Devon Russell

Devon Russell

Devon Russell (6 August 1948 - 18 June 1997) was a Jamaican rocksteady and reggae singer and record producer who recorded between the 1960s and the 1990s, both as a solo artist and as a member of The Tartans and Cultural Roots.

Biography
Russell's career began in the 1960s with the Tartans, a group which also included Prince Lincoln Thompson, Linbergh "Preps" Lewis, and Cedric Myton. When the Tartans disbanded, Russell embarked on a solo career, and for a time joined Cultural Roots as lead singer. He also recorded with Myton as Devon & Cedric. In the mid-1970s, Russell recorded 11 songs for Lee "Scratch" Perry that were never released. In the early 1980s he recorded for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label, and his debut solo album, Roots Music, was produced by Dodd and released on Sweet Music Records in 1982. In 1983 he was asked to join The Congos for a European tour, and he eventually relocated to the United Kingdom. He moved on to work with Roy Cousins on his second album, Prison Life. In the early 1990s he worked with Zion Train and Skaville Train. In 1996 his fourth album, Darker Than Blue, was a tribute to Curtis Mayfield wholly comprising Mayfield cover versions. His productions include Big Youth's 1978 album Isaiah First Prophet of the Old. Russell died from a brain tumour on 18 June 1997 a year after the release of Darker Than Blue.

Discography (3)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Roots Music Devon Russell Roots Music PSOLP 1000 LP Studio 1
Jah Homebound Train Devon Russell Jah Homebound Train SAL LP 002 LP Classic 1982
Prison Life Devon Russell Prison Life TWLP 1008 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1983 1983

Credits & Appearances (2)

Production
Producer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Isaiah First Prophet Of Old Big Youth Isaiah First Prophet Of Old FL 1011 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Face The Music Cedric Myton & The Congos Face The Music LP Ariola 1981 1981

Also Appears On (17)

3 albums
2 credits
5 labels
1978 - 1983