Jah Warrior
UK roots reggae/dub production team and label centred on Steve Mosco.
Jah Warrior is a UK-based roots reggae and dub collective, encompassing a production team, record label, sound system, and musical group, all led by Steve Mosco. Mosco first encountered reggae as a teenager in Manchester, attending sound system events in Moss Side and Hulme before traveling to experience others, including Jah Shaka. After moving to London in 1981, he was invited by Tim Westwood to host a reggae show on the pirate radio station LWR. He also worked as a selector for the Humble Lion sound system, which was renamed Jah Warrior in 1987. In 1990, he released the album *Warrior Dub* under the name Zulu Warriors. The Jah Warrior record label was launched in 1995, with its first release being "The 22nd Book" by Naph-Tali, followed by the album *One of These Days*. Since 1999, Mosco has focused on production. He has produced albums for artists including Hughie Izachaar, Tena Stelin, Prince Alla, Peter Broggs, Trinity, Dillinger, Rod Taylor, U Brown, Alton Ellis, Anthony Johnson, Dennis Alcapone, Horace Andy, and Jah Mason, alongside dub releases under the Jah Warrior name in collaboration with Dougie Wardrop (also known as A. Millgate). The label became a leading independent roots and reggae imprint in the UK. The *Dub From The Heart* series of albums is regarded as some of the most notable dub work from the mid-to-late 1990s. Jah Warrior’s first US release was Peter Broggs’ *Jah Golden Throne Dubwise* album on the BSI label.
- Field
- Roots reggae/dub production, record label, sound system
- Nationality
- United Kingdom
- Known for
- Dub From The Heart series, producing albums for reggae artists
- Centred on
- Steve Mosco
- First release
- 1995, 'The 22nd Book' by Naph-Tali
Lore & Background
Steve Mosco first got interested in reggae as a teenager in Manchester. He started attending sound system events in Moss Side and Hulme, before travelling further afield, experiencing the likes of Jah Shaka. In 1981 he moved to London and was invited by Tim Westwood to do a reggae show on a pirate radio station called LWR. He also worked as a selector on the Humble Lion sound system, which in 1987 was renamed Jah Warrior. In 1990 he put out an album called Warrior Dub under the name Zulu Warriors.
Reader's Guide
Jah Warrior holds significance as a leading independent roots and reggae label in the UK, emerging from the sound system culture of Manchester and London. The label's Dub From The Heart series of albums are considered some of the most interesting examples of that genre from the mid to late 1990s. By producing albums for a wide range of established reggae artists, Jah Warrior helped sustain and disseminate roots reggae and dub music during a period when the genre faced commercial challenges. The label's work with Dougie Wardrop and its US release through BSI also indicate its reach beyond the UK. Jah Warrior's legacy lies in its consistent output of quality dub and reggae productions, maintaining the traditions of the sound system while adapting to studio production.
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