JAH Trinity - MEDIA

Jah Trinity was a guest selector on ABC Radio National and was interviewed by Presenter of "Otherworlds". This was a 2-hour show based in Sydney and broadcast right across Australia, on Sat 27th August and repeated on Monday 29 th August 2001 .

Brent: "Greetings & Welcome to Otherworlds on ABC Radio National, with your host Brent Clough tonight. Starting off with a fantastic long version, extended mix edition of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Exodus, movement of Jah People.

And if you haven't guessed already, tonight is going to be a Reggae session and it is my great pleasure, to welcome guest selector for the evening, Milton Westcarr. Greetings to you Milton"

Milton: "Greetings Brent and all the Sydney listeners and the whole of Australia , who's listening to the show today. I man Milton from Gloucester , England , is here emigrated to Australia Adelaide , Permanent Resident".

Brent: "Oh yes permanently resident!"

Milton : "Yeah you know, it's very sort after, I'm glad to be here."

Brent: (Laughs & says), "Good to have you. Now I have to say, that Milton has not only come with himself, he's come with a large reputation and already some speaker boxes. Because your sound system, is called Jah Trinity Outanational Sound System and you've reached the other side of the world. So I guess it is 'Outanational'.

Milton : "Yes that's right"

Brent: "Now how long has Jah Trinity the sound system been operating?"

Milton : "Well we've been operating since 1980 January. Me and my brother Terry Gad, got together with some friends and decided to start building a sound system. After listening to many other sound systems, in the UK from London, Bristol, Gloucester and everywhere, all playing in different cities. It inspired us to build one our self. So in 1980 we got together and decided to save our money and start to buy speakers, amplifiers and hmm, come out with a big sound system.

Brent: " Now we're assuming here that people actually know what a sound system is and I'm sure a lot of Australians don't, because they may not have heard reggae in its, I guess, in its original form which is from the sound system. Can you explain what a sound system is?"

Milton: " Yes ok it's like a disco, like a mobile disco but its huge, its much bigger and contains 18 inch speakers, about 16 of those and quite a few 15 inch speakers as well.

It's got very high power amplifiers, which make it pump the bass. We travel in a big truck all over the UK . Well I actually sold the sound, me & my brother sold the sound system in 1999 before I emigrated. I used the money to buy air tickets and export all my little things in cardboard boxes to Adelaide . Now I'm rebuilding the sound system in Adelaide and djing in various Australian cities. Roots Reggae Music is Rastafarian based that inspires people.

So that's what I am doing, I brought my records and cds over.

Brent: "And the sound system originally though and the form of sound system that Jah Trinity has continued with, is a Jamaican form isn't it? The way that Reggae became heard even in the early days, back in the forties and fifties in Jamaica ?"

Milton : "Yes that's right, it's like hmm, the music is made by musicians and then it's mastered in the studio and put down on vinyl. But today it's done onto CD and DAT (Digital AudioTape). The first music you heard was by Bob Marley, as everyone knows Bob Marley, but what a lot of people don't know, is that there are many more musicians, both male and female who every day, make lots of Reggae Music.

People (some) think that it is just Bob Marley alone where Reggae Music is at, but it has moved on from there and there are huge amounts of records being recorded all over the world. I continually get music being posted to me from Germany , London Jamaica and from all over the world to me here in Australia , fresh and a lot of it unreleased. So you will hear a massive sample tonight, of the selection.

Brent: "Alright, do you want to say something just briefly, about the kind of music that we are going to hear in tonight's selection?"

Milton : "Yes well a lot of it is spiritual vibes and Rastafarian based mainly, so when you listen to the lyrics, you will hear about 'Jah'. Jah is the name of God. (Psalm 68verse 4). This is where a lot of it is coming from. Even the name Jah Trinity has got that spiritual connotation with it as well. That is what we defend, like living upright, peace & love and unity. The bad things have to get chanted down, without any apology, you know.

So you will hear a selection and listen to the words and vibes tonight and you can just enjoy."

Brent: " Alright it's a deeper roots selection then?"

Milton : " Yeah man, yeah it's not at all gimmicky. No it's like a bit of a heavier selection, but more time still, you know when you are going through tribulation and stressful situations? I find that music can uplift the vibes you know. It can take you out of your depression if you are feeling low. So I love listening to music all the time."

Brent: " Alright, well I did go through a little stressful situation just before the show!" (Sorting out turntables and jingles for the show)

Milton : Laughs loudly! And agrees.

Brent: "But we got through the situation, so I think I will enjoy the music too and take the vibes on.

Milton : "That's right".

Brent: "Alright you're in tune to 'Other Worlds' on Radio National, with special guest, Milton Westcarr, from Jah Trinity Sound System.

Milton : "Yes Australia , are you ready for what you are about to hear? Just hold tight and listen, Jah Guidance."

Plays music track: 'Glory' vocal and Dub version by singer Prince Allah. Made by Jah Warrior Music. ( London )

Next music track plays: "Call on Jah Name" by vocalist called 'Frighty' from the Jah Tubbys Studio in East London , UK .

Brent: " Yes you're in tune to Other Worlds Radio National, with guest selector tonight Milton Westcarr from Jah Trinity Outanational based in Adelaide, bringing Roots Music to Australia. He's been here for a while, but this is a concentrated form, industrial strength.

Milton : "You hear dat! Yes the tune you heard was, 'Call on Jah Name' by Frighty, from Jah Tubby's Studio. And the tune before that was 'Prince Allah', 'Glory', because He gives us strength in our everyday lives. If you are going through rough and tumble and even when you are going through good times, you still got to praise the name of the Most High. Jah RastafarI.

That was mixed and produced by Jah Tubby's in London . Jah Trinity used to play with his sound system years ago, back in 1982, early days (and up until 1989) and he is still playing now, with a revamped sound system.very, very, heavy lots of inspirational vibes.

Brent: "Is there a particular kind of track that Jah Trinity sound would pick and why would you pick it Milton ?"

Milton: " We like ones that generally have a nice lively tempo to it you know, and hmm, you can step wild to it. Tunes that make you dance a lot and get a lot of vibes from it.

Brent: " And when you say 'step', it is a particular kind of dance?"

Milton : " Yes it's like a warrior style! Like an aerobics work out fully to the tune, you know. Like many times when a sound plays, they might start 10'oclock at night and the dance might finish at 6am . We would be dancing for the full 8 hours.without any drugs, without any alcohol you know, because we don't need all those things to get high. We just get high off the music and atmosphere and the vibes, you know.

I'm not saying that I don't drink alcohol, because I do drink a little bit, but the music vibes is so up lifting, that it alone is enough to take you through.

Brent: " There is a particular kind of dance really isn't it? The steppers dance. The knees come flying up & the hands up in the air."

Milton : "Yes that's right and if a man has dreadlocks them just flash dem natty dread! Without any apology!"

Brent: Laughs! "So it's the most energetic form of Reggae you can encounter?"

Milton : "Yes that 's it. It is definitely not 'chill out' music. Some people say, 'bwoy it is chill out music and is slow and laid back,' but the style that we play is not slow and the bass line is very super heavy. You are talking like extreme bass frequencies, that make your whole body reverberate and move in the groove!"

Brent: "The tune you heard, was by Jah Tubbys production, "Call on Jah Name" sung by Frighty and the one before that, was a great new thing, from that great fantastic old roots singer Prince Allah.

Milton : "That's right yes. Jah Warrior stable from London, also has taken a lot of singers under his belt and he is now re-mixing some music and updating them to sound fresh and new. He is also putting out a lot of new music as well. So I have got quite a few CDs here and LPs that have just come over from the UK this morning fresh, still in their packaging. I've been playing a few recently, pre-release and they sound tough and I'm so glad to be able to get them.

Brent: " Alright yes, that's the track 'Glory' and you also heard 'Glory Dub', taken from 'Jah Warrior Presents Prince Allah,' on the Jah Warriors label.

All right you in tune to 'Other Worlds', strictly Reggae tonight.

Milton: "Right these next two tunes, they both got the same theme and it's called, 'In the Ghetto' because you know, no matter where you live in the world, you always got wealthy people, middle class people and den you got de people in de ghetto!" ( Milton says it with a strong, Jamaican ruffian voice! You know dem way deh!)

So this one is for all de ghetto ites, no matter where you are, just tune into these tracks to give you some upliftment and spiritual vibrations.

The man called Barry Isaac."

Brent: "Tune called 'United'. Nice tune by Aisha?"

Milton : "Yeah Sister Aisha, she makes quite a lot of hmm, vocal albums and she is really good, you know. Respect goes out to her because she always gives me lots of vibes and inspiration. I love to hear a woman sing; it always gives me a buzz!"

Brent: " Hmm especially on a strong rhythm.

Milton : "Yes, yeah man, she's been going for years, making lots of Roots Reggae music. I want to say special request to all the girls & women listening to the show, because I always make an emphasis of playing female artists on my show, not just men you know?"

Brent: I know, some of us boys can get carried away a bit, when it comes to records and play all just men's stuff, which is hmm, not fair really."

Milton : "Yeah you can't forget the girls."

Brent: "That was a 'Twinkle Brothers' production and a nice tune too. What album is that?"

Milton : "Hmm, its called, 'Raise your Voice', by Sister Aisha. And the one before that was from Blood Shanti Studio, at Falasha Recordings, in London . Aba Shanti I is my good brethren from London and he makes nuff tunes like a production line."

Brent: "Strong tunes 'Love in the Ghetto' and verse 2 Dub version and before that, 'Ghetto man' and 'Ghetto Dub.' (Sung by) Barry Isaac, from the LP 'Revolutionary Man. ' We are going to squeeze a tiny bit of this in before the end. [Music plays called 'Blessed,' sung by Kwabena]

Maybe we will play the whole track."

Milton cuts in: "We will play the WHOLE track, I love this tune! Ha ha ha! (Laughter) I love this tune!"

Brent: As usual we just ran out of time in this first hour. Coming back right after the news, the 2 nd hour of 'Other Worlds' here tonight on Radio National. The special guest selector Milton Westcarr, from Jah Trinity Outanational."

Milton : "Yes man here in Sydney touring the whole the country, playing Jah Music for you the people.

Brent: "Hold tight, we will be back in the 2 nd hour for much more of Brother Milton's selection.

ABC Jingle: "Across Australia this is Radio National."

Brent: "Yes blessed."

Milton : "Yes I, lots of vibes and inspiration by the brethren singing that tune. This next tune is by brethren called, 'David Judah' from Gloucester . He is from my hometown and has been making quite a few tunes, hmm and releasing them on the Solar Dub label. This one is called, 'Agent Dub 007.'"

Brent: "Welcome back to 'Other Worlds,' Remind everyone who you are Milton Westcarr!"

Milton : "Jah Trinity Outanational, you know, I'm just playing Roots Reggae Music that I'm sharing with you here, the listeners-yeah man!"

Brent: "Alright you're in tune to 'Other Worlds' ABC Radio National. 007 in the house,"

Milton : " Yes I giving thanks & praise unto the Most High Jah Almighty God. RastafarI.

Music plays, 'Jah Music is playing' by The Vibronics (from UK ).

Music plays, 'King Midas' sung by Prince Allah on the Jah Shaka label ( London ).

Milton : "Here comes the man called Prince Allah, coming from Jah Shaka stable, on the Jah Shaka label. Jah Shaka is a big inspiration to many, many, people in the Roots and Culture Reggae scene, throughout the world. He should be coming to these shores, hopefully early next year, on tour with Jah Trinity & various other artistes. So look out for Jah Shaka the mega star you know! Give thanks."

Milton : " Yes this one is by the 'Wailing Souls' from the Jah Shaka selection again. Yeah de spotlight shines bright on de man called Jah Shaka. Respect maximum every time. Listen dem raw vibes!"

Brent: "Yes tune called 'Rastaman Jubilee.' You're in tune to 'Other Worlds' on ABC Radio National, all over Australia and all over the world via the World Wide Web. Tonight's special guest selector."

Milton : "Jah Trinity."

Brent: "Jah Trinity just flashing him locks & firing on some very heavy roots tonight. It's an all Roots session, so if that's not your style, then you've probably gone off and made a cup of tea and tuned into another radio station by now, that's alright!"

Milton : "But it's rare man, it's rare believe me. You see these sort of tunes are being played regularly in the UK and it's just nice to be able to bring my big bag full all the way here in Australia and just play them you know. The response so far in Melbourne , Sydney and Adelaide , has been really on fire.

Everybody said they love dem tunes, because they don't hear them. So I'm here to just go all round the country playing it and even touch down in New Zealand and flash down nuff tunes an ting you know."

Brent: "And is this music we were talking about before, is it hard to get even when you were in the UK ? Is it hard to get sometimes?"

Milton : " Hmm, there are a lot of record shops, particularly in London , they would have it, but you can order it as well. But now with new technology, you can order a lot of them through the Internet, so that's what I'm having to do. I'm having to contact quite a few people. Lots of the singers and producers that make them, I contact them directly and it can be very difficult getting it out of them sometimes!

It's in there own interest to send them here to Australia . So many people ask me 'where do you get your tunes from? Can we buy some?'

So a box full came this week and I've been distributing them and they are nearly all gone. They are going like hot cakes and have gone virtually."

Brent: "Well speaking of the Internet, if people want to check out the 'Other Worlds' website, which is at:

www.abc.net.au/rn/music/otherw

If you go there, or just go to the ABC site, find Radio National then go to the music site, find other worlds and we will put you in touch with other websites. We will hotlink you so check it."

Milton : "Oh and I got a website as well, 'Jah Trinity.com' which will be coming on line very soon. I'm in the process of building it up at the moment. The history of Jah Trinity and lots of current events and my Australian Migration story. Because I also write for a newspaper in the UK called, 'Australian News' which uh, is quite interesting. The stories on there with the things I've got up to. Check out the site."

Brent: "We should say that you really have come to Australia for good haven't you? You have come to stay and bring this music and build up the sound system Down Under?"

Milton : "That's right yes and at the moment I'm in the process of designing and building my bass boxes, based on the design I had in the UK . Actually things have taken off so massively here that it is a bit frightening you know!

The bass boxes are heavy-duty 600 watts and they are going to shake the place down. So keep posted to the radio and you will hear about coming events. I'm hoping to be playing in other cities like Sydney, Melbourne , Brisbane and other places. In Adelaide I will actually be playing with the full heavy weight sound system."

Brent: "Do you want to just tell us what kind of gigs you've got currently running? Coz I think you're playing out fairly often aren't you?"

Milton: "Yes well, for example tonight on Saturday, I will be playing at 'Power Cuts' Reggae Club' in Surrey Hills, Sydney from 10pm till 4am.This is a once a month venue based at the Gaelic Club, on the last Saturday of the month. I also play every week on a Thursday at the 'Swing Cat Club', in Hindley Street , Adelaide . This has been happening for the past 9 or 10 months now. We've also been playing at other venues and I'm looking to be playing in Perth and Melbourne .

I'm supposed to be doing an 'Outback Tour' in October. It starts in Broome and we will drive in 4wd trucks going into the villages and towns, but particularly the Aboriginal villages that don't really get out and about to the big cities. It's difficult for them to go, so we are going to be bringing the Roots & Culture Reggae music there, with other Aboriginal singers and dancers there.

So we are travelling from Broome to Darwin then from Darwin to Alice Springs ."

Brent: "WOW! Fantastic."

Brent: "And I think that it is fair to say that maybe (you are going ) with Frank Yama?"

Milton: "Yes Frank Yama who actually sang in the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, last year. And I think he is currently on tour in America , so he gets about and does a lot of things and is a really good singer."

Brent: "I think he's actually about to blow up and be you know one of the biggest Australian acts, perhaps too. Let's hope so because he is a remarkable musician and is very well loved all over the country too."

Milton : "That's right, so it's an honour to actually be here in Australia , sharing my music and vibes. Because I mean I have learned heaps you know. I've travelled to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and a few other Outback places. It's been an experience it's been amazing.

Travelling all over Australia & yet there's heaps I haven't seen. So fortunately, I'm NOT on holiday, I'm here for good! I've got all the time ahead of me to explore & endure and enjoy it you know."

Brent: " And what's your sense of the Australian Reggae scene, in its various facets Milton ? How do you see it at the moment?"

Milton : " It's in its early infancy, but it is growing rapidly. In the 12 months that I've actually seen things happening here, it's just been incredible, how everyone seems to work together in unity and develop the scene so that it is now getting quite large. A lot of people are saying that they are just glad to have other new people come into the scene & develop it and uh, educate them I would say.

It's an education for me as well, in the way that things are done here. It's very efficient and I've been whole-heartedly accepted by many people and it is just BRILLIANT! It's fresh.

I've been reporting back to a lot of my friends and DJ mates in the UK and they are absolutely gob-smacked by the way things are done out here.

I think Australia is a very advanced country and it is just great to be here doing things because it's fresh. I've found a lot of things fresh and people just open their heart and say, 'yes come and do this'. If you have a new idea, it's not jumped on or ridiculed. It is openly embraced and that to me is a driving force and makes me want to go with the flow and just do it. I love it. I really do LOVE Australia . So bwoy, it's just great, it's just a great feeling you know."

Brent: "Well when you're speaking of the unity of the reggae scene, I really think you are adding to it and certainly bringing all sorts of people together. It's great to have you here and have you selecting tonight on 'Other worlds'.

Milton : " I hope the listeners have enjoyed the show. I have not diluted anything. I've given you it hard core just as they come off the top of the pile and I've sort of linked things together. But for years, 21 years I've been doing that regularly. So for me, it's just amazing that I brought my records (to Australia ) just in case.

To see things develop the way they have here, in Australia , making me feel like a super star! But I'm not. I'm just a normal person. The way the crowd of people has reacted has just been amazing."

Brent: "Well let's keep forwarding on with the music. We got a little bit of time left, round about 13 or 14 minutes here on 'Other Worlds,' with Jah Trinity selection. What have we got next Milton ?"

Milton : " Well the next one I'm going to play is an exclusive music only made for my sound system. (Dubplate special) called 'slave ship,' made by Keety Roots ( London ). He said this tune gave him inspiration when he made it while he was feeling low. (I just love all of Keety Roots' music).

Brent: " Maybe we should just explain before we get into it, what a 'special' is?"

Milton : " A 'Special' is a music that's made like a one off or maybe a couple are made given to a few people but it also has my sound system name, 'Jah Trinity' in it. Because we often go to the studio with friends that make tunes regularly and they make a one off special for you, that no else has got.

We have bagfulls of tunes like this where, when you have played the other sound systems, you always have to have your dubplate special! So that when you run them, nobody can run them back on you!

( Milton starts laughing while talking)

That's the theory, but in practice, there is a lot of behind the scenes going on, where a man would say, 'one tune in the world, nobody else can run this back.' Then when it's their turn to play the other DJ or sound would run it back!

So all sorts of things used to happen! I could tell you stories about it you know, but this is a special."

Brent: "This is a one off, this is definitely an exclusive dubplate special."

Milton : "Only play by Jah Trinity alone."

Brent: "Alright your in tune to 'Other Worlds', Jah Trinity selection."

Keety Roots dubplate vocal: "This one dedicated to Jah Trinity and all Gloucester Warriors."

Heavy weight dubplate music plays as Milton nods his head vigorously to the beat, and jumps up out of his chair to skank and dance around the studio! Much to Brent's astonishment! (Vibes reach! You done know already).

The dubplate starts to sound very distorted on the left -hand turntable.

Brent cuts in: "OK, OK, if we are going to play the Special, we should play it on the table that is working properly, because that sounds a little bit too rough.

Milton : "YES! Wow! That sounds rough even by my standards! This tune yah BOOF! We played it many times over the years and man, the crowd used to go crazy to it.

And another thing is, a lot of the tunes that we have, has several versions to them. You don't just have one or two, they might have all ten pieces, because when you get into a sound clash conference, you got to make sure you are fully armed, with the tools of the trade and you've made all your specials (dubplates) up ready."

Brent: "So how many specials would you have for the sound then?"

Milton : "Oh about 100! (Laughter!) The competition used to be very intense."

Brent: "And that was even amongst the Roots Sounds?"

Milton : "Oh very much so, especially amongst the Roots Sounds. Its

Like you had to have the heaviest (bass) boxes, the most treble and sound effects and everything. So if you want to get a taste of this, check out Power Cuts Reggae Club, on the last Saturday of the month and you will hear how things are done." ( UK style).

Brent: "Not that we advertise here! Alright this is it."

Tune plays correctly on other turntable. Keety Roots Dubplate special.

Music 'Steal away' Dubplate sung by Luciano produced by brethren Oli Dread in Germany .

Brent: "Yes, you're in tune to 'Other Worlds' ABC Radio National. I'm just doing some quick calstetics, running between turntables and things.'

Milton : "Yes well this next one is called 'Waydown inna Babylon ,' by Iration Steppas from Leeds . He is now kicking it up all over the place you know. He's got a lot of vibes and inspo. Mark's music is definitely different, but it gives you a lot of vibes YEAH!" (I love Iration Steppas style from day one).

Brent: "Alright well that's it unfortunately, as these things go, the time sort of hurtles away from us, and we just don't get to play everything. The last track always seems to get squeezed.

Milton cuts in and sounds like he is nearly in tears and about to cry:

"Stop me stop me! I wanted to play 'The Vibes' by Special 'A'! Oh nooooo!

Brent goes silent wondering what to say! (Brent could have played the violin or given me some tissues to wipe away my crocodile tears!)

Brent: " This is the last tune I'm afraid, and you've been listening too."

Milton : "Jah Trinity at de control, along with Brent you know, him ah run tings. Yeah, this next tune yah, oh my gosh! Gives me nuff vibes and ting, listen to de vocal."

Brent: "Well I must thank Milton Westcarr from Jah Trinity Outanational Sound System, based now in Adelaide , but heard all over the country. And every last Saturday of the month at Power Cuts in Sydney ."

Milton : "And every Thursday night at the Swing Cat Club, in Hindley Street , Adelaide . Check it out."

Brent: "Thanks very much Milton , we didn't get everything that we wanted to get in."

Milton : "No we didn't! I got like bagfuls of tunes that nearly broke my back and I still have to carry them to the club, to play them. But still, I will be coming to different cities like Brisbane & Perth in the near future. So look out for Jah Trinity Outanational, sound don't partial, ah de ranking Field Marshal, who no partial."

Brent: " Alright great thanks to Milton Westcarr for this Roots Reggae selection tonight. Jah Trinity Outanational."

Milton : " Australia respect maximum."

Mark Iration from Iration Steppas sings on Waydown inna Babylon until the interview is done.

Jingle: "Across Australia you're listening to Radio National."

The interview is complete. Milton & Brent shake hands and laugh at the mad 2 hours of music and reasoning. Milton is accompanied with Andrew from Nasty Tek & Brent to Power Cuts Reggae Club for all night Reggae with Ted Vassell playing on his hi power 'Lion Sound System'. Another day to remember in Australia .

ABC Radio National interview, 'Otherworlds' with Brent Clough and DJ Jah Trinity in Sydney Saturday 27 th August 2001

ABC Radio National interview, 'Otherworlds' with Brent Clough and DJ Jah Trinity in Sydney
Saturday 27 th August 2001