Niney

Niney

Also known as: George Boswell, Messiah, Niney The Observer, The Observer, Observer Style, Page One, Winston Holness

Winston Holness, better known as Niney the Observer OD (born George Boswell, 1944 in Montego Bay, Jamaica), is a Jamaican record producer and conscious roots reggae singer who is a key figure in the creation of many classic reggae recordings, discomixes and sound system dubplates dating from the 1970s and early 1980s.

Biography
Holness gained his nickname "Niney" after losing a thumb in a workshop accident. In the latter half of the 1960s he worked as an engineer at KG records, where he began producing. His first release was his own composition "Come on Baby" issued on his Destroyer label. He moved on to work with Bunny Lee in 1967, then for Lynford Anderson's studio, then working for Joe Gibbs as chief sound engineer, replacing his friend Lee "Scratch" Perry. While working for Gibbs he produced Dennis Alcapone and Lizzy's "Mr. Brown", and played a major role in launching the career of Dennis Brown. After leaving Gibbs' setup, his first major success as a producer was "Blood & Fire" in December 1970, initially released in a pressing of 200 on his Destroyer label, but reissued the following year on his Observer label, and going on to sell over 30,000 copies in Jamaica. Inspired by Perry's nickname of "The Upsetter", Holness adopted "The Observer", using the name for his new Observer label, and the name of his house band, The Observers (actually the Soul Syndicate). Several singles followed, some reusing the "Blood & Fire" rhythm, including Big Youth's "Fire Bunn". In the early 1970s, Holness became one of Jamaica's most sought after producers, with Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, The Heptones, Johnny Clarke, Slim Smith, Jacob Miller, Junior Delgado, and Freddie McGregor all using his services. He also continued to record himself, on collaborations with Dennis Alcapone, Max Romeo, and Lee Perry. By the mid-1970s, he was also working with Ken Boothe, Junior Byles, Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, I-Roy, and Dillinger. The late 1970s saw him still active as a producer, but his output in the early 1980s was significantly less after relocating to France. He re-emerged in 1982 with the Ital Dub Observer Style album and returned to Kingston in 1983, taking on the role of house producer for the Hitbound label at Channel One Studios. In this capacity he was one of the first to work with Beenie Man, and also produced Third World and Sugar Minott. In the mid-1980s, he relocated to New York City, returning to Kingston again in 1988, and working with Yami Bolo, Frankie Paul, Andrew Tosh, and Junior Byles. He began an association with Heartbeat Records, working on reissues of much of his back catalogue, as well as new recordings. He continued to produce new material through the 1990s. In the mid-1990s, noted collector Steve Barrow and Simply Red vocalist Mick Hucknall started a reggae and dub reissue programme, naming the company Blood and Fire (record label) in honour of Niney's hit record, and, in 2001, they reissued Observer rarities on an album entitled Niney the Observer - Microphone Attack 1974-1977, collecting rare Discomixes of the work of Ranking Trevor, Big Youth, I-Roy and Leroy Smart, thus introducing Niney's productions to a new generation of listeners. In March 2013, Niney The Observer opened his own Observer Soundbox Studio on Lyndhurst Road, Kingston. Holness, who has a child with autism, recorded the single "Children" in 2015 with Jimmy Cliff, Sly and Robbie, and Errol "Flabba" Holt, to raise funds for Cliff's foundation and a school for autistic children. In August 2015, it was announced that he would be awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.

Albums (4)

Sledgehammer Dub
Observer • 1977
Rock A Dub
Jamaica Sound • 197X
Roots With Quality
Doctor Bird • 1980-83
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Observation Of Life Dub Page One & The Observers Observation Of Life Dub CGLP 106 LP Carib Gems 1976 1981
Sledgehammer Dub Niney Sledgehammer Dub OBS 1003 LP Observer 1977 1977
Rock A Dub Page One Rock A Dub JSLP 006 LP Jamaica Sound 197X
Roots With Quality Niney Roots With Quality
The Observer Singles
DB2CD 145 CD Doctor Bird 1980-83 2024

Compilations (13)

Credits & Appearances (81)

Production
Arranger 5
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Observation Of Life Dub Page One & The Observers Observation Of Life Dub CGLP 106 LP Carib Gems 1976 1981
The Observer Book Of Roy Samuel Reid I Roy The Observer Book Of Roy Samuel Reid VPLP 4199 LP VP 1976-77 2012
Slave Call The Ethiopians Slave Call TWS 15 LP Third World 1977 1977
Westbound Train Dennis Brown Westbound Train TWS 934 LP Third World 1978 1978
Ital Observer Style Various Artists Ital Observer Style J.9008 LP Jah Live 1983 1983
Producer 69
Comp. Blood & Fire
Trojan • 1970-78
Comp. Head Shot
Heartbeat • 1970-78
Comp. Blood And Fire
Trojan • 1971-1972
Comp. At King Tubby's Dub Plate Specials
Jamaican Recordings • 1973-75
Deep Down
Observer • 1974
Comp. Deep Roots Observer Style
17 North Parade • 1974-78
Sledgehammer Dub
Observer • 1977
Slave Call
Third World • 1977
Better Days
Third World • 1978
Hotter Yatta
Harry J • 1978
Reprobate
Hitbound • 197X
Comp. Ten To One
Secret • 197X-8X
Roots With Quality
Doctor Bird • 1980-83
Lovers Rock
Live And Love • 1981
Showcase
Observer • 1981
Happy Ending
Dynamic Sounds • 1982
Willie Red
Hitbound • 1982
Pancoot
Hitbound • 1982
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Observer Presents Lightning And Thunder! Various Artists The Observer Presents Lightning And Thunder! DB2CD 118 LP Doctor Bird 1969-72 2024
Observer Attack Dub Niney The Observer Observer Attack Dub RUSCD 8209 CD ROIR 1969-76
Trojan Producer Series Box Set Various Artists Trojan Producer Series Box Set TRBCD 010 CD Trojan 196X-7X 1999
Blood & Fire Niney & Friends Blood & Fire TJDDD 265 CD Trojan 1970-78 2005
Head Shot Various Artists Head Shot CDHB 149 CD Heartbeat 1970-78 2002
Blood And Fire Niney & Friends Blood And Fire TRLS 263 LP Trojan 1971-1972 1988
When Will Better Come Junior Byles When Will Better Come TRLS 269 LP Trojan 1972-76 1988
King Tubby's Special King Tubby King Tubby's Special CDTRD 409 CD Trojan 1973 - 76 1989
Dreadlocks Coming To Dinner Niney The Observer Presents Dreadlocks Coming To Dinner DB2CD 137 CD Doctor Bird 1973-75 2024
At King Tubby's Dub Plate Specials Niney At King Tubby's Dub Plate Specials JRCD 011 CD Jamaican Recordings 1973-75 2002
My Time Dennis Brown My Time CD Rohit 1973-76 1994
Just Dennis Dennis Brown Just Dennis TRLS 107 LP Trojan 1974 1975
Deep Down Dennis Brown Deep Down ARL 1010 LP Observer 1974 1974
Bring The Couchie Various Artists Bring The Couchie TRLS 273 LP Trojan 1974-76 1989
Observation Station Various Artists Observation Station CDHB 68 CD Heartbeat 1974-77 1990
Deep Roots Observer Style Niney Deep Roots Observer Style VPCD 4192 CD 17 North Parade 1974-78 2012
Microphone Attack Various Artists Microphone Attack BAFCD 037 CD Blood And Fire 1974-78 2001
Dubbing With The Observer The Observer All Stars & King Tubbys Dubbing With The Observer ATLP 1017 LP Attack 1975 1975
Observation Of Life Dub Page One & The Observers Observation Of Life Dub CGLP 106 LP Carib Gems 1976 1981
The Observer Book Of Roy Samuel Reid I Roy The Observer Book Of Roy Samuel Reid VPLP 4199 LP VP 1976-77 2012
Tubby's Want The Channel Niney & The Observers Tubby's Want The Channel DB2CD 141 CD Doctor Bird 1976-78 2024
Sledgehammer Dub Niney Sledgehammer Dub OBS 1003 LP Observer 1977 1977
Slave Call The Ethiopians Slave Call TWS 15 LP Third World 1977 1977
The Observer Roots Albums Collection Various Artists The Observer Roots Albums Collection DB2CD 139 CD Doctor Bird 1977-82 2024
Better Days The Heptones Better Days TDWD 1 LP Third World 1978 1978
Westbound Train Dennis Brown Westbound Train LTM 1028 LP Celluloid 1978
Hotter Yatta I Roy Hotter Yatta HJLP 8711 LP Harry J 1978 1978
Better Days & King Of My Town The Heptones Better Days & King Of My Town DBCDD 115 CD Doctor Bird 1978-79 2022
Mr McGregor Freddie McGregor Mr McGregor OBS 1901 LP Observer 1979
Zion Chant Freddie McGregor Zion Chant CDHB 138 CD Heartbeat 1979-81 1994
Sufferation Various Artists Sufferation LUXXCD 009 CD Auralux 197X 2005
Niney Presents The Observer Master Mix Collection Niney Niney Presents The Observer Master Mix Collection DB4CD 142 CD Doctor Bird 197X 2024
Joy In The Morning Dennis Brown Joy In The Morning LGCD 1106 CD Lagoon 197X 1995
Rules Kingston Dillinger Rules Kingston LP Scandal Bag 197X
Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell CP 4010 CD Culture Press 197X 2000
Channel One Presents 100 Tons Of Dub Niney & The Soul Syndicate Channel One Presents 100 Tons Of Dub JRCD 034 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2009
Deep In The Roots The Heptones Deep In The Roots CDHB 269 CD Heartbeat 197X 2004
Freddie Freddie McGregor Freddie STLP 1026 LP Vista 197X 1979
Vintage Classics Various Artists Vintage Classics LP Rohit 197X
Dennis Brown In Dub Dennis Brown Dennis Brown In Dub CDHB 239 CD Heartbeat 197X 2002
Observe The Observer Various Artists Observe The Observer LP Observer 197X
Open The Gate Dennis Brown Open The Gate CDHB 177 CD Heartbeat 197X 1995
Producers : Lee Perry vs Niney The Observer Lee Perry vs Niney The Observer Producers : Lee Perry vs Niney The Observer ROXS 5 CD Trojan 197X 2002
Reprobate Welton Irie Reprobate JJ 086 LP Hitbound 197X 1982
Truth And Rights Observer Style Various Artists Truth And Rights Observer Style CDHB 78 CD Heartbeat 197X 1994
Niney Present Dub Niney Niney Present Dub CDTRL 427 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Barry Barry Brown Barry STLP 1025 LP Vista 197X
Bring The Dub Come Niney The Observer Presents King Tubby Bring The Dub Come CDHB 257 CD Heartbeat 197X 2003
King Of My Town The Heptones King Of My Town JALP 7000 LP Jackal 197X 1979
Some Like It Hot Dennis Brown Some Like It Hot CDHB 107 CD Heartbeat 197X 1992
Dennis Dennis Brown Dennis STLP 1024 LP Vista 197X
Introducing Niney vol 1 Various Artists Introducing Niney vol 1 CD Esoldun 197X-8X
A Long Way Junior Byles A Long Way RNCD 7083 CD Rhino 197X-8X 1999
Ten To One Dillinger Ten To One CRIDE 78 CD Secret 197X-8X 2007
Love & Hate Dennis Brown Love & Hate VPCD 1471 CD VP 197X-8X 1996
Roots With Quality Niney The Observer Roots With Quality VPCD 4148 CD 17 North Parade 197X-9X 2009
Roots With Quality Niney Roots With Quality DB2CD 145 CD Doctor Bird 1980-83 2024
Lovers Rock Freddie McGregor Lovers Rock LAP 14 LP Live And Love 1981 1981
Showcase Freddie McGregor Showcase OBS 1006 LP Observer 1981 1981
The Early Years Gregory Isaacs The Early Years TRLS 196 LP Trojan 1981 1981
Happy Ending David Isaacs Happy Ending DY 3422 LP Dynamic Sounds 1982 1982
Willie Red Louie Lepkie Willie Red JJ 085 LP Hitbound 1982 1982
Them Never Know Natty Dread Have Him Credential Don Carlos & Gold Them Never Know Natty Dread Have Him Credential JJ 084 LP Hitbound 1982 1982
Pancoot Ringo Pancoot JJ 087 LP Hitbound 1982 1982
Ital Observer Style Various Artists Ital Observer Style J.9008 LP Jah Live 1983 1983
With Lots Of Extra Sugar Minott With Lots Of Extra JJ 120 LP Hitbound 1983 1983
Rock On Various Artists Rock On J.9009 LP Jah Live 1983 1983
Rasta No Pickpocket Junior Byles Rasta No Pickpocket NHM 7493 LP Nighthawk 1986 1986
Channel 1 Collection Sugar Minott Channel 1 Collection CD P.R.S. 198X 1995
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Observer Attack Dub Niney The Observer Observer Attack Dub RUSCD 8209 CD ROIR 1969-76
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Rasta No Pickpocket Junior Byles Rasta No Pickpocket NHM 7493 LP Nighthawk 1986 1986
Writer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Observation Of Life Dub Page One & The Observers Observation Of Life Dub CGLP 106 LP Carib Gems 1976 1981

Also Appears On (51)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Tougher Than Tough Various Artists Tougher Than Tough IBXCD 1 CD Island 1958-93 1993
This Is Reggae Music Various Artists This Is Reggae Music TJNBX 254 CD Trojan 1960-75 2005
Pray For Me Max Romeo Pray For Me CDTRL 435 CD Trojan 1967-1973 2000
Musical Fever Various Artists Musical Fever TRLD 408 LP Trojan 1967-68 1989
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
Tighten Up Various Artists Tighten Up TJBDD 011 CD Trojan 1968-74 2002
Clint Eastwood & Many Moods Of The Upsetters Lee Scratch Perry & The Upsetters Clint Eastwood & Many Moods Of The Upsetters DBCDD 034 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2019
Knockout Songs Various Artists Knockout Songs DBCD 091 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2021
The Observer Presents Lightning And Thunder! Various Artists The Observer Presents Lightning And Thunder! DB2CD 118 LP Doctor Bird 1969-72 2024
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set Various Artists Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set TRBCD 018 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2000
Trojan 35th Anniversary Box Set Various Artists Trojan 35th Anniversary Box Set TJETD 130 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Originals Box Set Various Artists Trojan Originals Box Set TJETD 098 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Producer Series Box Set Various Artists Trojan Producer Series Box Set TRBCD 010 CD Trojan 196X-7X 1999
Trojan Reggae Duets Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Duets Box Set TJETD 093 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Trojan X-Rated Box Set Various Artists Trojan X-Rated Box Set TJETD 048 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Reggae Fever The Inspirations & Friends Reggae Fever DBCD 087 CD Doctor Bird 1970 2021
Head Shot Various Artists Head Shot CDHB 149 CD Heartbeat 1970-78 2002
Tighten Up Vol 4 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 4 TBL 163 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection Vol 4 Various Artists Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection Vol 4 CDTAL 905 CD Trojan 1971-73 1998
Wonderman Years Various Artists Wonderman Years TJDDD 052 CD Trojan 1971-76 2002
Version Like Rain Various Artists Version Like Rain CDTRL 278 CD Trojan 1972-76 1991
In Fine Style King Tubby In Fine Style TJDDD 063 CD Trojan 1972-77 2004
Dreadlocks Coming To Dinner Niney The Observer Presents Dreadlocks Coming To Dinner DB2CD 137 CD Doctor Bird 1973-75 2024
Bring The Couchie Various Artists Bring The Couchie TRLS 273 LP Trojan 1974-76 1989
Observation Station Various Artists Observation Station CDHB 68 CD Heartbeat 1974-77 1990
Motion Dub Special King Tubby & Friends Motion Dub Special FASTCD 017 CD Motion 1974-78 2006
Dubbing With The Observer The Observer All Stars & King Tubbys Dubbing With The Observer DBCDD 122 CD Doctor Bird 1975 2023
Evolution Of Dub Volume 2 Various Artists Evolution Of Dub Volume 2 GRE 2018 CD Greensleeves 1975-77 2009
Jah Fire Niney The Observer Presents Jah Fire DB2CD 138 CD Doctor Bird 1976-77 2024
The Observer Roots Albums Collection Various Artists The Observer Roots Albums Collection DB2CD 139 CD Doctor Bird 1977-82 2024
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
By The Rivers Of Babylon Various Artists By The Rivers Of Babylon SH 45031 CD Shanachie 197X 1997
Dub Massive Chapter 2 Various Artists Dub Massive Chapter 2 TJCCD 256 CD Trojan 197X 2005
Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Sufferation Various Artists Sufferation LUXXCD 009 CD Auralux 197X 2005
The Dub Master King Tubby The Dub Master SPEC 2063 CD Spectrum 197X 2011
The Original Labour Of Love Collection Various Artists The Original Labour Of Love Collection CDTRL 432 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Trojan Dub Box Set Volume 2 Various Artists Trojan Dub Box Set Volume 2 TRBCD 015 CD Trojan 197X 2000
Trojan Roots Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots Box Set TRBCD 008 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Truth And Rights Observer Style Various Artists Truth And Rights Observer Style CDHB 78 CD Heartbeat 197X 1994
Vintage Classics Various Artists Vintage Classics LP Rohit 197X
Dub Sessions Various Artists Dub Sessions SESHDCD 211 CD Union Square Music 197X-8X 2003
Introducing Niney vol 1 Various Artists Introducing Niney vol 1 CD Esoldun 197X-8X
Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set TJETD 278 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set TJETD 102 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2003
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Ital Observer Style Various Artists Ital Observer Style J.9008 LP Jah Live 1983 1983
Rock On Various Artists Rock On J.9009 LP Jah Live 1983 1983
17 albums
81 credits
32 labels
1974 - 2024