Welton Irie

Welton Irie

Welton Irie (born Welton Dobson, 1961 in Jamaica), sometimes credited simply as Welton, is a Jamaican reggae deejay, best known for his work in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Biography
Welton Irie began his career performing as simply 'Welton' on the Sir John the President and Big John's Stereophonic Sound sound systems (the latter later known as Echo Tone Hi Fi), in 1976, initially heavily influenced by Ranking Trevor. After building up a sizeable following, he was able to introduce young talent such as General Echo to the sound system. Welton moved on to the Gemini and Virgo sound systems and began a partnership with Lone Ranger, the two beginning their recording careers together as a duo for Studio One, in a similar vein to Michigan & Smiley with tracks such as "Chase Them Crazy". On Studio One boss Coxsone Dodd's recommendation, he extended his stage name to Welton Irie. The pair's partnership was short-lived with both going on to solo careers. Solo hits soon came with "The Bomb", "Army Life", the Jamaican number one hit "Ballerina" recorded with Sly & Robbie, and "Lambs Bread International". His debut album, Ghettoman Corner, was recorded for producer Glen Brown and was based on rhythms from Sylford Walker's Lamb's Bread album. Walker's album was re-released with the inclusion of six of Irie's deejay versions as Lamb's Bread International by Blood & Fire in 2000. In the early 1980s he worked with Henry "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano sound system, and in 1983 returned to Gemini, touring internationally with Johnny Ringo and Squiddly Ranking. In the mid-1980s, with the prevalent style of reggae changing, Irie stopped deejaying and worked as a selector for Gemini. He revived his career in the mid-2000s and began performing live once again.

Discography (6)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Ghettoman Corner Welton Irie Ghettoman Corner LP Pantomine 1977
Reprobate Welton Irie Reprobate JJ 086 LP Hitbound 197X 1982
It Feels So Good Welton Irie It Feels So Good JGML 6043 LP Joe Gibbs 1980 1980
Army Life Welton Irie Army Life none LP Dynamite 1982 1982
Sweetest Ever Welton Irie Sweetest Ever LP 017 LP Rohit 1983 1983
Lamb's Bread International Sylford Walker & Welton Irie Lamb's Bread International BAFCD 033 CD Blood And Fire 1977-78 2000

Credits & Appearances (7)

Musicians
Vocals 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Ghettoman Corner Welton Irie Ghettoman Corner LP Pantomine 1977
Lamb's Bread International Sylford Walker & Welton Irie Lamb's Bread International BAFCD 033 CD Blood And Fire 1977-78 2000
Reprobate Welton Irie Reprobate JJ 086 LP Hitbound 197X 1982
It Feels So Good Welton Irie It Feels So Good JGML 6043 LP Joe Gibbs 1980 1980
Army Life Welton Irie Army Life none LP Dynamite 1982 1982
Sweetest Ever Welton Irie Sweetest Ever LP 017 LP Rohit 1983 1983

Also Appears On (20)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Darker Than Blue Various Artists Darker Than Blue BAFCD 036 CD Blood And Fire 1973-77 2001
Green Bay Killing Various Artists Green Bay Killing LP 56810 LP Pantomine 1978 1978
Lamb's Bread Sylford Walker Lamb's Bread VPGS 7051 CD Greensleeves 1978 2016
Irie Reggae Hits Various Artists Irie Reggae Hits DBCDD 106 CD Doctor Bird 1979 2022
Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee Various Artists Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee DBCDD 117 CD Doctor Bird 1979-81 2023
Jah Jah Dreader Than Dread Various Artists Jah Jah Dreader Than Dread MRCD 1005 CD Munich 1979-83 1997
12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 1 Joe Gibbs 12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 1 VPCD 4159 CD 17 North Parade 197X 2009
12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 2 Joe Gibbs 12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 2 VPCD 4160 CD 17 North Parade 197X 2009
12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 4 Joe Gibbs 12'' Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol. 4 VPCD 4168 CD 17 North Parade 197X 2010
DJ's Of The 70s Various Artists DJ's Of The 70s CD Creole (Rhino) 197X
Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics Various Artists Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics none LP Rocky One 197X
Lives On Jacob Miller Lives On VPCD 4119 CD 17 North Parade 197X 2008
Dancehall 2 Various Artists Dancehall 2 SJRCD 223 CD Soul Jazz 197X-8X 2016
Soul To Soul Vol 1 Various Artists Soul To Soul Vol 1 TRDLP 51980 LP Tad's 1980 1980
A Dee-Jay Explosion Various Artists A Dee-Jay Explosion CDHB 04 CD Heartbeat 1982
Tribute To General Echo General Echo Tribute To General Echo MAHLP 005 LP Mandingo 1983 1983
Powerhouse Presents Strictly Live Stock Various Artists Powerhouse Presents Strictly Live Stock GREL 81 LP Greensleeves 1985 1985
Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 1 Various Artists Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 1 B&W 5001 LP Black & White 198X
Dynamite Series #3 Various Artists Dynamite Series #3 CD Tabou 1 198X
When The Dances Were Changing Various Artists When The Dances Were Changing PSCD 22 CD Pressure Sounds 198X 1998
6 albums
7 credits
6 labels
1977 - 2000