Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
David and Craig Harrisingh of the DASECA family in their studio on Red Hills Road, St. Andrew. and Producers David Harrisingh (left) and Craig Harrisingh (right) of DASECA Productions and entertainer Roy 'Bugle' Thompson outside the DASECA Red Hills Road Studio recently.- Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
"Yuh hear fi mi voice coming through di speaker, but it sound sweeter wid di echo chamber."
So said Papa Levite in his song Mi God Mi King. It is within the walls of a studio that the sweetest melodies are. In the midst of complementary instruments, inspiration sparks in the echo chambers and creates a musical fire. This week Echo Chambers spices it up with a fresh ear for music from DASECA studios.
Unassuming on the outside, DASECA studios is the site of many of the latest dancehall hits. Operated by brothers David and Craig Harrisingh and Craig 'Serani' Marsh, DASECA is setting themselves apart from all others.
Located on Red Hills Road, St. Andrew, DASECA began six years ago in Queensbury at a family house before moving in November of 2005. DASECA have produced some of the hypest rhythms, which they build for themselves or for others, such as the Chakka Chakka rhythm done for Fire Links, Gully Sitn for Foota Hype, the Steps rhythm that featured Sean Paul's hit song We Be Burning, the Anger Management, Wipe Out and Airwaves rhythms.
DASECA was formed six years ago from the dreams of three school friends. Craig 'Serani' Marsh was the one that inspired the Harrisingh brothers' interest and love for music. With his knowledge of the piano, the trio soon planned to take over the music business. The name DASECA is derived from the names of all three founders.
A quiet group of producers, the trio works well together in the often crowded studio as they work on the latest project waiting for the right vibe to create magic. While they are grateful for the attention from artistes, they attest that sometimes a little quiet time is needed to just think and create.
With just a sound room and another that holds the keyboard and a computer, DASECA proves that size isn't what makes the most noise. According to Craig Harrisingh, "this is where everything is done - building the beats, putting the song together and recording the vocals".
All the rhythms are conceptualised on the keyboard and developed into beats that seem to carry an almost haunting aura. This is evident in songs such as Mavado's Dying, Mavado and Busy Signal's Bad Man Place, the 'Dreaming' rhythm, Busy Signal's The Days, Beenie Man's Back It Up and Bugle's breakout success single What I'm Gonna Do.
It was DASECA that helped to 'buss' Mavado on the dancehall scene, having recorded the artiste on many of their rhythms. Now it is Bugle that takes up a lot of studio time, as DASECA has chosen to produce him as their first artiste. "Right now, a typical day is working with Bugle. He's a signed DASECA artiste. We love working with young talent, but not just any young talent. Our rating is very high," Craig explained.
For the future, Jamaica and the world can look out for more Bugle and more Serani, one of the producers who is planning to expand more into a career as an artiste.
signature brand
While they one day hope to own a bigger, full system studio, for now its all about the music, making their own trail with one rhythm and one song at a time. Instead of producing rhythm after rhythm that drag on the listener's ears, not making a distinct impression, DASECA tries to make themselves a 'signature' brand of music. As Craig attests, "we're doing something different. We try to stay as far away as possible from others. People have been complaining seh di riddims out there now are too much alike. We're not into the juggling either, where you have 20 artistes on one riddim".
David agreed, stating "we don't mek any sound like the ones before". Nor do they try to label their sound as strictly dancehall, as according to Craig, they try to mix up the flair. This can be heard in Busy Signal's The Days, which has a slightlyhip-hop flavour.
For DASECA, it's all about "more good music; that's where we're at right now".
