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{{Short description|American record label}}

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{{Infobox musical artist

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'''<big>Subatomic Sound System</big>''', was founded in 1999 by Emch and [[Noah Shachtman]], it is an American record label and collective hostingof musicians[[musician]]s, [[Producer (music)|producers]], DJs, and visual artists from a variety of backgrounds and traditions[[tradition]]s. In late 2008, the Subatomic Sound System garnered international attention for a limited edition vinyl 12" featuring their collaboration with Vienna's Dubblestandart and dub inventor [[Lee "Scratch" Perry]],. releasingThese thewere Perry's first songs from Perry in the [[dubstep]] genre, one of the first recorded examples of a tangible connection between the popular UK-based [[Electronic music|electronic]] genre that emerged in the early 2000s2000's and the Jamaican dub from the 1970s, where dubstep1970's origins were rooted and which had been primarily originated by Perry himself.

Beginning in 2008, Subatomic Sound System started hosting weekly radio shows on 91.5fm5 FM, Radio New York, and webcasts on Brooklyn Radio. In 2011, Subatomic Sound System began performing as Lee "Scratch" Perry's backing band with a hybrid of electronics and live instruments. In 2013, they performed together at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] and afterward became Perry's exclusive touring band in North America. In 2017, Subatomic Sound System released their first full-length album with Perry entitled ''Super Ape Returns Toto Conquer'' which debuted No. 5 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' reggae chart and No. 2 on [[iTunes]] US reggae album chart and reached No. 1 on the [[North AmericaAmerican WorldCollege musicand Community Radio Chart]] (NACC) chartsWorld music chart.

==Performance historyHistory==

In the fall of 2001, Subatomic Sound System won the [[Red Bull]] Vinyl Lab competition in [[New York City]] using an early incarnation of [[Native Instruments]] [[Traktor]] DJ software on a laptop at a time when laptops were not commonly used in musical performances. When judges discovered software had been used to create the mix [[CD-ROM|CD]], it sparked controversy amongst the judges. In the end, judges conceded that there waswere no valid grounds for disqualifying Subatomic Sound System for using DJ software rather than traditional vinyl and [[turntables]], so they upheld their victory in the competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=subatomic_us|title=Native Instruments article on Red Bull Vinyl Lab competition|website=Native-instruments.com|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref>

FromIn 2007 to the present:{{When|date=July 2011}}, Subatomic Sound System increased touring throughout North America and Europe. The group performed in a variety of configurations from a live band of ten, to an electronic trio, to DJs as styles like [[dubstep]] increased in popularity and the interest in new [[dub music|dub]] oriented music emanating from New York City increased (largely the result of successful releases from NYC artists such as Dr. Israel, [[Victor Axelrod|Ticklah]], [[Easy Star All-Stars]], Dub Gabriel, [[Bill Laswell]], [[Matisyahu]], and others).

On July 19, 2009., Subatomic Sound System performed to a beyond capacity crowd at [[Summerstage]] in [[Central Park]], [[New York City]], along with Lee "Scratch" Perry & Dubblestandart (with a cameo from [[Ari Up]]) as well asand [[Alpha Blondy]]. The lineup for this event drew the largest Summerstage crowd of the season, confirming organizers' expectations. Given the multicultural and cross generational audiences who turn out in Central Park, organizers had hoped this billing would draw on the connection between modern incarnations of [[dub music|dub]] based music such as dubstep and the [[Dub music|dub]] and [[roots reggae]] styles from over 30 years prior, originated by Perry in Jamaica that influenced artists like Blondy to extend that sound in [[Africa]]. Those styles then influenced groups like Dubblestandart and Subatomic Sound System in Europe and the US to meld that sound with other contemporary electronic based genres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/|title=City Parks Foundation - SummerStage|website=Cityparksfoundation.org|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref>

In 2012, [[Lee Scratch Perry|Perry]], with Subatomic Sound System as his band and opening act, went on tour across the US from May 16 through May 26. In September, they performed together again at Dub Champions Festival in New York City, [[Music Hall of Williamsburg]].

In 2013, [[Lee Scratch Perry|Perry]] and Subatomic Sound System tourwere touring the west[[West Coast of the United States|West coastCoast]] and southwestSouthwest USA including two shows at the Coachella Arts & Music Festival, April 12 & 19, performing music ranging from the roots reggae off Perry's [[Super Ape]] album to dubstep and bass music riddims by Subatomic Sound System.

==Radio showsShows==

Beginning in 2008, Subatomic Sound System started Subatomic Sound Radio, hosting weekly radio shows on 91.5FM, Radio New York and Brooklyn Radio webcasts. The Radio New York show is part of a nightly program called ''Mo'Glo'' sponsored by Seattle-based public radio station [[KEXP]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subatomic Sound System |url=https://bastardjazz.com/artist/subatomic-sound-system/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Bastard Jazz |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Release historyHistory==

=== "Black Ark Vampires" Lee "Scratch" Perry & Subatomic Sound System ===

The song "Black Ark Vampires" premiered on October 31, 2014, via the Brooklyn-based Jamaican culture website Large Up,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.largeup.com/2014/10/30/lee-scratch-perry-subatomic-black-ark-vampires/|title=LargeUp Premiere: Lee "Scratch" Perry's "Black Ark Vampires"|date=30 October 2014|website=Largeup.com|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref> with an explanation of Perry's lyrics about killing [[vampires]] and why Perry burned down his [[Black Ark Studios]] in Jamaica decades before. In the song, Perry describes killing vampires with fire, electric wire, roast corn, and his own hair in locations around the globe including America, England, and Kingston, Jamaica. Live concerts by Perry and Subatomic Sound System from 2001 to 2014 combined digital electronics and live instrumentalists and singers and this recorded song can also be heard to use a similar blend of elements specifically instrumentation like electric guitar, bass, percussion, and harmonized background vocal produced with space echo and spring reverb effects in a fashion typical of [[reggae]] recordings from Perry's Black Ark Studios during the 1970s, as well as using electronic synthesized [[sub-bass]] and digital drums common to 21st century electronic music genres like [[dubstep]] and [[Trap music (EDM)|trap music]]. The song was released on vinyl 45rpm exclusively on November 4, 2014 and appeared at No. 1 on [[Juno Records]] charts in both dub and reggae. [[Dancehall|Reggae dancehall]] vocalist Jahdan Blakkamoore appeared as a supporting vocalist on the track, a collaborator on several other Perry & Subatomic Sound releases as well as vocalist and primary writer on [[Snoop Lion]] and [[Major Lazer]] albums. Blakkamoore is mostly known for his numerous releases both solo and with his band [[Noble Society]] whose release "Living the Life" came out on the Subatomic Sound label.

=== Iron Devil: Lee "Scratch" Perry's first dubstep track===

In the fall of 2008, Subatomic Sound System produced a collaborative remix in a dubstep style with Vienna's Dubblestandart and Perry, who were working jointly on completing an album entitled ''Return From Planet Dub'' which included new versions of several of Perry's most famous tunes and riddims from his hey day in Jamaica during the 1970s. The Subatomic Sound System remix was Perry's first release in the dubstep style that by late 2008 had spread from the UK and was beginning to see worldwide popularity among electronic music fans and an ever-growing crowd of curious music listeners. The remix was titled "Iron Devil" and was based on the riddim used for some of Lee's biggest hits like "Disco Devil", "[[Chase The Devil]]" with [[Max Romeo]], and "Croaking Lizard" from Lee's seminal ''[[Super Ape]]'' album. A short run of those records was pressed as advance promotion for the forthcoming album and included some exclusive vinyl only mixes, namely dubstep and 1980s [[dancehall]] reggae style mixes of "Iron Devil" on the A side and two remixes of [[Dubblestandart]] tracks by [[Tom Watson (musician)|Tom Watson]], a producer from Paris, France, on the B side, one of which was "Wadada" (originally recorded by [[Dub Syndicate]]) the first ever dubstep track featuring the Jamaican voice of thunder, [[Prince Far-I]].

The limited edition vinyl 12" was distributed in either a blank white jacket or, for about 150 copies, in a vintage red, gold and green comic art jacket that was acquired from [[Tuff Gong]] in Jamaica and bore the Solographic Productions imprint (leading some stores to incorrectly list Solographic as the label for the release). The record itself had a blank white label marked on only on the A-side by a devil head hand stamped on it with red ink. It sold out in less than a week and it quickly became highly sought after on secondary vinyl markets and vinyl collectors' sites such as [[Discogs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dubblestandart-featuring-Lee-Scratch-Perry-Prince-Far-I-Iron-Devil/release/1554929|title=Dubblestandart featuring Lee Scratch Perry* & Prince Far-I* - Iron Devil|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref>

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===Electronic Cumbia Dub===

In late 2011, the Subatomic Sound label released a project called Sancocho e Tigres, a collective of young producers and musicians from across South and Central America. The project was organized by Caballo (Rebel Records) from Colombia. Subatomic Sound put out two releases, one of a single, "Lujo De Pobre", that included a song as well as the self-produced samples by the collective members used to create the song. A second release followed with various versions of the song that each member put together from those same samples. Later that year Subatomic Sound System had Colombian producer Bleepolar (of Sanchocho e Tigres) remix "Dem Can't Stop We From Talk" with Anthony B, one of the first instances of a Jamaican dancehall artist appearing on an official cumbia remix.

===On All Frequencies===

The first official full-length album by Subatomic Sound System, ''On All Frequencies,'' covered a broad range of genres, tempos and timbres. ''On All Frequencies'' entered the CMJ radio Top 40 charts in both "electronic" and "world" categories simultaneously during spring 2007.<ref>CMJ radio charts {{cite web |url=http://www.cmj.com/ |title=CMJ Online |access-date=2011-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980220011510/http://www.cmj.com/ |archive-date=1998-02-20 }}</ref> The album received positive reactions across a broad spectrum of the electronic, hip hop and reggae press. It was described by ''[[BPM (magazine)|BPM]]'' magazine in its vital releases column as "connecting the dots between dub, dancehall, hip hop, drum & bass, downtempo and broken beat".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bpmmagazine.net/|title=My Blog – My WordPress Blog|website=Bpmmagazine.net|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref> It received a four afro rating from the popular website [[Okayplayer]], (their ratings system based on site founder and [[The Roots]] drummer [[Questlove]]'s hairstyle), who opined, "These beats could become the blueprint for future producers...Genius producing", a "certified gunsmoke!" review from OJ Lima, former ''[[VIBE]]'' magazine editor and founder of DJ culture site, Limachips,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.limachips.com/|title=Orlando Lima - The Official|website=Limachips.com|accessdate=29 January 2021}}</ref> and the reggae-centric ''Beat'' magazine wrote that the song "'Rize Up' is a virtual revolutionary anthem". The album was highlighted in ''[[Beyond Race magazine|Beyond Race]]'' magazine's 2007 Music Issue and Subatomic Sound System performed at the magazine release party in Brooklyn, New York. The Subatomic Sound System System song "Breakin' Down the Barriers" inspired the magazine's editor to use the title as the name of the subsequent issue and it became a theme song for the magazine's mission.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/04/29/2008-04-29_beyond_race_magazine_breaks_down_barrier.html/ |title='Beyond Race' magazine breaks down barriers |website=[[New York Daily News]] |access-date=2009-05-06 |archive-date=2008-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526030628/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/04/29/2008-04-29_beyond_race_magazine_breaks_down_barrier.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Discography==

=== Albums, EPs, digital singles===

*''Rockin’ Like a Champion'' Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System, & Hollie Cook (2024, Dubshot & Controlled Substance Sound Labs | digital & vinyl )

*''Babylon Soon Fall '' Subatomic Sound System & Screechy Dan (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS038 | digital )

*''Revolution 2 Freedom'' Subatomic Sound System & Junior Dread (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS037 | digital )

*''Champion Sound'' Subatomic Sound System & Screechy Dan (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS037 | digital )

*''Shaolin Dub'' Subatomic Sound System (2019, Subatomic Sound | SS036 | digital )

*''Super Ape Returns To Conquer'' [[Lee "Scratch" Perry]] & Subatomic Sound System (featuring Screechy Dan, Jahdan Blakkamoore, & Ari Up) (2017, Subatomic Sound | SS033 | digital, CD, vinyl via Echo Beach )

*''NYC-2-Africa-2-Brasil'' (featuring [[Anthony B]], Jahdan Blakkamoore, Bajah, & Nomadic Wax) remixes by [[Victor Rice]], Maga Bo, Buguinha Dub (2016, Subatomic Sound | SS030A | digital)

*''NYC-2-Africa'' (featuring [[Anthony B]], Jahdan Blakkamoore, Bajah, & Nomadic Wax) (2010, Subatomic Sound | SS016 | digital)

*''Blackboard Jungle Vol.2 Respect My Shit'' (featuring Dubblestandart, [[Lee Scratch Perry]], Jahdan Blakkamoore) (2009, Subatomic Sound | SS011 | digital)

*''Blackboard Jungle Vol.1 Respect the Foundation'' (featuring Dubblestandart, Lee Scratch Perry, Jahdan Blakkamoore) (2009, Subatomic Sound / | SS010 | digital)

*''Heat Brings Heat'' (featuring [[Pete Miser]]) (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS007 | digital)

*''Crucial Times'' (2008, Subatomic Sound/ Modus Vivendi | SS006 | digital)

*''On All Frequencies (Instrumentals & Mixtape)'' (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS00 | digital)

*''On All Frequencies (Instrumentals)'' (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS005 | digital)

*''On All Frequencies'' (featuring [[King Django]])(2007, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi / Nomadic Wax | MVM009 | CD, digital)

*''Lost Hits Vol. 1: Dancehall versus Hip Hop'' (featuring [[Pete Miser]] and [[King Django]]) (2005, Subatomic Sound / | SS004 | digital)

*''[https://subatomic.bandcamp.com/album/no-bloodshed No Bloodshed] (Vocal Mix)'' (Nov. 3, 2023, Subatomic Sound / Don Husky | digital)

===Vinyl===

*''Black Ark Vampires''/''Dub'' Lee "Scratch" Perry & Subatomic Sound System 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS020)

*''Dem Can't Stop We From Talk (Dubiterian remix)''/''NYC-2-Africa riddim (Dubiterian remix)'' Anthony B, Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS028)

*''Jah is Coming''/''Dubbing on the Moon'' Subatomic Sound System & Thomas Blondet 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS027)

*''Dem Can't Stop We From Talk''/''NYC-2-Africa riddim'' Anthony B meets Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax 7" 45rpm (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS024)

*''Dem Can't Stop We From Talk''/''Kingston Riot riddim'' Anthony B meets Dubblestandart 7" 45rpm (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS023)

*''Vampires & Informers'' Elephant Man 12" 33rpm (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS018)

*''Hello, Hello, Hell is Very Low'' b/w ''Bed Athletes'' featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry and [[Ari Up]] of [[The Slits]] 7" 45rpm (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat#SS014) [#1 on Ernie B reggae vinyl chart]

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===Remixes===

*''AmsterdamWickedness Dub'' Marlon Asher & Leah RosierBoostive (20112023, DubbhismStoopid Records | digital) included remixmelodica dub ''AmsterdamWickedness (Subatomic Sound System Bloodstep mixremix)''

*''Green Brain'' Lee Scratch Perry, Yaadcore, & Green Lion Crew (2023, Ineffable Records | digital) included 2 versions ''Green Brain (Subatomic Sound System remix)'' & ''Green Brain (Subatomic Sound System dub)''

*''Amor e Revolucao'' Maga Bo, Dandara Manoela (2022, Kaxambu Records | digital & Vinyl 12") included ''Amor e Revolucao (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Hulusi'' Piper Street Sound & General Pecos (2022, Piper Street | digital & Vinyl 10") included 3 versions ''Hulusi (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Q Street'' Super Hi Fi (2012, Electric Cowbell | digital ) included ''Q Street (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Dangerous'' See-I (2011, Collision | digital ) included vocal and dub mixes ''Dangerous (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Happy & Deep Dark Dub'' Dubmatix (2011, Fort Knox Recordings | digital ) included ''Happy & Deep Dark Dub (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Amsterdam'' Marlon Asher & Leah Rosier (2011, Dubbhism | digital) included remix ''Amsterdam (Subatomic Sound System mix)''

*''Vampires & Informers'' Elephant Man (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS019 | digital) included remixes ''Vampires & Informers (Subatomic Sound System Bloodstep mix)'', ''Vampires & Informers (Subatomic Sound System bloodsucker's dub)''

*''Modern Dayz Slavery'' The Bant Singh Project featuring Delhi Sultanate (2011, Word Sound Power | digital) included remix ''Modern Dayz Slavery (Subatomic Sound System remix)''

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*''Chrome Optimism'' Dubblestandart meets Lee "Scratch" Perry and David Lynch (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS012 | 12" vinyl, 33rpm) included remixes ''Chrome Optimism (Subatomic Sound System remix)'' & ''Deadly Funny (Subatomic Sound System dub)''

*''Luv 'n Liv'' [[Dub Gabriel]] w/[[U-Roy]] (2010, Destroy All Concepts | cat# DAC009 | digital) included remixes ''Luv 'n Liv (Ming vs. Subatomic Sound System remix)''

*''Dubstep EP'' Dubblestandart (2009, Collision/Select Cuts/ Echo Beach| | digital) ''included remixes: "Iron Devil (Subatomic Sound System remix)" "Blackboard Jungle (Subatomic Sound System remix)"''

*''Return From Planet Dub'' Dubblestandart, Lee "Scratch" Perry and [[Ari Up]] (2009, Collision/Select Cuts/ Echo Beach| CCT3019-2 | Double CD, digital) ''included remixes: "Blackboard Jungle (Subatomic Sound System remix)"'' Extensive liner notes by writer [[David Katz (author)|David Katz]]

*''Remixed'' Eyesight Project (2008, Modus Vivendi Music | MVM007 | digital) ''included remixes: "On Chrome (Subatomic Sound System remix)"''

===Compilations===

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===Mixes===

*''Code Orange Relaxation Techniques'' Subatomic Sound System (2002, Subatomic Sound | CD)

===Unreleased and forthcoming works===

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==External links==

* [http://www.subatomicsound.com Label and group sitewebsite]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American hip -hop groups]]

[[Category:Electronic music groups from New York (state)]]

[[Category:Record production teams]]