Errol Dunkley

Errol Dunkley

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

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. In 1965 "My Queen" was also released with a Roland Alphonso 'b' side on the UK-based Blue Beat Records label, then "You Gonna Need Me" was released with Lynn Taitt and the Jets in 1967, for Joe Gibbs on his Amalgamated label. From 1967 to 1968, he recorded several more singles for Joe Gibbs, including "Please Stop Your Lying" (with Tommy McCook, 1967) and "Love Brother" (1968), before switching to Coxsone Dodd in 1969. In the early 1970s he released music on Pama Records featuring collaborations with mic-chanter U-Roy and "God's Son" Glen Brown, before forming the African Museum record label with Gregory Isaacs. 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". Both tunes were re-released on Radway's Fi Me Time label in 2000, on a conscious roots-rock-revive album titled Keep the Pressure Down, with versions by Augustus Pablo, Vin Gordon, Desmond "Desi-Roots" Young, Leroy Smart, Bobby Ellis, Hortense Ellis and Big Youth. 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". In the late 1970s he released the roots reggae vocal and dub Disco Showcase on the UK label Black Joy, gaining an audience amongst the followers of Lloyd Coxsone and Jah Shaka sound systems. Dunkley's output in 1979 and 1980, Profile of Errol Dunkley (with Roots Radics) and the Lord Koos' release Militant Man, both feature a various mix of lovers' rock and conscious cultural roots-rock music, such as his version of Horace Andy's Jah Guiding Star, and the Repatriation 45 , released on the Aggrovator label. 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. His 1980 release "Sit Down And Cry" also reached the chart. In 1994, Linval Thompson released a digital roots version of Dunkley's tune "Little Way Different" on his Thompson's Sound record label. Dunkley re-recorded "OK Fred", his biggest hit, in 1996 with Queen Sister *N*. In 2004, Dunkley released an album of cover-versions with Bunny Lee and Tapper Zukie, collecting his own interpretations of classical conscious-revive tunes such as Slim Smith's Beatitudes, Dennis Brown-The Paragons' Man Next Door ( based on Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters Soul R & B composition, Quiet Place),and Ken Boothe and Keith Hudson's Old Fashioned Way.

Influence on other genres
Kenny Ken, British jungle and drum and bass DJ and producer rose to prominence with his first big track "Everyman",which was built on a version of Willi Williams' and Coxsone Dodd's foundation one drop Armagideon Time Real Rock riddim, sampling the vocal from Errol Dunkley's song, "Little Way Different." In the mid-2000s UK rap British hip-hop-reggae-fusion outfit Cut La Vis released their remix of "A Little Way Different". British drum and bass artist Murdock has also produced a version of the tune under the title Every Man Do His Jungle Mix.

Compilations (3)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
OK Fred Errol Dunkley OK Fred
The Best Of
TJACD 190 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
The Early Years Errol Dunkley The Early Years RNCD 2104 CD Rhino 196X-7X 1995
Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley MMCD 98 CD Moodie Music 198X

Credits & Appearances (18)

Production
Producer 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Darling Ooh Errol Dunkley Darling Ooh ATLP 1003 LP Attack 1972 1972
Moodie In Dub Vol 2 Moodie Moodie In Dub Vol 2 MMLP 102 LP Moodie Music 1974 1974
Profile Of Errol Dunkley Errol Dunkley Profile Of Errol Dunkley CEL 2-006543 LP Celluloid 1979 1979
Special Request Errol Dunkley Special Request CAR LP 01 LP Carousel 1982 1982
Bye Bye Baby Errol Dunkley Bye Bye Baby CEL 6701 LP Celluloid 1982 1982
In A Different, Different Style Errol Dunkley In A Different, Different Style ESLP 001 LP Easy Street 1984 1984
Musicians
Percussions 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
In A Different, Different Style Errol Dunkley In A Different, Different Style ESLP 001 LP Easy Street 1984 1984
Vocals 7
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
OK Fred Errol Dunkley OK Fred TJACD 190 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Profile Of Errol Dunkley Errol Dunkley Profile Of Errol Dunkley TDWD 16 LP Third World 1979 1979
OK Fred Errol Dunkley OK Fred RNCD 2017 CD Rhino 1979
Special Request Errol Dunkley Special Request CAR LP 01 LP Carousel 1982 1982
Bye Bye Baby Errol Dunkley Bye Bye Baby CEL 6701 LP Celluloid 1982 1982
In A Different, Different Style Errol Dunkley In A Different, Different Style ESLP 001 LP Easy Street 1984 1984
Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley MMCD 98 CD Moodie Music 198X

Also Appears On (78)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
A Scorcha From Studio 1 Various Artists A Scorcha From Studio 1 LP Bamboo 1969
Studio One Power Mix Various Artists Studio One Power Mix SJRCD 549 CD Soul Jazz 2024
Studio One Roots Vol 3 Various Artists Studio One Roots Vol 3 SJRCD 168 CD Soul Jazz 2007
Randy's 50th Anniversary Various Artists Randy's 50th Anniversary VP 4100 CD 17 North Parade 1960-76 2008
Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set TJETD 161 CD Trojan 1964-94 2004
Explosive Rock Steady Various Artists Explosive Rock Steady DBCDD 082 CD Doctor Bird 1967-68 2021
Get On Up Various Artists Get On Up CDTRL 390 CD Trojan 1967-68 1998
The Bunny Lee Rocksteady Years Various Artists The Bunny Lee Rocksteady Years MS 13 CD Moll Selekta 1967-68 2005
Explosive Rock Steady Various Artists Explosive Rock Steady CDHB 72 CD Heartbeat 1967-73 1991
Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years Various Artists Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years VPCD 4151 CD 17 North Parade 1967-73 2009
Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set TJETD 072 CD Trojan 1967-77 2003
Love Of The Common People Various Artists Love Of The Common People CDTRD 448 CD Trojan 1967-79 2000
Greetings From The Pioneers The Pioneers Greetings From The Pioneers DBCDD 084 CD Doctor Bird 1968 2021
Jackpot Of Hits + Explosive Rocksteady Various Artists Jackpot Of Hits + Explosive Rocksteady CDTRL 377 CD Trojan 1968-69 1996
Reggae Jeggae Various Artists Reggae Jeggae JGECD 009 CD Joe Gibbs Europe 1968-69 2006
Joe Gibbs Mood Various Artists Joe Gibbs Mood CDTRL 394 CD Trojan 1968-71 1998
You Left Me Standing Various Artists You Left Me Standing TTL 9 LP Trojan 1969 1969
Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay At Its Best Various Artists Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay At Its Best DBCDD 030 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2019
Silver & Gold Various Artists Silver & Gold DB2CD 156 CD Doctor Bird 1969-71 2025
First Class Rock Steady Various Artists First Class Rock Steady VPCD 4205 CD 17 North Parade 196X 2016
Rocksteady Got Soul Various Artists Rocksteady Got Soul SJRCD 464 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2021
Treasure Isle Records Various Artists Treasure Isle Records ATKCDBOX 1 CD Attack 196X 2008
Trojan Rocksteady Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rocksteady Box Set TRBCD 003 CD Trojan 196X 1998
Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 Various Artists Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 TJODD 184 CD Trojan 196X-199X 2004
A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style Various Artists A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style CDTALL 501 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2001
Black Man's Pride 3 Various Artists Black Man's Pride 3 SJRCD 421 CD Soul Jazz 196X-7X 2019
Lee's Gold Vol 1 Various Artists Lee's Gold Vol 1 ATTACKCD 028 CD Attack 196X-7X 2006
Ska & Reggae Classics Various Artists Ska & Reggae Classics TJTCD 572 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2018
Strictly Drum And Bass Various Artists Strictly Drum And Bass TJACD 344 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2007
Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set TJETD 262 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2005
Funky Reggae Various Artists Funky Reggae BDLP 206 LP Bamboo 1970 1970
Version Galore U Roy Version Galore DBCDD 093 CD Doctor Bird 1970 2021
Reggae To Reggae Various Artists Reggae To Reggae PMP 2012 LP Pama 1971 1971
Joe Gibbs Presents Freedom To The People Various Artists Joe Gibbs Presents Freedom To The People DBCDD 096 CD Doctor Bird 1971-72 2022
Hot Bomb Various Artists Hot Bomb WESA 836 CD Westside 1971-74 2000
The Best Of Sunshot Various Artists The Best Of Sunshot CD Jet Set 1971-75
Bridge Over Troubled Waters Jimmy London Bridge Over Troubled Waters DBCDD 070 CD Doctor Bird 1972 2021
Rupie's Gems Various Artists Rupie's Gems CTLP 104 LP Cactus 1972-74 1974
Rupie's Gems Various Artists Rupie's Gems RNCD 2009 CD Rhino 1972-74 1993
17 North Parade Various Artists 17 North Parade PSCD 17 CD Pressure Sounds 1972-75 1997
Cactus Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Cactus Classics Vol 2 CT 3021 CD Rhino 1972-81 2001
Hit Picks Rupie Edwards & Various Artists Hit Picks HRLP 704 LP Horse 1974 1974
Keep The Pressure Down Various Artists Keep The Pressure Down FMTLP 01 LP Fe-Me-Time 1974-77
Rupies Gems Chapter II Various Artists Rupies Gems Chapter II CTLP 119 LP Cactus 1976 1976
Just The Vibes Mike Brooks & Various Artists Just The Vibes MS 3 CD Moll Selekta 1976-83
Lovers & Rockers Various Artists Lovers & Rockers RDM 3001 LP EMI 1977-80 1980
Different Dennis Bovell & Friends Different DB2CD 155 CD Doctor Bird 1977-81 2025
Burning Rockers Various Artists Burning Rockers BSRCD 949 CD Burning Sounds 1978-85 2020
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
The Best Of British reggae Various Artists The Best Of British reggae ICEL 1017 LP Ice 1979 1979
Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Cactus Classics Various Artists Cactus Classics CT 3009 CD Cactus 197X 2002
Goldies Various Artists Goldies none LP Total Sounds 197X
Musical Feast Various Artists Musical Feast CDHB 84 CD Heartbeat 197X 1991
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 6 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 6 2711953 CD Trojan 197X 2009
Reggae For Lovers Various Artists Reggae For Lovers CD 307642 CD Hallmark 197X 1997
Reggae Party Various Artists Reggae Party CD Hallmark 197X
Rootsman Connection Tapper Zukie & Friends Rootsman Connection KSCD 14 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2008
Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Send Request Various Artists Send Request KLP 3 LP Lord Koos 197X
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 6 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 6 CD Rocky One 197X
Super Bad Various Artists Super Bad DBCDD 099 CD Doctor Bird 197X 2023
The Bunny Striker Lee Story Various Artists The Bunny Striker Lee Story CRCDB 3138 CD Jet Star 197X 2005
Tighten Up Vol 5 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 5 TBL 165 LP Trojan 197X 1971
Trojan Lovers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Lovers Box Set TRBCD 005 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Trojan Rockers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rockers Box Set TJETD 338 CD Trojan 197X 2006
The Dubmaster Dennis Bovell The Dubmaster TJDCD 602 CD Trojan 197X-20XX 2022
Dread Broadcasting Corp. Various Artists Dread Broadcasting Corp. TJDDD 167 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2004
Mastercuts Reggae Various Artists Mastercuts Reggae MCUTCD 01 CD Mastercuts 197X-8X 2005
Reggae Classics - Serious Selections Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Classics - Serious Selections Vol 2 CD Rewind Selecta 197X-8X
Roots With Quality Various Artists Roots With Quality CD Tabou 1 197X-8X
Trojan Lovers Rock Box Set Various Artists Trojan Lovers Rock Box Set TJETD 292 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Rub A Dubble Reggae Vol 1 Various Artists Rub A Dubble Reggae Vol 1 CSAP 102 LP CSA 1982-87 1988
Reggae Rockers Various Artists Reggae Rockers DHLP 2007 LP Black Joy 1983 1983
The CSA Collection Vol 2 Various Artists The CSA Collection Vol 2 CSLP 17 LP CSA 1984 1984
The CSA Collection Vol 3 Various Artists The CSA Collection Vol 3 CSLP 20 LP CSA 1984-85 1985
Romantic Nights Various Artists Romantic Nights CD CSA 198X 1987
Roots Man Connection Various Artists Roots Man Connection TZ 006 LP Stars 198X
13 albums
18 credits
14 labels
1972 - 2021