Wicked Beat Sound System

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Wicked Beat Sound System
Background information
Origin	Sydney, Australia
Genre(s)	Electronica Dub Soul
Years active	1992 in music – present
Label(s)	Mushroom Records Wicked Beat Records
Website	Official website
Members
Linda Janssen Damian Robinson Ian Mussington Gerard Masters
Former members
MC KYE Dave Carnovale

Wicked Beat Sound System is a Sydney based group whose sound is best described as a mixture of electronica, dub and soul. The group formed in 1992, and has released four albums to date. They have been nominated for three ARIA Music Awards and an Australian Dance Music Award. The lineup of the group was originally Linda Janssen and MC KYE on vocals, alongside producers Damian Robinson and DJ Dave Carnovale. Dave Carnovale left the band in 2003 and MC Kye departed the band shortly after the release of their fourth album 4ormation in 2005.

1 Styles
2 Releases
3 Discography
- 3.1 Albums
4 External links

[edit] Styles

Since the mic sessions jamming over B-sides as they were in 1991, WBSS have grown to encompass a varied palette of styles. The humble 'DJ + MC x FX' beginning has led to a production aesthetic quite unique in the Australian musical landscape. Originally preferring reggae & hip hop, WBSS expanded their sound to incorporate elements of soul, jazz, latin, funk & breaks. It’s a truly 'global' musical mash-up. Hundreds and thousands of Australians have watched and heard the evolution of this country’s premier groove outfit on radio, through their recordings, on soundtracks, via their remixes and collaborations, at festivals and in concert, headlining both their own tours and nationally supporting the likes of Ben Harper and The Fugees. Having developed a truly unique production aesthetic, the Wicked Beat Sound System stand alone as electronic soul pioneers in Australia.

[edit] Releases

The first album release, Music From The Core(1996), didn’t so much as scream out from the pack as tastefully step aside. The very first single release, Summer Sun, became an Andy Glitre anthem at JJJ, the follow up single, Local MP also achieved high rotation on the Js and supplied the leg-up their music demanded to reach a broader audience. These tracks were also appreciated internationally via compilations from Canada & the USA and on the soundtrack to French film 'Clubbed To Death (Lola). Refusing to be a fad, they accepted the remixing gigs they chose to. They directed their tracks onto compilations and film scores they were personally into. And they approved the collaborative works they were genuinely interested in. Artists like Yothu Yindi, DIG, Deborah Conway, Iva Davies, Christine Anu and Renee Geyer.
After the release of album number two, Inna Styles (1999), WBSS toured like crazy, earning themselves legions of fans around the country gob-smacked by the live Sound System experience. Three tracks off Inna Styles, I Don’t Wanna know, Church of Al Green, and Stay With Me Til Dawn were added straight to JJJ radio, while two others off the album, Cookin’ with Kazz and Genie of the Lab maintained their dancefloor presence. In 2000 they picked up two more award nominations: an ARIA nomination for Inna Styles and a Dance Music Award nomination (DMA) for Best Band. Their work ethic earned them a rock solid reputation and secured them festival gigs nationwide – from the Perth International Arts Festival to Vibes On A Summer’s Day to performing at the closing of Sydneys Paralympics.
Following the release of New Soul Breaks (2002) WBSS continued to push their message with Lindas radio hits "I Want to, "Brand New Day" (high rotation JJJ) along with MC Kyes dark excursions "Do The Tings" and "Ounce Of Swing". In 2002 WBSS were honoured with an Aria "Best Dance Release" nomination for New Soul Breaks. 2005 saw Wicked Beat Sound System return with a stunning new Long Player,4ormation (2005). The dark, brooding track “Nightmare” was picked up by JJJ. Ironically, shortly after the release of 4ormation friction within the band over creative direction saw the departure of Mc Kye to concentrate on his solo project. This spelt the end of touring for a period of time for WBSS as Linda and Damian regrouped to plan out the future direction of WBSS. 2006 proved to be a year of change and rebirth for WBSS. Damian and Linda recorded a new Album titled Hydromajestik (2007) More in the vein of their previously acclaimed Inna Styles LP this new body of work features some choice Neo Soul tunes as well as a fresh batch of duby instrumentals. The first single off Hydromajestik is the soul sensation “Won’t Let Go’ which showcases lindas impeccable vocal talents and hails as a return to form for this legendary electronica outfit.

Release date for Hydromajestik is set for 24th March 2007