For someone who has been around music all his life, Peter Spence knows a good song or ‘riddim’ when he hears it. That was the case with the UK Bubblers Riddim, produced by London-based company, ZigeDub.
Born in the United Kingdom to Jamaican parents, Spence covered ‘Stormy Night’ for the 12-song album which was recently released. ‘Stormy Night’ was originally done by Creation Steppers in 1975 and reworked with great success by Roland Burrell seven years later.
Spence said he and the head of ZigeDub agreed to put a fresh spin on the song, which is a favorite among hardcore sound system reggae fans.
“I always admired the original song. However, the Roland Burrell (version) always made an impression,” he explained.
The dreadlocked Spence is from Birmingham, an area that has been a traditional home to West Indians since the 1960s. It is where he was taught the rudiments of reggae, and music, by his father who was a musician.
“My father is my biggest influence, he was a musician who taught me to play guitar, aged eight,” he said.
Spence cut his musical teeth in a reggae band called Xperts and at 18, recorded his first song for Greensleeves Records.
Peter Hunnigale, a stalwart of the British lovers rock scene, created the UK Bubblers Riddim. He also contributed a song to the project, as did Althea Hewitt, Troy Anthony, Jah Device and Isha Blender.
