Fireside Chat

Aba Shanti-I

Falasha Recordings, London

When they were mere pups, Aba and his brothers were introduced to the "Roots and Culture" by their father Alan, who ran a sound system. It didn't take long until Aba was traveling up and down the country chatting his conscious lyrics over heavy dub plate mixes to anyone who would listen. Those of you down with the sound system scene in the '80s might remember Jah Tubby's rather extroverted mic man - that was our man Aba. Along with Samari as well as his brothers Blood Shanti and Shanti Roots, they released their first single Tear Down Babylon under the moniker Shanti-Ites, followed a year later in 1994 by Zulu Warrior. Impressed by their success they decided to form the record company with a vibe - Falasha Recordings. Releases on the label over several years following included Aba's The Wrath of Jah, Blood's Pure Spirit and the latter's debut long player, Pure Spirit. Their yearly Notting Hill Carnival session at South Row and East Row is easily one of the most spiritual experiences one could treat himself to, influencing generations of bass heads from Jazzie B to DMZ. True stalwarts on London's soundsystem scene, these bredrin bring wisdom by the pound, vibes by the key.