By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter 
Marshall Redwood a.k.a DJ MarshyRedz in action spinning up a storm at Prayz House, a Christian nightclub located on Maxfield Avenue in St. Andrew. - Carlington Wilmot/Freelance Photographer
EVER SINCE the inception of dancehall music, sound systems have played a vital role in the promotion and development of artistes and their music.
Foundation sound systems like Stone Love, Kilamanjaro, Metro Media, Travelers, Gemini and Black Scorpio, among others, have all played their part in helping to mould dancehall music into what it has become today.
Today, we find that not only have sound systems taken over in the world of dancehall, but are also now becoming a fast growing trend in the world of gospel entertainment.
Damion Green of Bless House Entertainment says their sound system has been around for almost five years now and says it was formed by a group of friends who loved music. "We used to collect albums and play them at parties, then one day we decided to come together and pool our resources," he said.
PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING
According to Green, gospel sound systems play an integral part in the world of gospel entertainment, as "sounds on a whole are another means of distributing the information and getting the message across".
Green also cites gospel sound systems as a means of promoting and developing gospel artistes, especially those who have not yet established themselves.
"It assists gospel entertainers to promote their material and if people hear something continuously they will get to like it and eventually go out to buy the album," he said. He also pointed out that aspiring artistes who fail to get radio airplay can use sound systems as an alternative route to getting recognition.
In addition, in the same way that there are secular sounds promoting dancehall and other types of music, Green believes that it is about time that Christians have a similar vehicle with which to spread and promote the word of God.
"I also have plans of working closely with aspiring young artistes like Prodigy, cutting dubs and doing remixes and putting out material that's different, rather than just playing songs straight from albums," Green said.
However, he says that the task is not an easy one, as the financial returns are small. "To be honest, gospel music on a whole doesn't really pay, especially if you are not big in the business. For ventures like this it's difficult to get sponsors and so we have to do it out of sheer love," he said.
In giving a rough estimate of how much their sound normally charge when playing out, Green says "if we are spinning music alone, we normally ask for a contribution of $3,000 to $5,000, but if we have to provide PA systems and so on, it could cost up to $12,000 depending on the venue".
He cites financial assistance as one of their major difficulties right now, as he says, "people in general do not invest in gospel music. Only once in a while we even get a play out; it's not an every week thing. As such, the monetary turnover is not as much."
PLACE FOR IT
Clyde Shaw Jr., a young gospel entertainer himself, says despite the difficulties some selectors face, gospel sound systems do play an important role. However, the importance is not yet realised by patrons.
"It enhances the party vibes and excitement, but I don't think Christians realise the significance of music in that form; they more appreciate the live performances," Shaw Jr. said.
He also said that at most gospel events, "whenever the live performances break and selectors take over, patrons view this as the opportune time to purchase refreshments".
Kimari McCalla, another young Christian, says she thinks that there is a place for it (gospel sound systems), but says "the music is lacking in terms of quality and diversity". As a result, some selectors are limited in their choice of music, and "this is why the idea of gospel sound system has not caught on well with everyone".
Furthermore, McCalla believes that only young people will embrace the idea of a gospel sound system, as older persons in the church don't really know how to enjoy themselves as Christians.
Marshall Redwood, who runs his own Christian nightclub (Prayz House) and sound system, 'Christ in I,' believes whether or not the phenomenon is readily accepted by all, gospel sound systems do play a vital role in the whole packaging and presentation of gospel entertainment.
"What you find in a lot of cases is that persons are not really into much of the preaching nowadays and young people especially are more into the deejays and sounds that are at shows," Redwood said.
He also said that gospel sound systems have a different type of attraction and, as such, "it is able to carry the gospel in a different way and push it further".
Redwood's sound, 'Christ in I' has played in areas like Matthews Lane and Hundred Lane in Kingston. There, he says, souls have been won for Christ.
