Jstar announces tracklist for new show Control Tower.

Joining Scientific Sound Asia with a new weekly programme titled Control Tower, producer and DJ Jstar presents a show centred on dub, bass music and sound system culture. Scientific Sound Asia operates as an underground radio station, DJ agency and promoter based in Asia with an international audience, supporting electronic and urban music through radio broadcasts, events and artist collaborations.

Jstar is widely recognised for an extensive catalogue of more than one hundred releases and remixes that bridge reggae, hip hop and bass music. His productions include both official and unofficial reworks for artists such as Blackstreet, Gang Starr, Busta Rhymes, Major Lazer, Madness, DJ Vadim, Tackhead, Mark Ronson and The Black Seeds, building a reputation for rhythm-driven reinterpretations designed for the dancefloor.

Raised in West London, Jstar grew up surrounded by reggae, rave, funk and hip hop, influences that shaped his early approach to DJing and production. Over time, he developed a distinctive style rooted in sound system traditions while embracing evolving bass music forms. His work has received recognition from figures including David Rodigan, Norman Jay, John Peel, Grandmaster Flash and Don Letts, while publications such as Mixmag have highlighted his contributions to the bass and reggae crossover scene.

His album releases include the double album Licensed Plates, followed by the studio projects Stand To Order and Dub To Order. Alongside these releases, he has continued to expand his international reach, collaborating with artists across different regions and touring widely. Recent projects have included work with Chinese reggae MCs and performances across Asia.

Jstar’s DJ sets draw on a wide spectrum of bass music rooted in reggae sound system culture. His selections move between deep dub, dancehall, drum and bass and early bass-driven styles, reflecting a long-standing belief that many modern electronic genres trace their roots back to sound system traditions.

Alongside his solo performances, Jstar frequently appears as tour DJ for vocalist Soom T and has performed at festivals including Glastonbury, EXIT, WOMAD, Fusion, Symbiosis and Island Vibe. His touring schedule has taken him across Europe as well as to India, New Zealand, Russia, Kenya, Mexico, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Ibiza, where he performed multiple times at the former Space nightclub.

Earlier in his career, he also held DJ residencies at events such as Rootikal in London alongside David Rodigan and Earl Gateshead, and at The Big Chill Bar. He has performed at influential London venues including The End, Plastic People and Heavenly Social, sharing stages with artists such as Nicky Blackmarket, Diplo, Dead Prez, Shapeshifter, Dreadzone, Netsky, Andy Smith, Prince Fatty, A.Skillz, Sly and Robbie, Cypress Hill, Morcheeba and Shy FX.

Through Control Tower, Jstar brings this broad musical background to Scientific Sound Asia, presenting a weekly exploration of dub, bass and sound system culture shaped by decades of DJ experience and studio production.

Control Tower 1 with Jstar opens by drawing from the deep roots of Jamaican music culture. Early selections such as Every Day, Admiration and Music Tree introduce a warm Roots Reggae and Rocksteady tone before Born To Fly, and the ska energy of Ram Jam highlight the crossover between classic Jamaican rhythms and soul-influenced songwriting. The early part of the show balances historic recordings with later roots material, including Memory Hills and We Need More Love, creating a strong foundation in traditional reggae sound.

The mix moves further into classic Jamaican styles with tracks such as Africa and Patricia, representing the early reggae and instrumental studio era. Vocal harmony cuts like Let Me Tell You Boy and lovers-influenced selections such as Cool Dem Down maintain a smooth melodic tone, while Nicodemus’ Jah King Of Kings introduces the sound of early dancehall. Instrumental pieces such as Funky Skank Version and dub-influenced productions begin to shift the programme toward sound system territory.

The central portion of the show explores deeper dub textures and modern reinterpretations of reggae rhythm. Productions such as Kick Off, Roots Version Wise and Bad Boy Stepping highlight contemporary dub approaches, while classic artists including Kiddus I and Don Drummond maintain the link to Jamaica’s earlier recording eras. The selection moves fluidly between roots material and modern dub experiments, reinforced by tracks like Gold Dust, Jungle Lore and Green Line, which showcase the continuing evolution of reggae production.

The final section expands into a broad spectrum of reggae and dub culture. Give Peace A Chance, Under Mi Sensi Dub, and G20 Riddim highlight sound system influences that connect traditional dub techniques with modern digital reggae. Artists such as Mungo’s Hi Fi, Dubkasm and Jefferson Belt continue the deep bass approach before the show closes with classic vocal performances from Dawn Penn and Junior English. Control Tower 1 ultimately presents a wide journey through reggae history, from ska and rocksteady foundations through roots reggae and into contemporary dub experimentation.

'Control Tower' 1 with Jstar. Chronic Sonata – Every Day [Bastard Jazz Recordings]

The Frightnrs – Admiration [Daptone Records]

Vin Gordon – Music Tree [Studio One]

Courtney John – Born To Fly [FiWi Music]

Byron Lee & The Dragonaires – Ram Jam [Dynamic Sounds]

Matthew McAnuff – Memory Hills [Zion High Productions]

Shenley Duffus & The Sound Dimension – We Need More Love [Studio One]

Clancy Eccles – Africa [Clandisc]

Ike R & The Crystalites – Patricia [Crystal Records]

Ebony Sisters – Let Me Tell You Boy [Studio One]

Nicodemus – Jah King Of Kings [Greensleeves Records]

Nerious Joseph – Cool Dem Down [Ariwa Records]

Glen Adams – Funky Skank Version [Pama Records]

Beam Up – Kick Off [Beam Up Music]

Sky Nation – Roots Version Wise [Partial Records]

Jstar Feat. Ranking Joe – Bad Boy Stepping [Jstar Records]

Kiddus I – Flying At Knots [Dub Store Records]

Don Drummond – Don D Special [Studio One]

Jstar – Liar Step Up [Jstar Records]

Jstar Feat. Kinck – Liar Liar [Jstar Records]

Jstar – Moving On (Instrumental) [Jstar Records]

GI Joe – Rescue From Adventure Team Headquarters [Stix Records]

Jefferson Belt – Gold Dust [Redemption Records]

Baby Head – Jungle Lore (Lupos Dub) [Dubplate / White Label]

Don Papa & Submarine – Come 2Gether [Submarine Records]

The Hempolics – Green Line [Jalapeno Records]

Up, Bustle & Out – Runaway Hague [Ninja Tune]

Lynn Taitt & The Jets – Music Flames [Treasure Isle]

JoJo Bennett & Mudies All Stars – Give Peace A Chance / Poison Ivy [Moodisc]

Bert Kaempfert – Afrikaan Beat [Polydor]

Barrington Levy – Under Mi Sensi Dub [Greensleeves Records]

Mungo’s Hi Fi – G20 Riddim [Scotch Bonnet Records]

Mungo’s Hi Fi Feat. Mr Williamz – Give Thanks To Jah [Scotch Bonnet Records]

Lazer Dubs – Jah No Partial [Partial Records]

Theory – I Saw You Girl [Theory Music]

J-Walk – The Wasp [Cup Of Tea Records]

Dubkasm Meets Solo Banton – Listen To Me Dream [Peng Sound Records]

Jefferson Belt – The Creeping Things Of The Earth [Redemption Records]

The Overnight Players – Shaka The Great [Easy Star Records]

Rock Steady Freddy – Bohemian Rhapsody [Rock Steady Records]

Dawn Penn – Love The One You're With [Studio One]

Jstar – I Heard It Dub [Jstar Records]

Tommy Ponce – Blowing In The Wind [White Label]

Junior English – You Don’t Care [Ariwa Records]

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