L.Willacy & Happiness Unlimited Band

[Rootikalist]

I recently bought a very nice 7''

[ MOJA DSR1211 - A ] L. Willacy & Happiness Unlimited Band - More Than Tongues

Produced in 1976

Do you know something more of L.Willacy or Happiness Unlimited?? Any other crucial tunes by them?

[Sir Marvin]

I think Happiness Unlimited was a band, that mostly played in different hotels for american tourists. Michael Rose was a singer of HU in his early days.

[Rootikalist]

well...thanks for the info , i've seen other MOJA 7'' but i didn't sign the title anyway...it's a great tune!!!

[look]

They have an lp too with some good tunes. Perhaps not as dread as More Than Tongues, but still nice very original sound on it. Sorry I do not remember the name of the lp off the top. The cover looks more like one of an US soul record and definitely has some hotel band flavour to it too (pics on it are probably taken from such a gig). But yes, some good music on it still ranging from soulish/lovers tracks to serious roots. Could have been an US release actually, but not 100% sure on it.

[Rootikalist]

Hi look , can i have more infos on this LP...will be very usefull to me...a label scann or the full name of L.Willacy or the group member! Thanks

[Rootikalist]

i find that Michael Rose sang with them after his first solo song with niney , they use to work in the hotels of the north coast...but he was expelled (don't know if it's the right word) from the group because he refused to smoke with them...lol!!!

Even Glen Washington Payed with them...

While playing in Ocho Rios in a band called Happiness Unlimited the band happened to meet some people that worked for Stevie Wonder. This led to Glen moving to America, on the basis that Stevie Wonder would record the band. Unfortunately the deal fell through and some of the band stayed in LA and Glen moved to Detroit.

[look]

Hey Rootikalist,

I will try to provide some more info for you soon.

[look]

Greetings Rootikalist,

Sorry for taking so long. These are the infos:

Happiness Unlimited "Happiness"
There is no label mentioned, but perhaps it is Happiness too
Released in 1978 and confirmed now as Jamaican press (DSR 6772/6773)

The tunes are

A
Reggae From JA
Jerusalem Children
Fire
Love Is God

B
Spring Time
Bacra Massa
Loving You Baby
Happiness


Singers & Players:

VOCALS & PERCUSSION: Errol Francis "Froggy", Jacob Thomas "Bobby" "Top Cat"
LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS: Teddy Walters
RHYTHM GUITAR & VOCALS: Lloyd Willacy "Cookie"
BASS GUITAR, VOCALS & BAND LEADER: Garth Bright "Maestro"
DRUMS & VOCALS: Patrick Smith "JJ"
ORGAN, ELECTRIC PIANO, ARP ODESSY & STRING, SYNTHESIZER, CLAVINET: Dorrel Salmon "Fish" "Proff"


There are special thanks mentioned to engineer Sylvan Morris at Harry J Studios, so perhaps this gives some info on the recording. Otherwise there is no mention of such things.


The album is quite soulful reggae and roots with one non-reggae number. The tracks "Backra Massa" and "Fire" are roots steppers in such vein you perhaps could not expect from "a hotel band". The album has a very original sound to it in general. It seems like they were quite serious/enthusiastic about their music.

If you still would like a scan/photo of the label, please let me know where to send it.

[jordandance]

My personal opinion is that this Lp is very weak. don't even pick up for cheap anymore.

[look]

Yea, I don't think it's great either, but kinda nice still. It's pretty different from most music out there. The 7" More Than Tongues Can Tell is defintely better than the album. Perhaps you should listen first before buying.