Founded in 1989, Kingston sound system Renaissance Disco will celebrate its 20th anniversary on 15 August with a special night. Excerpts from a documentary, produced for the occasion and tracing 20 years of activity, will be shown.
Delano Thomas, one of the sound's historic figures, recognisable by his pirate-style eyepatch, first played high-school parties, birthdays and weddings, mostly in the smart neighbourhoods of the city. Little by little, the sound made a name through its remixes, the quality of its mixes, or by accompanying touring artists on the turntables, before joining the "downtown" sound system scene and the international dances.
Since then, Renaissance has moved into production (notably via selector Jazzy T) and now has a team of 30 people, including around ten selectors. The sound also owns enough equipment to run two big shows simultaneously and up to six small parties.