Al Campbell

Al Campbell

Alphonso "Al" Campbell (born 31 August 1954) is a Jamaican reggae singer active since the late 1960s.

Biography
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell's singing career began in church, where his father was a preacher, and Al would sing to raise funds. He went to school with Lloyd James (aka Prince Jammy) and formed a vocal group with friends as a teenager, called The Thrillers, who recorded in the late 1960s for Studio One. After briefly joining up with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, he went on to work with Prince Lincoln Thompson's Royal Rasses, and the Mighty Cloud band. Campbell then embarked on a solo career (also contributing vocals to two Heptones albums), and was a popular roots reggae singer during the 1970s, recording for producers such as Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, and Joe Gibbs, and recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark studio. His "Gee Baby" was a big hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He adapted successfully to the early dancehall and lovers rock styles in the late 1970s and 1980s, working with producers such as Linval Thompson. Campbell's recording of "Late Night Blues" (1980) became a staple of blues parties. Campbell performed with the Stur-Gav sound system in the early 1980s. More recently he has recorded for King Jammy, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, and Mafia & Fluxy. In 1997, he joined Cornell Campbell and Jimmy Riley in a new version of The Uniques, the group releasing a self-titled album in 1999. Campbell has not performed in Jamaica since a stageshow held by Jack Ruby shortly before the latter's death. He continues to tour Europe and North America

Albums (24)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Gee Baby Al Campbell Gee Baby SS 1002 LP Sunshot 1977
No More Running & Gee Baby Al Campbell No More Running & Gee Baby BSRCD 951 CD Burning Sounds 1977-78 2017
Ain't That Loving You Al Campbell Ain't That Loving You JSLP 015 LP Jamaica Sound 1978 1978
Loving Moods Of Al Campbell Al Campbell Loving Moods Of Al Campbell IT 001 LP Ital Music 1978 1978
Mr Music Man Al Campbell Mr Music Man PFULP 8551 LP Manic 1978 1978
No More Running Al Campbell No More Running TMLP 1002 LP Terminal 1978 1978
Rainy Days Al Campbell Rainy Days HLP 003 LP Hawkeye 1978 1978
Showcase Al Campbell Showcase DEBLP 07 LP DEB 1978 1978
The Al Campbell Collection Al Campbell The Al Campbell Collection ANGLP 0013 LP Angella 1978 1980
Diamonds & Rainy Days Al Campbell Diamonds & Rainy Days BSRCD 953 CD Burning Sounds 1978-79 2017
Diamonds Al Campbell Diamonds BS 1036 LP Burning Sounds 1979 1979
More Al Campbell Showcase Al Campbell More Al Campbell Showcase ETH 2236 LP Ethnic 197X
Late Night Blues Al Campbell Late Night Blues JBLP 002 LP JB Music 1980 1980
Mr. Lover's Rock Al Campbell Mr. Lover's Rock LP Sonic Sounds 1980 1980
Working Man Al Campbell Working Man JBLP 005 LP JB Music 1980 1980
The Other Side Of Love Al Campbell The Other Side Of Love GREL 30 LP Greensleeves 1981 1982
Dance Hall Stylee Al Campbell Dance Hall Stylee NROOLP 17 LP Narrows Enterprise 1982 1982
Bad Boy Al Campbell Bad Boy CSLP 14 LP CSA 1984 1984
Freedom Street Al Campbell Freedom Street T-RANKLP 004 LP Top Rank 1984
Forward Natty Al Campbell Forward Natty LL LP 14 LP Live & Learn 1985 1985
Reggae 85 Al Campbell Meets Triston Palmer Reggae 85 LP Blue Moutain 1985 1985
Shaggy Raggy Al Campbell Shaggy Raggy SPLP 001 LP Sampalue 1985
Hold Your Corner Al Campbell Hold Your Corner Digital Trojan 1986 2024
Bounce Back Al Campbell Bounce Back LP Reggae Road 198X 1990

Compilations (4)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
22 Karat Vol 2 Al Campbell 22 Karat Vol 2 RRPRCD 005 CD Reggae Road 1974-83 1998
Roots & Culture Al Campbell Roots & Culture RRPRCD 2 CD Jet Star 1975-83 1999
22 Karat Solid Gold Al Campbell 22 Karat Solid Gold RRPRCD 1 CD Reggae Road 197X
The Exit & Hold Your Corner Dennis Brown & Al Campbell The Exit & Hold Your Corner DBCD 133 CD Doctor Bird 1986 2024

Credits & Appearances (41)

Production
Producer 7
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Showcase Al Campbell Showcase DEBLP 07 LP DEB 1978 1978
Working Man Al Campbell Working Man JBLP 005 LP JB Music 1980 1980
The Best Dub Album In The World Scientist The Best Dub Album In The World JBLP 004 LP JB Music 1980 1980
The Other Side Of Love Al Campbell The Other Side Of Love GREL 30 LP Greensleeves 1981 1982
Three The Hard Way Scientist & Barnabas & Maxie Three The Hard Way SCLP 001 LP Silver Camel 1981 1981
Dance Hall Stylee Al Campbell Dance Hall Stylee NROOLP 17 LP Narrows Enterprise 1982 1982
Hold Your Corner Trinity Hold Your Corner LL LP 26 LP Live & Learn 1987 1987
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 1
Signs And Wonders
Live & Learn • 1988
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Signs And Wonders Junior Murvin Signs And Wonders LL LP 30 LP Live & Learn 1988 1988
Musicians
Backing Vocals 10
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Creation Rebel Burning Spear Creation Rebel CDHB 164 CD Heartbeat 2004
Get Wise Horace Andy Get Wise PSCD 83 CD Pressure Sounds 1974 2014
The Al Campbell Collection Al Campbell The Al Campbell Collection ANGLP 0013 LP Angella 1978 1980
One Man Stand Pat Kelly One Man Stand PR-MVC 002 LP Puff 1979 1979
Police In Helicopter John Holt Police In Helicopter GREL 58 LP Greensleeves 1982 1983
Muggers In The Street Junior Murvin Muggers In The Street GREL 70 LP Greensleeves 1984 1984
Freedom Street Al Campbell Freedom Street LDLP 007 LP Londisc 1984 1984
The Dean Of Reggae Delroy Wilson The Dean Of Reggae LP Mister Tipsy 1985 1985
Are You Ready Jimmy Reid Are You Ready LDLP 009 LP Londisc 1985 1985
Firehouse Clash Junior Reid & Don Carlos Firehouse Clash LL CD 020 CD Live & Learn 1986 1986
Vocals 21
Gee Baby
Phil Pratt • 1977
Rainy Days
Hawkeye • 1978
Diamonds
Burning Sounds • 1979
Mr. Lover's Rock
Sonic Sounds • 1980
Working Man
JB Music • 1980
Dance Hall Stylee
Narrows Enterprise • 1982
Shaggy Raggy
Sampalue • 1985
Forward Natty
Live & Learn • 1985
Reggae 85
Blue Moutain • 1985
Bounce Back
Reggae Road • 198X
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Roots & Culture Al Campbell Roots & Culture RRPRCD 2 CD Jet Star 1975-83 1999
Gee Baby Al Campbell Gee Baby SS 1002 LP Phil Pratt 1977 1977
No More Running Al Campbell No More Running TMLP 1002 LP Terminal 1978 1978
Loving Moods Of Al Campbell Al Campbell Loving Moods Of Al Campbell IT 001 LP Ital Music 1978 1978
Showcase Al Campbell Showcase DEBLP 07 LP DEB 1978 1978
Rainy Days Al Campbell Rainy Days HLP 003 LP Hawkeye 1978 1978
Ain't That Loving You Al Campbell Ain't That Loving You JSLP 015 LP Jamaica Sound 1978 1978
The Al Campbell Collection Al Campbell The Al Campbell Collection ANGLP 0013 LP Angella 1978 1980
Diamonds Al Campbell Diamonds BS 1036 LP Burning Sounds 1979 1979
More Al Campbell Showcase Al Campbell More Al Campbell Showcase ETH 2236 LP Ethnic 197X
22 Karat Solid Gold Al Campbell 22 Karat Solid Gold RRPRCD 1 CD Reggae Road 197X
Mr. Lover's Rock Al Campbell Mr. Lover's Rock LP Sonic Sounds 1980 1980
Late Night Blues Al Campbell Late Night Blues JBLP 002 LP JB Music 1980 1980
Working Man Al Campbell Working Man JBLP 005 LP JB Music 1980 1980
Dance Hall Stylee Al Campbell Dance Hall Stylee NROOLP 17 LP Narrows Enterprise 1982 1982
Freedom Street Al Campbell Freedom Street LDLP 007 LP Londisc 1984 1984
Bad Boy Al Campbell Bad Boy CSLP 14 LP CSA 1984 1984
Shaggy Raggy Al Campbell Shaggy Raggy SPLP 001 LP Sampalue 1985
Forward Natty Al Campbell Forward Natty LL LP 14 LP Live & Learn 1985 1985
Reggae 85 Al Campbell Meets Triston Palmer Reggae 85 LP Blue Moutain 1985 1985
Bounce Back Al Campbell Bounce Back LP Reggae Road 198X 1990

Also Appears On (56)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Dancehall Selection Various Artists Dancehall Selection CDHB 220 CD Heartbeat 1998
Pirates Choice Various Artists Pirates Choice SOLP 0666 LP Studio 1 1981
Sounds Of Jamaica Top Ten Various Artists Sounds Of Jamaica Top Ten LP Coxsone
Studio One Roots 2 Various Artists Studio One Roots 2 SJRCD 114 CD Soul Jazz 2005
When Rhythm Was King Various Artists When Rhythm Was King CDHB 330 CD Heartbeat 1966-79 2007
The Best Of Sunshot Various Artists The Best Of Sunshot CD Jet Set 1971-75
Raw Roots volume 2 Various Artists Raw Roots volume 2 CD 44 427 CD Jet Set 1971-78
Cactus Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Cactus Classics Vol 2 CT 3021 CD Rhino 1972-81 2001
Down In A Tenement Yard Various Artists Down In A Tenement Yard TJDDD 352 CD Trojan 1973-80 2007
Burning Up Vol 1 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 1 CDTRL 336 CD Trojan 1973-83 1994
Party Time - The Sunshot Singles 1974 Various Artists Party Time - The Sunshot Singles 1974 DB2CD166 CD Doctor Bird 1974 2025
United Reggae Volume 1 Various Artists United Reggae Volume 1 MGT 002 LP Magnet 1974 1974
Star Time Various Artists Star Time SS 1003 LP Sunshot 1975 1975
The Magnificent 7 & Rough Road Various Artists The Magnificent 7 & Rough Road BSRCD 967 CD Burning Sounds 1978 2017
Wicked A Go Feel It Various Artists Wicked A Go Feel It CDTRL 375 CD Trojan 1978-85 1996
Irie Reggae Hits Various Artists Irie Reggae Hits DBCDD 106 CD Doctor Bird 1979 2022
Lovers Rock Vol 1/2 Various Artists Lovers Rock Vol 1/2 TSL 112 LP Total Sounds 1979
Repatriation U Brown Repatriation PRP 004 CD Patate 1979 2001
U Brown Hit Sounds From Channel One U Brown & Various Artists U Brown Hit Sounds From Channel One TB1CD 13 CD Tabou 1 1979-80
Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee Various Artists Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee DBCDD 117 CD Doctor Bird 1979-81 2023
Grapevine Records Vault Classics Vol 1 Various Artists Grapevine Records Vault Classics Vol 1 CD Grapevine 1979-85
30 Wicked Hearts Various Artists 30 Wicked Hearts BFMCD 112 CD Bushranger 197X 1997
Battle Of The Giants Various Artists Battle Of The Giants LP Total Sounds 197X
Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 2 B&WCD 5004 CD Black & White 197X 2008
Burning Sampler Various Artists Burning Sampler BR 2001 LP Burning Rockers 197X
Phil Pratt Thing Various Artists Phil Pratt Thing PSCD 27 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1999
Playtime Reggae Various Artists Playtime Reggae CD HF 0008 CD Hi & Fly 197X 2004
Reggae For Lovers Various Artists Reggae For Lovers CD 307642 CD Hallmark 197X 1997
Reggae Mix-Tures Enos McLeod & Friends Reggae Mix-Tures PRCD 609 CD President 197X 2003
Rough Road Various Artists Rough Road BS 1018 LP Burning Sounds 197X 1978
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 4 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 4 CD Rocky One 197X
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 5 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 5 CD Rocky Gibbs 197X
When Jah Shall Come Various Artists When Jah Shall Come PSCD 106 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2020
Burning Up Vol 2 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 2 BS 1059 LP Burning Sounds 197X-8X 1984
Burning Up Vol 3 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 3 BSCD 563 CD Burning Sounds 197X-8X 1997
Hits Of The Past Vol1 Various Artists Hits Of The Past Vol1 ANGCD 0016 CD Angella 197X-8X
Simply Reggae Various Artists Simply Reggae SIMPLYCD 012 CD Union Square Music 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
Midnight Rock Presents Reggae Veterans Vol 1 Various Artists Midnight Rock Presents Reggae Veterans Vol 1 LP Clocktower 1980-84
Dub Landing Scientist Dub Landing VPGS 7052 CD Greensleeves 1981 2018
Greensleeves 12" Rulers Linval Thompson & Friends Greensleeves 12" Rulers GRELCD 616 CD Greensleeves 1981-82 2008
Volcano Eruption Henry Junjo Lawes Volcano Eruption VPCD 4162 CD 17 North Parade 1981-85 2010
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
Ride The Rhythm Various Artists Ride The Rhythm LP 008 LP Top Rank 1985 1985
King Jammy's Selector's Choice Vol 3 King Jammy & Friends King Jammy's Selector's Choice Vol 3 VPCD 1746 CD VP 1985-89 2007
Live And Learn Smashing All Stars Various Artists Live And Learn Smashing All Stars CSLP 22 LP CSA 1986 1986
Prince Jammy Presents Vol 1 Various Artists Prince Jammy Presents Vol 1 LALP 002 LP Live And Love 1986 1986
Superstar Hit Parade Various Artists Superstar Hit Parade GREL 96 LP Greensleeves 1986 1986
The Final Mission Various Artists The Final Mission LP Power House 1986 1986
Jamaica Affair Various Artists Jamaica Affair JDP 004 LP John Dread Prod 1987 1987
Romantic Nights Various Artists Romantic Nights CD CSA 198X 1987
Shining Stars Vol 2 Various Artists Shining Stars Vol 2 JGH 7001 LP Jimpy's 198X
Trojan Eighties Box Set Various Artists Trojan Eighties Box Set TJETD 253 CD Trojan 198X 2005
Trojan Rastafari Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rastafari Box Set TRBCD 022 CD Trojan 198X 2000
28 albums
41 credits
32 labels
1977 - 2014