Yabby You

Yabby You

Also known as: Vivian Jackson, Yabby U, The Yabby You Vibration

Vivian Neville Jackson (14 August 1946 - 12 January 2010), better known as Yabby You (or sometimes Yabby U), was a reggae vocalist and producer, who came to prominence in the early 1970s through his uncompromising self-produced work.

Biography
Jackson was born in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica in 1946. One of seven children, Jackson left home at the age of twelve to find work at a furnace in Waterhouse. At seventeen, the effects of malnutrition had left him hospitalized, and on his release, he was left with severe arthritis which had partially crippled his legs. His physical condition meant that he was unable to return to his previous work, and he was forced into hustling for a living on the streets of Kingston. His beliefs were markedly different from that of his Rastafarian contemporaries, believing in the divinity of Jesus rather than Haile Selassie I, earning him the nickname 'Jesus Dread'; This often prompted debate on religio-philosophical matters, and it was after one of these discussions that Jackson first headed towards a recording studio, having heard music "like a strange ting, inside a my thoughts - like an angel a sing". Another spell in hospital meant that finding money for recording was difficult, but eventually, the "Conquering Lion" single was released late in 1972, credited to 'Vivian Jackson and the Ralph Brothers'. Cut for King Tubby, the popularity of the song and its distinctive introduction (the chant of "Be-you, yabby-yabby-you") earned Jackson the nickname "Yabby You", which remained with him during his entire career. The next few months saw the recording of several more singles, released under different names on various record labels (although usually credited to 'Vivian Jackson and the Prophets', and often featuring a King Tubby 'version' on the b-side), culminating in the release of the Conquering Lion album. A King Tubby mixed dub set, King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub, was also issued, albeit on a limited run of 500 copies, helping to establish Jackson as a roots artist. Yabby's success allowed him to branch out as a producer, and he began working with both upcoming and more established artists, including Wayne Wade, Michael Rose, Tommy McCook, Michael Prophet, Big Youth, Trinity, Dillinger and Tapper Zukie, while continuing to release his own material. In 1980 his songs "Deliver Me From My Enemies" and "Free Africa" appeared in the British film Babylon and were included on the soundtrack album released on Chrysalis Records. Jackson continued to record, produce and perform (often with the aid of crutches) until the mid-1980s. He re-emerged in the early 1990s, issuing both new and old material, and his recordings were the subject of several reissues including the acclaimed Jesus Dread set on the Blood and Fire label. In 2000, Germany's Select Cuts label released remixes of "Conquering Lion" by Smith and Mighty and Groove Corporation, followed in 2001 by a remix of "Run Come Rally" by Apollo 440.

Death
Jackson died on 12 January 2010, aged 63, after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Albums (20)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Chant Down Babylon Kingdom Yabby You Chant Down Babylon Kingdom PRO 001 LP Nationwide 1976 1977
King Tubby's Prophesy Of Dub Yabby You & King Tubby King Tubby's Prophesy Of Dub LP Prophets 1976 1976
Ram A Dam Vivian Jackson Ram A Dam PD LP YU LP Lucky 1976 1976
Conquering Lion Yabby You Conquering Lion LP Prophet 1977 1977
Deliver Me From My Enemies The Yabby You Vibration Deliver Me From My Enemies GMLP 001 LP Grove Music 1977
Beware Yabby You Beware GMLP 4 LP Grove Music 1978 1978
Vocal & Dub Yabby You & Michael Prophet Vocal & Dub LP Prophet 1979
Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie At The Mixing Lab Studio Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie At The Mixing Lab Studio CD Prophet 1979
Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub LP Prophet 1979-81
Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy
Living In Mout Zion
PSLP 111 LP Pressure Sounds 197X 2022
Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub
Sounds Of The 70's
CD Peacemaker 197X
Yabby You Meets Trinity At Dub Station Yabby You Meets Trinity Yabby You Meets Trinity At Dub Station LP Yabby U 197X
African Queen Yabby U African Queen CLPS 1985 LP Clappers 1980 1982
Jah Jah Way Yabby U Jah Jah Way ILPS 9615 LP Island 1980 1980
Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist At The Dub Station Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet & Scientist Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist At The Dub Station LP Yabby U 1981
Prophecy Yabby U & Michael Prophet & Wayne Wade Prophecy YVJ009CD CD Yabby U 1982
Time To Remember King Tubby & Yabby You Time To Remember LP Prophet 1982 1982
Michael Prophet Versions Yabby You & Michael Prophet Michael Prophet Versions LP Prophet 1984 1984
Fleeing From The City Yabby You Fleeing From The City SH 43026 CD Shanachie 1985 1991
Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook Yabby U Meets Sly Along With Robbie & Tommy McCook Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook WLN LP 001 LP WLN 198X 1982

Credits & Appearances (75)

Production
Arranger 4
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Walls Of Jerusalem The Prophets Walls Of Jerusalem LP Prophets 1976 1976
King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub The Prophets King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub LP Prestige (JA) 1976 1976
Deeper Roots Yabby You & Brethren Deeper Roots PSCD 77 CD Pressure Sounds 1976-78 2013
Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook Yabby U Meets Sly Along With Robbie & Tommy McCook Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook WLN LP 001 LP WLN 198X 1982
Producer 45
Comp. Jesus Dread
Blood And Fire • 1972-77
Comp. Original Ragga Muffin
Blood And Fire • 1975-77
Comp. Deeper Roots
Pressure Sounds • 1976-78
Comp. Dub It To The Top
Blood And Fire • 1976-79
Shanty Town Determination
Blood And Fire • 1977
Dancing Time
Grove Music • 1978
Beware
Grove Music • 1978
Evil Woman
Prophet • 1978
Fire Fire
Prophet • 1979
Comp. Dread Prophecy
Shanachie • 197X-8X
Tony Tuff
Grove Music • 1980
Jah Jah Way
Island • 1980
African Queen
Clappers • 1980
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Jesus Dread Yabby You & Various Artists Jesus Dread BAFCD 021 CD Blood And Fire 1972-77 1997
Original Ragga Muffin Jah Stitch Original Ragga Muffin BAFCD 010 CD Blood And Fire 1975-77 1996
Chant Down Babylon Kingdom Yabby You Chant Down Babylon Kingdom PRO 001 LP Nationwide 1976 1977
Ram A Dam Vivian Jackson Ram A Dam PD LP YU LP Lucky 1976 1976
King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub Prophets King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub VJ 8124 LP Prestige (JA) 1976 1976
Black Is Our Colour Wayne Wade Black Is Our Colour LP Prophets 1976 1976
King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub The Prophets King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub LP Prestige (JA) 1976 1976
King Tubby's Prophesy Of Dub Yabby You & King Tubby King Tubby's Prophesy Of Dub LP Prophets 1976 1976
Walls Of Jerusalem The Prophets Walls Of Jerusalem LP Prophets 1976 1976
Blazing Horns - Tenor In Roots Tommy McCook Blazing Horns - Tenor In Roots BAFCD 044 CD Blood And Fire 1976-78 2003
Deeper Roots Yabby You & Brethren Deeper Roots PSCD 77 CD Pressure Sounds 1976-78 2013
Dub It To The Top Yabby You Dub It To The Top BAFCD 038 CD Blood And Fire 1976-79 2002
Conquering Lion Yabby You Conquering Lion MIC P 2680 LP Prophet 1977 1977
Shanty Town Determination Trinity Shanty Town Determination BAFCD 031 CD Blood And Fire 1977 2000
Deliver Me From My Enemies The Yabby You Vibration Deliver Me From My Enemies GMLP 001 LP Grove Music 1977 1977
Blazing Horns Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis Blazing Horns GMLP 002 LP Grove Music 1977 1977
Dancing Time Wayne Wade Dancing Time GMLP 3 LP Grove Music 1978 1978
Beware Yabby You Beware GMLP 4 LP Grove Music 1978 1978
Evil Woman Wayne Wade Evil Woman none LP Prophet 1978 1978
Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie At The Mixing Lab Studio Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie Yabby You Meets Sly & Robbie At The Mixing Lab Studio CD Prophet 1979
Fire Fire Wayne Wade Fire Fire DSI 125A/B LP Prophet 1979 1979
Vocal & Dub Yabby You & Michael Prophet Vocal & Dub DSR 8399 LP Prophet 1979 1979
Consciousness Michael Prophet Consciousness M 776 CD Yabby U 1979-80 2000
Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub LP Prophet 1979-81
Yabby You Presents King Tubby's Boom Sounds Vol 4 King Tubby & Yabby You Yabby You Presents King Tubby's Boom Sounds Vol 4 LP Prophet 1979-83
Yabby You Meets Trinity At Dub Station Yabby You Meets Trinity Yabby You Meets Trinity At Dub Station LP Yabby U 197X
Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub CD Peacemaker 197X
The Yabby You Sound Dubs & Versions Yabby You The Yabby You Sound Dubs & Versions PSCD 110 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2022
Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy Vivian Jackson Presents Patrick Andy PSLP 111 LP Pressure Sounds 197X 2022
The Yabby You Collection Yabby You The Yabby You Collection GREL 68 LP Greensleeves 197X 1984
Deeper Roots Part 2 Yabby You & The Prophets Deeper Roots Part 2 PSCD 84 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2014
Dread Prophecy Yabby You Dread Prophecy CD 45072 CD Shanachie 197X-8X 2015
Tony Tuff Tony Tuff Tony Tuff ILPS 9619 LP Grove Music 1980 1980
Jah Jah Way Yabby U Jah Jah Way ILPS 9615 LP Island 1980 1980
African Queen Yabby U African Queen CLPS 1985 LP Clappers 1980 1982
Serious Reasoning Michael Prophet Serious Reasoning ILPS 9606 LP Grove Music 1980 1980
Know The Right Michael Prophet Know The Right none LP Prophet 1981 1981
Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist At The Dub Station Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet & Scientist Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist At The Dub Station LP Prophet 1981 1981
Prophecy Yabby U & Michael Prophet & Wayne Wade Prophecy YULP 002 LP WLN 1982 1982
Time To Remember King Tubby & Yabby You Time To Remember LP Prophet 1982 1982
Stars In Disco Showcase Michael Prophet Stars In Disco Showcase none LP Prophet 1982 1982
Michael Prophet Versions Yabby You & Michael Prophet Michael Prophet Versions LP Prophet 1984 1984
Fleeing From The City Yabby You Fleeing From The City SH 43026 CD Shanachie 1985 1991
Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook Yabby U Meets Sly Along With Robbie & Tommy McCook Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook WLN LP 001 LP WLN 198X 1982
Yabby You & King Tubby's All Stars Various Artists Yabby You & King Tubby's All Stars none LP Prophet 198X
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 2
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Jah Jah Way Yabby U Jah Jah Way ILPS 9615 LP Island 1980 1980
Michael Prophet Versions Yabby You & Michael Prophet Michael Prophet Versions LP Prophet 1984 1984
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Consciousness Michael Prophet Consciousness M 776 CD Yabby U 1979-80 2000
Congos 2
Comp. Deeper Roots
Pressure Sounds • 1976-78
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Ram A Dam Vivian Jackson Ram A Dam PD LP YU LP Lucky 1976 1976
Deeper Roots Yabby You & Brethren Deeper Roots PSCD 77 CD Pressure Sounds 1976-78 2013
Vocals 7
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Ram A Dam Vivian Jackson Ram A Dam PD LP YU LP Lucky 1976 1976
Chant Down Babylon Kingdom Yabby You Chant Down Babylon Kingdom PRO 001 LP Nationwide 1976 1977
Conquering Lion Yabby You Conquering Lion MIC P 2680 LP Prophet 1977 1977
Deliver Me From My Enemies The Yabby You Vibration Deliver Me From My Enemies YVJ 006 CD Yabby U 1977 2006
The Yabby You Collection Yabby You The Yabby You Collection GREL 68 LP Greensleeves 197X 1984
Jah Jah Way Yabby U Jah Jah Way ILPS 9615 LP Island 1980 1980
Prophecy Yabby U & Michael Prophet & Wayne Wade Prophecy YULP 002 LP WLN 1982 1982

Also Appears On (17)

29 albums
75 credits
18 labels
1976 - 2022