Highly respected member of the UK’s House scene Rap Saunders’s polyrhythmic sound is deeply rooted in deep soul house enriched by his exposure to and experience of hip hop, hard house and techno. From his own Soulmates parties to headlining events for Defected Records, Househead LDN, Need 2 Soul, Azuli Records, Rap’s high-profile residencies and gigs see him take a crowd on a journey and enthuse them by playing the very best house music in his own unique style. Tastemaker and champion of new talent, Rap’s lead has highlighted international talents such as Ron Trent, Glenn Underground, Alton Miller and Karizma.
Rap Saunders’s Carnival Memories
We used to go every year when we were kids…every year since I was about 5 years old. My dad Darcus Howe and his friends organised a ‘band’, which means a whole crew of steel pan band and dancers who take part in the parade. It was an affiliation of the Trinidad Renegades also known as Renegades, and they joined forces with the Mangrove steel band.
When you take part in Carnival it’s called ‘playing’ – you play a character like acting in a show. One of my first memories of Carnival is going to ‘Mass Camp’, which was a big space where the costumes were being made in the lead-up to Carnival. Mum, Dad and all their friends would be making the costumes, eating food, listening to music, chatting and everyone was having a good time. As kids we would run wild, staying up to all hours and had a lot of freedom to hang out and enjoy the experience. It was really exciting to to see all the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into making the Carnival costumes and we didn’t appreciate it at that age and how creative they all were. It was great fun and good to learn.
Every year there would be a theme and one of my favourites was “Forces Of Victory” which took its lead from the armed forces. That year they built a massive model of an Aeroplane and a Tank, it was incredible to us as they were life-size models and it was great to be part of the parade around the streets of Notting Hill. The kids were pushed to the front with the adults behind and with the Mangrove steel band with their rhythms that conjured up the sounds of the Caribbean.That was Carnival in the 70’s and 80’s and the sounds were mainly soca, calypso, steel pans, salsa and early reggae. It was all about following the ‘bands’ and there were hardly any sound systems like it is today, just a few dotted around and playing a more Caribbean-orientated soundtrack and maybe a bit of soul music.
It changed for me when I went to secondary school and I was running around with my older brother Darcus in our costumes ‘playing’ in the parade when some mates from our school spotted us and cracked up laughing. I looked over to my brother and we both knew that was it for us in terms of us ‘playing’ – we had reached that age where you’re finding yourself, somewhere between child and man and we both knew we had to experience it differently. We didn’t stop going and went with our parents and relatives…It was such a great time, following the bands and sitting on the big trucks with the steel bands, there would be food and drinks so we could all eat and drink through what was some really long days. We used to be there from around 9-10am and walk round all the streets shuffling and it’s etched in my memory forever. The bands would eventually reach the judge’s stage at Westbourne Park, and then we would all jump off the trucks and find our spot and really give it all we had as we danced in front of them. You then realised it was a real competition like back home in Trinidad and it was kind of a big deal. The adults were really serious about the ‘band’ they were part of and there was a real sense of pride and it really bought out the best in everyone taking part. There was a huge community spirit and if you won…well.
There was also a financial aspect to it as well as you paid to participate as it was self-funded. There was about 200 people in our band so everyone had to do what they could to raise money and this was before sponsorship or grants were available to keep the culture alive.
In the early days the police had never really dealt with so many black people and it caused a lot of problems with their heavy-handed behaviour. You could feel the tension between the police and the Carnival goers and things just escalated. At the 1976 (I was 5 years old!) Carnival the police tried to arrest someone and it just sparked. This was before the police had anti-riot shields and the crowd pushed back and it ended up in a riot. Bottles and bricks were being thrown and the police had dustbin lids to protect themselves. It was the first time I had witnessed serious disorder on the streets. I sort of understood what was happening but didn’t understand the implications…good and bad. I was with my mum and my dad told us to go home to be safe.
In my teenage years there was constant trouble at Carnival and it didn’t seem fun anymore so I stopped going. I was in my mid-late 20s when I had my 1st child, Chè, and I used to take her on Sunday ‘Children’s Day” when she was little alongside my Mum and siblings including my sister who’d also had her first child by then.
My priorities had changed by then as from around 15-16 years old I’d started DJ-ing and with my friends we had managed to assemble, two decks, a mixer, an amp, some speakers, which were all stored separately at our different houses, each member looking after 1 piece of kit, and put together when we played out at house parties or events in the neighbourhood. We were playing hip hop, rare groove, reggae, hip house. I was the one into hip house and played tunes from the like of Fast Eddie and Tyree Cooper and we created a buzz about our sound.
Going out to early house music events like the RiP parties at Clink Street, Trip, Busby’s and warehouse parties really blew my mind once I heard the sound. There was a madness or freedom in the sound and a lot of my friends and people I knew didn’t like house and called it ‘gay music’ and so I moved on and found new people. Once I discovered house music I never looked back.
I can remember the 1st house record I bought at Fulham’s Spin Off Records and Ritchie Rich of ‘Salsa House” fame worked there. I was listening to pirate radio stations like LWR and I think it was Jazzy M’s show where I heard Master C & J featuring the incredible Liz Torres “In The City” track on State Street Records. Her voice and the sound…I just loved it.
Growing up I was surrounded by Carnival and it’s a shame my kids didn’t have that same experience but they love it now. They go with friends and get covered in paint or glitter and love the experience hanging out in their home city.
For me now I go to Panorama held at Horniman’s Crescent on a Thursday or Friday and hear the steel bands practising as they mill about in the streets. On Friday in the park the bands play for the judges, 1 tune and it’s just great to hear all the different bands. I love the sound of steel pans…there’s no other rhythm like it. This has rekindled my relationship with Carnival and I experience the culture in a different environment. It’s all about the music and of course, the food..carnival always has some great rotis. I have more understanding and pride for Carnival now and what it means to the community. I’m still cheering for the Mangrove steel band and follow them as their part of what shaped me and still does.
Carnival Playlist – in no particular order
1. Frederick – “Luv Me” (Beyond Tomorrow)
Out on Craig Smith’s label, it’s proper deep house from this rising star.
https://beyondtomorrow.bandcamp.com/album/luv-me
2. Ron Trent Trinidadian Deep Tyrone Francis – “Magic Carnival” (Blak-n-Yello)
After nearly Five years it finally see’s daylight!! Strong production full of energy…
https://blak-n-yello.bandcamp.com/album/magic-carnival-the-original-versions-digital-copy
3. GU presents SJU – “Stallions” Instrumental (Strictly Jaz Unit)
Super deep vibes…drums, bassline and then the jazzy swing kicks in..it’s a feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9hc3WZPjaU
4. Coflo – Stronger Than Pride (Coflo vs. Alexander Nut)
Sade Vs Coflo – what’s not to love and one for the lovers
https://soundcloud.com/coflo/sade-stronger-than-pride-coflo
5. Osunlade – “Luv” (Yoruba Records)
Minimal deep bassline old school house feel that brings everyone together.
https://yorubarecords.bandcamp.com/track/luv
6. Kenny Dope presents Liquid Dope – Air Macks (Henry Street)
Shifting jazzy hip hop sample track with Kenny’s unmistakable beats and “Yeh” drops. Dope..dope..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvAi1bs0y_Q
6. K-LONE – Drumz! (Sweet N Tasty)
Percussive banger that rocks every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm6y_ZEZj_s
7. Doug Gomez – “Dirty Things At 3am” (Merecumbe Recordings)
percussive with acidic twinges and a deep treat
https://douggomez.bandcamp.com/album/doug-gomez-cypher-girl-ep
8. Phil Asher – “Juno” (RSTLSS Trax)
Ladbroke Grove’s deeply loved and much missed Phil Asher in fine deep house vein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9DSzknHxDQ
9. BugzintheAttic feat Wumni – “Zombie” (Red Hot & Riot)
Wicked Bugz Fela cover and covering all bases with its bruk afro house vibes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DhfhqOhAgc
10. Ricardo Miranda – “If It Aint Deep” Unreleased (Noble Square Recordings)
Chicago Deep House at it’s finest.
https://soundcloud.com/noblesquare/if-it-aint-deep-lp
Rap Saunders joins Kai Alcé for Househead LDN’S Daytime party alongside Craig Smith, Deli G, Nick Standen and more on Saturday August 24th at Aures, 18 Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Running from 3pm-1am, tickets from RA: https://ra.co/events/1913222
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