The man they call Solo Banton was born and raised in West London and attended Christopher Wren school in Shepherds Bush a few years behind the athlete Linford Christie and the footballer Dennis Wise. Failing to see the relevance of studying obscure facts about Henry VIII, the young Solo gravitated towards systematic subjects such as computer studies, physics and maths. In addition he discovered sound system through his elder brother and at the age of 12 he selected at his sister's party when the designated sound didn't show, spinning dancehall and lovers rock as well as Rick James and Bob James' Theme from Taxi. Inspired by the child deejays of the early 80s he then began taking the mic - calling himself Professor Brown - first staying up to guest on his brother's sound King Shamma and then in his late teens building his own basic rig with his mates. By 15 he was also getting paid to play in his uncle's steel band. At 19 he became a soul selector on Majestic Sound and had started learning how to produce at a nearby studio run by a man named Jazzbo. Yet it would be two decades before Solo dropped his debut album 'Walk Like Rasta', produced by Kris Kemist from Reading where Solo currently resides alongside friends and scene-makers Deadly Hunta and Mikey Murka. Now he has a new EP out - Music Addict - with another longtime collaborator German "laptop reggae" label Jahtari. Angus Taylor met Solo in Reading to discuss his music and fill in some of the gaps. - See more at: