Worshipped by dancehall fans from Kingston to Kyoto, feared by Sound Clash rivals and revered by everyone from Massive Attack and Soul II Soul to KRS One, Wyclef Jean and Chase & Status, UK soundsystem pioneers Saxon International richly deserve the respect and attention they are currently enjoying. In anticipation of the Cult VIP feature in the next issue of Dazed (out March 17th), filled with unseen pictures, flyers and stories, This month Radio 1 Xtra are honoured the South London heroes with an exclusive takeover session recorded at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios.
Saxon studio started playing out as a party set back in 1976, playing at local parties weddings and small functions in their community of Lewisham, South East London. Throughout the years to follow Saxon became and was internationally known as the Number one U.K Sound System who was in a class of there own with there Dubplates and worldwide renowned artiste's feared by sound systems and DJ's from all over the Globe. Circa 1982 they had a dance called 'DJ Jamboree' held in Lewisham,
That dance was the start of new things to come for Saxon, people were coming from all over to see this sound perform. The entertainers grew and grew if one left then two more would approach us for a chance to be on the sound. The first artist to emerge on Saxon was Papa Levi then came Maxi Priest Followed by Smiley Culture, all of whom had No:1 hit records and were all signed to Major record labels.
In 1984 Saxon sound was given a record label by Greensleeve's Chris Blackwell to use to promote the Saxon Singers and DJ's this label was called The 'UK Bubblers' Signed to this label were Saxon's Tippa Irie, Daddy Colonel, Daddy Sandy and Daddy Rusty. In November of that year they recorded their first live LP called 'Coughing Up Fire' which turned out to be a great success for the sound system and their DJ's.
Download Coughing Up Fire Here By This time DJ Papa Levi had already reached the Number 1 Spot in the English and Jamaican Reggae charts, with his record 'Mi God Mi King' and still to this day he is the only UK artist to have reached poll Position in Jamaica, and the first UK act to perform on Reggae Sunsplash. Original soundmen and selectors Trevor Sax, Musclehead, Mikey Boops, Mini-Muscle, Dennis Rowe and legendary Saxon MCs Tippa Irie, Papa Levi, Daddy Colonel, Sandy, Daddy Rusty and old friend Dawn Penn are going to layed down an update of their seminal (and only) official live recording, 1984’s Coughing Up Fire (Greensleeves). They were joined by a selection of guests like Wretch 32, Stush, Scru Fizzer, Stylo G and Skibadee, most of whom weren’t even born in ’84 but whose rapid flow is a direct descendant of the ‘fast chat’ style pioneered by Saxon MCs in the youth clubs and community centres of Peckham in the early 80s. Wretch 32 explains why he had to be part of the historic broadcast "Saxon are to their era what dizzee and Wiley are to mine; legends." Respect is most definitely due. Download Maida Vale BBC Session here
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