History and Bio

Where we have been and where we are headed

IN THE BEGINNING

At the time Solomonic Sound really started working as a reggae sound system in 1997, Zacharijah Eberz was living in Burlington, Vermont and Rob Paine was in Philadelphia.

Zack established the first weekly Solomonic residency with bredrens Rude Boy and Jahson at JP's Pub in downtown Burlington, and Rob was working dancehall into his hip hop sets at his weekly residencies at Shampoo and Club 111 in Philly. 

Originally from the suburbs of Philly, they grew up skateboarding and snowboarding as well as checking out shows at City Gardens In Trenton. They were regulars at City Gardens weekly for over 7 years to catch everything from Punk to Reggae to Hip Hop shows. A crucial band they both embraced and which was one of the early influences to their Rastafarian beliefs was the Bad Brains. Reggae music has been the backbone for them all the while. Even when they were not conscious of it as younger youths still. All the big tunes for them as kids were always some sort of reggae influenced song. The heavy bass and uplifting lyrics of reggae music they were hearing at the time had them wanting more. From there on out (Later 80's) they completely indulged and took the love they had for reggae music and Rastafari and never turned back.

The two started djing 'house' music and 'soul' in the early 1990's and made good names for themselves on a international level.

 

THE PHILLY LINKUP & FILOS

When not working as DJ's they were listening and collecting as much reggae they could get their hands on. The time was coming when they were ready to fully bust on the reggae scene as a sound system. At the time, Rob still had his events going in Philly and Zack and Jahson still were bubbling in Burlington.

In 2001 Zack decided to make the move back to Philly, and he and Rob became focused on really building the sound up properly. He joined Rob and Phil Graci (aka Papa Fz) and the MC Dub 2 at their already established weekly residency on Fridays at Filo's off of South St. in downtown Philly. Filo's was soon became the premier reggae club in Philadelphia, housing both Solomonic and Federation Sounds.

As soon as Solomonic all got together again on regular events, they pushed each other to higher heights as a sound system. They were now one of the most in demand sounds in the city of Philadelphia. Already well known throughout the world as producers and DJ's for Worship Recordings, this helped them to establish gigs all around the United States, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica. Always spreading the universal message of love and unity through roots, culture and dancehall reggae music.

Solomonic has grown in size over the years since the sound first started, adding selectors Roots & Chalice to the Philly crew.  They also began to work with artists such as El Feco B, Lady Alma, and others as voices for the sound, both in live performances and in the studio.

Their Friday night session moved after 7 years at Filos, to Lickety 'Spliff', and last to Bubblehouse. They managed to keep the Friday locked for 8.5 years straight, and have since held residencies and special events at many Philly venues including Silk City, The Barbary, and more.  

 

SOLOMONIC GOES COAST TO COAST

Jahson continued to hold down the roots of the sound in Vermont, continuing the JPs residency until 2003.  He also djed at many concerts for most of the big artists that passed through VT.

Meanwhile the sound exploded across the country.

During 2001-2002 Solomonic held a weekly Sunday session in South Beach, Miami at The Marlin.  

Zack moved to Hawaii in 2004, and established residencies at Redda Fire and Next Door nightclub in Honolulu.  

Rob's brother Dave Paine joined the crew and established Friday & Saturday night hip hop / dancehall residencies at Air Conditioned Supper Club & Lounge in LA.  

SOUND CLASH

Also being built over the years was their arsenal of dubplates and specials they have been voicing since 1999. In 2005 they produced a a legendary dubplate mix cd clash titled FEDERATION MEETS SOLOMONIC INNA DUBPLATE STYLE with good friend Kenny Meez. 

This in turn led to building alongside Federation Sound, the 'PHILLY LINKUP SOUND CLASH' series which ran monthly for nearly 2 years, starting in 2006.   It featured sounds from the East Coast, Canada, and the Carribean warring for a trophy and saw clash fans travel from far each month just to get a vibes.

Solomonic faced their first sound clash on home turf vs Striker Sound from NYC, and later Stalwart Sound from Bermuda.  They also battled Love People (VA) at a clash in DC in 2008.

EVENT PRODUCTION & PROMOTION

Solomonic opens up for most of the major culture artists and groups that pass through the Philadelphia area.  

Solomonic also handles promotions and events for artists they are trying to bring to the masses and that they truly believe in.  

Live Shows and rub-a-dub sessions they produced include Midnite from St Croix, Lee Perry & The Mad Professor, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Johnny Osborne, Norrisman, Terry Ganzie, Philly's own El Feco B, new artist Nekia, and many more.  

They truly enjoy doing live events promoting positive music, but their true calling and the place they are most content at is behind the decks or mixing console.

 

FEATURED ARTIST PRODUCTION 

In 2007, A Selectors Choice : EL FECO B & Family was released. A full length mixed album featuring Philadelphia's top ranking artist El Feco B performing original, never before recorded songs over foundation riddims. Over 10 additional Philly artists make appearances on the album.

2007 also saw the official linkup of Zacharijah with artists Ras Mikey and Lion Fiyah, to solidify the Hawaii division of Solomonic. A mix album was completed called RAS YOUTH CHRONICLES featuring dubs from both artists.  They then completed the Kings Hi-Way Tour of the west coast, and stayed busy in the studio and playing events around the islands.

 

FORWARD TO JAMAICA and THE FUTURE

In 2008, Solomonic made moves in many different areas. After deciding to bring the legendary Friday sessions to a close, Thursday nights instead featured a Live Webcast direct from Worship Studio in Philly, featuring us juggling the latest tunes, and interviewing Coco Tea and Rootz Underground along with many local artists and labels.

The highlight of 2008 was producing the official Rootz Underground MOVEMENT mixtape, and flying to Jamaica to run the Solomonic vibes for the their album release party for over 1000 fans in Kingston.  

We also celebrated our official 10 year anniversary with a big live event at The Barbary, and released a dubplate mix for the occasion.

2009 was a year of rebuilding, as we all dealt with the economic realties of the year, we decided to pool our efforts with other local sounds Ital, Rascul Intl, and other special guests and began holding monthly sessions at Silk City in Philly once again.  The theme has varied from Oldies nites, Selassie Coronation celebration, Reggae Christmas (with a Toys for JA Tots drive that sent gifts to over 50 youth in Jamaica), Death Of Autotune, and more.  

Most recently Papa Fz has expanded the Solomonic sound to Central PA, with a weekly REGGAE SUNDAYS party at Dakotas in Chambersburg.  Jahson has also established a reggae/dub monthly session called SPACE ECHO, first saturdays @ 1/2 lounge in Burlington VT.

Be sure to check out SolomonicSound.com for current news on all events, recorded live dances & studio mixes for purchase and sound system rentals. One.