Sound Reasoning

Sound Reasoning the Hidden Archive

“ People in authority ain’t on the street. We live on the street so we know the street. “ Fatman Posse.

Sound reasoning is a vibrant selection of work from the reggae archives of documentary photographer Anna Arnone. Anna originally from the North East of England, a Geordie with strong Italian roots has created an intimate journey into the 1980’s dancehall’s and the sound systems that rocked them. Featuring a lyrical tribute from spoken word poet and performer Benjamin Zephaniah ‘ From Daddy’s Space to the Bigger Bass ‘ that describes his early dancehall days and first forays into spoken word toasting at the Birmingham sound systems.

The UK sound system sub-culture began when people emigrated to Britain from Jamaica and found the culture and the music they wanted to listen to wasn’t available. This meant that they had to import and re-create the Jamaican sound systems which started in the 1950’s when DJ’s would load up a van with speakers, generators and records and set up a street or a house party

Sound reasoning has a distinctive and eclectic design style which mirrors the energy of the people the book represents. flicking through the pages you get an immediate sense of the main players on the scene at that time The book contains interview extracts and photography pulled from a variety of sources approximately circa 1984 – 1988 from various sources.with unabridged interviews and intimate portraits.
many of the images in the book were part of a touring exhibition of 35 laminated panels also called Sound reasoning book a culmination of collected activities and information. it is a touching portrait of the boys and girls, men and women who established their cultural identity at a time of political unrest and the race riots together with the institutionalised racism of the Thatcher era.
informal portraits taken while riding around in the back of the sound system van to different venues
Of course some of the famous faces Smiley Culture,

Women had an important role in sound system culture and Anna has represented them well. from the lovers rock of singers who were popular in the mainstream such as Janet Kay to the ‘iconic first lady of UK reggae’ DJ Bionic Rhona you gain a personal insight into the experiences of the women in sound systems and bands as they voice their opinions about sexism and their experiences
In the words of Bionic Rhona ( 1959-2016 )

“ The men they look ‘pon us and call we: ‘Hey Bionic Pussy’…. We show them what Bionic Pussy can do.” Bionic Rhona

The recording of history favours its rulers bearing this in mind Anna Arnones book is a breath of fresh air containing a realism and authenticity speaking with the voice of the sound the Dj’s toasters and selectors.
To quote Benjamin Zephaniah:
“I am always amazed at how often the history of reggae music in Britain is told with little or no mention of the sound systems. It really is outrageous, after all, there were more sound systems than there were bands.”

Anna Arnone