Prince Far I

Prince Far I

Also known as: King Cry Cry, Michael James Williams

Prince Far I (23 March 1945 - 15 September 1983) was a Jamaican reggae deejay and producer, and a Rastafarian. He was known for his gruff voice and critical assessment of the Jamaican government. His track "Heavy Manners" used lyrics about government measures initiated at the time against violent crime.

Biography
He was born Michael James Williams in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Williams' first job in the music industry was as a deejay on the Sir Mike the Musical Dragon sound system, also working as a security guard at Joe Gibbs' studio, and later as a bouncer at Studio One, but after recording "The Great Booga Wooga" for Bunny Lee in 1969 (under the name King Cry Cry, a reference to his habit of breaking into tears when angered), he got the chance in 1970 to record for Coxsone Dodd when King Stitt failed to turn up for a session. Dodd was sufficiently impressed to release the resulting recordings, Williams now using the name Prince Far I at the suggestion of another producer he had worked with, Enos McLeod. With a unique deep bass voice and talking over style, preferring to describe himself as a "chanter" rather than a "toaster", he became a popular reggae musician, styling himself "The Voice of Thunder". His first album, Psalms For I, featuring the Lord's Prayer and various psalms, was dedicated to the illiterate who could not read the Bible for themselves. He then worked with Joe Gibbs on the second album, Under Heavy Manners, before being signed by Virgin Records for their Frontline label. Twelve albums followed between 1978 and 1981, including the highly regarded Cry Tuff Dub Encounter series of dub albums, produced by Williams and released on his Cry Tuff label, and featuring the Roots Radics under the pseudonym The Arabs. Spending an increasing amount of time in England, he also collaborated with UK On-U Sound Records including providing vocals in the reggae collective Singers & Players and may be considered a mentor figure to Adrian Sherwood. His final live performance took place on 7 December 1982 at Band on the Wall, Manchester, where he performed with Suns of Arqa This performance is captured on his album Musical Revue. In 1983, he provided vocals on Suns of Arqa's second LP Wadada Magic, and many of these vocals have been reused by the band repeatedly on a variety of tracks and remixes, ranging from their first album in 1980 to (so far) 2006. He is credited for vocals on the sleeve of each of the releases in question. Later that year he recorded the album Umkhonto We Sizwe with producer Roy Cousins in Kingston. Before the album was finished he was shot at his home in Kingston, Jamaica, during a robbery, allegedly relating to a dispute over money, and died later in hospital. Adrian Sherwood, deeply upset by the murder of his friend, took a production hiatus from his beloved reggae genre and in 1983 recorded with his group Circut and Neneh Cherry, "Dead Come Alive". Prince Far I is also referred to by The Clash in their single "Clash City Rockers" and also by The Mountain Goats in the song "Sept. 15th 1983", a reference to the date of his death.

Albums (21)

Credits & Appearances (56)

Production
Producer 23
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Silver And Gold Prince Far I Silver And Gold BAFCD 049 CD Blood And Fire 1973-79 2005
Message From The King Prince Far I Message From The King CGLP 1003 LP Carib Gems 1977 1977
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
Golden Years Prince Far I Golden Years CLP 05392 CD Cleopatra 1977-83 2001
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter I Prince Far I & The Arabs Cry Tuff Dub Encounter I APLP 9002 LP Hitrun 1978 1978
Health & Strength Prince Far I Health & Strength PSCD 18 CD Pressure Sounds 1978-79 1997
Black Man Land Prince Far I Black Man Land CDFL 2005 CD Virgin 1978-81
Free From Sin Prince Far I Free From Sin TRLS 175 LP Trojan 1979 1979
Dub To Africa Prince Far I Dub To Africa APLP 9006 LP Hitrun 1979 1979
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter II Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter II CDFL 9019 CD Virgin 1979
Trodding R. Zee Jackson Trodding LP Teams 197X 2005
The Earth Is The Fullness Mike Brooks The Earth Is The Fullness MS 11 CD Moll Selekta 197X 2004
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III DKLP 15 LP Daddy Kool 1980 1980
In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase Prince Far I Meet Veros Artis In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase PRE XF3 LP PRE 1980 1980
Jamaican Heroes Prince Far I Jamaican Heroes TRLS 190 LP Trojan 1980 1980
Sign Of The Star Congo Ashantie Roy Sign Of The Star PRE X8 LP PRE 1980 1980
Livity Prince Far I Livity PRE X7 LP PRE 1981 1981
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter IV Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter IV TRLS 205 LP Trojan 1981 1981
Voice Of Thunder Prince Far I Voice Of Thunder TRLS 204 LP Trojan 1981 1981
Mix Up Reggae George Mix Up TRLS 213 LP Trojan 1982 1982
Musical Revue Prince Far I Musical Revue RE 161 CD ROIR 1983 1994
Musical History Prince Far I Musical History TRLS 214 LP Trojan 1983 1983
In The House Of Vocal And Dub Prince Far I & King Tubby In The House Of Vocal And Dub LJCD 1 CD Greylan 198X 1995
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 3
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Earth Is The Fullness Mike Brooks The Earth Is The Fullness MS 11 CD Moll Selekta 197X 2004
In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase Prince Far I Meet Veros Artis In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase PRE XF3 LP PRE 1980 1980
Jamaican Heroes Prince Far I Jamaican Heroes TRLS 190 LP Trojan 1980 1980
Musicians
Bass 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Unreleased Night Food & Rare Black Ark Sessions The Heptones Unreleased Night Food & Rare Black Ark Sessions LUXXCD 011 CD Auralux 1976-77 2005
Percussions 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Long Life Prince Far I Long Life FL 1021 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Dub To Africa Prince Far I Dub To Africa APLP 9006 LP Hitrun 1979 1979
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter II Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter II CDFL 9019 CD Virgin 1979
In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase Prince Far I Meet Veros Artis In Ram Packed Showcase In A Suitcase PRE XF3 LP PRE 1980 1980
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III DKLP 15 LP Daddy Kool 1980 1980
Mix Up Reggae George Mix Up TRLS 213 LP Trojan 1982 1982
Vocals 15
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Silver And Gold Prince Far I Silver And Gold BAFCD 049 CD Blood And Fire 1973-79 2005
Message From The King Prince Far I Message From The King CGLP 1003 LP Carib Gems 1977 1977
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter I Prince Far I & The Arabs Cry Tuff Dub Encounter I APLP 9002 LP Hitrun 1978 1978
Long Life Prince Far I Long Life FL 1021 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Health & Strength Prince Far I Health & Strength PSCD 18 CD Pressure Sounds 1978-79 1997
Free From Sin Prince Far I Free From Sin TRLS 175 LP Trojan 1979 1979
DJ Originators Head To Head Vol 2 Prince Far I & Trinity DJ Originators Head To Head Vol 2 CD Rocky One 197X-8X
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter III DKLP 15 LP Daddy Kool 1980 1980
Cry Tuff Dub Encounter IV Prince Far I Cry Tuff Dub Encounter IV TRLS 205 LP Trojan 1981 1981
Voice Of Thunder Prince Far I Voice Of Thunder TRLS 204 LP Trojan 1981 1981
Musical Revue Prince Far I Musical Revue RE 161 CD ROIR 1983 1994
Musical History Prince Far I Musical History TRLS 214 LP Trojan 1983 1983
Leaps And Bounds Singers & Players Leaps And Bounds CDBRED 58 CD Cherry Red 1984 1991
Umkhonto We Sizwe Prince Far I Umkhonto We Sizwe KVL 9016 LP Kingdom 1984 1984
Megabit 25, 1922 Prince Far I Megabit 25, 1922 TWLP 1066 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1985 1985

Also Appears On (62)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Studio One DJ's Various Artists Studio One DJ's SJRCD 058 CD Soul Jazz 2002
Studio One Dj's Vol 2 Various Artists Studio One Dj's Vol 2 SJRCD 137 CD Soul Jazz 2006
Love Of The Common People Various Artists Love Of The Common People CDTRD 448 CD Trojan 1967-79 2000
Tree Of Satta Vol 1 The Abyssinians & Various Artists Tree Of Satta Vol 1 BAFCD 045 CD Blood And Fire 1969-2004 2004
Keep On Coming Through The Door Various Artists Keep On Coming Through The Door TRLS 255 LP Trojan 1969-73 1988
Classic Reggae - The Deejays Various Artists Classic Reggae - The Deejays MCCD 434 CD Music Club 196X-7X 2000
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan Jamaica Box Set Various Artists Trojan Jamaica Box Set TJETD 199 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
High Explosion Various Artists High Explosion TJDDD 085 CD Trojan 1970-76 2003
Uptown Top Ranking Various Artists Uptown Top Ranking CDTRL 392 CD Trojan 1970-78 1998
The Classical Anthology Mike Brooks & Friends The Classical Anthology CD 13631 CD Musidisc 1972-85 2001
History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 CDTAL 900 CD Trojan 1972-95 1996
Roots From The Record Smith Various Artists Roots From The Record Smith DKR 213 LP DKR 1973-76 2022
Green Mango Bobby & Tommy Green Mango ATLP 1004 LP Attack 1974 1974
If Deejay Was Your Trade Various Artists If Deejay Was Your Trade BAFCD 001 CD Blood And Fire 1974-77 1994
Bushyard Telegraph Various Artists Bushyard Telegraph TWCD 1023 CD Tamoki Wambesi 1974-83
Revelation Time Max Romeo Revelation Time VPCD 4222 CD 17 North Parade 1975 2020
Punky Reggae Party Various Artists Punky Reggae Party TJDDD 040 CD Trojan 1975-80 2002
United Dreadlocks Vol 1&2 Various Artists United Dreadlocks Vol 1&2 DBCDD 105 CD Doctor Bird 1976-77 2022
The Joe Gibbs DJ Albums Collection Various Artists The Joe Gibbs DJ Albums Collection DBCDD 119 CD Doctor Bird 1976-80 2023
Culture And The Deejays At Joe Gibbs Culture & Friends Culture And The Deejays At Joe Gibbs VPCD 4116 CD 17 North Parade 1977-79 2008
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
Vision Of Reggae Various Artists Vision Of Reggae TWLP 1007 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1977-82 1986
Front Line II Various Artists Front Line II FLB 3001 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Rasta Don't Take Bribe Knowledge Rasta Don't Take Bribe TWCD 1061 CD Tamoki Wambesi 1978X 2006
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
Front Line III Various Artists Front Line III FLB 3002 LP Virgin 1979 1979
History Of Tamoki Wambesi Various Artists History Of Tamoki Wambesi TWDV 1002 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1979-84 1985
Best Of Vintage Various Artists Best Of Vintage CD Joe Gibbs 197X
DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward Various Artists DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward TJDDD 334 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Dubbing With The Royals The Royals Dubbing With The Royals PSCD 44 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2004
Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics Vol 2 RGLP 010 LP Rocky One 197X 1990
Natty Rebel Roots Various Artists Natty Rebel Roots CDFL 9013 CD Virgin 197X 2004
Sounds And Pressure Vol 1 Various Artists Sounds And Pressure Vol 1 PSCD 05 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1995
Sounds And Pressure Vol 2 Various Artists Sounds And Pressure Vol 2 PSCD 10 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1996
Sounds And Pressure Vol 3 Various Artists Sounds And Pressure Vol 3 PSCD 16 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1997
Sounds And Pressure Vol 4 Various Artists Sounds And Pressure Vol 4 PSCD 23 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1999
Step Forward Youth Various Artists Step Forward Youth VPGS 7059 CD Greensleeves 197X 2018
Sucker Punch Various Artists Sucker Punch TJCCD 186 CD Trojan 197X 2004
The Front Line Box Set Various Artists The Front Line Box Set 8106782 CD Virgin 197X 2004
The Genius Of Enos Enos McLeod The Genius Of Enos PSCD 08 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1996
The Mighty Two Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson & Various Artists The Mighty Two CDHB 73 CD Heartbeat 197X 1992
Trojan Roots Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots Box Set TRBCD 008 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Tuff Cuts Various Artists Tuff Cuts PSCD 60 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2008
Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics Vol 3 Various Artists Joe Gibbs Original DJ Classics Vol 3 RGCD 0019 CD Rocky One 197X-8X
Scorchers From The Mighty Two Various Artists Scorchers From The Mighty Two VPCD 4130 CD VP 197X-8X 2008
Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set TJETD 243 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set Various Artists Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set TRBCD 006 CD Trojan 197X-8X 1999
Golden Greats Vol 1 Singers & Players Golden Greats Vol 1 ON-U CD 4 CD On-U Sound 1980-83 1989
Wild Paarty Sounds Volume One Various Artists Wild Paarty Sounds Volume One BRED 24 LP Cherry Red 1981 1981
A Party Of Dubbers & Toasters Various Artists A Party Of Dubbers & Toasters CLP 9919 CD Cleopatra 1981-84
Dread Operator Adrian Sherwood & Various Artists Dread Operator MILKCRATE 10 CD Hot Milk 1981-84 2016
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
Wadada Magic the Suns Of Arqa Wadada Magic Antler 024 LP Antler 1983 1983
Pay It All Back Vol 1 Various Artists Pay It All Back Vol 1 ON-U CD 0037 CD On-U Sound 1984
Herb Dust Various Artists Herb Dust TWCD 1054 CD Tamoki Wambesi 198X 2022
Original Yardie Various Artists Original Yardie TWLP 1059 LP Tamoki Wambesi 198X
Reggae Sunsplash Showcase Various Artists Reggae Sunsplash Showcase CD Tamoki Wambesi 198X
Roy Cousins Presents Wambesi All Stars Various Artists Roy Cousins Presents Wambesi All Stars CDHB 35 CD Heartbeat 198X 1986
Wambesi Showcase Various Artists Wambesi Showcase CDHB 3602 CD Heartbeat 198X 1995
29 albums
56 credits
24 labels
1975 - 2005