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ROOTS SOUND SYSTEM 2
EMAIL :DUBADVERTISER@HOTMAIL.COM
Freedom Masses Sound began in the early eighties with the teaming of Professor P and Jahmi-X. In the mid to late seventies Professor P.was with Megatone and Earthquake sounds, Jahmi-X, Rockertone and Emperor respectively. The two formed their own band called Righteous Works. Freedom Masses started building the Jungle Studio around this time, aiming to fill the big gap for roots music and sound system dances. Financial and social obstacles made this difficult initially. The 15-man posse made their presence known, supporting and representing at countless roots dances, the length and breadth of England. They became known as Freedom Fighters with their trademark skanking and warrior-style stepping in the arenas.Their earliest influences were the dominant Manchester roots sounds of this period; Killerwatt, Baron, President, Megatone, Gemini and Youthman, names whose fearsome reputation still resonate today. Freedom's first big dance took place in Gloucester, August 1986. There were no funds for dubplates, so reel to reel tapes were used in the dance. By the late eighties the studio was fully built and the sound was established, although undergoing rebuilding and team changes. Regular transmissions through the medium of radio kept the spirit of roots music alive for many Mancunians. The nineties saw the Freedom Masses ten-piece band emerge, playing numerous dates around the country. The sound system has played in unity with Jah Shaka, Iration Steppas, Jah Warrior, Abashanti, Mannaseh, Channel 1, Jah Youth, Jah Tubby,Jah Trinity, Earthrocker, Abisha, Jah Yabby's and too many more to mention. Freedom Masses have supported David Rodigan and Dub Syndicate at the Hacienda night club, as well as countless nights at Manchester's Band on the Wall, headlining in their own right and with names like Rod Taylor, Iration Steppas, Dub warrior and Ironworks. Raw dubs from source have remained the overwhelming impression of Freedom live. Professor P has also been a stalwart of the local scene, producing work for Blood and Fire, recording artists from the worlds of reggae, hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz and pop as well as engineering for artists of the calibre of Marcia Griffith, Beres Hammond, Twinkle Brothers and Little Roy. He is currently working with Manchester's own afro-bloc Inner Sense band. The first track out was on Gem records called "Freedom Sounds", which is on a compilation album. Freedom Masses combine their illustrious roots heritage with a range of possibilities for the future directions of roots reggae and dub music. Their sound can be heard on the current single "I AM. who I am" for Corroboree Records, taken from the forthcominc album "Life a Ruff" for their own imprint.
RASPECT -EARL JAHMIX
