The Twinkle Brothers

The Twinkle Brothers

The Twinkle Brothers are a Jamaican reggae band formed in 1962, and still active in the 21st century under Norman Grant's lead.

History The Twinkle Brothers were formed in 1962 by brothers Norman (vocals, drums) and Ralston Grant (vocals, rhythm guitar) from Falmouth, Jamaica. The band was expanded with the addition of Eric Barnard (piano), Karl Hyatt (vocals, percussion), and Albert Green (congas, percussion). After winning local talent competitions, they recorded their first single, "Somebody Please Help Me," in 1966 for producer Leslie Kong. This was followed by sessions for other top Jamaican producers such as Duke Reid, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sid Bucknor, Phil Pratt, and Bunny Lee. The band worked in the late 1960s and early 1970s on the island's hotel circuit, playing a mixture of calypso, soul, pop, and soft reggae, and in the early 1970s, they began producing their own recordings. Their debut album, Rasta Pon Top, was released in 1975, featuring strongly-Rastafari-oriented songs such as "Give Rasta Praise" and "Beat Them Jah Jah". As well as producing Twinkle Brothers work, Norman Grant also produced other artists since the mid-1970s, including several albums by E.T. Webster. In 1977, the band were signed to Virgin Records' Frontline label, leading to the release of the Love, Praise Jah, and Countrymen albums. When the band were dropped by Virgin Records in the early 1980s, Norman Grant moved to the United Kingdom, and carried on effectively as a solo artist, but still using the Twinkle Brothers name, and continued with regular releases well into the 2000s, mainly on his own Twinkle label. Since the early 1990s Twinkle Brothers have been regularly collaborating with the Polish band Trebunie-Tutki, in which they fuse reggae and traditional music from the Tatra Mountains. An analysis of this collaboration can be found in the popular world music textbook, Worlds of Music and in more detail in the musical ethnography Making Music in the Polish Tatras. Currently led by founding member Norman Grant - as well as bass player Dub Judah, Black Steel and Jerry Lions on guitar, Aron Shamash on the keyboards, Barry Prince on drums, and their engineer Derek "Demondo" Fevrier - the Twinkle Brothers are widely considered to be one of the best live foundation reggae bands in circulation, and they continue to play regularly all over the world to a loyal fanbase.

Albums (15)

Credits & Appearances (3)

Musicians
Backing Band 2
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Age Of Reggae Various Artists The Age Of Reggae LP Twinkle 197X-8X 1984
Dub Massacre Part 1 & 2 The Twinkle Brothers Dub Massacre Part 1 & 2 NGCD 7102 CD Twinkle 1983-87 1989
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Right Way Norman Grant , The Twinkle Brothers & Jah Shaka The Right Way LP 846 LP Jah Shaka Music 1984 1984

Also Appears On (22)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Baba Boom ! Various Artists Baba Boom ! TJDDD 175 CD Trojan 1966-75 2004
Reggae Hit The Town Various Artists Reggae Hit The Town PMLP 1001 LP Pama 1969 1969
Silver & Gold Various Artists Silver & Gold DB2CD 156 CD Doctor Bird 1969-71 2025
101 Orange Street Various Artists 101 Orange Street KSCD 007 LP Kingston Sounds 196X 2005
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
Trojan Carnival Box Set Various Artists Trojan Carnival Box Set TJETD 132 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Best Of The London Based ''Sioux'' Label Various Artists Best Of The London Based ''Sioux'' Label 44 421 CD Jet Set 1971-72 1997
Heavy Reggae Various Artists Heavy Reggae CD Jet Set 1971-72
Suedehead Reggae Classics Various Artists Suedehead Reggae Classics KSLP 076 LP Kingston Sounds 1971-73 2018
Suedehead Reggae Classics Various Artists Suedehead Reggae Classics KSCD 076 CD Kingston Sounds 1971-73 2018
Hot Bomb Various Artists Hot Bomb WESA 836 CD Westside 1971-74 2000
Dubbing At Harry J's Various Artists Dubbing At Harry J's JRCD 009 CD Jamaican Recordings 1972-75 2002
Party Time - The Sunshot Singles 1974 Various Artists Party Time - The Sunshot Singles 1974 DB2CD 166 CD Doctor Bird 1974 2025
Front Line II Various Artists Front Line II FLB 3001 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Front Line III Various Artists Front Line III FLB 3002 LP Virgin 1979 1979
Natty Rebel Roots Various Artists Natty Rebel Roots CDFL 9013 CD Virgin 197X 2004
Return To Orange Street Various Artists Return To Orange Street KSCD 009 CD Kingston Sounds 197X 2006
The Age Of Reggae Part 2 Various Artists The Age Of Reggae Part 2 LP Twinkle 197X 1987
The Front Line Box Set Various Artists The Front Line Box Set 8106782 CD Virgin 197X 2004
Tighten Up Vol 5 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 5 TBL 165 LP Trojan 197X 1971
Reggae Blasters Various Artists Reggae Blasters NE 1299 LP K-Tel 197X-8X 1985
The Age Of Reggae Various Artists The Age Of Reggae LP Twinkle 197X-8X 1984
23 albums
3 credits
6 labels
1975 - 1989