Ijahman

Ijahman

Also known as: I Jah Man, I Jah Man Levi

Ijahman Levi (born Trevor Augustus Sutherland; 26 June 1946) is a Jamaican-British conscious roots reggae chanter, artist and musician. In his early years, Levi was tutored by musician and vocal teacher, Joe Higgs. His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious spiritual conversion to Rastafari when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. It and his following records preach Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.

Biography
Levi moved with his parents to the United Kingdom in 1963. In 1966 and 1969, he released two singles under the name of The Youth. The first one was in 1966 for Polydor 56121 "As Long As There Is Love" b/w "Your One and Only Man", both covers of Jimmy Ruffin and Otis Redding songs. Levi has mentioned he is an Otis Redding fan. They were cut in a typical mod R&B soul style. His second single was for Deram, released 17 January 1969, and featured "Meadow of My Love" b/w "Love Me or Leave Me". The B-side was self-written, being credited to 'Sutherland'. He recorded "Fire Fire" b/w "Jesus Keepeth My Soul" as The Youth on Pama in 1971. His next three singles were "I'm a Levi" and "Jah Heavy Load" on Concrete Jungle followed by "Chariot of Love" on Organisation, all produced by Dennis Harris, in 1976, before signing to Island Records. In 1985 Levi released "I Do", a duet he recorded with his second wife, Madge. The song performed well on the British reggae chart, reaching the top position. Levi's most famous composition is "Jah Heavy Load", recorded and released in 1976.

Discography (6)

Haile I Hymn
Island • 1978
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
Lilly Of My Valley
Tree Roots • 1985
I Do
Tree Roots • 1986
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Haile I Hymn Ijahman Haile I Hymn ILPS 9521 LP Island 1978 1978
Are We A Warrior Ijahman Are We A Warrior RRCD 25 CD Island 1979
Tell It To The Children Ijahman Tell It To The Children CDJMI 300 CD Tree Roots 1982
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Lilly Of My Valley Ijahman Lilly Of My Valley JMI 500 LP Tree Roots 1985 1985
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986

Credits & Appearances (17)

Production
Arranger 1
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Producer 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Are We A Warrior Ijahman Are We A Warrior ILPS 9557 LP Island 1979 1979
Raiders Of The Lost Dub Sly & Robbie Raiders Of The Lost Dub ILPS 9705 LP Island 1981 1981
Tell It To The Children Ijahman Tell It To The Children TRLPS 266 LP Jahmani 1982 1982
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Lilly Of My Valley Ijahman Lilly Of My Valley JMI 500 LP Jahmani 1985 1985
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 1
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Lead Guitar 1
I Do
Tree Roots • 1986
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986
Percussions 2
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
I Do
Tree Roots • 1986
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986
Rhythm Guitar 1
I Do
Tree Roots • 1986
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986
Vocals 4
Haile I Hymn
Island • 1978
Africa
Jahmani • 1984
I Do
Tree Roots • 1986
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Haile I Hymn Ijahman Haile I Hymn ILPS 9521 LP Island 1978 1978
Africa Ijahman Africa JMI 400 LP Jahmani 1984 1984
Lilly Of My Valley Ijahman Lilly Of My Valley JMI 500 LP Jahmani 1985 1985
I Do Ijahman & Madge I Do LP Tree Roots 1986 1986

Also Appears On (3)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
One Big Happy Family Various Artists One Big Happy Family ILPS 9530 LP Island 1978-79 1979
Strictly For Rockers Various Artists Strictly For Rockers IRG 16 LP Island 197X-8X 1985
Raiders Of The Lost Dub Sly & Robbie Raiders Of The Lost Dub ILPS 9705 LP Island 1981 1981
6 albums
17 credits
3 labels
1978 - 1986