Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, 'Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku" arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with 'Nyah Love' for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing".
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
Sound System
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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Sound system (sound system)
Heavy rhythm
Disco jive, conquer I no.
Sound system (sound system)
Juke box jive can't cramp I style.
Sock it to me sister
Move and mash it mama
Feel the fashion father
Bop and bounce it brother..eh..
Yeh yeh yeh.....
At a boogie blues standing in the corner
Swinging to the dubs the DJ play eh..eh...eh
Dig the music Mr. DJ
Macka music wheel a spinning.
Suffer not a fe - we rhythm
Arise a humble, poor, oppressed and needy
Music dread
Brain food taste ripe
Want consciousness, well I head rest with Jah.
Seize the time
Can't stop I in I tracks no, no, no, so.
Dig the music Mr. DJ
Dig the music Mr. DJ oh wow!
Sound system (sound system)
Same old rhythm
Disco jive, drive I man wild no.
Sound system (sound system)
Got I man a swinging
Juke Box jive can't cramp I style.
Sock it to me sister
Move and mash it mama
Feel the fashion father
Bop and bounce it brother, oh wow
Real cool runnings cousin
Got to groove it granny
Got to so deh grandpa
Dip and doodle daughter
Don't you dig it daddy?
Step and shuffle sonny
Hackle ankle Aunty
Bop and boogie baby
Sock it to me sister
Move it mash it mama
(3) Don't you dig it daddy
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's "Sound System" express an appreciation for music and its power to uplift and unite people. The first verse introduces the concept of a "sound system," which is a type of mobile disco popular in Jamaican culture. The heavy rhythm of the system and the "disco jive" make it impossible for the singer to be conquered. He can't have his style crampled even if someone tries to use a jukebox jive. The chorus repeats the phrase "sound system" and emphasizes the power of music to move people. The verse that follows shows the singer acknowledging the different people around him as music unites them all. This verse also highlights the power of music in overcoming societal oppressions such as poverty and need.
The second verse emphasizes the transformative and enlightening effects of music. The singer describes music as "brain food" that can lead to a higher level of consciousness. He encourages listeners to seize the time and embrace the power of music. The chorus is repeated, again emphasizing the power of music to bring people together. The final verse is a call to action, encouraging listeners to dance and move to the rhythm of the music. Each family member is given a call to action from grandparents and children to sisters and brothers. Overall, the lyrics showcase the power of music to unify and connect people from all walks of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig the music Mr. DJ
I enjoy the music you are playing, Mr. DJ
Sound system (sound system) Heavy rhythm
The sound system has a powerful rhythm
Disco jive, conquer I no.
I am not influenced by the disco jive rhythm
Sound system (sound system) Juke box jive can't cramp I style.
The juke box jive rhythm cannot affect my dancing style
Sock it to me sister
I want the sister to dance with energy
Move and mash it mama
I want the mother to dance with vigor
Feel the fashion father
I want the father to dance freely
Bop and bounce it brother..eh..
I want the brother to dance with enthusiasm
Yeh yeh yeh.....
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
At a boogie blues standing in the corner
I am standing in the corner of a place where blues music is playing
Swinging to the dubs the DJ play eh..eh...eh
I am dancing to the reggae music the DJ is playing
Macka music wheel a spinning.
The rasta music is playing continuously
Suffer not a fe - we rhythm
The rhythm should not be suppressed
Arise a humble, poor, oppressed and needy
The music can give hope to those who are humble, poor, and oppressed
Music dread
The music is strong and powerful
Brain food taste ripe
The music is nourishing and insightful
Want consciousness, well I head rest with Jah.
I find consciousness through listening to Jah's music
Seize the time
Carpe diem - take advantage of the current moment
Can't stop I in I tracks no, no, no, so.
I will not stop dancing
Real cool runnings cousin
The cousin is very cool
Got to groove it granny
The granny needs to dance too
Got to so deh grandpa
The grandpa should move his body too
Dip and doodle daughter
The daughter should move up and down while dancing
Don't you dig it daddy?
Do you understand the music and feel like dancing, daddy?
Step and shuffle sonny
The son should do some dance steps and shuffle around
Hackle ankle Aunty
The aunty should dance with energy and enthusiasm
Bop and boogie baby
The baby should move to the rhythm
Sock it to me sister Move it mash it mama
The sister and the mother should dance with energy and enthusiasm
Don't you dig it daddy?
Do you understand the music and feel like dancing, daddy?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALPHONSO MARTIN, BASIL GLENDON GABBIDON, DAVID ROBERT HINDS, MICHAEL RILEY, RONNIE MCQUEEN, SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN, STEPHEN VINCENT NISBETT
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