Stone Love Movement, commonly referred to as simply Stone Love, is one of the major Jamaican sound systems.

History

Based in Kingston, Jamaica, Winston "Wee Pow" Powell built the Stone Love sound system in 1972, using locally-built amplifiers.[1][2] These were soon upgraded, and the equipment has been kept up to date over Stone Love's four decade history, with long-time engineer Winston Samuels in charge of technical aspects of the sound system.[3] It became Jamaica's most popular sound system, known for its superior sound quality, and maintained this position into the 21st century.[2][4][5] It has also played overseas in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.[1] Stone Love is renowned for its exclusive dubplates, which have included sides by many of the artists which it helped to establish, including Buju Banton and Wayne Wonder, and Johnny Osbourne and Shabba Ranks, Sanchez, and Beenie Man.[2][6]

In the 1990s, rivalry with the Killamanjaro sound system led to a series of 'sound clashes' being staged.[7] In 2003 Powell started a second sound system, Purple Love, which concentrates on vintage Jamaican music.[8] A live album featuring a recording of the sound system performing, Stone Love Live, was released in 2005 on November Records.[9] The sound system hosts the 'Weddy Weddy Wednesday' party every Wednesday at its base in Burlington Avenue, Kingston.

Apart from Wee Pow, the selectors have included Rory, Geefus, Billy Slaughter, Diamond, Fire Ras, Ice Burg, Scary Gary, Dwayne Pow[6] The sound system spawned the Stone Love and Father Pow record labels that have released hits by the likes of Bounty Killer, Jigsy King and Tony Curtis, Capleton, Tanya Stephens, and Daddy Screw.[1][9] In August 2014 it was announced that Powell would receive the Order of Distinction in October that year.[10] On 30 October 2014, the movement appeared at the Red Bull Culture Clash, clashing against Boy Better Know, A$AP Mob and eventual winners Rebel Sound (David Rodigan, Shy FX, Chase & Status and MC Rage).[11] To celebrate Stone Love's 42nd anniversary, the sound system toured the US in a series of performances ending on 27 December 2014 at the Red Stripe Oval in Kingston.[12]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Label
1994 Stone Love Dancehall Vol. 2 :Lovers Selections VP[13]
1997 Stone Love Movement Presents Go Go Wine VP[14]
1998 It's A Stone Love Thing VP[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Morgan, Simone (2012) "The Movement continues", Jamaica Observer, 9 November 2012, retrieved 10 November 2012
  2. ^ a b c "Stone Love", Vibe, April 1998, pp. 106-113
  3. ^ Cooke, Mel (2010) "Winston Samuels - The Man Behind Stone Love's 'Clean' Sound", Jamaica Gleaner, 24 December 2010, retrieved 10 November 2012
  4. ^ Cooke, Mel (2008) "Sound quality separates Stone Love from the pack", Jamaica Star, 15 December 2008, retrieved 10 November 2012
  5. ^ Seed, Michael et al (2003) Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: Volume 2 - Production and Performance, Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd., ISBN 978-0826463227, p. 264
  6. ^ a b "Stone Love, The Special anniversary", Jamaica Star, 2 November 2012, retrieved 10 November 2012
  7. ^ Stanley Niaah, Sonia (2010) DanceHall: From Slave Ship to Ghetto, University of Ottawa Press, ISBN 978-0776607368, p. 103
  8. ^ Henry, Krista (2006) "Purple Love goes back to Stone Love's roots", Jamaica Gleaner, 8 December 2006, retrieved 10 November 2012
  9. ^ a b Kenner, Rob (1995) "Boom Shots", Vibe, August 1995, p. 124, retrieved 10 November 2012
  10. ^ Campbell, Howard (2014) "Marcia Griffiths to receive Order of Distinction", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014
  11. ^ "Red Bull Culture Clash: Fans descend on Earls Court". The Independent. 27 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Stone Love celebrates 42 years", Jamaica Observer, 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014
  13. ^ "Stone Love - Stone Love Dancehall Vol. 2 :Lovers Selections". Discogs.
  14. ^ "Stone Love - Stone Love Movement Presents Go Go Wine". Discogs.
  15. ^ "Stone Love - It's A Stone Love Thing". Discogs.
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