"Ruff Cutt is more then just a band, a studio or a record label; it's an organisation..."

Ruff Cutt was created in 1980 to meet the needs of the large population of singers, musicians and producers in the North West London area. The founding fathers were Carlton 'Bubblers' Ogilvie, Kenton 'Fish' Brown and Tony 'Crucial' Phillips. The decision to start up their own operation - The Ruff Cutt rehearsal room and studio, stemmed from a total lack of any music facility for the youth in the district. Its humble beginnings were in an unused storeroom on the Stonebridge council estate. Despite this, Ruff Cutt soon became the place in the Harlesden and Willesden areas for young artistes and musicians to rehearse and record. It was out of the musicians who used the facility that a nucleus was formed; it was from that core that The Undivided Roots Band was to emerge some four years later in 1984.

The luxury of having their own rehearsal space and studio enabled them to work on their musicianship without some of the usual hindrances faced by most young bands. The Undivided Roots Band developed into a superb outfit, capable of reproducing the same music whether 'live' or in the studio; this didn't go by unnoticed. Their work soon came to the attention of CSA Records, who released their first single; the self produced True Love, penned by Phillips and recorded at Ruff Cutt. Their next offering was Party Night, another Phillips composition, which entered the UK Top 40 in the summer of 1986. Their debut album Ultimate Experience, came close behind, its release by Island Records Mango division heralded a new phase for the band.

After the departure for a solo career by lead singer Don Campbell, the Undivided Roots Band metamorphosed into the Ruff Cutt Band. The equilibrium was finally balanced, with everything now coming under the Ruff Cutt banner. As Ruff Cutt, they concentrated more on backing others, whether it was touring celebrities like Shabba Ranks, Freddie McGregor or The Mighty Diamonds or newcomers like the artists they were cultivating at their studio.

The scene was set, the band now consisted of a quintet of musicians whose only aim was to play top quality music; Carlton 'Bubblers' Ogilvie, Kenton 'Fish' Brown, Trevor Fagan, Antony ‘Bongo Dashie’ Thomas and Tony 'Ruff Cutt' Phillips proved time and time again that they could - the name Ruff Cutt fast became synonymous with first class reggae. Their reputation grew, making them the UK's top backing band as they continued to accompany many Jamaican legends whose own contributions to the genre spanned three generations or more.

Alton Ellis, Big Youth, U Roy, John Holt and many other contemporary artistes, in fact, over 80% of the reggae acts that toured the UK, used Ruff Cutt as their backing band.

Ruff Cutt started to produce and record several of the artistes they were working with on the road, in their newly upgraded and re-located studio. To date, they have released seventy-nine singles and five albums with some of the biggest names in the industry including Beres Hammond, Mykal Roze, Jack Radics, Glen Washington and Jazzwad, one of their original proteges, who himself is now a successful producer and musician in his own right. They also continued to make huge in-roads into the UK's own reggae scene by nurturing and providing early platforms for home-grown talents like Richie Dan, Vivian Jones, Barbara Naps, Nereus Joseph, Theresa Jae and Starkey Banton to name a few.

Through constant touring and record releases Ruff Cutt's international status soared even further, gaining them a worldwide fan base, particularly strong in Europe. In 2002, they decided to re-locate again. After much deliberation they all agreed it would be best to take time out, re-evaluate the situation and choose the next studio premises carefully.

Since then they have been working on specific Ruff Cutt projects and outside projects for other producers and labels. Carlton 'Bubblers' Ogilvie has been extremely successful in the production and remix arena, with top ten-chart action with 2 Play and various acts on the BMG label. Tony Phillips has also made waves with productions for Jetstar Alicia Keys, Don Ricardo and Savanna under his belt. Alongside Bubblers, he is currently one of the most in-demand reggae producers in the UK.

Ruff Cutt remain at the forefront of the production and live concert scene and are still the most requested reggae band in the UK, backing everyone from Beenie Man to Barrington Levy to Bob & Marcia,and Ninjah man. They have just completed a uk tour with top jamaican dj,s SPRAGGA BENZ ,ALOZADE AND ASSASSIN and are constantly recording and gigging with their young new rosta of the best of the uk DJ's and singers including, Gappy Ranks, NATO, MXT, KAOS and Bongo Kanny plus many more.

RUFF CUTT is undisputedly the no1 for reggae music in Europe here them live and you will never forget it.

Look out for Ruff Cutt 'On The Road' coming to a town near you Summer/Autumn

RUFF CUTT COLLABORATORS Admiral Bailey Alton Ellis African Headcharge Akabu Barbara Nap Barrington Levy Beenie Man Beres Hammond Buju Banton Billy Ocean Bim Sherman Bobby Digital Capleton Chaka Demus & Pliers Charlie Chaplin Cobra Culture Dennis Brown, Don Ricardo Donovan Germaine - Penthouse Dub Warriors Elephant Man Frankie Paul Freddie McGregor Frenchie General Levy Glen Washington Gregory Isaac Guillaume Bougard -Tabou Israel Vibration Jack Radics Jah Life Janet Kay Jazwad John Holt Junior Reid Keith Douglas Lady Saw Lloyd Charmers Mad Professor Mafia & Fluxy Maxi Priest Michael Prophet Mighty Diamonds Mykal Rose Nereus Joseph Ninjaman Pacifists - Japan Peter Tosh Philip Smart Phoebe One Prince Lincoln Ragga Sonic Red Rat Robert Livingstone - Big Yard Saint & Campbell Sanchez Satta Massa Gana Band - Jamaica Saxon Scare Dem Crew Sebastien Ferrar Shabba Ranks Sinead O'Connor Slim Batson Sly & Robbie Spragga Benz Stingray Sylvia Tella Tanya Stevens Tiger Tippa Irie Tony Douglas Tony Rebel Tradition Trevor T Undivided Roots Tyrone Downie Vanessa Mae Vivian Jones Vybz Cartel Warren G Yellow Man Yo Yo Honey