User:SlyMackabee/sandbox

 MACKABEE STUDIO INTERNATIONAL 

From the city of Coventry, in the heart of the UK, over 35 years ago, Mackabee Studio International was formed. A group of friends from various secondary schools with a passion for roots and culture, rub a dub vinyl and dub plate specials came together. They were unified by their love of reggae music and the sound system; a central feature of Jamaican popular culture and history.

Historically, the Maccabees were a group of Jewish rebels who took control of Judea by conquest, ruling from 167 BCE to 37BCE. The Books of the Maccabees are concerned with the leaders of the Jewish rebellion, of which there are 8 books. Each of which represent the 8 founding members of the Mackabee Studio International crew: Daddy Sly (born in Westmoreland, Jamaica), Mikey Magic, KT, Bush Doctor, Redda Crucial, Observer, Abbey and Nelson Irie. Shortly afterwards they were joined by Sal, Errol Judah, TDK and Ziggy Natulus.

On the birthday Haile Selassie, Mackabee Studio International made its first outing as a sound system on July 23rd, 1981 with a box van loaded with equipment: 16 Bass Speakers; Mid-Range and Tweeter Boxes and Transistor Amplifiers. The newly formed crew had a wide range of expertise, comprising of sound engineers, DJs, MCs, selectors and promoters. From the very first local sound clash at Coventry Polytechnic to the present day, Mackabee’s versatility and longevity cannot be questioned. Whether juggling with a laptop, playing vinyl or rolling out entirely equipped with full crew, the sound has evolved and moved with the times, whilst still promoting reggae and dancehall artists locally and abroad through their extensive collection of dubplates.

The statistics speak for them themselves. Having played in nearly every city or town in England and clashed against numerous prolific sound systems including: Sir Coxsone, Jah Tubbys, Saxon Studio, Java, Unity, Luv Injection, V Rocket and Sovereign to name but a few, Mackabee is rightfully listed and recognised on the official Sound System map of England. It is also one of the few sounds in the UK to have played out at dances, festival, events and parties consistently across 4 decades. It has also maintained strong links with Jamaica over this time, not only through the frequent visits to supplement the dub plate box but also by playing on open lawns in the hills of Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica.

Diversity and versatility has been at the heart of the Mackabee philosophy and the key to survival in the competitive world of sound systems. Over time, numerous other members, have at one point or another been part of the exciting journey that it has made. Currently Daddy Sly, Mikey Magic, Nelson Irie and Errol Judah remain, with Asha Banton. Master D and Ice Man have followed in their father’s footsteps and are now the youngest members of the Mackabee Family.

Mackabee is first and foremost, a juggling sound who will always continue to evolve and please their committed and supportive fanbase and you the Dancehall Massives ...

Respect