1974-1980 reviews on current reggae releases...

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

SHARON FORRESTER:
Age: 20.
Present Record Company: Ashanti/Vulcan...
Latest Release: "Put A Little Love Away".
Background: Comes from a family of eight. Sharon sang in church choirs from age six and at thirteen , sang at her school concert in Kingston, Jamaica. From age sixteen she began singing at Ocho Rios` Tower Isle and Playboy nightclubs, and at the Jamaica Hilton. Her first recording was a version of Valerie Simpsons "Silly Wasn`t I", produced by Geoffrey Chung of the Now Generation band in 1973. She was signed to Ashanti Records that same year and came to Britain in November where she appeared in the Ethiopian Benefit Concert along with the Wailers and others. Geoffrey Chung produced her first album, "Sharon", with the aid of British-based West Indian musicians, including Phil Chen, Richard and Robert Bailey, and Del Richardson. Ashanti singles from the LP are "Silly Wasn`t I" and "Put A Little Love Away".
Prospects: A talented young singer, Sharon has a good reputation on stage and one very good album behind her. Though her record releases have been small her popularity hasn`t been unduly hampered. But she must come back stronger than ever before and preferably in a much more Jamaican style.
Carl Gayle -
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

WINSTON FRANCIS:
Record Company: None...
Latest Release: "Knock On My Door" (Rhino).
Background: Received the nick-name "Cobra" in Jamaica after demonstrating time and again how flexible his body was, and took up this pre-occupation on stage. Made numerous recordings in the mid-sixties for Clement Dodd including the LPs "Mr. Fix It", and "California Dreamin`", which Bamboo released in Britain. Came to Britain in the early seventies and has made records in his own production company under several assumed names. Two of his best releases are "California Dreamin`" and "Turn Back The Hands Of Time".
Prospects: Recently returned from Jamaica where he appeared on stage with the Cimarons. A gifted vocalist who, with a fair deal and the right marketing, would do exceptionally well.
Carl Gayle -
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

Carl Gayle has a myspace page at:
http://www.myspace.com/bongocarli

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

OWEN GRAY:
Record Company: Trojan...
Lastest Release: "Super Jaws" (Trojan).
Background: Born Kingston. Sang in church. Recorded one of the first local R & B discs, "Please Don`t Let Me Go", for Island. Came to Britain in 1962 after recording for all the labels back home. Toured Europe and recorded for Island. His best recording spell was with Pama between 1968 and `71 when he made things like "Girl What You Doing To Me", "I Don`t Know Why", "Sugar Dumpling", "Woman A Grumble" and others. Signed with Island in 1972 and made a series of below par pop reggae versions of pop songs. Joined Third World late last year and made good discs like "I Think Of You", "Take Away Everything", "Fussing And Fighting", and "Lonely People". The excellent "Bongo Natty" was released on Trojan, so were "On The beach" and "Free Up Jah Jah Children". The solo Grounation release in `75 was "Let Jah Arise".
Prospects: An artist of tremendous experience and undisputed talent. An undaunted and energetic personality, he needs to settle down with one producer and one company.
Carl Gayle -
Balck Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

WINSTON GROOVY:
Real Name: Winston Tucker.
Age: 30.
Record Company: Trojan...
Lastest Release: "Your Cheating Heart" (Horse).
Background: Came to Britain from Kingston in the mid-sixties. Things like "Yellow Bird", "Standing On The Corner", "Funky Chicken", which he`d made in Jamaica, were released on Pama. Formed a band called the Ebonites for British and European tours. Was one of Pama`s most popular names from 1968 to `73 with songs like "I Wanna Be Loved", "Sylvia`s Mother", "What You Gonna Do", "Free The People" and others. Amoung his best Trojan 45s are "Nose For Trouble", "Please Don`t Make Me Cry", and "Oh My My". The Trojan LP, "Presenting Winston Groovy", is a warm, romantic set.
Prospects: A good singer of romantic songs in the smooth, smoochy style. A very experienced artist still going strong.
Carl Gayle -
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

MILTON HAMILTON:
Age: 30.
Record Company: Jama...
Lastest Release: "Jah Jah Dread".
Background: Came to Britain ten years ago after making a record called "Angel Listening In" for producer Duke Reid in the mid-sixties. Sang with a band called the Classics, and recorded "History Of Africa" and "Same Old Feelings" for the Pama label. "Night Fall" for Magnet and "Long Long Road" for Trojan. His first Jama release, "Let My Dreams Come True" was written and produced in Britain by Pat Rhoden and Bibby Seaton. Milton is still a semi-pro performer, working during the day as a painter and decorater.
Prospects: Needs a good seller before he can give up working altogether.
Carl Gayle -
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

FITZROY HENRY:
Record Company: Rockers...
Latest Release: "Can`t Take My Eyes Off You".
Background: Living in Leyton, Fitzroy is a Mike Dorane protege` who possibly has more ability as a lyricist than as a singer but whose current record is developing into a solid roots hit.
Prospects: Fairly good, especially if he can continue to write quality lyrics like those on "You Gotto Change", a track on Dorane`s forthcoming "Reggae Time" album.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

HONEYBOY:
Real Name: Keith Williams.
Record Company: Trojan...
Latest Release: "10 And 11 Commandments Of Man" (Love).
Background: From St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Came to Britain in the late sixties. Move from Oxford to London 1971. Recorded an original song, "Jamaica£, in `71 for Trojan. For Ashanti he made "Homeward Bound" (1972) and "Private Number" (1974). Recorded "Sweet Cherie", a big seller in 1973 for Cactus, followed by "Let`s Stay Together", "Away In A Manger", and "Most Beautiful Girl In The World" the following year. For Third World/Count Shelly there have been other good selling discs like "Impossible Love", "Sweet Talk", "Julie", "Worried Over You", and "In A Game", plus an LP, "This Is Honeyboy". "Everybody Needs Love" (Horse) and "Pressure " (Grounation) are amoung his latest and best releases.
Prospects: A prolific singer/songwriter / session player/producer. Writes catchy melodies and sentimental lyrics and sings with pretty naive charm. 1976 should be good year for Honeyboy.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

DOMINO JOHNSON:
Real Name: Peter Johnson.
Record Company: Summertime...
Latest Release: "I`ve Seen The Light" (Count Shelly).
Background: Came to Britain in the early sixties with parents. Sung in church, and on stage as a semi-pro. Recorded for Pama, Count Shelly, Trojan, and others.
Prospects: A talented singer whose "I`ve Seen The Light" and "Summertime" are good original numbers. Needs encouragement and good management.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

FROM JA TO UK - A BRITISH REGGAE ROUND-UP:
An in-depth survey by Carl Gayle:-

LOCKS LEE:
Real Name: Jesse Green.
Record Company: EMI...
Latest Release: "Nice And Slow".
Background: Came to Britain in 1965. Since then he has played in various small bands on drums including the Interpretors, Five To Five, and Castro All Stars. Has toured Britain with Junior Walker, as well as Africa and the USA with Greyhound (behind Jimmy Cliff). Cut two LPs with King Kong/The Atlantics, "Funky Reggae", and "Soul Power", and played on numerous sessions. As of 1974 his solo output includes "Hush Baby Don`t Cry"(Sunbeam), "I`ll Never Love Again" (Summertime), "What Can I Do" (Atra), and "Go Away Dream" (Phonogram).
Prospects: A versatile singer who`s sung soul and reggae equally well and has done a fair share of studio and stage work. He needs to settle down and perhaps reggae would be his best bet.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace