Big Toe's Hi-Fi Sound System have been running monthly Friday Night Jamoborees at the Wee Red Bar, since FFD head honcho John Farrugia aka Barba Poppa Choppa came to study at Edinburgh College Of Art 3 years ago.

As a sculptor one of John's first projects when he arrived was to build an create a hi-fi in the traditional reggae sense. He hooked up with Manager and Producer Colvin Cruickshank aka C-Biscuit and set about assembling a crew of likeminded musical cohorts to start the dance - MC Splifka aka The Learned Friend, Jockass and B-Dawg. Big Toe's play all styles within the Reggae (Dub - Dancehall - Hip Hop - Jungle - Grime) genre and the night draws a multi-cultural mixed crowd of students and guests.

Local West Indian artists Ista, George Prophet, Daddy Scotty and his daughter Natalie regularly drop in to chat, spread the good vibes and sing over the versions. Big Toe's Hi-Fi also have an ongoing obsession with dressing up themes and comedy routines at the club in an attempt to put the fun back into clubbing and dubbing. They have recently guested (and are due back on May the 19th.) on Edinburgh's Fresh Air FMs Dub Stations show.

We are proud to announce the third release by Barba Poppa Choppa on our label featuring Coki, Jean Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert and Junior Demus.
A wicked Re-Fix inna IDM, Dubstep Dancehall style.

http://www.discogs.com/release/1253394

You can listen to the tracks in advance on our profile page.

This limited edition 7" can also be purchased by sending us a message on myspace.

We are happy to announce the next release by Barba Poppa Choppa and Daddy Scotty featuring Superfour and Maffi Boys on our own label - Big Toe’s Hi-Fi

http://www.discogs.com/release/1089180

You can listen to the tracks in advance on our profile page.

This limited edition 7" can be purchased by sending us a message on myspace...

Article written by David Pollock from the The List April issue -

Following the soundsystem summit this time last year between Wee Red Bar residents Big Toe's Hi-Fi and leading Glasgow practitioners Mungo's, this spring sees the Big Toe folks invite Messenger Soundsystem, Edinburgh's other big reggae club, to leave their home at the Bongo for a one-off head to head in ECA's mural room. It's a fundraiser for post-grad students, as well as - we're sure you'll agree - a mustn't miss night for fans of dub and dancehall.

"I've been going to Messenger since I came to Scotland four years ago", says Big Toe's John Farrugia, "and I'm well aware of the sound and authenticity that they have. It's a very roots and culture-based system, very genuine, and they have a good operation going after doing it here for 20 years".

As an artist himself, Farrugia is well aware of the benefits of collaboration. "I think it's just in my nature that I like interacting with people, especially when it comes to reggae.  It's a soundsystem culture, you don't use just a single DJ, that collective aspect is something that really struck me in the six or seven years I've been doing this".

He's hesitant, however, to describe this event as any sort of soundclash. "Scotland isn't like London", he notes, "where there are dozens of soundsystems, although the ones we do have each do very well. So what we miss out on is the way soundsystems face off, not in an aggressive sense, but
just as an opportunity to offer each of their own crowds two very different sounds.

High Five for Big Toe's by Joel Shaw

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.

We are proud to announce the first release by Barba Poppa Choppa on our own label - Big Toe’s Hi-Fi

http://www.discogs.com/release/930989

You can listen to the tracks in advance on our profile page.

Now available to buy in Fopp, HMV and Underground Solushn in Edinburgh and Rubadub in Glasgow. This limited edition 7" can also be purchased by sending us a message on myspace.

Nice little mention in Edinburgh Clubbing Section of The List
Student Guide 06/07 Edition -

Reggae, dancehall and hip-hop are just come of the musical flavours pumped out by the DJs playing here. Big Toe's Hi-Fi boasts some fine residents with Barba Poppa Choppa, C-Diggles and Jockass dropping bombs. They've also got some great singers in the shape of Daddy Scotty and Ras Ista Jamaica.

From Alliston, Canada to Edinburgh, Scotland...

Despite the investigative efforts of hungry headline seeking journalists from around the world, much of FFD's earliest history is still shrouded in mystery. Longtime fans of FFD have been known to speak in hushed tones of hopeful anticipation regarding rumours of a film and/or book said to be in the works by one or several of FFD's most senior members. Should such a project ever see completion, it will surely peel back the curtains that for so long have veiled one of the worlds most secretive and generally handsome organizations. According to several inside sources, there are presently numerous law enforcement agencies and art mafia organizations working in conjunction to track and monitor FFD's rapid global expansion.

Allegedly, the US State Department first developed an interest in FFD when their mantra, "Droppin' Bombs On Yo' Lawns" first began surfacing as a popular catch-phrase among grade school children. Unable to determine whether FFD represented a credible threat to security, the US went on to enlist the services of CSIS, MI5, Scotland Yard and (it's rumoured) ninjas. To date, none of the aforementioned organizations have been able to crack FFD's gas-huffing code of silence/inebriation.

What is known about this fascinating organization is that it's members are secretly recruited and welcomed into the fold with some sort of custom jewellery, perhaps a ring, broach or pin - no one is certain. Whatever it is, it would have to be very subtle, otherwise too much attention would be attracted, thus drawing unwanted "heat". The membership is known to span the globe, with activity and chatter showing up in North America, South America, Caribbean, Europe and South Pacific.

If you come in contact with a known member of FFD it is STRONGLY advised that you lock the gas cap of your car/snowmobile, don't let any women under the age of 67 out of your sight and DO NOT attempt to engage them in any sort of rap / rps / dj'ing or dancing battles.