Scientist

Blood & Fire's Steve Barrow (1998)

Interview by Frank Broughton, Rock's Backpages audio, 10 September 1998

The reggae historian and Blood & Fire founder looks back on the evolution of Jamaica's sound system culture: early pioneers such as Count Matchuki; the selector/DJ split; Ruddy Redwood and the pre-release dub plate; sound system rivalry; Duke Reid and Coxone Dodd; and DJs and selectors becoming producers. Steve then explains how he got into reggae in the early-'70s and talks about Jamaica's relationship with hip hop. Finally, he talks about King Tubby and Scientist's dubs via an illustration of Bernard Purdie's 'Funky Donkey'.

File format: mp3; file size: 68.3mb, total interview length: 1h 11' 10" sound quality: ****

Scientist and The Roots Radics Band: Scientist Meets The Space Invaders (Greensleeves)

Review by Vivien Goldman, New Musical Express, 14 February 1981

SPACE INVADERS STYLEEEE! In every arcade throughout the land, the youth just shake that mechanical hand, they like to see the meteors shatter, they just ...