About this project
The Coney Island Reggae Soundsystem Series is a continuation of reggae boardwalk parties conceived and launched in 2010 by Carter Van Pelt of WKCR's "Eastern Standard Time" Jamaican music program and co-hosted by Sound Liberation Front, a Brooklyn-based music and event organizing/marketing startup.
These are free, daylong events (July 17 and August 14, 2011) featuring reggae selectors playing through a "yard-style" soundsystem heard over a large outdoor area - in this case the historic boardwalk at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. As Jamaican popular music was almost entirely produced to be heard at public dances through large public soundsystems, these events celebrate an important cultural context specific to reggae that is not widely understood in the ipod/mp3 digital music era.
As free events, the Coney Island Reggae Soundsystem Series has enormous potential to introduce new listeners to Jamaican popular music (ska, rock steady, reggae, dancehall, dub, etc.) and to give those (non-Jamaicans) already familiar with reggae a more authentic context for hearing it.
By its location in Brooklyn, NY, the events benefit from the participation of a large community of Jamaicans integrally involved with the music culture as selectors, singers, producers, and emcees.
Most importantly, these are family-friendly events and everyone is welcome to attend and share in a multicultural community experience only possible in a place like Brooklyn.
FAQ
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Expenses include the soundsystem, transportation, hospitality, and marketing.
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We can't even if we wanted to. Because of the ideal of introducing reggae to new audiences via the soundsystem experience, this is best held as a free event. We want people to recognize that fact and contribute, knowing that it's not produced without significant work and expenses.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 15, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
For all supporters of at least $1, download access for a special "Eastern Standard Time" culture mix done for VP Records by Carter Van Pelt to promote upcoming releases by Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Augustus Pablo, and the Impact All Stars.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
CD or mp3 (your choice) of up to 80 minutes of boardwalk session material or WKCR "Eastern Standard Time" broadcast recordings. (Note: no session material featuring live emcee/singer/toaster will be distributed without the artist's consent).
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
CDs or mp3s (your choice) of complete session material or 3CDs of WKCR "Eastern Standard Time" broadcast recordings of your choice, pending availability. (Note: no session material featuring live emcee/singer/toaster will be distributed without the artist's consent).
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
For the first 16 pledges of $75 or more, a copy of the deluxe Peter Tosh Legalize It or Equal Rights double cd sets, issued in 2011 by Sony. Plus, the above session audio or WKCR reggae programming.
Project By
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I got hooked into reggae as a teenager in the 80s and the passion has never stopped growing. The reason my interest has gone beyond the surface is that I don't separate it from Jamaican culture. The soundsystem is a big part of Jamaican culture, and that's the reason for this event - it gives people a chance to hear reggae the way it should be heard. For those who have never experienced the soundsystem, it's the perfect introduction to Jamaican music.
