Grange Hill is a small town located in the
western Parish of Jamaica,Westmoreland.
It is surrounded by large fields of Sugar Cane,
a plant that has ever since been planted in the region and is
part of a great tradition und cultural heritage:
The riots at the nearby Frome Sugar Estate
in 1938 gave way to the introduction of the first Jamaican Unions
and therefore put Jamaica on its road to self government
and independence. And any local will tell you proudly that
Grange Hill with its 7,190 inhabitants
was one of the first places in Jamaica to have electricity,
a fact also connected to the industrial sugar production.
In the 1980's, Grange Hill was famous for its Soundsystem Dances
with Live-Dj-Performances and all-night-Jugglings.
The community was a real hotbed for live sessions.
Every traveling sound system in Jamaica played in Grange Hill
at some point or other. Original dancehall musicians like Yellowman,
Sister Nancy, Brigadier Jerry, Tonto Irie, General Trees,
Wayne Smith among many others played there on renowned
Soundsystems such as Black Scorpio, King Jammy's, Studio 54,
Jack Ruby and many more. Today's dancehall fans might
be familiar with the city's name through the Hit-Song
„Mr. Officer“ by 2009 Jamaica's Top DJ Vybz Kartel,
who sings about how he would be bringing a bag of herbs
from Grange Hill to the Capitol City Kingston.
In December 2009, Sentinel Sound from Stuttgart,
Germany was invited to play in Grange Hill Town Square on
a Sunday night in a Dancehall Session named
„Back To Basics“, referring to the musical and
cultural tradition of the people of Grange Hill,
Westmoreland and Jamaica. This is a 4 CD recording
of the night of which the most part are
exclusive and very seldomly heard
Dubplates from the „German Luger Sound“.
Caution: The audio skips a few times.
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
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