Bim Sherman

Bim Sherman

Also known as: Jarrett Tomlinson, Lloyd Vincent

Jarret Lloyd Vincent (12 February 1950 - 17 November 2000), better known by one of his stage aliases Bim Sherman (others include Jarrett Tomlinson, Jarrett Vincent, Lloyd Vincent, J. L. Vincent, and Lloyd Tomlinson), was a Jamaican musician and singer-songwriter.

Biography
Always rooted and grounded in profoundly spiritual reggae, his music developed in later years in many directions, combining influences from all around the world, notably India. Sherman was also hailed as "reggae's sweetest voice". In the mid 1970s, he recorded a highly influential clutch of intensely spiritual roots and dub tunes in Jamaica, backed by Lloyd Parks Skin Flesh and Bones band, Soul Syndicate and Sly and Robbie, and notably, he also provided backing vocals on Dr Alimantado's Born for a Purpose, a record which introduced British punk rockers to reggae when John Lydon played the record on Capital Radio whilst in The Sex Pistols. Sherman also recorded a number of cover versions of standard blues and Rhythm and blues tunes, as well as incorporating elements of hymn and folk-rooted melodies into his compositions, such as When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder, referencing The Book of Life, and Wings of a Dove. He also recorded versions of Valley of Tears, made famous by Fats Domino, and Bewildered, a standard popularised by Mickey and Sylvia,Skiffle guitarist Lonnie Donegan, Doo Wop artists The Ink Spots, jump blues singer Amos Milburn and James Brown. On his solo album, Across the Red Sea, Bim Sherman also recorded Just Like A King, his take on Stranger Cole and Gladstone Anderson's Rocksteady tune, Just Like a River , featuring Undivided Roots artist Don Campbell (musician) on drums. Sylvia Robinson of Mickey and Sylvia later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records. Robinson is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the hip hop genre: Rapper's Delight (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang, and The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, both of which she produced. Bim Sherman went on to work with members of The Sugarhill Gang later in his career in the 1980s when he diversified his sound after the death of Prince Far I. In 1981, Bim Sherman also did a re-working of The Abyssinians Satta Massagana composition, with only the dub version released by New Age Steppers and Creation Rebel on the Threat to Creation album under the title of Ethos Design. The album was recorded at The Manor Studio and Berry Street Studio. The drumming was provided by Eskimo Fox, who had been trained at the renowned Alpha Boys' School, the academy led and mentored by Sister Mary Ignatius Davies, recognised as a major factor in the strength of Alpha's programme and that of Jamaican music more broadly. Bim Sherman later moved to London where, as part of the post-punk reggae infatuation, he made a name for himself recording with Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound label. He became part of various musical collectives associated with On-U Sound, such as New Age Steppers alongside Ari Up, formerly of The Slits and Neneh Cherry, daughter of Don Cherry (trumpeter), and Bruce Smith, now drummer with Public Image Ltd, Singers & Players, with Congo Ashanti Roy, and the late Prince Far-I, Dub Syndicate and Justice League of Zion. Sherman also worked consistently throughout his career with Style Scott of the Roots Radics and Jah Woosh, as well as releasing work with Mad Professor, Crucial Tony Philips and Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie, both prolific composers, producers and sound engineers from the UK reggae bands Creation Rebel, Ruff Cutt and Undivided Roots. Sherman's Devious Woman track, recorded with Singers & Players and Keith Levene of The Clash and John Lydon's Public Image Ltd, featured on the soundtrack of Richard Hell's Smithereens (film) in 1982, the dub version of which was released by New Age Steppers and Creation Rebel on the Threat to Creation album, and in 1983, Sherman released music on the Jah Shaka label, producing the Happiness vocal and dub discomix. In 1989, Sherman recut Must be a Dream (originally recorded with Prince Jammy for Jah Woosh's record label) for WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings and Sound Iration, engineered by Nick Manasseh. In 1992, he recut the Niney the Observer Freddie McGregor tune, We Need More Love (In The Ghetto) for The Groove Corporation, who were an ambient and drum and bass collective made up of previous members of Rockers Hi-Fi and Electribe 101. Sherman also featured on Clear (Bomb the Bass album) with the track Sleepyhead, released on 3 April 1995 by 4th & B'way Records. Sherman also recorded a handful of solo reggae LPs. Towards the end of his life, Sherman took a whole new musical direction. He went to India and re-recorded his classic 70s roots tunes alongside a full Indian classical orchestra in Bombay, creating his masterpiece LP, Miracle. This opened Sherman up to an entire new audience. It Must Be A Dream, an entire remix of Miracle was released with dance mixes by top UK DJs, followed by another notable Indian/reggae crossover LP What Happened? Sherman was diagnosed with cancer and died in November 2000, within weeks of his diagnosis. He received an obituary in The Times, a rare accolade for an underground reggae singer.

Albums (10)

Compilations (7)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Love Forever Bim Sherman Love Forever CD Century 1974-79
Tribulation Bim Sherman Tribulation
Down In Jamdown
PSCD 57 CD Pressure Sounds 1974-79 2007
Rub-A-Dub Bim Sherman Rub-A-Dub EFALP 39904 LP Century 1975-79 2000
Crucial Cuts Vol 2 Bim Sherman Crucial Cuts Vol 2 CENTURY 300 CD Century 1979-84
Taken Off Bim Sherman Taken Off CEND 2001 CD Century 197X-8X 1999
The Need to Live Bim Sherman The Need to Live CD 39903 CD Century 1981-95 2007
Crucial Cuts Vol 1 Bim Sherman Crucial Cuts Vol 1 CEND 400 CD Century 1986-90 1994

Credits & Appearances (21)

Production
Producer 8
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Tribulation Bim Sherman Tribulation PSCD 57 CD Pressure Sounds 1974-79 2007
On-U Sound Present Reggae Archive Vol 1 Various Artists On-U Sound Present Reggae Archive Vol 1 ONUCD 21 CD On-U Sound 1977-81
Lovers Leap Showcase Bim Sherman Lovers Leap Showcase none LP Scorpio 1979 1979
Crucial Cuts Vol 2 Bim Sherman Crucial Cuts Vol 2 CENTURY 300 CD Century 1979-84
Love Forever Bim Sherman Love Forever TMLP 007 LP Tribesman 197X
Century Bim Sherman & The Voluntary Century CENTURY 100 LP Century 1984 1984
Haunting Ground Bim Sherman Haunting Ground RDL 600 LP RDL 1986 1986
Ghetto Dub Bim Sherman Ghetto Dub DC 4114 CD Century 1988 1988
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Action Battefield The New Age Steppers Action Battefield CDST 2 CD Statik 1981
Vocals 12
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Tribulation Bim Sherman Tribulation PSCD 57 CD Pressure Sounds 1974-79 2007
Lovers Leap Showcase Bim Sherman Lovers Leap Showcase none LP Scorpio 1979 1979
Crucial Cuts Vol 2 Bim Sherman Crucial Cuts Vol 2 CENTURY 300 CD Century 1979-84
Taken Off Bim Sherman Taken Off CEND 2001 CD Century 197X-8X 1999
35 Years From Alpha Headley Benett & Bim Sherman 35 Years From Alpha ON-U LP 14 LP On-U Sound 1981 1982
The Need to Live Bim Sherman The Need to Live CD 39903 CD Century 1981-95 2007
War Of Words Singers & Players Featuring Bim Sherman War Of Words ON-U LP 5 LP On-U Sound 1982 1982
In A Rub A Dub Style Bim Sherman Meets Horace Andy And U Black In A Rub A Dub Style YI 05 LP Yard International 1982 1982
Foundation Steppers The New Age Steppers Foundation Steppers ON-U LP 21 LP On-U Sound 1982 1983
Leaps And Bounds Singers & Players Leaps And Bounds CDBRED 58 CD Cherry Red 1984 1991
Century Bim Sherman & The Voluntary Century CENTURY 100 LP Century 1984 1984
Haunting Ground Bim Sherman Haunting Ground RDL 600 LP RDL 1986 1986

Also Appears On (22)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set TJETD 161 CD Trojan 1964-94 2004
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Flashing Echo Various Artists Flashing Echo TJDDD 051 CD Trojan 1970-80 2002
Heavyweight 3 Various Artists Heavyweight 3 BAFCD 025 CD Blood And Fire 1973-78 1999
Down In A Tenement Yard Various Artists Down In A Tenement Yard TJDDD 352 CD Trojan 1973-80 2007
Classics Of 1975 Vol 1 Various Artists Classics Of 1975 Vol 1 RNCD 2048 CD Rhino 1975
129 Beat Street Ja-Man Special Junior Byles & Various Artists 129 Beat Street Ja-Man Special BAFCD 023 CD Blood And Fire 1975-78 1998
Punky Reggae Party Various Artists Punky Reggae Party TJDDD 040 CD Trojan 1975-80 2002
On-U Sound Present Reggae Archive Vol 1 Various Artists On-U Sound Present Reggae Archive Vol 1 ONUCD 21 CD On-U Sound 1977-81
Roots Rock Reggae Vol 2 Various Artists Roots Rock Reggae Vol 2 DBCDD 058 CD Doctor Bird 1978 2020
Living My Culture Mike Brooks Living My Culture TJDDD 303 CD Trojan 197X 2005
Trojan 12" Box Set Various Artists Trojan 12" Box Set TJETD 084 CD Trojan 197X 2003
Trojan Rockers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rockers Box Set TJETD 338 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Ready When You Dub Various Artists Ready When You Dub GUMSCDXX008 CD Smugg 197X-9X 2002
Golden Greats Vol 1 Singers & Players Golden Greats Vol 1 ON-U CD 4 CD On-U Sound 1980-83 1989
A Party Of Dubbers & Toasters Various Artists A Party Of Dubbers & Toasters CLP 9919 CD Cleopatra 1981-84
Foundation Steppers The New Age Steppers Foundation Steppers ON-U LP 21 LP On-U Sound 1982 1983
Revenge Of The Underdog Singers & Players Revenge Of The Underdog SITU 4 LP Situation 2 1982 1982
Disco Plates Collection Part 1 Various Artists Disco Plates Collection Part 1 ON-U CD 00012 CD On-U Sound 1982-83 1998
Disco Plates Collection Part 2 Various Artists Disco Plates Collection Part 2 ON-U CD 0054 CD On-U Sound 1983-96 1998
Revive Reggae Classics Various Artists Revive Reggae Classics OMCD 035 CD Original Music 198X
17 albums
21 credits
10 labels
1979 - 2007