Slim Smith

Slim Smith

Also known as: Keith Smith

Slim Smith (born Keith Smith; 5 October 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica - 9 October 1972) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer. In their book Reggae: The Rough Guide (1997), Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton described Smith as "the greatest vocalist to emerge in the rocksteady era".

Biography
Smith initially came to notice as one of the members of the Victors Youth Band, who were praised at the 1964 Jamaican Festival. Following this he became a founding member and lead vocalist of The Techniques. Their recordings mainly took place for producer Duke Reid and were issued on his Treasure Isle label. In 1964 they recorded several songs for Byron Lee, two of which, "Don't Do It" and "No One", were included on the LP The Real Jamaica Ska released by Epic Records and co-produced by Curtis Mayfield. After the Techniques disbanded in 1965, he formed The Uniques, who released a handful of singles including the R&B influenced "Do Me Good" released on Ken Lack's Caltone Records label in 1966. In 1966 Slim Smith commenced recording for Prince Buster and Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label, a major rival to Duke Reid. His hits from this period included "The New Boss", "Hip Hug" and "Rougher Yet", which later formed part of his compilation album, Born To Love. In 1967 a new line-up of The Uniques was formed, and they formed an association with another record producer, Bunny Lee. In 1968, Smith released "My Conversation", backed by "Beatitude", which, as the title suggests, was Smith's lyrical take on the Biblical verses from Beatitudes. The Uniques topped the Jamaican hit parade with "Let Me Go Girl", but after recording the album Absolutely The Uniques, Smith left the group to progress as a solo artist but still under Lee's tutelage. Smith's song "Everybody Needs Love" was an immediate hit with a similarly titled album duly following. Despite further recording successes, by 1972 personal problems saw Smith being detained in the Bellevue sanatorium. Smith died on the night of 9 October 1972. Unable to gain entry to his parents' house, he broke a window, badly lacerating his arm. He bled to death before he could receive treatment. His death stunned Jamaica, where his popularity as one of Jamaica's best vocalists saw numerous reissues of his output.

Album discography
Everybody Needs Love (1969, Pama) Just a Dream (1972, Pama/Trojan)

Memorial (1973, Trojan)
Early Days (1974, Striker Lee) Born To Love (1979, Studio One) Dancehall Connection (1986, Third World) Rain From The Skies (1992, Trojan) There have also been numerous 'best of' compilations released.

Albums (5)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Born To Love Slim Smith Born To Love none LP Studio 1
Everybody Needs Love Slim Smith Everybody Needs Love ECO 9 LP Pama 1969 1969
Just A Dream Slim Smith Just A Dream CT 186 LP Clocktower 1972
Memorial Slim Smith Memorial TBL 198 LP Trojan 1973 1973
Dancehall Connection Slim Smith Dancehall Connection WENLP 3028 LP World Enterprize 1986 1986

Credits & Appearances (9)

Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Comp. Classics
Super Power • 1968-78
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Classics Pat Kelly Classics SPLP 07/115 LP Super Power 1968-78
Vocals 8
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
A Unique Technique Slim Smith A Unique Technique WESA 838 CD Westside 1968-72 2000
Everybody Needs Love Slim Smith Everybody Needs Love ECO 9 LP Pama 1969 1969
Keep That Lovelight Shining Slim Smith Keep That Lovelight Shining TJDDD 170 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
The Very Best Of Slim Smith The Very Best Of PTPLP 1030 LP Pama 196X-7X
The Light Slim Smith The Light LP Clocktower 196X-7X
Just A Dream Slim Smith Just A Dream PMLP 3242 LP Pama 1972 1972
Memorial Slim Smith Memorial TBL 198 LP Trojan 1973 1973
The Late And Great Slim Smith The Late And Great ANGL 1 LP Angen 1976 1976

Also Appears On (90)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Full Up Various Artists Full Up HB 14 LP Heartbeat 1987
Full Up Various Artists Full Up CDHB 302 CD Heartbeat 2006
Respect To Studio 1 Various Artists Respect To Studio 1 CDHB 182 CD Heartbeat 1994
Six The Hard Way Various Artists Six The Hard Way CDHB 329 CD Heartbeat 2006
Studio First Various Artists Studio First SOR 020 CD Studio 1 2020
Studio One Classics Various Artists Studio One Classics SJRCD 096 CD Soul Jazz 2004
The Best Of Studio One Collection Various Artists The Best Of Studio One Collection CDHB 326 CD Heartbeat 2006
Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set TRBCD 017 CD Trojan 1960-73 2000
This Is Reggae Music Various Artists This Is Reggae Music TJNBX 254 CD Trojan 1960-75 2005
Catch This Beat Various Artists Catch This Beat IRSP 7 LP Island 1966-68 1980
Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set TJETD 215 CD Trojan 1966-77 2004
Rock Steady Ska Various Artists Rock Steady Ska SOL 9000 LP Studio 1 1967 1967
Jumping With Mr Lee Various Artists Jumping With Mr Lee TRLS 270 LP Trojan 1967-68 1989
Musical Fever Various Artists Musical Fever TRLD 408 LP Trojan 1967-68 1989
The Bunny Lee Rocksteady Years Various Artists The Bunny Lee Rocksteady Years MS 13 CD Moll Selekta 1967-68 2005
Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years Various Artists Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years VPCD 4151 CD 17 North Parade 1967-73 2009
Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set TJETD 072 CD Trojan 1967-77 2003
People Funny Boy Lee Scratch Perry People Funny Boy DB2CD 146 CD Doctor Bird 1968-69 2024
People Funny Boy Various Artists People Funny Boy CDTRL 339 CD Trojan 1968-70 1994
History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 CDTAL 700 CD Trojan 1968-71 1995
Tighten Up Various Artists Tighten Up TJBDD 011 CD Trojan 1968-74 2002
Touch Me In The Morning Various Artists Touch Me In The Morning CDTRL 337 CD Trojan 1968-74 1994
A Gift From Pama Various Artists A Gift From Pama SECO 20 LP Pama 1969 1969
Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection Vol 1 Various Artists Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection Vol 1 CDTAL 902 CD Trojan 1969 1998
Unity's Great Reggae Hits Various Artists Unity's Great Reggae Hits ECO 7 LP Pama 1969 1969
Knockout Songs Various Artists Knockout Songs DBCD 091 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2021
Sound System Rockers Various Artists Sound System Rockers KSCD 001 CD Jamaican Recordings 1969-75 2003
Randy's Vintage Studio 17 Sessions Various Artists Randy's Vintage Studio 17 Sessions VOJCD 006 CD Voice Of Jamaica 1969-76 2016
101 Orange Street Various Artists 101 Orange Street KS 007 LP Jamaican Recordings 196X 2005
Studio One Rocksteady 2 Various Artists Studio One Rocksteady 2 SJRCD 367 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2017
Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set TJETD 020 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Trojan Sixties Box Set Various Artists Trojan Sixties Box Set TJETD 174 CD Trojan 196X 2004
I'm So Proud Various Artists I'm So Proud CDTRL 376 CD Trojan 196X-7X 1997
Lee's Gold Vol 1 Various Artists Lee's Gold Vol 1 ATTACKCD 028 CD Attack 196X-7X 2006
More Monkey Business Various Artists More Monkey Business TJDCD 563 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2017
Oldies Greatest Hits Various Artists Oldies Greatest Hits SONCD 0059 CD Sonic Sounds 196X-7X 1994
Rude Boy Scorchers Various Artists Rude Boy Scorchers KSCD 069 CD Jamaican Recordings 196X-7x 2017
Strictly Drum And Bass Various Artists Strictly Drum And Bass TJACD 344 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2007
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set Various Artists Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set TRBCD 018 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2000
Trojan 35th Anniversary Box Set Various Artists Trojan 35th Anniversary Box Set TJETD 130 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Club Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Club Reggae Box Set TRBCD 020 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2000
Trojan Motor City Box Set Various Artists Trojan Motor City Box Set TJETD 309 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2006
Trojan Originals Box Set Various Artists Trojan Originals Box Set TJETD 098 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Reggae Chill Out Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Chill Out Box Set TJETD 115 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
All Shook Up Various Artists All Shook Up TJACD 300 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2005
Original Riddims Various Artists Original Riddims TJCCD 246 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2006
Studio One Sound Various Artists Studio One Sound SJRCD 256 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 2015
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Gay Jamaica Independence Time Various Artists Gay Jamaica Independence Time DBCD 028 CD Doctor Bird 1970 2019
Let Me Tell You Boy Harry Mudie & Friends Let Me Tell You Boy TRLS 267 LP Trojan 1970-71 1988
Reggae To Reggae Various Artists Reggae To Reggae PMP 2012 LP Pama 1971 1971
Straighten Up Vol 2 Various Artists Straighten Up Vol 2 PMP 2007 LP Pama 1971 1971
Tape Rolling! Bunny Lee & Friends Tape Rolling! PSCD 91 CD Pressure Sounds 1971-74 2016
16 Dynamic Reggae Hits Various Artists 16 Dynamic Reggae Hits PMP 2015 LP Pama 1972 1972
Club Reggae Vol 3 Various Artists Club Reggae Vol 3 TBL 178 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Version Galore Vol 2 U Roy & Dennis Alcapone Version Galore Vol 2 TBL 175 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Rougher Than Rough Various Artists Rougher Than Rough BSICD 57 CD Jackpot 1972-76 2000
Cactus Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Cactus Classics Vol 2 CT 3021 CD Rhino 1972-81 2001
History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 CDTAL 900 CD Trojan 1972-95 1996
Tighten Up Vol 7 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 7 TBL 196 LP Trojan 1973 1973
Let There Be Version Rupie Edwards & Friends Let There Be Version LP Success 1974 1974
Let There Be Version Rupie Edwards & Friends Let There Be Version TRLS 280 LP Trojan 1974 1990
Observation Station Various Artists Observation Station CDHB 68 CD Heartbeat 1974-77 1990
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
30 Wicked Hearts Various Artists 30 Wicked Hearts BFMCD 112 CD Bushranger 197X 1997
Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Bunny Striker Lee : The Cool Operator Various Artists Bunny Striker Lee : The Cool Operator GUMSCDXX020 CD Smugg 197X 2003
Don Letts Presents The Mighty Trojan Sound Various Artists Don Letts Presents The Mighty Trojan Sound TJDDD 095 CD Trojan 197X 2003
Now This Is What I & I Call Version Various Artists Now This Is What I & I Call Version TRLS 276 LP Trojan 197X 1989
Observe The Observer Various Artists Observe The Observer LP Observer 197X
Real Authentic Reggae Volume One Various Artists Real Authentic Reggae Volume One BBECD 105 CD BBE 197X 2008
Reggae Classics Vol 1 Various Artists Reggae Classics Vol 1 CD Foundation 197X
Return To Orange Street Various Artists Return To Orange Street KSCD 009 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2006
Roots Music Various Artists Roots Music KSCD 005 CD Jamaican Recordings 197X 2005
Scratchy Sounds Various Artists Scratchy Sounds TJDDD 218 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Send Request Various Artists Send Request KLP 3 LP Lord Koos 197X
Souled On Reggae Various Artists Souled On Reggae CD Music Club 197X
Studio One Dancehall Various Artists Studio One Dancehall SJRCD 281 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2014
The Bunny Striker Lee Story Various Artists The Bunny Striker Lee Story CRCDB 3138 CD Jet Star 197X 2005
The Original Labour Of Love Collection Various Artists The Original Labour Of Love Collection CDTRL 432 CD Trojan 197X 1999
This Is Reggae Various Artists This Is Reggae PMLM 1003 LP Pama 197X 1969
This Is Reggae Vol 4 Various Artists This Is Reggae Vol 4 PMP 2016 LP Pama 197X 1972
Trojan Lovers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Lovers Box Set TRBCD 005 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Cork And Tar Tappa Zukie Cork And Tar TZ 1001 CD Tappa 197X-8X 2004
Roots With Quality Niney The Observer Roots With Quality VPCD 4148 CD 17 North Parade 197X-9X 2009
R. Zee Jackson Presents ''The People's Showcase'' Various Artists R. Zee Jackson Presents ''The People's Showcase'' BZSP 002 LP Beezee Sounds 1981 1981
Best Of Studio 1 Various Artists Best Of Studio 1 HB 07 LP Heartbeat 1983 1983
Best Of Studio 1 Various Artists Best Of Studio 1 CDHB 301 CD Heartbeat 1983 2006
15 albums
9 credits
11 labels
1969 - 2004