Most evenings, Welton Irie prepares a setlist for his latest dance. The veteran sound system selector specialises in music from a time when people went to dancehalls to dance.

On July 19, Welton Irie will be one of the selectors for Elegance: The Ballroom Experience, a show at the Jamaica Pegasus Ballroom in New Kingston.

Isaiah Laing, its promoter, says it is for “elders who want to stretch their legs and party”.

“I’m very busy due to the rise in popularity of soul hits an’ retro parties. I play at place like Rae Town, Ribbiz’s an’ di country areas,” Welton Irie told the Jamaica Observer.

From the Windward Road area of east Kingston, he started his career in that region in 1977 with Sir John The President, a sound system later renamed Stereophonic. Welton Irie was also a selector for Gemini, Virgo and Lee’s Unlimited, top sound systems from the 1970s and 1980s.

His appreciation for music from different eras is heard in his selections, which covers the 1950s to the early 2000s. That comprises American boogie woogie and soul, ska, rocksteady and roots-reggae, dancehall, soca, and hip hop.

The year he debuted as a selector also saw Welton Irie recording for the first time. That came at Studio One where he and fellow deejay did the song,
Chase dem Crazy.

His biggest hit as an artiste was Army Life, a 1982 song for Channel One’s Hitbound label. It featured an all-star cast of musicians, including Sly and Robbie, saxophonist Dean Fraser, keyboardist Robbie Lyn, and guitarist Willie Lindo.

Army Life was #1 in Jamaica, as well as on reggae charts in the United States.

Welton Irie has no regrets about not going further as a deejay.

“Yuh dont have a choice in dat, ‘cause music is generational. New styles, new patterns,” he said. “Think about it, when was di last time yuh hear a new song from Admiral Bailey or Papa San?”

Master Rogj, Krazy Kris, and DJ VJ Snow are the other selectors for Elegance: The Ballroom Experience.