Ian Irie

About me:

Producer/remixer Songwriter & Musician,born and raised in North West london. Started out playing drums at an early age and then asked to join a reggae band at the tender age of twelve!after hanging out in the Youth Centres to watch all the bands rehearse as it was the only place to go and see real music being made. At thirteen he had his first recording session playing drums for the band, who made a series of demos so they could procure gigs in london nightclubs like Phebes in Dalston in the 70's. Even though the band struggled to reach a prolific status due to the immense influx of reggae bands at the time like, Matumbi, Tradition, Black Slate, to name a few, through true inspiration he made a conscious descision to venture into the recording industry. He sessioned as drummer with various projects and dabbled with other instruments, guitar and keyboard and found different inspiration from other music genres, Jazz Funk was prolific at that time also, where he found influence from artists like, Ray Johnson (Drummer)from Atmosfear,Derek(Bass)McIntyre, Early jams sessions at an old school in Paddington , gave birth to bands like Hi Tension,Beggar and Co,which allowed him to explore and create his own unique drumlicks and creative development. He then ventured further by playing all genres of music via the Sound System rites of passage. "I Started my first Sound System Ambassada High Power at 15 with my good friend Winston Irie who also shared the same passion for music, we built speaker boxes, recruited friends and family to join up and off we went! Sound Members included, General D aka Negus - Selector/Technician Ian Irie - Operator/selector Winston Irie (MC) Bullet Dread (MC) Bigger - Selector Steve Notch - Selector Brush aka Basil (RIP) selector By Chance on Ian Irie's first visit to jamaica in 1980, a family member introduced him to the legendary Joseph Hill from the group Culture, who took him around a string of studios, where he met with Sly & Robbie,Ruddy Thomas, and managed to get a dubplate of Dennis Brown's 'Have you ever & Revolution', as the crown prince just recorded it!, which made the sound's credit rise as the one of the first sounds in the Uk to play it!! Playing at Parties, blues, weddings and so on, our popularity grew in the process (especially with the ladies) " we started to cut our own dubs to play out with and show everyone that we were versatile in our way, we would play everthing from Roots,Reggae,lovers,revive to soul,jazz funk & soca! We played everywhere we could, Boat & coach trips to notting hill carnival, we supported any sound that was playing, no rivalry in those days, even when we had a clash dance, we could still all laugh at the end of night and joke around who played the best and got the most 'Forwards' for the night." Sound System has taught many of us about true friendship,teamwork and support to the communities in which we live. New horizons opened up where he played solo on the side across an array of london nightclubs, playing everthing from Vocal Garage,Old School Soul & Rare Groove classics to Jungle. Known to drop a tite mix from time to time, he still produces mix CD's and produces in various forms of styles to stay in touch within genres. Another chance encounter he stumbled upon meeting international reggae Band 'Misty in Roots' who took him under their wing and encouraged him to pursue his natural talent for producing and allowed him access to their studios in Ealing, West London at the time. Since then, Ian Irie has appeared on the BBC with his own material, set up a couple of independent labels, Dj internationallyalongside dj's such as David Rodigan to Karl (tuff enuff) Brown and too many too mention! He has worked on various big projects with Major labels, toured with his own band, Urban Chronicle, playing support to artists he has taken under his wing and produced. His style is unique and he posesses the gift of being a multi-instrumental to his work as well as working with prolific musicians and artists ever since. Going back to the roots, Ian Irie now plays a series of one off sessions by special request, showing the uniqueness of his own mixing techniques in revival roots and culture and dub classics, a new dub album is near completion in the studio along with a host of projects utilising the versatility of learning his craft over 25+ years in music production. A musical Entrepeneur,music mogul has just set up the new label'An Irie Production' where you will be able to experience a range of musical styles to which he can turn his skills to, in addition to his community based projects developing artists and musicians for Live and Giggin.com as a mentor and facilitator to showcase events. For all bookings,remix and production, mentoring programs and other music services the agent: Live and Giggin ltd at www.liveandgiggin.com or email info@liveandgiggin.com
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