From the founding father of British reggae legends, Steel Pulse, comes an ensemble band that doesn’t just play music but takes gig-goers on a journey through the musical landscape of the last 30 years. Fusing reggae, rock, ska and jazz, Gabbidon tune into the crowd and give them exactly what they want when they want it. Steel drums, divas, sax and solos; prepare yourself for an unrelenting assault on the senses.

Born in Buff Bay, Jamaica, Basil Gabbidon followed his parents to Britain in the 1960s. Hearing Bob Marley’s Catch a Fire album in a park in 1973 caused a burning desire to play reggae which set Basil’s heart alight. Forming a band with brother Colin and several school friends, the young musicians took over attics, cellars and kitchens to jam the nights away and soon enough Steel Pulse were born.

Signing to Island three years later, and with a Top 50 hit with their debut single and eventual debut album sales of 250,000, the band quickly forged a following of black and white fans both sides of the Atlantic. Their political principles and message of social harmony meant they became one of the forerunners of the punk-reggae Rock Against Racism campaign and European and American tours soon followed.

After Steel Pulse went their separate ways, Basil formed 1990s rock band Bass Dance, had a stint as lead guitarist with Buju Banton, helped set up Black History Month in Birmingham as well as school and community projects. Now he’s back with a supergroup – the eponymously named Gabbidon. A band of rotating faces, the 10-plus line-up can change from gig to gig. Chameleon-like in numbers but with an undisguised charm, Basil Gabbidon and his fellow groovers aren’t to be missed at Falmouth Sound.