Dub plates as far as Thailand

Johnny Osbourne is one of the singers famed for doing dub plates, specialised recordings personalised for an individual sound system and its selectors and/or owners. Among those which have maintained Osbourne's presence in dancehall in Jamaica, even as he spent a decade and a half outside the country, are No Ice Cream Sound with Shabba Ranks and Dub Plates Playing in the Ghetto Tonight for David Rodigan.

"You know me a dub plate doctor. Me doctor all dub," Osbourne said. "The dub business is an ongoing business. Three weeks ago, mi mek dub plate for a sound in Thailand." In emphasising how widespread the Jamaican phenomenon of the sound system is, Osbourne said he has also done dub plates for sound systems in Israel.

Hit with audience

On Pepsi Rebel Salute 2012, after opening with Buddy Bye, Osbourne delivered No Ice Cream Love, Rock You Tonight, Yo Yo and Reasons, among others, to the delight of the large audience, members of which showed their knowledge of older dancehall tracks and appreciation of Osbourne's vocals. He did the songs from start to end, with few restarts despite the reaction of the crowd.

Osbourne said he had a good 'Salute' experience, Buddy Bye a good track to start with. "The people know it, they participate. We have to start with it to get that participation," Osbourne said.

He said that after not being in Jamaica for 15 years "I think Rebel Salute was the ideal platform to connect with the people, let them know Johnny still have it," Osbourne said. He did not have any more shows planned for this time around in Jamaica, but said he was in negotiations to do another show in Jamaica later in 2012.

"Mi a take it to the world again," Osbourne said.