TORRENTIAL rains in 2006 forced a team of young business partners to make a decision that would have a lasting effect on their lives.

In a bid to secure their valuable studio equipment from the fury of the rains, brothers Steve, Andrew and Adrian Locke and friend, Victon ‘Teetimus’ Edmond, stored it in the back of a 1997 Japanese-made Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter truck.

The 8,120cc, diesel, commercial carrier located in the suburbs of New Kingston in St Andrew — which is currently immobile for want of repairs — is the home of Jamaica’s most unique recording studios — Truckback Records.

“The studio was once located in a room of a house, but when the tropical storm came we lost the roof. We were left with no other choice but to move all the equipment to the back of the truck and that’s where we have stayed until this day,” said Andrew, the most vocal of the brothers.

Steve said the group quickly noticed that the change of venue came with some advantages.

“We realised that the quality of the music sounded much better in the truck than in the house and the vibe was wonderful. The truck is a real inspiration. It gives off a nice, homely vibe and is a comfortable place for writing songs,” Steve told Auto.

According to the brothers, the truck was originally owned by their father who did not have a problem with them taking it over. So, with a little creativity, the truck was converted into a state-of-the-art studio.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t have a figure on the cost of the transformation, as it wasn’t done at one time. Six years now and we’re still working on the studio,” Andrew said.

The studio in made of a dry-wall structure moulded with foam. There is also a recording booth in the truck.

The studio has produced several hit songs in recent times including Erup’s Click Mi Finger and I-Octane’s Loose A Friend. Even former ace crimefighter, Senior Superintendent of Police Reneto Adams got in on the act when he recorded his 2005 effort To Protect And Serve in the commercial vehicle.

True to its automobile roots, Truckback Records has released riddims such as Gearbox in 2008 and Dashboard in 2010. Their latest productions are the Sextape riddim which features dancehall acts Lady Saw, Capleton, Gyptian and Kiprich, and Freedom Shines riddim which was done in commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

“We are into breaking young acts,” Andrew said. “We are not quick to follow musical trends, hence the reason that we work with our vibes. We are always trying new things; for instance if everybody (the producers) is doing dancehall beats, then we may produce something like a one-drop riddim.”

The brothers say expansion may be soon on the horizon.

“We’re planning to add another studio in the near future,” Adrian chuckled. “And yes, it will be a truck.”