After over two years of lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, principals of Bass Odyssey are eager to get back to business. The sound system is booked to play at Club Mongoose in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Saturday.

“[The pandemic] terribly affected the business. We didn’t believe in playing illegally and respected lockdown. We survived by the help of God. Hope we never see this again,” owner of the sound system, Keith Walford, told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

This is the second in the Zinc Fence Dancehall party series which kicked off over Easter weekend. The first staging saw musical selections from the Stone Love sound system. Saturday’s event will also see entertainment provided by DJ Jabba.

Walford said the occasion is a special one.

“We always look forward to an event that Bass Odyssey plays [at] to satisfy the fans. It’s our first time playing there, but partied there before,” he said.

Bass Odyssey was founded in 1989 and is based in St Ann.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary celebrations, the sound system hosted Jamaica’s first-ever sound system festival in August 2014 in Richmond, St Ann. The annual dance has been converted into a landmark event to salute the contribution of sound system to Jamaican culture.

Bass Odyssey has won the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2014 UK Cup Clash Soundclash, the New York World Clash, and the Jamaica World Clash. They also won the Guinness Sounds of Greatness in 2010.

At the same, promoter of the event Sean “Contractor” Edwards said the event is perfect for true lovers of authentic reggae and dancehall.

“It’s a unique event because it’s for the mature reggae and dancehall lovers. It’s clean music and very affordable for the masses,” he told the Observer. “People should come and experience authentic dancehall settings in a classy environment.”