal Iration Steppas vibe, a particular style montageyle that has grown to be internationally recognised as one of the best on the block.
Having played out all over the world from USA to Japan and spearheading the introduction of the dub scene to Leeds through their own flagship night Subdub, it is guaranteed that these boys will bring th e noise in a big way.
SIR COXSONE OUTERNATIONAL SOUND SYSTEM
The legendary UK soundman & record producer, Lloyd Coxsone, began his career in the sixties, soon after arriving from Jamaica. He was one of the first soundmen to play at West End clubs like Tiles and the Roaring Twenties, where a generation of British pop stars like the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elton John first heard the music of Jamaica. Coxsone then dominated the seventies, when Bob Marley and Dennis Brown were among his closest allies, as heard on unforgettable dub-plates from that era. Lloyd is an elder statesman with more than fifty years’ history behind him, but he knows there’s still a place in the music for those who are young at heart and willing to embrace change. After several ill-fated reunions with past members Lloydie now has a new crew working alongside him, and who can help him replenish his legacy for reggae audiences of today.