Originally published in Tearaway Magazine (1990s)

MENTO

One of the styles of music which influenced the rise of ’ska’ in the late ’50s. Mento was a style of blues-oriented folk music.

SKA

Originated around the ’50s and ’60s ’ska’ became Jamaica’s own unique music style. Nobody is exactly sure who pioneered ska – but the ‘Skatalites’ are the most famous ska band – and still going strong!

ROCK STEADY

Came about in the late ’60s. This was a slowed down version of ska with a rock feel.

ROOTS REGGAE

This is a broader term for all the reggae-styles mentioned here, but with more of a rock influence. Roots reggae was best known in the ’70s and ’80s – especially with the rise in popularity of Bob Marley.

HOT-TIPS: Culture, Judy Mowatt , Black Uhuru, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Peter Tosh.

DUB

First began with reggae/rock-steady bands doing sound-checks at gigs. The instrumental style of playing caught on and soon bands began taking vocal tracks from the A-sides of their records – would pump-up the bass, add echo effects on the instruments, and sample the vocals. This remixed ‘version’ track would then usually appear on the B-side of the record. These days dub music is made using computer programmes (perhaps making dub reggae’s equivalent to techno).

HOT-TIPS: Mad Professor, Dub Syndicate, Sly & Robbie, Jah Shaka, Alpha & Omega.

DANCEHALL

One of the most popular forms of reggae music today dancehall originated from ‘toasting’ and DJs. ‘Toasting’ is where a reggae singer would chant or sing over the top of existing dub tracks. This was then followed by the DJ-style which was more rap-oriented and is more the style we hear today (as known as ‘raggamuffin’).

HOT-TIPS: Buju Banton, Eek-A-Mouse, Terror Fabulous, Apache Indian.

JUNGLE / DRUM’N’BASS

A style of fast-moving music pioneered by DJ’s mixing hardcore house, breakbeats, hip-hop, and ragga chants. Earlier known as ‘Gangsta Rave’ this frantic music runs at around 160 beats per minute, but is usually layered over the top of slower tempos, allowing dancers to choose the speed they prefer.

HOT TIPS: Peshay, Alex Reece, Goldie. NB – Most of the best is under obscure names!

BHANGRA / BHUNGLE / BHANGLE

Afusion of raggamuffin with the yoots (youth culture) dance music of the European Asian community. This music (known as ‘Bhangra’) features raggamuffin vocals, jungle breakbeats, wild tabla drums, and Indian-style chants all interweaved into a dancehall frenzy. Perhaps some of the fastest jungle breakbeat known, it often exceeds 175 bpm.

HOT TIPS: Bindi, Sasha, Bally Sagoo.

REGGAE = RASTA?

To be a reggae-lover doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a Rasta – or even the other way around infact (there are apparently many Rasta’s who love country music in Jamaica!). So just what is a ‘Rasta’ anyway…?

It all began at the beginning of this century when a Negro-rights activist from Jamaica called Marcus Garvey said “Look to Africa, where a black king shall be crowned”. Soon after Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned and became the emperor of Ethiopia. Marcus Garvey started an organisation with the aim to help black people in the western world go back to their homeland in Africa.

It was their belief that Africa was the true Zion, and that white Christian missionaries had altered the Scriptures to conceal the fact that Adam, Eve and Jesus were infact black. This was the beginning of the Rasta movement. ‘Rasta’ is of course short for ‘Ras Tafari’, the original name of the Ethiopian emperor. Reggae is the popular music of the Rastafarian movement.

This article originally appeared in Tearaway Magazine (1990s)

Explore what diverse sounds the world has on offer!

Most record stores now have an ‘Ethnic’ or ‘World Music’ section and will usually be happy to let you have a preview listen.

To help you avoid the junk here’s a rough guide to hunting-out the top world music labels:

REALWORLD

Recordings from this popular label (owned by mega-star Peter Gabriel) feature music from just about everywhere, and showcases nearly every musical style in existence! Realworld release a hot new album nearly every month.

Hot Tips: Sheila Chandra (India/UK. Extraordinary mesmerizing voice), Toto La Momposina y sus Tambores (Colombia. Wild Latin percussion and singing).

GREEN LINNET

The top label for all your Celtic music from Europe, Quebec and beyond. A huge selection is available in quality record shops throughout NZ, or you can order from them direct.

Hot Tips: The Celts Rise Again (Celtic compilation), Matt Molloy (Ireland. Energetic flute music), La Bottine Souriante (Quebec/Canada. Fun folk).

XENOPHILE

A recent offshoot of Green Linnet, set-up to meet the growing demand for ethnic music.

Hot Tips: Francisco Ulloa (Dominican Republic. The fastest accordian player in the world), Abana Ba Nasery (Kenya. Guitar and Fanta bottle music – yes really!)

ROUNDER

Just recently available in NZ, this label is full of surprises and variety. There’s folk, blues, reggae, and some of the best in global music.

Hot Tips: Bonga (Angola. Awesome Afro-Latin grooves), Conjunto! (Texas-Mexican border music – crazy, tacky, untold fun!).

COOKING VINYL

If you’re new to world music then this is a good place to start. Especially check out the Cooking Vinyl ‘PLANETE’ series of albums featuring ragga (Europe/Africa/Caribbean), reggae (Africa/Caribbean), rai music (Algeria), and zouk (Caribbean/Africa).

Hot tip: Oysterband ( Foot-stomping Irish melodies! Voted the UK’s top folk group).

MANGO

Division of Island Records. World-beat for the masses.

Hot Tips: Dub Clash (Jamaica/UK. Wicked dub compilation). Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart (UK / WORLD. Prolific funky grooves).

RYKODISC/HANNABAL

A quality label for those with a broad taste in music (jazz, reggae, blues, ambient) – there’s something for you!

Hot Tips: 3 Mustaphas 3 (Hungary/Balkana. Wild – awesome – and my favourite!), Gyuto Monks (Tibet. Relax to the funky monks doing the chant thang).

LUAKA BOP

These albums are compiled by ex-Talking Head David Byrne. Specialises in music mainly from South America, but other places as well. It’ll soon become obvious where Byrne got his influences from!

EARTHWORKS

Features the best of African music, plus a couple from the Carribean.

Hot Tips: The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (South Africa. Jive music which will make you move!), Rai Rebels (Algeria. Trance-like vocals, and that addictive rai rhythm).

NATION

Usually found in the ‘Imports’ section. This label is at the forefront of what is termed ‘Tribal’ music, a mind-bending combination of European trance dance beats, with ethnic rhythms and vocals.

FRONTLINE

West-Indie reggae classics from the ’70s.

Hot Tips: The Gladiators, U Roy, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru.

This article originally appeared in Tearaway Magazine (1990s)

Whirly fanatic’s novice guide to doing it yourself…

Whirly = ecstatic highvibe dance with spiralling motions

WHY A WHIRLY GIG??

• Whirling gets you on a natural high – and doesn’t give you a hangover
• More than just ‘a party’ – no more sitting around staring at each other
• Great way to meet people – on and off the Whirling zone
• Freedom feeling – Whirl all you like
• Fun exercise – the easiest and best there is
• Whirling is spoken on every country on Earth – handy for when you go overseas
• It can last for hours – the best Whirly-Gigs last until sunrise
• Whirling is environmentaly friendlier – a good Whirl cuts down on heating
• An excuse to dress up – nothing is too outrageous at a Whirly-Gig

GOOD MUSIC FOR WHIRLING

Whirl-Stylee

Techno – Varietee
Raggamuffin Dancehall – Bouncee
Trance – Trancee
Jungle / Drum’n'Bass – Deeplee
Reggae – Cruisee
Dub – Mellowlee
Hip Hop – Coolee
Bhangra – Flamboyantlee
Rave – Trippilee
Latechno (Latin techno) – Livelee
Grunge – Furiouslee
Soukous (from Africa) – Spiralee
Cumbia (from Colombia) – Swingee
Celtic (from Ireland, Scotland, Quebec) – Skippee
Disco – Sparklee

HOW TO KILL A GOOD WHIRLY

Alcohol – take it easy as this will take your Whirl into a downward spiral
Aggression – Whirling needs to be fed plenty of positive upvibe sounds
Excessive Noise – A good Whirler can’t whirl as well with damaged eardrums
Sleaze – A Whirler needs freedom of expression, so keep your hands and thoughts to yourself
Segregation – A Whirler sees everybody as groovy, especially if they are being groovy

GETTIN` THE WHIRL SPINNIN`

Because a Whirly-Gig is more than just an average party it takes a little bit of enthusastic planning and creativity. The basic ingredients of a Whirly-Gig are:

(1) Good dance music
(2) A decent sound system
(3) Creative psychedelic lighting
(4) A good-vibe venue

Because it’s not first or last, or exactly in the middle, we’re going to start with ingredient No.3…

PSYCHEDELIC LIGHTING!

Lighting helps create a ‘nightclub’ atmosphere wherever you’re at, and depending on your budget you can have anything from lazerbeams to desk lamps. But you don’t need to go overboard – in fact the most effective lighting is often the simplest.(Look under ‘HIRE’ in the yellow-pages, and find those places which mention lighting or entertainment. Phone up several places and get them to send you a list of the lights they have for hire, and the prices. Most hire-places require you to pick up and drop off the gear when you’ve finished, and most charge on a per-day (usually meaning overnight) rate. They will charge you extra if you bring them back late. Always read the small print and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Whirly good lights to hire…

ULTRA-VIOLET BLACKLIGHTS

These make white and fluoro objects glow in the dark! Cost to hire is usually around $10 each. You need just one if you’re holding a small Whirly-Gig at your home, but in a hall or garage you might need up to three or four.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Psychedlic Face-Paint! Paint crazy designs on your friends faces, arms and legs for extra groovy effects under the UV lights. What you need is luminous poster-paint which comes in small jars from stationers and art-suppliers. About $3 per jar. If you want to go further you can also use it to paint posters to put up on the walls, and on bits of string which you can leave dangling from the roof, or make into spider-webs – let your imagination go wild!

Shredded Paper: Shredded white paper is most excellent for covering the floor. Like ‘virtual snow’ it glows like neon under the UV lights. Track down a local printer or look under office-supplies in the yellow-pages, and you’ll eventually track down somebody with a paper-shredder in your area. Most places will be happy to give the shredded paper to you for free.

STROBE LIGHTS

For full-on dancing strobe lights are still a huge favourite. Be aware that some people cannot handle strobes for long-periods, so it pays to use it only in short bursts. The correct way to use a strobe is to point it towards a wall or the roof (away from the dancer’s eyes). The light will then bounce off and still look just as groovy. They cost around $15 to hire.

PIN SPOT SCANNERS

Basically just a bright light which rotates a beam around the room. You can also place a coloured gel over the bulb to create the atmosphere you desire. About $10 each to hire.

If you are working on a non-existent budget then you can also create your own creative lighting out of desk-lamps, and ordinary household light bulbs. Paint the bulbs with coloured paint, decorate them with coloured gels, or cover them with scarves to create an ambient glow.

On the other hand, if you’ve got money to burn then you may want to splash out on something special. Here’s a few special effects and lighting most places have for hire, along with the rough price.

• Lazer beams – $40 – (best used with a mirror-ball – aim the lazer at the mirror ball and it’ll bounce off in crazy directions!)
• Mirror ball – $25 – (hang securely from the roof)
• Bubble machine – $25 – (blows it’s own bubbles!)
• Smoke machine – $35 – (plus the cost of the smoke ingredients)
• Helicopter – $25 (coloured lights which spin around)
• Crazy flower – $50 – (makes flower effects in time with the music)
• Roboscans – $75 – (a variety of effects in time with the music)

A QUICK SQIZ AT SOUND

GETTING SOUNDWISE

No matter how fancy your venue, DJ, or lighting, without good sound your Whirly Gig will FLOP like a fish on Mars. But a wicked sound does NOT mean loud. The ultimate dance PA has freshness and clarity, can be heard from all corners of the dance floor, and has a hint of luscious bass you can feel deep in your bones.HOW BIG? This depends on the size of your venue and the number of people you’re expecting. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better, but here’s a rough guide to what you need.

• No. Whirlers Suitable Sound System Approx cost to hire
• 1-50 Your home stereo! Free if you already own one
• 50-150 Pair of composite speakers $100
• 150-300 Two bass bins and two top/mid-range speakers $150
• OR Four composite speakers
• Preferred system – with four speakers the music surrounds the dancers and volume can be kept low without destroying the bass. This keeps Whirlers happy plus keeps Noise Control off your back! $200
• 300 plus Concert series PA $300+

NOTE – All systems must come with an AMP, cables, and where necessarily, speaker stands.

SOUNDING OUT THA JARGON

• AMP = Amplifier. The unit which boosts the sound from your stereo or DJ mixer to give the PA enuff punch!
• PA = Public Address (a short name for the whole system including speakers, amplifiers, cables etc)
• Composites = A unit containing both low-frequency (bass) and high-frequency (treble) speaker cones
• Top/Mid = The higher (sharper) frequencies
• Bass Bins or Sub Woofer = A kick-ass bass low-frequency speaker
• Concert series = A huge unit with many different sorts of speaker cones

WHERE CAN I GET A SOUND SYSTEM?

Most of you will need to hire a PA system, but before you do anything ask around. If you’re at school or university they may have their own PA which they may let you use for free if your Whirly Gig is community-oriented (or they might hire it to you at a student discount rate). Speak with your local district or city council – they often have systems available for community events – or will have some good contacts. Finally get on the ( and look under ‘HIRE’ in the yellow-pages, and find those places which mention sound-hire or entertainment. Phone up several places and get them to send you a list of the systems they have for hire, and the prices. Most hire-places will drop-off and pick up the PA at your venue, and should also set it up for you. Most charge on a per-day (usually meaning overnight) rate. Make sure you get an after-hours phone number in case the sound system breaks down in the middle of your gig (it can happen!). They should come immediately and unless you’ve done something really stupid should fix the problem for free. I recommend you don’t hire from anybody who claims otherwise. Always read the small print and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

THE VENUE

OK – we’ve got the music, the lights, and a sound-system – and a good bunch of people rearing to whirl the night away. So where do we put them all?

YOUR HOME

Often the cheapest and friendliest environment – an average lounge will hold about 30 people. It’s a good idea to only invite people you know personally – it’s your home after all!

WAREHOUSE FLATS

Some of the very best parties are held in mid-city warehouse-style flats. These often have large spaces (enough for several hundred people), with plenty of room for dancing, and you will be able to go overboard creating a wicked dance environment!

GARAGES

Here you’ll have few worries about people wrecking the carpet!

HALLS

Your local community hall is a good option, but you may be charged a hire fee. The fee should also include cleaning and most places charge between $50 and $100.

OUTSIDE

The ultimate in whirlying! But full of potential problems. Firstly you need suitable weather, a power-source to run the sound-system (be safe with power cables), and place isolated enough to avoid annoying the neighbours with that infectious dance beat.

A PUBLIC WHIRLY GIG? – KNOW THE LAW

If you plan to make your Whirly-Gig open to the public then there’s some legal stuff you should be aware of. For example – you must have well lit Fire Exit signs, a Fire Extinguisher, and alcohol is illegal unless you have a license (so it’s often not worth the hassle). Call your local Community Law Centre to find out what you need to make your party safe and legal – or there’s a good chance you’ll get busted. The cops are pretty onto it, so don’t be surprised if they make a visit. But as long as the vibe is positive and you’ve made an effort to stick within the law, they’ll leave you to have fun.