For Your Consideration: Dubplate Pearl's Top Carnival Jams
- Watson
- Aug 25, 2017
- 2 min read

We here at Rye Wax don't get out much. Our view of the sun confined to the double-glazed slits showcasing sun soaked ankles that taunt the staff. Taking the bins out is like a day trip to sunny Llandudno. To combat this we try and bring the sunshine inside, and if we really want to reach for the shades and order a daiquiri, there's only one selector we call: Dubplate Pearl.
A certified old-school selector with stories for days, Pearl has the some of the heaviest shellers heard in the basement (which you’ll have witnessed if you were at The Run Out) and the softest slow jams, prompting shifty Shazams from the bar. With carnival this weekend, we thought we'd ask Pearl to share some memories and give us some tips for traversing the sprawl.
1. Jah Observer Carnival 2011 – last tune.
"I followed Austin Palmer (Jah Observer) for years in Carnival until he retired. I’m right down at the front in the clip. The best place to be in Carnival at the time; his set at Carnival was always one of the best and you got a good mixture of tunes and people. I always met the same faces every year from different parts of the world – so entertaining and still is."
2. Gladdy Wax 2015
"Come rain or shine, following Gladdy Wax on Portobello Road. Attended his sessions at Carnival after Jah Observer retired. This is the best place to be now – and a meeting place for all my sound systems and selector friends. Always entertaining with a wide selection of music of all genres – Gladdy Wax is incredible and that’s where I’ll be this year August 2017!! I’m also in this clip!!!"
3. Channel One 2011
"Well, what can I say? Mikey Dread and Ras Kayleb. Would arrive at Channel One early and then make my way over to Jah Observer. Always a trek trying to walk between the two sounds. But if you want some serious heavy roots this is where it’s at. I had the opportunity to be support for Channel One a few years back – that was something else."
4. Saxon Sound on the South Bank 2008
5. Albertines 2013 – Last Night.
"Albertines was a famous pub in Lewisham which I attended for a number of years when I moved back to South London and also had the opportunity to play there. Vinyl Meltdown was held every Wednesday where selectors from all over London brought their vinyl to play. It was the best event to attend in South London mid-week for reggae and soul (on a Tuesday). I met old friends and made new ones there and was the place to be if you wanted a mid-week rave. Unfortunately, now closed, due to the usual complaints from neighbours and the local authority refusing to renew the licence. Anyway, something similar is now held at The Flower of Kent also in Lewisham Way on a Thursday night – not quite the same, but at least it’s a vinyl night with all the same faces from Albertines. Happy memories for me and as you can see I was there on the final night too."
Thanks Pearl, see you out West!
Comments