Roots Royalty
FEBRUARY is Reggae Month and in 2011 we celebrate the 52-year anniversary of the birth of the formal Jamaican music industry. So this week TEENage Observer will do its part in celebrating not just Reggae Month, but celebrating 52 icons that have contributed to making Jamaican music what it is — LEGENDARY.
Bob Marley (1945–1981): Robert Nesta Marley was born in St Ann in 1945. At age 14 he left his rural community in St Ann for Trench Town, Kingston. In 1964, Marley joined the group the Wailing Wailers, and recorded his first hit Simmer Down.
In 1972, the band signed with Christopher Blackwell and their first album Catch A Fire, was released, followed later by Burning. The Wailers disbanded and the I-Threes were formed to perform as backup singers for the now-solo Marley. He released albums, such as Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibration, Exodus, One Love, Waiting in Vain, Jamming and Survival. His music is still synonymous with reggae and Rastafari.
Peter Tosh (1944–1987): Peter Tosh (born Winston Hubert McIntosh) was the consumate musician. He played the guitar, melodica, piano and organ on many of the early Wailers tracks with Bunny Wailer, Junior Braithwaite and Bob Marley.
He was also highly controversial. Tosh left the Wailers in 1973 to pursue a solo career and debuted the album Legalise It, which was a remake of many of his early Jamaican recordings. The ablum also gave the marijuana movement its most potent anthem in the title track. Some of his other hits were Equal Rights, Bush Doctor, Mystic Man and No Nuclear War, which won the Grammy for Best Reggae Performance.
Dennis Brown (1957-1999): Dennis Emmanuel Brown was born in Kingston in 1957. Settling into the music scene near Orange Street, Brown’s superb voice allowed him to begin performing with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at age nine. At age 11, he scored his first hit single with a cover of The Impressions’ No Man Is An Island and at age 13 he had released his first and second albums.
With Niney ‘The Observer’ Holness, his career was put into international focus. Africa and his signature tune, Here I Come, were all products of that association. Another producer, Joe Gibbs, released Visions and Words of Wisdom. Brown is still seen as the ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’ by many listeners.
Jimmy Cliff: Jimmy Cliff is an iconic figure in the Jamaican music and film industry.
Within the realms of the Jamaican music industry, he was an active contributor in the ska and reggae genre’s origins and has the singles Hurricane Hattie, Miss Jamaica and many more.
Chris Blackwell eventually signed Jimmy Cliff to his Island Records outfit.
Jimmy Cliff’s true international breakthrough occurred through his acclaimed performance in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, which catapulted him into cinemas and reggae music to listeners worldwide.
With songs in his catalogue, such as Many Rivers to Cross, Harder They Come, and a multitude of others, Jimmy Cliff enjoys one of Jamaican music’s most decorated catalogues.
Sonia Pottinger: In a male-dominated line of work, Sonia Pottinger stood out not only as the most successful female reggae producer, but a successful reggae producer overall. After her husband, an engineer and music producer himself, introduced her to music production, Sonia Pottinger soon after became successful in this field in her own right.
Some of the successful singles she has produced include Joe White’s Every Night, Swing and Dine by the Melodians, Hurting Inside by Marcia Griffiths, and several others.
Bob Andy: Bob Andy is known as a founding member of The Paragons, one-half of Bob & Marcia and notably reggae music’s most lauded lyricist. He is responsible for hits such as Going Home, Unchained, Feeling Soul, My Time and Fire Burnin. The Bob Andy’s Songbook album compiles some of his best known and widely-covered hits recorded at Studio One.
Andy recorded his version of Nina Simone’s To Be Young, Gifted and Black with the reworked titled Young, Gifted and Black as a duet with Marcia Griffiths. This version became a huge hit and charted in the UK. Throughout his career he penned several hit song for a number of artistes. Songs like I Don’t Want to See You Cry for Ken Boothe and Feel Like Jumping Truly, and Melody Life for Marcia Griffiths.
Ernest Ranglin: Ernest Ranglin is a worldrenowned Jamaican guitarist and composer who contributed immensely to the development of ska, including playing guitar on Millie Small’s international sensation cover of My Boy Lollipop.
After his delving into ska, Ernest Ranglin showcased his musical versatility through his contribution to reggae and jazz as a musician, composer, or both, as a solo artiste and on a variety of artistes’ work including those of The Melodians, Monty Alexander, and a host of others.
Gregory Isaacs (1951–2010): The Cool Ruler was born in 1951 and passed away in 2010 when he succumbed to his fight with lung cancer.
After his initial struggles as a solo singer, and then a stint in the reggae group the Concords, Gregory Isaacs finally found his break with his return as a solo artiste. This break came with his single My Only Lover, a first of a string of local hits that Gregory Isaacs would have to his credit.
Gregory Isaac’s international breakthrough was his 1982 Island Records debut album Night Nurse, due to the vastly popular title track from this release.
Despite a controversy-laden career, Gregory Isaacs became a prolific recording artiste.
Jack Ruby: Jack Ruby was a Jamaican record producer and sound system operator from Ocho Rios that passed away in 1989. Before his untimely death, Jack Ruby’s noteworthy contributions to Jamaican music stemmed from his success as the man behind the boards of Burning Spear’s vastly popular Island Records releases, Marcus Garvey and Man In The Hills. He is also the grandfather of Jamaican fusion artiste Sean Kingston.
Desmond Dekker (1941–2006): Desmond Dekker’s voice is one of the most recognisable of the rocksteady era. But Sir Coxsone’s and Duke Reid’s studios didn’t first see it that way.
It was with Leslie Kong’s Beverly record label that Dacres, who changed his surname to Dekker, had records such as Sinners Come Home Honour Your Father and Mother. When The Aces (Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), were added as backing vocals hits such as Israelites, 007 (Shanty Town), and Unity were recorded.
1968 was a good year for Dekker, as Israelites not only topped charts in the UK and was in the top 10 on US Billboard charts, he also won the Jamaica Festival Song Competition in 1968 with his entry, Intensified.
The Heptones: Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn came together to form one of the top recording rocksteady groups of all time, The Heptones. The trio became successful when they began recording for ‘Coxone’s’ Studio One.
Their first was the controversial Fattie Fattie. The track was banned from radio because the lyrics were considered too racy. Leroy Sibbles not only sang lead vocals on almost every ‘Heptones’ track; he also played bass in studio sessions, auditioned acts and shared studio arranging duties with Jackie Mittoo.
These sessions included rhythm tracks for Alton Ellis’ I’m Still In Love, Musical Youth’s Pass The Dutchie (Full Up) and The Abyssinians’ Sata Massagana. They were briefly signed to Island Records. During this period they recorded the Party Time album at Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Back Ark studio. Sibbles left The Heptones, twice but rejoined after both departures.
Bunny Wailer: Grammy award-winning artiste Bunny Wailer also known as ‘Jah B’ was one third of Jamaica’s famed export, the Wailerstogether with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. He was also step-brother to Bob Marley with whom he shares a half sister.
He is revered in music circles being the only surviving Wailer — a ‘living legend’. He can be heard on the tracks Who Feels It Knows It, and Hallelujah Time. Jah B recorded solo projects on his record label, Solomonic.
In his latter years as a ‘Wailer’ he became reluctant to leave the shores of Jamaica. With the band’s focus being shifted and Marley exclusively on lead vocals, he left The Wailers to focus on a solo career. Jah B — a quiet and spiritual man — identifies strongly with the Rastafarian faith.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry: Rainford Hugh Perry was nicknamed ‘Lee’ by his mother and later took on other pseudonyms like ‘Scratch’, ‘Pipecock’, Jackxon and ‘The Upsetter’. Born on March 20, 1936, Perry is known as one of the longest serving stalwarts in Reggae as he was very influential in the development of Jamaican popular music. In 1968, he started his own label Upsetter Records and in 1969 he scored his first British chart hit with Return of Django.
Marley and the Wailers worked with the legendary producer, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, resulting in some of the finest music the band ever made. Tracks such as Soul Rebel, Duppy Conqueror, 400 Years and Small Axe were not only classics but they defined the future direction of reggae. Perry took home the coveted gramophone in 2003 for his album Jamaican ET.
King Tubby (1941–1989): Osbourne Ruddock, aka King Tubby was born on January 28, 1941. After working repairing radios, he began to experiment with sound system amplifiers and by 1968 he was operating his own — Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi.
Innovations such as the ‘dub mix’, the practice of deejaying extended lyrics over rhythm tracks, and the prominence of bass and drums in the mix — were all developed by King Tubby during period 1969–1974. As producers began to see the vast potential of dub, King Tubby found himself working with the best producers of the day. By 1971, he was working with the likes of Bunny Lee, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and ‘Prince’ Tony Robinson.
Duke Reid (1915–1975): After spending 10 years as a policeman in Kingston, Reid and his wife Lucille bought the Treasure Isle Liquor Store in the 1950s, and in a sponsorship deal, Reid hosted his own radio show Treasure Isle Time airing US R&B. He took up record production in 1962, scoring ska hits with Stranger Cole, The Techniques, Justin Hinds and Alton Ellis & the Flames (now Toots and the Maytals). As ska evolved, developing a slower beat which would eventually become known as Rock Steady, Reid found much success. However, Reid struggled when Rock Steady began to wane in popularity by the late 1960s, but found success briefly with U-Roy.
Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd: Sir Coxsone is regarded as one of the most important producers in the history of reggae music. He was a vital figure in the journey of Jamaican popular music from ska through rocksteady and early reggae. Dodd got his start in the Jamaican scene by operating sound systems in the 1950s. He began to record discs at the end of the decade and opened the first black-owned Jamaican studio in the 1960s — Studio One — on Brentford Road in Kingston.
Studio One is considered as important to Jamaica’s music industry as Motown is to the US’s. Among the world-renowned acts to have passed through Studio One are Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, The Heptones, and Monte Alexander.
Leslie Kong: Leslie Kong ran several Corporate Area businesses — a restaurant, ice cream parlour and record shop — with his brothers. An encounter, at the record store, with a young James Chambers (better known as Jimmy Cliff) prompted the launch of his record label Beverley’s. Throughout the 1960s, Kong recorded many of Jamaica’s leading artistes at Beverley’s. Among them Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Toots & the Maytals, John Holt and the legendary Bob Marley, who recorded his first single at the studio. Known as ‘the chinaman’ in musical circles, Kong became Jamaica’s leading producer.
He was the first Jamaican producer to have an international hit — Desmond Dekker’s 007 (Shanty Town) and Israelites. Kong was an original shareholder in Chris Blackwell’s Island Records. He had a cameo in the cult classic The Harder They Come.
Skatalites: Regarded as Jamaica’s best trombonist in his time, Don Drummond’s life and music continue to marvel. A product of the Alpha Boys School, Drummond was born in 1932. His musical talent became evident while at Alpha where he spent seven years (1943-1950) occasionally performing at venues.
In 1962, he joined the Skatalites and from then on became a household name. Among their repertoire of songs is Addis Abba, Far East and Confucius. Drummond, however, suffered from mental illness which necessitated frequent stays at the Bellevue Mental Hospital.
He was sent to prison for the death of his wife then transferred to Bellevue where he died in 1969. His death was ruled a suicide.
Jose Wales: Jose Wales was one of the pioneers of the genre dancehall in the early 1980s. He began toasting behind a U-Roy operated sound system before transitioning to the recording studio.
His first hit single was Let Go Mi Hand, and the singles that followed throughout his career showcased Jose Wales as a conscious artiste who has refrained from lewd lyricism.
Jose Wales’ taste of international acclaim was gained from his 1993 collaboration with Beres Hammond entitled Hey Girl, and was popular in the United Kingdom.
Beres Hammond: Born August 28, 1955, Beres Hammond, also known as Hugh Beresford Hammond, is an international reggae artiste who specialises in a mixture of romantic lovers and rock roots reggae.
He participated in local talent contents, which led to his first single Wanderer and joined the band Zap Pow as the lead singer. He decided to break away and develop his solo career releasing his first album in 1976 entitled Soul Reggae.
Hammond then formed his own record label Harmony Records in 1985 where he released his album entitled Make A Song which featured What One Dance Can Do and Groovy Little Thing, which not only featured his new emerging dancehall style, but also catapulted him unto the international market.
Shabba Ranks: After creating a buzz for himself in the latter part of the 1980s, in 1991 Shabba Ranks signed a record deal with international record label Epic Records.
This gamble by Epic Records was worth the price as Shabba Ranks would have a slew of hit singles and albums while under their tenure. These singles include Trailer Load A Girls, Mr Loverman, and House Call, a collaboration with Maxi Priest, and numerous others.
His crossover success can be listed as a stepping stone for Jamaican artistes to be seen as viable assets for international record labels to sign, market, and distribute their releases worldwide.
Phyllis Dillon (1948–2004): Phyllis Dillon was one of the most popular artistes during the Jamaican music era of ska. She galloped into the local music industry with a slew of popular and acclaimed cover versions of songs before releasing her own self-written singles. Popular singles released by Phyllis Dillon include Don’t Stay Away, Rock Steady, Right Track with Alton Ellis, and several more.
Shaggy: A musical enigma and philanthropist-extraordinaire, Orville Burrell, better known as Shaggy, was born October 22, 1968. He joined the United States Marine Corps at age 19 in 1988 within a year of migrating to the United States with his family.
He served during Operation Desert Storm and while on duty honed his vocal talents. He focused on music after his return and in 1993, he produced his first hit Oh Carolina. Two years after, he produced his worldrenowned song Boombastic and was awarded a Grammy in 1996.
He faded for a bit but remerged in 2001 with his album Hot Shot. With the album going diamond tracks, such as It Wasn’t Me and Angel brought him back to the forefront of the music industry.
Though still active in the music arena his prestige is perpetuated through his philantrophical ‘Dare to Care’ campaign.
Sugar Minott (1956–2010): Sugar Minott was born in 1956 and is another reggae icon that Jamaica lost in 2010. He was a quadruple threat within the development of Jamaican music due to his contributions as an artiste, producer, sound system operator, and record label owner.
Initially a sound system operator, Sugar Minott’s career as an artiste began in the rootsreggae group African Brothers. After the group disbanded he found success as a solo act in the early years of dancehall before his return to roots-reggae and his transition to lovers rock.
Popular Sugar Minott singles include Hard Time Pressure, Vacancy, Rub A Dub Sound, and many more.
Sean Paul: Sean Paul remains to this day the only dancehall artiste to cross over internationally, and maintain relevancy over a sustainable period of time in the 2000s.
It was his 2002 release Dutty Rock that became a dancehall landmark worldwide as it became a massive success with four top 20 Billboard singles, including Get Busy, which held the pole position.
The success of Dutty Rock led to reggae outfit VP Records signing a distribution deal with Atlantic Records which led to international exposure for Jamaican artistes such as Elephant Man.
Sean Paul was able to repeat this feat of success three years later with his album The Trinity, and continues to remain relevant within the global marketplace.
Israel Vibration: This trio formed by Lascelle ‘Wiss’ Bulgin, Albert ‘Apple Gabriel’ Craig, and Cecil ‘Skeleton’ Spence is one of Jamaica’s most successful roots reggae groups.
The three, as children, met at a rehabilitation centre. They were each stricken with polio. They had been on separate paths which took each to Rastafari and ultimately resulted in crossing paths once more. They formed the group upon reuniting.
Their first album was recorded with the aid of a grant from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. A member of the movement, Hugh Booth, had overheard the men singing.
The group recorded three albums The Same Song, Unconquered People, and Why You So Craven before disbanding. Several years later Israel Vibration reunited to record the Strength Of My Life, the first of many on the RAS imprint.
Cynthia Schloss (1948–1999): Veteran female singer, Cynthia Schloss is generally referred to as Jamaica’s songbird. She was the third of six children and attended the Trench Town Elementary and Ardenne High School. Schloss got her big break at the Merritone Amateur Talent Exposure in 1971, where she won the finals singing First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Later, she ventured into recordings and made a memorable impact with songs such as Surround Me With Love, As If I Didn’t Know, You Look Like Love and Love Me Forever, which sold over 100,000 copies.
Schloss died in the arms of her husband, veteran musician Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake, on February 25, 1999.
King Jammy’s: Lloyd James better known as King Jammy started his own sound system in the late 1960s. A studio followed in the mid-1970s, on his return after being away from the island for a few years.
Jammy work with King Tubby in the early stages of his career. In these initial years, Jammy produced mainly dubs. Jammy released Black Uhuru’s first album on his own imprint. His greatest success came in the 1980s.
He becamen dancehall’s most influential producer with the release of Wayne Smith’s Under Me Sleng Teng. This release is significant in dancehall’s history. Its digital hook is thought to be the genre’s first digital rhythm. Jammy became a dominating force in reggae music throughout the 1980s into late 1990s.
Derrick Morgan: Derrick Morgan is one of the handful of Jamaican artistes who has contributed to every era of Jamaica’s earlier years of musical evolution through his contributions to ska, rocksteady, and reggae.
The singer born in 1940, delivered popular singles, such as Be Still, Moon Hop, Housewives Choice, and many more. Derrick Morgan is also credited to have released Jamaica’s first independence song Forward March in 1962. In 1966, Derrick Morgan released the controversial rude boy cult classic Tougher Than Tough.
Derrick Morgan remains a stalwart figure in Jamaican music history to this day and his legacy continues through his daughter Queen Ifrica.
Hortense Ellis (1945-2000): Hortense Ellis, like many of the musicians of her time, was a product of the Trench Town community. Her career began with performances at the Vere Johns Opportunity Talent Hour Show.
Between 1962 and 1964 she had two major accomplishments, capturing the Gleaner Company Shield for outstanding performance at the National Stadium and a silver trophy after performing at the 1964 Miss Jamaica Coronation Ball.
Ellis, who was regarded as Jamaica’s first locally-based female singing star, was voted Singer of the Year in 1964. She made appearances on the Dionne Warwick, Patti La-Belle and the Blue Bells shows. Among the hits Ellis recorded are Superstar and Something You Got. She also did duets with her brother, Alton Ellis and collaborated with artistes, such as Derrick Morgan and Jackie Edwards.
Alton Ellis (1938–2008): Alton Ellis, popularly known as the ‘Godfather of Rocksteady’, was one of Jamaica’s most popular singers whose music was particularly definitive of that era.
Produced by Sir Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, of the legendary Studio One, the song Muriel was an immediate success done by Anton and Eddie Perkins that topped the Jamaican charts.
In the early 1960s Ellis left Dodd’s, Studio One for his archrival’s Duke Reid’s Treasure Aisle studio. Later he did Girl I’ve Got a Date, argued by many to be the first rock steady recording.
I’m Still in Love was cut in 1967 and proved timeless as evidenced by the new version released by Sean Paul and Sasha in 2003.
In 1994, Ellis received the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in recognition of his contribution to the island’s popular culture.
Black Uhuru: Black Uhuru is a Jamaican group formed in the 1970s. Black Uhuru’s founding members are Garth Dennis, Don Carlos and Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson. The departure of Carlos and Dennis led to Simpson forming a new Uhuru after a short stint with The Wailing Souls.
This new band became Black Sounds Uhuru with members Errol Nelson (The Jays) and Michael Rose. After many more personnel changes the new-look Uhuru began extensive sessions with Sly & Robbie. These sessions produced the mega-hits General Penitentiary a re-recording of Rose’s solo hit Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and Shine Eye Gal, which featured guest guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Uhuru’s Anthem was awarded the first ever Reggae Grammy.
Over the years Black Uhuru’s line-up had many changes with ‘Duckie’ Simpson, who owns the name, being the only constant.
Mighty Diamonds: The roots reggae trio compromising Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw, Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson, and Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson forms the Might Diamonds. They have been together for over 40 years and released as many albums. This is an unusual feat in any music genre.
They enjoyed their greatest success in the ’80s with the marijuana anthem Pass The Koutchie, which was co-written by Leroy Sibbles. This track became an international hit twice. The original as well as the cover by UK-based band Musical Youth (retitled Pass The Dutchie due to the band members being minors) were huge hits on the UK charts. The latter version is responsible for Musical Youth being considered one of the greatest ‘one-hit wonders’ of all time. The Mighty Diamonds has over the years toured Europe extensively and still continues to do so.
Ken Boothe: Ken Boothe known as ‘Mr Rock Steady’ began his recording career in the late 1950s. Boothe formed popular duos with Stranger Cole (Stranger & Ken) and Roy Shirley (Roy & Ken).
During the 1960s he recorded popular singles World’s Fair, Hush, and Artibella as well as recorded with renowned producer Sir Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd of Studio One. After several changes, which included severing ties with Sir Dodd in favour of Leslie Kong (until his death), he enjoyed success with the singles Freedom Street and Why Baby Why.
Following the death of Kong, Boothe teamed with former bandmate Lloyd Charmers (The Messengers). Charmers produced his most successful recording, a cover of David Gates’ Everything I Own, which peaked at number one in the UK. Boothe is known for his high-energy performances which displays dazzling footwork.
U-Roy & King Stitt: Ewart ‘U-Roy’ Beckford and Winston ‘King Stitt’ Sparks were sound system selectors for Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat, and were the first to transition the Count Machukie birthed art of toasting to the recording studio in the 1960s.
Both recorded their toasts over dubs, which in turn were sold as “dub versions” of singles in record stores. Their groundbreaking work became the foundation of the genre dancehall. Popular singles by U-Roy include Rule The Nation and Wake The Town, while King Stitt’s catalogue includes Fire Nation and I for I.
Augustus Pablo: Augustus Pablo became fascinated by, mastered and popularised the melodica in Jamaican music. He is best known for producing dub- and roots reggae-styled instrumentals.
In the early 1970s Pablo joined forces with Herman Chin Loy, who managed the Aquarius Records store in Half-Way-Tree, to record various instrumental tracks, such as Higgi Higgi and The Red Sea.
After a short stint as the Now Generation band’s keyboardist he enjoyed huge solo success with Java and My Desire. Pablo released many popular tracks under the Hot Stuff, Message and Rockers labels he formed.
He took breaks from his labels to record albums with Clive & Pat Chin as well as King Tubby. Throughout his career he produced some of Jamaica’s musical elites including Bob Marley, Junior Delgado and The Heptones.
Garnett Silk (1966–1994): Born in Manchester, Garnett Smith, aka Garnett Silk emerged as one of the most promising singer/songwriters on the Jamaican music scene.
At age 17, he made his first recording Problem Everywhere for Delroy ‘Callo’ Collins in 1987. Silk signed with Roof International Studio in Ocho Rios where he had much success with hits such as I Can See Clearly Now (duet with dub poet Yasus Afari). In 1992, he released his debut album It’s Growing, which was immediately praised by the mass audience. He signed to Atlantic Records in 1994, but died while trying to save his mother from a fire.
Toots & The Maytals: Originally called ‘The Flames’, ‘The Vikings’ then ‘The Maytals’, this popular trio is known for their combination of Gospel, Ska, soul, Reggae and Rock forming their one of a kind sound. Members Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, Henry ‘Raleigh’ Gordon and Nathaniel ‘Jerry’ McCarthy recorded their first album Never Grow Old —Presenting The Maytals in 1962-1963 (released in 1964) at Studio One for Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd.
In 1965 they recorded their second album (produced by Byron Lee), and in 1967, the bands name changed to the name we know and love: Toots and the Maytals. From there they worked with Leslie Kong recording a slew of hits and classic albums, including Do the Reggay (1968) — credited with coining the word ‘reggae’; and Monkey Man (1970) — the group’s first international hit. The group was featured in the 1972 film The Harder They Come.
The group released two best-selling albums gaining further international recognition with Funky Kingston (1973) and Reggae Got Soul (1976). The band went their separate ways in the 1980s, but was reformed in the 1990s to rerecord a number of their classics.
In 2005, the group won their first Grammy award for the album True Love.
Joseph ‘Culture’ Hill: Joseph Hill, born January 22, 1949 in St Catherine was a devout member of the Rastafari movement. He started professional recording in 1972 with the single Behold the Land. A few years later Joseph and his cousin formed a trio by the name Culture.
However, he then performed solo under the name Culture and did numerous recordings. He then reunited with his cousin and together they recorded over 28 albums.
During the 1970s the group had a string of highly successful singles which did well on the international market. The single Two Sevens Clash was mentioned by Rolling Stone magazine in 2002 and it was the only single artiste reggae album to make the list. Hill had received a number of honours, which include an induction into the Jamaican Reggae Walk of Fame.
John Holt: Like many a Jamaican crooner John Holt, a child star, was a constant on the local talent contest circuit. Holt first single, I Cried A Tear, was recorded for famed produced Leslie Kong. He went on to record duets with rock steady great Alton Ellis and also as a member of The Paragons. With The Paragons, Holt had a slew of hits including Ali Baba, Tonight and The Tide Is High, which enjoyed international acclaim. Holt embarked on a solo career in the 1970s. It spawned one of his and reggae’s most recognisable hits, Stick By Me. Holt’s style remained mainly that of lovers rock throughout his career. Holt is often beckoned to the stage with a preamble which includes 1000 Volts of Holt —- the popular title of an early compilation album.
Big Youth: Big Youth developed his toasting skills during his stint as a mechanic. Big Youth’s toasting style was a combination of chants, half-sung rhymes, squeals and screams performed over a rhythm track.
His distinguishing physical features included red, green and gold stones that affixed to his teeth. His early hits included The Killer and Tipperton Rocking followed by the mega-hit S-90 Skank. Skank was later featured in a Honda motorcycle ad. Big Youth’s debut album Screaming Target is considered a classic to this day. At one time he had seven singles in the charts, four of which remained in the top 20 for an entire year. He began to self-produce, releasing recordings on his own imprint. His career declined with the music evolving from conscious to more sexually-explicit content.
Burning Spear: Burning Spear, was born Winston Rodney on March 1, 1948 in St Ann’s Bay, St Ann. He teamed with Rupert Willington and Delroy Hinds to form the group Burning Spear. The group’s wellreceived album Marcus Garvey produced by Jack Ruby led to Chris Blackwell signing them to his Island Records, and subsequently the group achieved international acclamation with their release Marcus Garvey in 1976.
The group later disbanded, but Winston Rodney still performed and recorded under the name Burning Spear and proved to be successful for years to come as a solo act. To date Burning Spear is the recipient of two Grammy Awards (the first ever in the reggae category), and 12 Grammy nominations.
Freddie McGregor: Grammynominated singer, songwriter and producer, Freddie McGregor is best known for the hits Push Come to Shove, as well as his signature song Big Ship.
McGregor’s career spans almost 50 years boasting a mixture of lovers rock and roots and culture. In the early stages of his career he teamed up with Ernest ‘Fitzroy’ Wilson — of The Clarendonians — to form the duo Freddie and Fitzroy. In the 1970s, his music became more socially conscious. He is one of few artistes to release songs in all genres of Jamaican music. The 1980s introduced his biggest hit — Big Ship — which fittingly became the name of his record label. Big Ship is the largest and most recognised reggae label in Japan handling its own production, manufacturing, distribution and promotions.
Yellowman: Only a few dancehall artistes have ever been able to garner the prestige as ‘Mr Zunguzeng’. Born January 15, 1956 Winston ‘King Yelloman’ Foster is one of the many musical talents produced by the Alpha Boys School.
He was often rejected for albinism, but not even his critics could underrate his musical prowess where dancehall was concerned. He came into prominence after winning one of the first stagings of the Tastee Talent Contest in the 1970s and in 1981 became the first dancehall artiste to sign with a major American label with CBS Records. In the early 1980s he recorded his first album Mister Yellowman and shortly after he recorded the unforgettable classic Zungguzungguguzungguzeng. With visits to Spain, Sweden, Italy, Germany, France and Kenya he is one of Jamaica’s most toured artistes.
Chaka Demus & Pliers: This dynamic duo fused the toasting of Chaka Demus with the crooning of Pliers to create a refreshing sound in Jamaican music that took the world by storm in the early 1990s.
The duo gained international acclaim with their Sly & Robbie produced singles Tease Me, She Don’t Let Nobody, a cover of the Isley Brothers Twist & Shout, and the classic Murder She Wrote.
At the 2007 American Music Awards, they made a cameo performance during Alicia Key’s set, which served as a reminder of their contribution to music globally.
Third World: Third World is one of Jamaica’s most eclectic bands. Their music is Reggae fused with a host of other genres. The initial line-up had Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, Richie Daley, Carl Barovier, Irvin ‘Carrot’ Jarrett and Milton ‘Prilly’ Hamilton. They opened for the Jackson 5 in Kingston and was well-received. They were given a slot on tour with Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Third World underwent changes with Hamilton and Barovier being replaced with Willie Stewart and William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clark. This dynamic proved to be a winning formula with the release of the worldwide mega-hit Now That We Found Love (an O’Jays original). Cooper and Stewart departed in the late 1990s. Maxi Priest did a brief stint before Herbie Harris and Tony ‘Ruption’ Williams stepped in.
Jacob Miller (1955–1980): At the age of 13, Miller recorded his first record for Sir Coxsone Dodd in 1968. The song initially attracted very little interest and it was not until 1974 that he recorded again with Augustus Pablo, singles such as Baby I Love You So.
However, Miller’s biggest hits would come as a member of Inner Circle. In 1976, they produced the hits Tenement Yard and Tired Fe Lick, Weedin’ A Bush and during the 1970s made a number of classic records including All Night Till Daylight and Forward Jah Jah Children. He took part in the contraversial 1978 One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, where Bob Marley joined hands with Edward Seaga and Michael Manley.
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires: Byron Lee was born June 27, 1935 and died November 4, 2008 at age 73. Around 1950, along with his friend Carl Brady, he formed the first incarnation of the Dragonaires which was named after the college football team for which they played.
Having launched the annual event known as the Byron Lee Jamaica Carnival in 1990, he had performed with the Dragonaires at carnivals throughout the Caribbean since the mid-1970s.
Even though he was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1982 it was upgraded to Commander level in October 2007, in recognition of his “contribution in the fields of music and entertainment both locally and internationally”.
Lee’s band, the Dragonaires, is over 50 year’s old and still active on the party circuit.
Sly & Robbie: Sly & Robbie is a world-renowned production duo called the ‘rhythm twins’. Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar and Robert ‘Robbie’ Shakespeare are possibly Jamaica’s most prolific hitmakers. They first worked together when they joined forces for the Hoo Kims’ Channel One studio.
Their Taxi Label has spawned hits too numerous to mention. They have successfully created, as well as fused various genres of music. Sly & Robbie is responsible for the introduction of ‘rockers’ and ‘rub a dub’ styles. Sly & Robbie is responsible for Black Uhuru’s signature hits.
The duo was the first to successfully introduce a deejay and crooner pairing with Chaka Demus & Pliers. Simply Red’s Night Nurse cover collaboration with the ‘rhythm twins’ resulted in a UK top 10 hit. Sly and Robbie produced No Doubt’s Grammy-winning tracks Underneath It All and Hey Baby.
Steely & Clevie: One of dancehall’s most revered production duo comprised Wycliffe ‘Steely’ Johnson and Cleveland ‘Clevie’ Browne, who were childhood friends. In the their tender years, Steely and Clevie were invited to a recording session by the late great instrumentalist Augustus Pablo.
In the late 1980s the duo was the house band at King Jammy’s studio where they fine-tuned the use of the drum machines and synthesisers which they infused into the reggae genre. Shortly after, the producing duo launched their Steely & Clevie label.
They created the Pu***y rhythm, which is said to be the template for all future dancehall rhythms. Many more rhythms followed including the classic Giggy, Street Sweeper and Sleepy Dog. Their works have been compiled on the album Reggae Anthology: Steely & Clevie Digital Revolution. They are widely-recognised and respected as pioneers for dancehall’s digital era.
Delroy Wilson (1948-1995): Delroy Wilson began his career at an early age, cutting his debut single for Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label. His first hit Joe Liges in 1963 was written by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.
In 1966, he recorded one of the first rock steady hits Dancing Mood. In 1971, he teamed up with Bunny Lee to score a huge hit with Better Must Come, which was so popular it was adopted as a theme song by Michael Manley’s PNP during that year’s election campaign. His career floundered during the early 1980s with releases less common. He experienced a revival in the digital age of the early 1990s with releases for King Jammy’s Don’t Put The Blame On and Bunny Lee, Ease Up.
In 1994, Wilson’s enduring legacy to Jamaican music was recognised by a special plaque presented by the then Prime Minister, PJ Patterson.
Denroy Morgan (Morgan’s Heritage): Denroy Morgan has been recording since the mid-1960s. Morgan is best known as the patriarch to the members of the hugely-successful reggae group Morgan Heritage as well as trio LMS. Morgan left Jamaica for New York at the age of 19. In the early 1970s he formed the Black Eagles with Devon ‘Igo Levi’ Foster and Llewellyn ‘Jah T’ Breadwood. The group’s success at a New York festival was the beginning of Morgan’s rise to prominence. Morgan’s music ranges from roots, spiritual to disco. Morgan’s foray into the funk genre produced the popular Make My Day album. He became the first reggae act added to RCA’s roster. In the early 1980s, Morgan recorded the infectious mega-hit, a funk dance track, I’ll Do Anything For You. It still remains his signature track to this day.