Clifton George Bailey III (born 13 April 1967),^[1][2] better known by his stage name Capleton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is also referred to as King Shango, King David, The Fireman and The Prophet. His record label is called David House Productions. He is known for his Rastafari views expressed in his songs.

Early life

Bailey was born in Islington in St. Mary in 1967.^[3] As a youth, he was given the surname of a popular St. Mary lawyer and friend of the family, Capleton, as a nickname by his relatives and friends.^[4] Capleton rejects the name given to him at birth. He now prefers “King Shango”, given its roots in the Yoruba language.^[5]

As a teenager, he sneaked out of his home to catch local dancehall acts, eventually leaving St. Mary for Kingston at the age of 18 to work on his career as a dancehall deejay.^[6]

Career

Early career

In 1989, he got his first big international exposure. Stewart Brown, owner of a Toronto-based sound called African Star, gave the untested artist his first break, flying him to Canada for a stage show alongside Ninjaman and Flourgon.^[4]

When Capleton first arrived on the scene in the late 1980s, slackness and gun talk were the dominant lyrics in the dancehalls. The pre-Rasta Capleton had a string of hit songs from “Bumbo Red” to “Number One on the Look Good Chart” and “No Lotion Man”.

He recorded the song that began to establish his significant place in Dancehall, “Alms House” in 1992. The tune became a big hit in the dancehall, followed up immediately by “Music is a Mission” and the massive hit “Tour”. By 1993, he was voicing tunes which became increasingly conscious, such as “Prophet” and “Cold Blooded Murderer”.

Tunes such as “Tour” and “Wings of the Morning” earned him a deal with Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Recordings,^[7] which culminated in the Prophecy and I-Testament albums of the mid-1990s. Grammy Nominated in 2003 Album “Still Blazin” VP Records Executive Produce by Errol “GenErral” Adams / Joel Chin

Later career

In 1999, Capleton headlined Reggae Sumfest‘s dancehall night, to much fanfare.^[8] The performance, which led to a subsequent headliner placement the following year, is credited with “re-bussing”, or creating a comeback for, his career.^[9] The 1999–2000 period elicited a string of hits, many of which can be found on the album More Fire.^[10]

Grammy Nominated in 2003 Album “Still Blazin” VP Records Executive Produce by Errol “GenErral” Adams / Joel Chin

By 2004, some argued the quality of Capleton’s music had been downgraded by over-proliferation on numerous riddims, while Capleton himself argued his continued recording over both dancehall and roots reggae riddims created balance in his musical output.^[11] Nonetheless, he scored hit singles over one of the most popular riddims of 2004,^[12] “That Day Will Come” over the Hard Times riddim.

After a hiatus from the label, Capleton returned to VP Records in 2010 with the release of I-Ternal Fire.^[13]

After headlining a U.S. tour which included Romain Virgo, Munga Honorable, and Kulcha Knox in the fall of 2010, Capleton embarked upon a tour of the African continent for late 2010 and early 2011. Stops included Gambia, Senegal, South Africa and multiple dates in Zimbabwe.^[14] In December 2012 the music Unite Cape Town International Reggae Festival saw Capleton, reggae and dancehall artists like Black Dillinger, Blak Kalamawi .^[15]

Capleton’s annual ‘A St Mary Mi Come From’ live show has raised funds for several charities since it was first staged in 2000, including local schools and hospitals.^[3]

Moses Anthony Davis (born 22 August 1973),^[3] better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Jamaican Dancehall deejay.^[4]

Biography

Davis was born in the Waterhouse district of Kingston in 1973.^[3][5][6] He was involved in the music industry from a young age, started toasting at the age of five, and was encouraged by his uncle Sydney Knowles, who played drums for Jimmy Cliff.^[7][8] He won the Tastee Talent contest in 1981,^[5][9] and Radio DJ Barry G introduced him to local sound system operators, who helped to establish the popularity of the young deejay, who became known as Beenie Man.^[7] He recorded his debut single, “Too Fancy”, with record producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes in 1981, with Lawes also including him on the 1983 album Junjo Presents Two Big Sounds alongside established stars such as Dillinger, Fathead, and Ringo.^[5] His debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder was produced by Bunny Lee and released in 1983,^[10] his first hit single following the same year with the Winston Holness-produced “Over the Sea”.^[5] In 1984 Beenie Man recorded some material with Barrington Levy (released ten years later), but his music career was put on hold while he finished school, and spent time travelling to the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.^[5]

1990s return

Beenie Man continued performing and honed his craft beside the then dominant Dancehall figures including Ninjaman, Admiral Bailey and Shabba Ranks. He found his artistic home at the Shocking Vibes studio where he continued to record singles with only moderate success in the early 1990s. His career gained momentum after a performance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1992, and a rivalry with Bounty Killer began the following year after Beenie Man was accused of stealing Bounty Killer’s style and catch phrases.^[5] The rivalry was captured on the 1994 album Guns Out, with the two artists settling the feud with a soundclash.^[5] Beenie Man had his first number one single in Jamaica in 1993 with “Matie” (Produced by Ephraim Barrett, Donovan and Dave Mills on the Shelly Power Records label) and he won the DJ of the Year Award the same year, the first of eight consecutive awards.^[9]

International stardom

Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, with whom he recorded cover versions of Bob Marley‘s “Crazy Baldhead” and “No Woman No Cry” in 1994, the latter a Jamaican chart-topper, Beenie Man converted to the Rastafari movement, as did several of his contemporaries at the time, although in 2005 he stated “I have not converted. I was baptised an Ethiopian Orthodox and at the age of 10 I became a Judah Coptic.”^[5][8] In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed, which established his reputation internationally.^[5] In 1995 he toured the UK and joined up again with Barrington Levy to record an updated jungle version of Levy’s “Under Mi Sensi”.^[5]

In 1995, Beenie Man collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Mad Cobra and Lieutenant Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He also collaborated with Lady Saw on “Healing”, Sanchez on “Refugee”, and Michael Prophet on “Gun ‘n’ Bass”, further establishing his reputation.^[5] He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late 1990s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of “Dancehall King”, a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s. Beenie Man’s first real break into the United States came in 1997. He heard an instrumental rhythm by an unknown producer named Jeremy Harding, and demanded to add his voice to the rhythm. So this was the birth of his first international hit; he recorded “Who Am I” and the single quickly went Gold. It opened the doors for the world to see a new reggae star in the pages of Newsweek and other major media outlets. The same year, Beenie Man topped the Jamaican singles chart with seven different singles.^[5]

Beenie Man appeared as himself in the 1997 film Dancehall Queen.

In 1998, Beenie Man headlined Reggae Sunsplash and signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, “Romie”, “Who Am I”, and “Girls Dem Sugar“, which featured American R&B singer, Mýa. During this time he received an impressive number of international music awards including a MOBO Award for Best International Reggae Act in 1998,^[11] while remaining at the top of the local charts. In 2000, Beenie Man released Art & Life, which featured Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees), for which received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.^[5] In the same year he co-produced (with Wyclef Jean) the debut album by actor Steven Seagal.^[5] Beenie Man, like many dancehall artists, is outspoken on a number of social issues, as exemplified by songs such as “Steve Biko” and “Murderer”.^[12][13][14]

In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called “Feel It Boy“, but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of “Dude“, featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing as well as rhymes by Shawnna. He thus cemented his fan base on both sides of the Atlantic.

He had hits in the UK in 1998 with “Who am I” (#10), in 2003 with “Street Life” (#13) and “Feel It Boy” (UK #9), a duet with Janet Jackson, and in 2004 with “Dude” (#7) and “King of the Dancehall” (#14).^[15] Also in 2004, The Associated Press observed that Beenie Man had “become a name-brand artist worldwide” and called him “king of the dancehall reggae scene”.^[16]

He was also a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists’ careers.^[17]

In April 2008, it was announced that Beenie Man was to co-write and star in the film Kingston.^[18] In October 2010, Beenie Man came out with the EP I’m Drinking Rum and Red Bull, which included four songs, “Im drinking Rum and Red Bull”, “I’m Okay”, and two versions of “Stack and Pile”. He later released the full album on 28 February 2011. “Im Drinking Rum and Red Bull” features Future Fambo. In September 2008, Beenie Man was cleared of charges of tax evasion.^[19][20]

In April 2009, Beenie Man signed with Brookland Entertainment, a new record label formed by Eric Nicks and The Trackmasters, in preparation to release his new album The Legend Returns, the music video for the release of his new single “Gimme Gimme” being shot in Canada on 18 April 2009. The song “Let’s Go” was released on the Overproof Riddim compilation album in 2011.

In 2014, Beenie Man and long-term rival Bounty Killer put aside their differences and recorded a single together, “Legendary”.^[21] The two performed a well-received Verzuz battle together on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine on 23 May 2020.^[22][23] Around that time, Vibe described them as “two of the most legendary icons in dancehall.”^[24]

Jepther McClymont OD (born 20 October 1964),^[1] better known as Luciano, is a Jamaican second-generation roots reggae singer.

Career

Born in Davyton, Manchester Parish, and raised as the seventh of nine children in a strict Adventist family, Luciano began recording in 1992, with his first single “Ebony & Ivory” (on which he was credited as ‘Stepper John’) on the Aquarius Record label, followed by a split album with DJ Presley (now credited as ‘Luciana’) for producer Sky High.^[1] His first releases as Luciano included the hit single “Give My Love a Try”, produced at Castro Brown’s New Name Studio, followed by others produced by Brown, Freddie McGregor, Blacka Dread, and Sly and Robbie, including the 1993 no. 1 UK reggae hit “Shake It Up Tonight”.^[1][2]

He started working with Philip “Fatis” Burrell, releasing the singles “Chant Out” and “Poor and Simple”, with the album Moving Up following in late 1993.^[1] In 1994 he cut singles for Musclehead and Louie Culture before returning to work with Burrell for a series of successful singles and the album One Way Ticket, which saw Luciano at the forefront of the “Rasta Renaissance” in dancehall music.^[1][3] The renewal of Rastafarian influence into dancehall music in the early 1990s had begun with artists such as Tony Rebel and Garnett Silk. After Silk’s death in late 1994, many looked to Luciano to continue consciousness in reggae music. Of Garnett Silk, he stated “Garnett was more like a brother, a father, a tutor, a forerunner. When he moved on I knew the work for me became harder still.”^[4]

The following year brought the smash hit album Where There Is Life for Chris Blackwell’s label Island Jamaica. It contained such hits as “It’s Me Again Jah” (a no. 1 single in Jamaica), “Who Could It Be”, as well as the title track.^[1] He recorded a second album for Island Jamaica in 1996 entitled Messenger (largely compiled from his hit singles), whose title track earned him his enduring nickname.^[5]

The majority of his recording in the mid-to-late 1990s was for Burrell and the Xterminator label, which by that time included such artists as Sizzla, Mikey General and Firehouse Crew,^[3] as well as recordings from Capleton and Cocoa Tea. Along with the work on the two albums for Island Jamaica, the majority of Luciano hits produced by Burrell were featured on 1999’s Sweep Over My Soul. Burrell and Luciano parted ways in 1999.^[6]

By 2001, Luciano had released two live albums as well as two compilation albums alongside Sizzla and Anthony B after the split with Xterminator. That year saw the release of two new albums of material, Great Controversy on Jet Star and A New Day on VP Records. The latter received a nomination for Best Reggae Album at the 2002 Grammy Awards, and was executive produced by longtime saxophonist and touring partner Dean Fraser. The album received additional production from Sly & Robbie and was backed by Fraser and the Firehouse Crew.^[7]

Fraser continued to produce many of Luciano’s albums throughout the decade, including 2008’s Jah Is My Navigator. In 2010, he released United States of Africa. While the previous album had focused mostly on God, Africa dealt with global events. Of this, Luciano stated, “We’re not just singing about Zion and all those glorious dreams. We’re also dealing with issues that affect the people, their very minds.”^[8]

He was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer on 15 October 2007, in recognition of his contribution to reggae music.^[9]

In July 2009, Luciano paid his respects to fellow musician Michael Jackson by releasing a reggae tribute (on Lioni Records) of Jackson’s iconic USA for Africa charity song, “We are the World“.

Luciano’s album Zion Awake was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

Beliefs

Luciano is a devout Rastafarian, whose lyrics promote consciousness and eschew slackness, or vulgarity, which is often prominent in reggae and dancehall music. He has criticized other Rastafarian reggae artists who record slackness material, describing them as having lost focus.^[10] The singer is known for reading Biblical verses prior to performances.^[10]

The singer is also an activist in the promotion of ganja, or marijuana, stating: “I’m not fighting for the decriminalisation of ganja, because it was never a criminal. My fight is to enlighten the people of the cannabis and let them know of the herbal properties and the benefits we can achieve from it.”^[10]

Personal life

In 2010, Luciano was reportedly given a tract of land for residence in the Gambia at the bequest of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.^[11] The singer first performed in the country in 2001,^[7] and has stated his preference for eventually residing in Africa.^[8]

I Wayne, Rastafarian stage name for Cliffroy Taylor (born September 13, 1980 in Portmore, Jamaica), is a roots reggae singer. He is known for his hit singles “Living In Love” and “Can’t Satisfy Her” from his debut album, Lava Ground.

Biography

I Wayne was raised by his aunt and her husband Ansell Collins, a renowned keyboard player.^[1] This young artist has been refining his craft since age seven. Coming from a musical family, I Wayne had first made his venture into performance as a student at Greater Portmore High School, joining a local group Vibes Machine.^[2] The group, consisting of singers and DJs, used to perform at afterwork parties at popular clubs such as Cactus and Asylum.^[2] One night, the artiste was forced to perform alone due to the fact that his bandmates were running late. The response was tremendous, and I Wayne was motivated to perfect his solo act.^[3]

In the summer of 2004, Wayne released Can’t Satisfy Her, in the new wave of reggae. The track was reportedly the first roots reggae song to be added to the influential Hot 97 playlist.^[1]

In November 2004, I Wayne signed a recording contract with VP Records to release his debut album, Lava Ground.^[3] Lava Ground was praised for returning to reggae’s “essential roots” in contrast to popular reggae artists who induce listeners to “dance and groove to their carefree music”.^[4]

Discography

Young Lions Volume 1 (Chuck Fender, Richie Spice, Jah Cure and I Wayne)

• Released: 7 June 2005
• Tracks: Fifteen
• Singles: “Fire Burning Red”, “Living in Love”, “Rome a Crumble”

Lava Ground (album)

• Released: 23 August 2005
• Chart position: Top Reggae Albums: 5^[5]
• Tracks: Eighteen
• Singles: “Living In Love“, “Can’t Satisfy Her“

Book of Life (album)

• Released: 6 November 2007
• Tracks: Sixteen
• Singles: “Book of Life”, “Need Her in I Arms”

Life Teachings (album)

• Released: 11 October 2011
• Tracks: Fourteen

Early life

Dynamq was born in a family of seven children. He grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya known as Kakuma, having had to flee the civil war in his native Sudan. His love for music came from attending Sunday school. He got himself involved with Jamaican music while at the camp. His affiliation with sound systems began with the Shashamane set. After relocating to Kansas City, Missouri he formed Dynamq 10 years ago and has competed in several sound clashes.^[1][2]

Career

Sound System | Sound Clashes

His first big stage show was at the 1996 King Lions Sounds ‘Rasta Festival’ held at the City Hall in Nairobi. He is the reigning Rumble champion and holds the Bermuda Triangle champion title, he has also made it to the semi-finals in the popular Boom Clash in Jamaica and the River Nile Crocodile and Jamie Hype from Young Hawk sound formed Team USA to compete in, and win, the famous War Ina East championship.^[1][3]

He has shared the stage with various artists such as Damian Marley,^[4] Benjy Myaz, Lady G, Richie Spice, Luie Culture, George Nooks, Jesse Royal, Queen Ifrica, Mikey Spice, I Wayne, I-Octane and Beenie Man.^[5]

Awards and nominations

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamq

Josey Wales OD (born Joseph Winston Sterling^[c], October 9, 1956, in St. Mary, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall deejay. He has been called, along with Brigadier Jerry, Yellowman and sound system partner Charlie Chaplin, one of the best Jamaican dancehall deejays of the 1980s.^[1] Wales is named after the 1976 Western movie character from The Outlaw Josey Wales, played by Clint Eastwood, and subsequently nicknamed “The Outlaw”.

His career began in the late 1970s, first starting as a deejay on the Roots Unlimited sound-system where he often sparred with Burro Banton, and later performing over U-Roy-owned King Sturgav sound system.^[2] He gained even more popularity in the early 1980s performing over Henry “Junjo” Lawes‘s Volcano sound system, and recording singles such as “Bobo Dread” and “Leggo Mi Hand” for Lawes’ label of the same name, as well as later hits for George Phang‘s Power House label, most noticeably “Undercover Lover”.^[3]

He was shot and robbed in a Kingston bar in 1997, an incident that he dealt with in the country and western song “Bushwacked”.^[3] He survived the robbery, and after his discharge from a hospital, he went to the United States and bought an ambulance to donate for the Kingston Public Hospital.

He appeared in Shaggy‘s “Bad Man Don’t Cry” video, and by 2014 had begun recording new material.^[3]

In October 2017, he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.^[4][d]

Personal life

Josey is a Rastafarian and has been since 1975 but also retains a major influence of Christianity. He was baptized in May 1958. He currently resides in Kingston.

Discography

This discography is incomplete; you can help by adding missing albums/singles.^[e]

Albums

• 1983 – Josie Wales Meets Early-B
• 1983 – Outlaw, also called The Outlaw Josey Wales
• 1983 – King Yellowman Meets The Mighty Josey Wales ^[f]
• 1984 – No Way No Better Than Yard
• 1984 – Two Giants Clash (split with Yellowman)
• 1985 – Undercover Lover
• 1986 – Rules, also called Ruling
• 1986 – Ha Fi Say So
• 1988 – Special Prayer
• 1988 – Na Lef Jamaica
• 1989 – How Yu Mouth Tan So
• 1994 – Outlaw (reissue)
• 1994 – Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales – Kings Of The Dancehall
• 1994 – Cowboy Style
• 2001 – Rulin (reissue)
• 2015 – “Loving Pauper” w/ Sista Sensi

George Nooks, a.k.a. Prince Mohamed, Prince Mohammed, or George Knooks (born c. 1958 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer who initially found fame as a deejay.

Biography

Nooks started his musical career in the youth choir at his church, and moved on to perform at school concerts and talent shows. After first recording professionally in 1974, Nooks first found success performing under the name Prince Mohamed, as a deejay on discomix tracks for producer Joe Gibbs, notably on Dennis Brown‘s 1978 hit “Money in my Pocket”, and “How Could I Leave”, as well as “Light Up Your Spliff” for producer Prince Tony Robinson.^[1] He moved on to work with other producers such as Alvin Ranglin and Bunny Riley. His first album, a joint effort with General Echo, People Are You Ready, was released on the United Artists subsidiary Ballistic in 1978.^[1] This was followed by African Roots, recorded the following year for producer Linval Thompson. He had a hit in Jamaica with “Forty Legs Dread”, and the increasing violence in Kingston prompted Nooks to record a version of Little Roy‘s “Tribal War”, now singing rather than deejaying, and released under his real name, which he followed with a cover version of Errol Dunkley‘s “Darling Ooh”.^[1] Nooks would subsequently concentrate on his singing, releasing the Today album in 1981, although he reverted to Prince Mohamed in 1982 for an album with June Lodge. His singing gained comparisons with Dennis Brown, who he would later pay tribute to with a double album of Brown covers.

His 1996 single “Real Man” reached number 55 on the Billboard R&B Singles Sales chart.^[2] In 1997 Nooks released his first album in 15 years, a self-titled collection resulting in three Tamika Reggae Music awards,^[3] but since 1997 he has been quite prolific, releasing a string of solo albums, as well as albums shared with Glen Washington, Roland Burrell, Singing Melody and Lukie D. Since the death of his grandmother in 2001, Nooks has primarily recorded gospel material.^[4]

His 2016 album Ride Out Your Storm reached number 4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and number 22 on the Gospel chart.^[5]

Nooks also works as a producer, and has run his own Total Records label since the early 1990s.

Albums

Prince Mohamed

• People Are You Ready (1978) Ballistic (with General Echo)
• African Roots (1979) Burning Rockers
• No One Remember Africa (1979) GG’s
• Bubbling Techniques
• Inna Him Head (1980) Joe Gibbs
• Someone Loves You Honey (1982) Joe Gibbs/Ariola (June Lodge featuring Prince Mohamed)

George Nooks

• Today (1981) Jimpy’s
• One of a Kind (1990), Mr. Doo
• George Nooks (1997) Correct
• This One’s For You (1999) VP
• Standing By (2001) VP
• Damage (2001) Charm
• Toe 2 Toe vol. 2 (2002) Jet Star (George Nooks & Glen Washington)
• Better Days (2002) Jet Star
• Created by the Father (2002) Cactus (with Roland Burrell)
• No Power on Earth (2002) Jet Star
• Singers (2003) Brick Wall (Singing Melody, Lukie D, and George Nooks)
• Don’t Give Up (2004) Jet Star
• Jet Star Reggae Max (2004) Jet Star
• One 2 One Volume 2 (2004) High Power Music, VP Records, (with Gregory Isaacs)
• Giving Thanks (2005)
• George Nooks Sings Dennis Brown: The Voice Lives On (2006)
• Come a Long Way (2006) Cousins
• So Excited (2007) Tafari
• Diamond Series (2008) Tad’s/Total
• Broken Vessel (2012), Tad’s International
• Ride Out Your Storm (2016), Tad’s International
• For You (2018), VP

DVDs

• God is Standing By (2005) Jet Star (with Sanchez)

Kevin Anthony Jackson (born 30 November 1964),^[1] also known by his stage name Sanchez, is a Jamaican reggae and gospel reggae singer-songwriter and record producer.

Biography

Born in Kingston, Jackson grew up in the Stony Hill and Waterford areas. He was given the nickname ‘Sanchez’ due to his skills – a reference to a footballer of that name.^[2] He sang from an early age in the Rehoboth Apostolic Church choir in St Catherine.^[1][3] After working with several Kingston sound systems, first as selector for the Rambo Mango sound system, he began recording and had his first hit with “Lady In Red”, recorded for producer Red Man in 1987.^[1][2] By 1988 he was one of Jamaica’s most popular singers, and at his performance at Reggae Sunsplash that year he was called back for six encores.^[2] He had further hits with “Loneliness Leave Me Alone”, produced by Winston Riley, and with his version of Tracy Chapman‘s “Baby Can I Hold You”, which was included on the Philip “Fatis” Burrell-produced Number One album (1989).^[4] He has worked with several of Jamaica’s other top producers, including King Jammy, Bobby Digital, and Donovan Germain.^[5][6]

His 2000 album Simply Being Me reached number 14 on the US Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart, and 2002’s Stays on My Mind hit number 9.^[7]

Primarily known for love songs and cover versions of pop and R&B songs, in the 1990s he mixed gospel themes with other topics on his albums, and released the totally gospel Who is This Man in 1999 and He’s Got the Power in 2003.^[1][8][9]

In 2012 he revealed that he is now “a full-time producer”, and has been working with studio engineer and writer Rodnie “Tenor” Lion.^[10] In May he revealed that he was working on two self-produced albums, one dancehall (Like a General) and one gospel (There is no Other Like You Lord).^[11]

Discography

Albums

Split albums

• Pinchers Meets Sanchez (with Pinchers) (1989), Exterminator
• Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Part 1 (with Wayne Wonder) (1989), Penthouse
• Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Part 2 (with Wayne Wonder) (1990), Penthouse
• Sanchez Meets Cocoa Tea (with Cocoa Tea) (1993), Sonic Sounds
• Thriller U & Sanchez (with Thriller U) (1996), Record Factory
• Toe 2 Toe Vol. 7 (with Ghost) (2003), Jet Star

Compilations albums

• Sanchez Vol. 1 (1994), Penthouse
• Sanchez Vol. 2 (1994), Penthouse
• One in a Million: The Best of Sanchez (1997), VP ^[19]
• Reggae Max (2000), Jet Star
• The Best of Sanchez: Back at One (2001), VP ^[20]
• Reggae Legends: Sanchez (2009), VP

Leroy Sibbles (born Leroy Sibblies, 29 January 1949) is a Jamaican reggae musician and producer. He was the lead singer for The Heptones in the 1960s and 1970s.

In addition to his work with The Heptones, Sibbles was a session bassist and arranger at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd‘s Jamaica Recording and Publishing Studio and the associated Studio One label during the prolific late 1960s. He was described as “the greatest all-round talent in reggae history” by Kevin O’Brien Chang and Wayne Chen in their 1998 book Reggae Routes.^[1]

Biography

The son of a grocer, Sibbles began singing in the 1950s and also played guitar, having been taught by Trench Town Rastas Brother Huntley and “Carrot”.^[2] Barry Llewellyn and Earl Morgan had formed The Heptones in 1958, and Sibbles was in a rival group along with two friends. Sibbles joined The Heptones in 1965 after the two groups competed in a street-corner contest.^[2][3]

The trio made their first recordings for Ken Lack in 1966 with “School Girls” and “Gun Man Coming to Town”, the latter the A-side of their début single.^[2] Though the songs did not achieve hit status, the latter composition made the playlists at Radio Jamaica Rediffusion (RJR). They moved on to Clement “Coxsone” Dodd‘s Studio One where they stayed until 1971.^[2]

The Heptones were among the most influential groups of the rock steady era,^[4][5] along with The Pioneers, The Gaylads, The Paragons, The Uniques, and The Techniques. Signature Heptones songs included “Baby”, “Get in the Groove”, “Ting a Ling”, “Fattie Fattie”, “Got to Fight On (To the Top)”, “Party Time”, and “Sweet Talking”.^[6] The group’s Studio One output has been collected on albums The Heptones, On Top, Ting a Ling, Freedom Line, and the Heartbeat Records anthology, Sea of Love.

Studio One

Beyond his work as a singer-songwriter, Sibbles contributed to the collective output of Studio One as a bass player during the late 1960s.^[7] Keyboardist and arranger Jackie Mittoo encouraged Sibbles to play the bass when he needed a bassist for his Jazz trio.^[6][8]

When Mittoo left full-time duties at Studio One, Sibbles auditioned singers, arranged sessions, sang harmony, and played bass as a part of the studio group variously known as the Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors.^[9] These musicians, with engineering supervision Sylvan Morris, played backing tracks used by vocalists Bob Andy, Alton Ellis, Horace Andy, Carlton Manning, The Abyssinians, The Gladiators, Willi Williams, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Slim Smith, and scores of others.

Sibbles was a contributor to tracks including “Freedom Blues” (which evolved into the Jamaican rhythm known as “MPLA”) by Roy Richards, “Love Me Forever” by Carlton & The Shoes, “Satta Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights” by the Abyssinians,^[9] “Stars” and “Queen of the Minstrels” by The Eternals,^[9] “Ten to One” by the Mad Lads,^[10] “Door Peep (Shall Not Enter)” by Burning Spear, and the instrumental “Full Up”, which was used by Musical Youth for their huge worldwide hit “Pass the Dutchie“.

Because of the Jamaican process of versioning and the liberal recycling of rhythms in subsequent years, many of the songs, rhythms, and melodies written and recorded during the rocksteady era, the aforementioned in particular, continue to be referenced today. The most frequently referenced of Sibbles’ bass lines is that found on the instrumental “Full Up”, popularised internationally by Musical Youth‘s recording of “Pass the Dutchie”, an adaptation of Mighty Diamonds‘ “Pass the Kouchie”.^[1][7] Sibbles’ legacy also endures in Horace Andy’s tribute to him, “Mr. Bassie”. (While Sibbles has been credited with the original “Real Rock” bassline, this was more likely performed by Boris Gardiner). The bass parts Sibbles and others developed in rocksteady used a rhythmic space found in later roots reggae, where the notes were not necessarily played or sustained on each downbeat of a 4/4 measure. Sibbles has explained that his style was to lag the downbeat slightly.

Other musicians involved in the Studio One rock steady sessions included Richard Ace and Robbie Lyn on keyboards; Bunny Williams, Joe Isaacs, and Fil Callendar on drums; Eric Frater and Ernest Ranglin on guitar; and the horn section of Felix “Deadly Headley” Bennett on saxophone and Vin Gordon (a.k.a. “Don D. Jr.”) on trombone.

Work with other producers

After Studio One, Sibbles and the Heptones recorded for other producers including Lee Perry,^[11] Harry J,^[2] JoJo Hoo Kim, Niney The Observer, Clive Chin, Gussie Clarke, Lloyd Campbell, Prince Buster, Ossie Hibbert, Phil Pratt, Harry Mudie, Geoffrey Chung, Danny Holloway, Rupie Edwards, and Joe Gibbs.^[2][12]

Other Heptones releases from the early 1970s were Book of Rules (Trojan Records) and the Harry Johnson-produced album Cool Rasta (Trojan), recorded just before the group benefited from the internationalisation of reggae via Island Records. Danny Holloway produced Night Food and Lee “Scratch” Perry-produced Party Time were the fruit of the association with Island.

As a solo artist, Sibbles worked with Lloyd “Bullwackie” Barnes,^[13] Lloyd Parks, Sly & Robbie, Augustus Pablo, Bruce Cockburn, and Lee Perry, but primarily produced himself. Sibbles moved to Canada in 1973, where he married and remained for twenty years, and won a U-Know Award for best male vocalist in 1983, and a Juno Award for best reggae album in 1987.^[2][6][14] He left the Heptones in 1976, midway through a US tour.^[12] Also in Canada, he recorded an album for A&M and licensed several albums to Pete Weston‘s Micron label, including Now and Strictly Roots. In 1990 he collaborated on the one-off single “Can’t Repress the Cause”, a plea for greater inclusion of hip hop music in the Canadian music scene, with Dance Appeal, a supergroup of Toronto-area musicians that included Devon, Maestro Fresh Wes, Dream Warriors, B-Kool, Michie Mee, Lillian Allen, Eria Fachin, HDV, Dionne, Thando Hyman, Carla Marshall, Messenjah, Jillian Mendez, Lorraine Scott, Lorraine Segato, Self Defense, Zama and Thyron Lee White.^[15]

Sibbles continued to visit Jamaica, and performed at Reggae Sunsplash in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, and 1990.^[12] He returned to the Heptones in 1991.^[12] In 1996 he recorded “Original Full Up” with Beenie Man.^[5] Sibbles is featured in the 2009 documentary Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae.^[14] He continued to perform and record into 2010.^[16][17]

Production work

Sibbles moved into production in 2009, and set up the Bright Beam record label.^[18] He has produced records by singer Sagitar and deejay Chapter, as well as his own recordings, including a successful cover version of “Harry Hippy”.^[18]

Solo discography

• Now (1980), Micron
• Strictly Roots (1980), Micron
• On Top (1982), Micron
• The Champions Clash (1985), Kingdom – with Frankie Paul
• Selections (1985), Leggo Sounds – also released as Mean While (1986), Attic
• It’s Not Over (1995), VP
• Come Rock With Me (1999), Heartbeat
• Reggae Hit Bass Lines (2009), Ernie B

Errol Dunkley (born 6 February 1951),^[1] sometimes spelled Erroll Dunkley, is a Jamaican reggae musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1951.

Biography

Dunkley’s recording career began in 1965, when he was 14, with “Gypsy” (a duet with Roy Shirley) for Linden Pottinger’s Gaydisc label, “My Queen” (with Junior English) for Prince Buster, and “Love Me Forever” on the Rio label.^[2] From 1967 to 1968, he recorded several singles for Joe Gibbs, including “Please Stop Your Lying” (1967) and “Love Brother” (1968), before switching to Coxsone Dodd in 1969.^[3]

In the early 1970s, with Gregory Isaacs, he formed the African Museum record label. Isaacs soon took sole control of the label, and Dunkley formed Silver Ring, a new label. In 1972, he teamed up with producer Jimmy Radway for two of his most popular singles, “Keep the Pressure Down” and “Black Cinderella”. The same year saw the release of Dunkley’s debut album, Presenting Errol Dunkley, produced by Sonia Pottinger, which included the track “A Little Way Different”.

Dunkley continued to record throughout the 1970s and toward the end of the decade his popularity in the UK grew, resulting in a breakthrough UK Singles Chart hit in 1979 with “OK Fred“, a cover version of a song written by John Holt, that reached number 11.^[4] His 1980 release “Sit Down And Cry” also reached the charts.

Dunkley re-recorded “OK Fred”, his biggest hit, in 1996 with Queen Sister *N*.

Albums

• Presenting Errol Dunkley (Gay Feet, 1972), reissued as Darling Ooh (Trojan Records, 1981) – (a four star AMG recommendation)
• Sit and Cry Over You (Third World, 1976)
• Militant Man (Lovella International, 1980)
• Profile of Errol Dunkley aka OK Fred (Third World, 1980)
• In a Different, Different Style (Easy Street Records, 1984)
• Special Request (Carousel, 1987)
• Aquarius (1989)
• The Early Years (Rhino, 1995)
• Please Stop Your Lying (early Joe Gibbs recordings) (Rocky One, 1996)
• Continually (2000)
• OK Fred (The Best Of) (Trojan 2004)
• Love Is Amazing (Studio One)
• Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley (Moodie Music)
• OK Fred – Storybook Revisited – Errol Dunkley (Burning Sounds ) 2020

Johnny Clarke (born 12 January 1955) is a Jamaican reggae musician, best known for his recordings with producer Bunny Lee in the 1970s.

Biography

Clarke grew up in the Kingston ghetto of Whitfield Town and attended Jamaica College.^[1] In 1971 he won a talent contest in Bull Bay, his prize a meeting with producer Clancy Eccles, with whom he recorded his first song, “God Made the Sea and the Sun”, the following year.^[2][3] The single didn’t sell well, and disappointed with the lack of promotion from Eccles, he moved on to Rupie Edwards, who produced Clarke’s first hits in 1973, with “Everyday Wondering” and “Julie”.^[1][2] In 1974, Clarke moved on again, recording “Jump Back Baby” for Glen Brown, before beginning a long association with Bunny Lee and his band The Aggrovators in 1974.^[2] “None Shall Escape the Judgement” was an immediate success^[4] and became the title track on Clarke’s debut album.

Clarke was named Artist of the Year in Jamaica in both 1975 and 1976,^[4] and became one of the most popular singers on the island, mixing original songs with covers of popular reggae songs by other artists, and mixing roots and lovers-themed material.^[2] Many of Clarke’s songs concern his faith as a Rasta and the beliefs of the Rastafari movement, including anti-violence (as on “Let Go Violence”) and legalization of marijuana (“Legalize It”). He helped define the “Flying Cymbals” period that preceded the “Roots Rockers” sound of the mid- to late 1970s.^[5] Clarke was one of the first Jamaican artists signed to Virgin Records‘ Frontline subsidiary in 1976, releasing the albums Authorized Version and Rockers Time Now on the label.^[2] Clarke enjoyed further hits in the early 1980s with producer S Douglas, before working again with Lee. His popularity in Jamaica, however, declined, and he relocated to London in 1983, recording with Mad Professor, as well as further recordings for Jamaican producers King Tubby, Errol Thompson, and Prince Jammy. He has since occasionally reappeared with new material – Rasta Nuh Fear in 1992, and Rock With Me in 1997 – and continues to tour regularly.^[2] His song “None Shall Escape the Judgement” was featured on the Trojan roots compilations.

Clarke is known for his so-called “African Roots” or knee-length dreadlocks, which, when performing live, he frequently conceals inside a large hat. At the climax of his concert, he removes his hat, revealing his “African Roots” to the audience.

He set up his own Hit Machine label, his first album on the label being Jamaica 50 Johnny Clarke Sing Then Dub Them, released in 2012 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence.^[5]

Studio albums

• None Shall Escape (1974) Total Sounds
• Moving Out (1975) Total Sounds
• Enter Into His Gates With Praise (1975)
• Sings In Fine Style (1975)
• I’m Gonna Put It On (1975) Vulcan
• No Woman No Cry (1976) Total Sounds
• Authorised Version (1976) Frontline
• Rocker’s Time Now (1976) Frontline
• Don’t Stay Out Late (1976) Paradise
• Up Park Camp (1977) Justice
• Girl I Love You (1977) Justice
• Sweet Conversation (1978) Third World
• King of the Arena (1978) Third World
• Satisfaction (1979) Third World
• Down In a Babylon (1980) Cha Cha
• I Man Come Again (1982) Black Music
• Yard Style (1983) Ariwa
• Reggae Party (1984)
• Sly & Robbie Present the Best of Johnny Clarke (1985) Vista Sounds
• Give Thanks (1985) Ariwa
• Enter into His Gates with praise (1989) Attack
• Rasta Nuh Fear (1992) Sonic Sounds
• Don’t trouble trouble (1994) Attack
• Rock With Me (1997)
• Reggae Heights (2003) Mafia & Fluxy
• Jamaica 50 Johnny Clarke Sing Then Dub Them (2012), Hit Machine

Chezidek (born Desbert Johnson, 1973, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica) is a roots reggae singer.^[1] He is known for his hit singles, “Call Pon Dem” (featured in Grand Theft Auto IV), “Can’t Hear Must Feel”, “Inna Di Road”, and “Leave De Trees”.

Biography

Chezidek started singing from an early age at school concerts, and was a member of St. Ann’s Bay Marching Band.^[2] After finishing school he performed on sound systems in the area, as Chilla Rinch, singing and DJing at various dance and talent shows.^[3]

He left St. Ann’s Bay for Kingston where he linked up with record producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell from Xterminator Production.^[3] He recorded his first album in 2002, entitled Harvest Time (distributed by VP Records), with popular tracks such as “Can’t Hear Must Feel”, “Breakfree” and the title track “Harvest Time”.^[2]

His first number one hit single “Leave De Trees” on the Our Promotion label,^[4] produced by Hugh Miller (aka Bunny Dan) went on BBC Top 10 dancehall chart.^[3] Since then he has performed on major events such as Magnum Sting, Teen Splash, Dancehall Jam Jam, Bob Marley Tribute, and Tribute to Peter Tosh, Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness. He was awarded best new artiste by the Jamaica Federation of Music and Affiliated Artiste (JFM) for Middlesex (County).^[3]

Chezidek’s album Inna Di Road was produced by Bobby “Massive B” Konders and distributed by Greensleeves Records in September 2007. “Call Pon Dem” as well as covers of “Mi Nah Run” from his album Inna Di Road is featured on the fictional radio station Massive B Sound system in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Discography

Harvest Time (album)

• Released: 16 July 2002
• Tracks: Eleven
• Singles: “Breakfree”, “Can’t Hear Must Feel”, “Harvest Time”

Rising Sun (album)

• Released: 29 March 2005
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Singles: “Inna Love”

Mash Dem Down (album)

• Released: 18 August 2006
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Singles: “Mash Dem Down”

Firm Up Yourself (album)

• Released: 5 June 2007
• Tracks: Fourteen

Inna Di Road (album)

• Released: 11 September 2007
• Tracks: Fourteen
• Bonus tracks: Two (Music Videos – “Inna Di Road”, “Call Pon Dem”) on (enhanced) CD
• Singles: “Call Pon Dem”, “Inna Di Road”, “Leave The Trees”, “Mi Nah Run”

Judgement Time (album)

• Released: 4 June 2010
• Label: Heartbeat Europ (SunnyMoon)
• Tracks: Seventeen