VF Live: Dubplate Pearl #2

Soulful selects from the London legend.

With quarantines and lockdowns due to the Coronavirus pandemic ongoing around the world, artists are finding new ways to connect with people worldwide.

In VF Live, our favourite collectors take you inside their homes and record shops for intimate selects and mixes.

Unsung London legend Pearl Boatswain aka Dubplate Pearl – one half of DJ duo Camberwell Connection – grew up with sound system culture in the city, immersing herself in blues parties and weekend sessions.

For her second VF Live set, she dips into her home collection for shimmering selects. Watch and listen to her set above, find out more about the show and check out the tracklist below.

“I chose these records because they represent different times in my life – from leaving school and starting work to going to clubs and parties, listening to a variety of DJs. Also I don’t hear them on mainstream radio.

The first three are records I used to dance to in my teens at The Hammersmith Palais on Thursday soul nights. ‘Let’s Do It Again’ is from the famous comedy film of the same name and a classic. ‘I’ll Be Standing By’ was chosen because the lyrics are uplifting, and quite supportive in relation to the current situation and for all the health and essential workers globally.

The last five are records I would hear at a variety of venues I used to attend weekly in London, unfortunately all now closed due to the sites being redeveloped or because of issues with residents – fantastic times and greatly missed.”

Tracklist:

1. Diana Ross – Love Hangover
2. Deodato – Super Strutt
3. Sugar Billy – Super Duper Love Part 1
4. The Staple Singers – Let’s Do It Again
5. Lloyd All Stars – I’ll Be Standing By
6. Norman Brown – La La La At The End
7. The Dynamics – Mr Midnight
8. The Heptones – The Meaning Of Life
9. Jo Jo Bennett – Living Soul aka The Loop