Greensleeves Records, the iconic U.K. label, has joined forces with mighty Iration Steppas to embark on a journey deep into the echo chamber on their new collaboration, Dubs From The Foundation, which follows on from the critically acclaimed Soundsystem compilations with Channel One Soundsystem and Jah Shaka.
This gatefold double album, carefully curated by the revered Soundman Mark Iration, includes choice vocal cuts from the vaults of the legendary label, which he has championed for nearly forty years, including Jamaican legends such as Michael Prophet, Johnny Osbourne, Hugh Mundell, Wailing Souls and many more. Mark has been at The Vanguard Of Dub throughout his incredible career, so it’s only fitting that we also shine the musical spotlight on Dub as well. So, on the second disc, we have heavyweight Dub counterparts from the likes of Augustus Pablo, Roots Radics and The Revolutionaires to complete the listening experience.
Dubs From The Foundation comes complete with exclusive photographs from Mark’s personal archive plus esteemed photographer Elliot Baxter and original printed inner sleeves designed by longtime Greensleeves collaborator Tony McDermott.
About Iration Steppas
Mark Iration has been musically mad ever since he was a young man, obsessed with the latest sounds from Jamaica and the vibrant Soundsystem scene in the U.K. He began his journey taping John Peel and David Rodigan on the radio to play on his state-of-the-art Ghetto Blaster and at Blues Parties in the early 80s, joining his first Soundsystem crew ‘Conquering Lion’ shortly after. In the late 1980s Mark teamed up with his good friend, the late Sam Mason, to form ‘Ital Rockers’, a progressive Sound that played not only Roots and Dub but also Hip-Hop, Soul, House and more. This period was also when Mark was able to start to transfer his talents as a selector and Soundman to the production world, culminating in the groundbreaking 12” “Ital’s Anthem” for Bassic in 1990. With the proceeds from his record deal, Mark was able to upgrade his sound and he also took the opportunity to rebrand, and thus, Iration Steppas was born. Known for their innovations and unique ‘Year 3000’ style, they quickly rose as one of the predominant sounds of the era, so much so that famously, they were one of the last sounds to play in the same arena as the great Soundman Jah Shaka. Shortly after, Mark also formed the cutting-edge group Kitachi, fusing Dub, Hip-Hop and Electronica with bandmates Dennis Rootical and Jack Rubles, and it was through this collaboration that Iration Steppas music production really kicked off. Dennis Rootical and Mark Iration found their groove and released seminal works in the early 90s, such as anthems like “High Rise Vibration” and “Killamanjaro”, plus era-defining albums “Original Dub D.A.T” and “Dubz From The Higher Regions”.
After running his Soundsystem at a series of ‘Dub Me Crazy’ events from the early 90s with Bradford’s very own Rootsman, in 1998, Iration Steppas linked up with legendary promotor Simon Scott and became the resident sound at Subdub, one of the most influential and pioneering events the U.K. has ever had. What started out as a Roots and Dub event, Subdub has since become a household name. In the mid 2000s, it became the second home to a new genre of music, Dubstep, bringing up the original architects of the sound from London to Leeds, including Skream, Benga, Mala, Loefah and many more plus hosting DMZ events. Iration Steppas subsequently have become a globally recognised powerhouse of music who continue to play all over the world, from America to Japan, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. They have collaborated with popular event brands such as Boiler Room, Red Bull and many more and in 2024, they completed a worldwide tour with forward-thinking European Soundsystem O.B.F.
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