For the next instalment of Favourite Finds, we’ve asked London-based music executive, DJ and founder of Don’t Sleep, Dean Bryce, to give us an insight into a special record from his collection.

A former A&R Director at Ninja Tune and Head of Music at Boiler Room, Dean has helped shape the careers of culturally important artists as well as signing contemporary greats such Actress, Peggy Gou and many others. Through Don’t Sleep, an independent music company rooted in artist development, timeless music, club culture and forward-thinking sounds, he continues to build a platform for artists, ideas and communities. As a DJ, Dean is known for deep, commanding sets that move dancefloors internationally.

"When I DJ, I’m known for playing very dancefloor-focused records.  House, techno, obscure disco, whatever fits the moment. But this record is something else entirely. It is part of why I exist and is from a deep lineage of soundsystem culture and legacy

This acetate, or dubplate as we’d call it in Jamaica, is a one of one record and it features my mum and dad on vocals. Growing up in South London, I was raised fully inside sound system and club culture, whether that was my parents going to Saxon and Soul II Soul dances, or members of Saxon recording vocals in my living room. Music was everywhere. I even ended up singing backing vocals on a Saxon record when I was about 6 or 7.

When I found out my dad had a record with both his and my mum’s vocals on it, I became obsessed. My parents met as teenagers during the height of the reggae explosion. My dad had started a soundsystem with friends after graduating from carrying records for the legendary Jah Shaka, and when he needed exclusive dubs for his new soundsystem, he went into the studio with my mum and cut a few.

Dubplates were the secret weapon of soundsystems and the starting point for remix culture. I remember staring at these 10-inch acetates, asking why my parents made them and why the sound degraded so much faster than regular vinyl.

I have two dubplates my parents recorded, and I treasure them more than any other record in my collection. They are historical, but they also capture young love - the same young love that produced me.

Although I don’t play these acetates out in public just knowing that they exist always reminds me that I’m not a guest in this culture and that I was born because from this culture.

This dubplate was produced by the late Dave Bower and versions his Earth, Wind & Fire riddim."

Big thanks to Dean for taking the time out to tell us this story. Be sure to follow him on socials to keep up with all his goings on.