HIGH FIVE for Big tOe's

May 2007
The Skinny

Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College Of Art

Set in the charming surroundings of the Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh College of Art, Big Toe's Hi-Fi is a reggae night with a twist. Founding Big Toe's members John and Colvin explained to The Skinny what their night is about.

"The music side of it and the vibes at a Big Toe's party are top notch…but we're the first to admit that we're horrible promoters. Most people involved in Big Toe's are artists at heart", says John. From the impressive array of banners and uniquely designed bass bins, to the use of live samplers and effects the Big Toe's guys are keen to be as creative as they possibly can be. It's more than just playing a few records. Such nights just would not be the same if run under a tight music policy and clientele list. "There's nothing worse than playing at a night where the promoter or the club are dictating" adds John.

Colvin is keen to emphasise the ethos of "good music and good fun" as the only real policy of the night whilst explaining that "we're not into all the homophobic shit, just fun". It all started around 4 years ago when John arrived to do a Masters degree in Edinburgh. Before this he'd spent some time DJing and clubbing around Canada, but it was in the Caribbean – where he was helping set up a community project -  where he saw how "the soundsystem culture worked and how versions worked…saw it at it's purest and rawest". With the idea of starting up his own soundsystem in Edinburgh John met Colvin working at the Art College. Like John, Colvin had been passionately involved in music right back to the start of the 90s where he fronted the band Non stopcamels. Colvin shared John's passion for music in all forms, but he remarks one of the reason he enjoys soundsystem nights is because of the togetherness that in a way holds similarities "to rave culture circa 1990".

It is their diverse musical backgrounds that helps give the club nights a unique musical flavour. Colvin explains the "beauty of Big Toe's is that we can and will play anything and everything within all genres and sub-genres of reggae – if we feel Rhythm and Sound or some Dubstep, we'll do it". And this refreshing attitude to a reggae night really does make it
a fresher party.

As good as the music is, the Big Toe's party is given a little something extra by the talents of Daddy Scotty and Mc Ista. They all met at the first ever Big Toe, and what developed was what John calls a unique and "beautiful relationship" where they turn up on an ad hoc basis and perform if they feel. The relaxed relationship helps "bring the best out in our DJing ability which helps not just to accommodate the Daddy and Ista but accentuate their skills", John says.

Big Toe's are always keen to team up with other soundsystems and have already had a memorable night with Glasgow's Mungo's Hi-Fi. There are no egos in the Big Toe camp just love for the dance. Big Toe's first 7" release Cupid's Revolution last month manages to bring together what  the Big Toe's are about - it's a mash up of styles, taking Sam Cooks soul classic Cupid on top of the Sly and Robbie rub a dub riddim. It may sound like it shouldn't work, but it does. Cupid's Revolution is now a regular hit at Big Toe's dances and according to John, it "encapsulates what we are about".

As it is, Big Toe's is a reggae night unlike any other; it's a colourful reggae party with real sunshine vibes. It's a night put together by a group of guys with love for music in all forms - but reggae takes centre stage. Quick to criticise small mindedness that so often surrounds music, Big Toe's refuse to be constrained - it's a reggae night with no music policy.

Joel Shaw

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