Ruff Cut Band

This leading session band, featuring Carlton ‘Bubblers’ Ogilvie (keyboards), Antonio Philips (guitar), Kenton ‘Fish’ Brown (bass) and Trevor Fagan (drums), was formed in the early 90s. Prior to their involvement with the Ruff Cut Band Philips and Fagan had played with the On U Sound collective in studio bands such as Creation Rebel and African Head Charge. Following on from their work with On U Sound the duo joined Ogilvie and Brown in Undivided Roots, who enjoyed a series of popular reggae hits in the mid-80s. The various members reunited in Ruff Cut and quickly established themselves as an in demand session band, supporting both visiting Jamaicans and UK-based performers. The Ruff Cut Band have recorded hits with UK artists such as Barbara Naps (‘Sorry’, ‘Hurting Inside’), Starkey Banton (‘Peace Love And Unity’), Don Ricardo (‘How Can I’) and Chukki Star (‘Praise The Creator’). These productions surfaced on the band’s own Ruff Cut label, on which they also released their own ‘Three In One’. Their work with Jamaican performers includes artists such as Culture, Freddie McGregor, Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and Beenie Man. Following on from Ruff Cut’s success with Naps acclaimed No Apologies, the band worked with Keith Douglas on his comeback material. At the start of the millennium the band released a series of albums showcasing their work that confirmed their significant contribution to UK reggae. While all are fine albums the US-licensed DJ Bonanza is notable for featuring the UK hip-hop combination with Phoebe One alongside Red Rat and Goofy.