Count Shelly

Hackney. Ephraim Barrett; resident at the 31 Club, Harlesden and the Four Aces. Count Shelly and Third World labels. Died 2020.

Status

Legacy

Town

Hackney · map

Music

Reggae and dub

Crew

Ephraim Barrett (Count Shelly)

Venues: Four Aces Club, Dalston, 31 Club, Harlesden

Official pages and contacts

• Attack Magazine obituary

Photos

Photos of Count Shelly are held at these collections and features. They belong to their photographers, so we link to them rather than copy them.

• London Museum: Four Aces, Count Shelly sounds, 1973
• V&A collection

More London sound systems

• Aba Shanti-ILondon
  Still playing

  London. Notting Hill Carnival resident since 1993; run by Joseph “Aba” Smith. Falasha Recordings label.

• Admiral BaileyEast London
  Legacy

  London. The Bailey family’s original sound, which Mikey Dread and Jah T turned into Channel One in 1979.

• Admiral KenHackney
  Legacy

  Hackney and Peckham, 1960s–70s. Ken Edwards, club owner; played the Four Aces and was resident at the Bouncing Ball, Peckham.

• Alpha & OmegaLondon
  Still playing

  London/Plymouth dub act (Christine Woodbridge and John Sprosen). Better known as a band than a sound system.

• BedlamDalston
  Legacy

  Free tekno sound founded in Dalston, east London in 1992, after running house parties across London from 1990. Played breakbeat hardcore at Castlemorton Common in 1992.

• Boom-Shacka-LackaLondon
  Still playing

  The Disciples (Russ D and brother Lol). Built their sound in 1991; Boom-Shacka-Lacka label from 1993.

• Channel OneEast London
  Still playing

  London. Started 1979 by Mikey Dread and Jah T from their father’s Admiral Bailey sound. Carnival since 1983.

• ChickenEast London
  Legacy

  East London, 1960s. One of the first UK operators, alongside Duke Vin, Count Shelly and Count Suckle.

Similar sounds elsewhere

• Baron Turbo ChargeMoss Side, Manchester
  Legacy

  Manchester (Moss Side and Hulme), formed 1974 by Wizzy Dan and Barzy, with MC Money Green.

• BIG Toe's HiFiLeeds
  Still playing

  Vinyl-only reggae sound with systems in the UK, Canada and New Mexico; selectors Choppa Chop and B-Dawg juggle 45s.

• Black HarmonyUK (area not recorded)
  Legacy

  1970s–80s UK sound; Asher Senator deejayed on it. A Black Harmony track is on Soul Jazz’s “Life Between Islands”.

• BuchananUK (area not recorded)
  Legacy

  1970s–80s UK sound where Asher Senator started out.

Entry added 2026-10-07 · last reviewed 7 October 2026. Something wrong? Send a correction.