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:-

LOUISA MARK:
Record Company: Safari...
Latest Record: "All My Loving".
Background: Born in Shepherd`s Bush, London, sixteen years ago. Of Grenadan parents. Won talent contest run by Sound system man Sir Coxson at the Four Aces club. He decided to produce her singing a version of Robert Parker`s "Caught You In A Lie" using a rhythm made in Britain with Matumbi. She had never sung on record or stage before that. Since then "All My Loving" has affirmed her popularity and appeal.
Prospects: She`s a talented, natural teenager but her split with her producer might not be good for her musically.
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:-

THE MARVELS:
Line-Up: Alex "Dimples" Hinds (vocal harmony), Nell Hinds (lead voacl), Eddie Smith (vocal harmony).
Record Company: Decca...
Latest Release: "Lover`s Concerto (Gull).
Background: Came together in 1964 as a team after a lot of early sixties session work individually. They claim they were background singers on Prince Buster`s British recording of "Wash Wash". Nell came to Britain in 1958, Alex and Eddie in 1960. Made several records including "Tell All Those Girls", "Fleet Street", and "Saturday", and attended Maurice Berman`s School of Music. They were joined by Hazel McCauley and Jackie Edwards for a spell and performed a wide range of material as a cabaret act. Toured Britain, Europe, and parts of the Far East with material like "The Great Pretender" and "Ol Man River". In 1968 they recorded things like "Don`t Play That Song", and "Keep On searching" for EMI. The near-hit "Rock Steady", and a thing called "Sail Away" were recorded for Pama in 1973. Their first disc with Trojan was a version of "Then He Kissed Me", followed by "He`s Got The Whole World In His Hands" and an album, "The Marvels". In 1974 there was one single, "Get On Your Feet", followed by "Passing Strangers" early last year. The trio are still a popular cabaret act.
Prospects: Their recording output is small and inconsistent. "Rock Steady" was a great 45 which they have never matched again. They need to settle wholeheartedly for soul or reggae but not both and they need a good release urgently.
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:-

MATUMBI:
Line-Up: Dennis Bovell (lead guitar), Euton Jones (drums), Eton Blake (bass), "Webster" Johnson (keyboards), Bevin Fagan (vocals), Glaister Fagan (vocals).
Record Company: Safari...
Latest Release: "After Tonight" (Safari).
Background: A fairly young band that came together around 1972-73 in Clapham. Made some headway with lively, witty stage appearances before signing with Trojan and recording original things like "Wipe Them Out", "Brother Louie", "Reggae Stuff", and "Running In And Out Of My Life". Their Trojan contract ended in May 1975. Played on sessions that produced Louisa Mark`s two records, and the Sir Coxson Dubb LP.
Prospects: A very good band destined for some sort of success. All they need is good promotion and projection.
Carl Gayle-
Balck 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:-

THE MEDITATIONS:
Line-Up: Cecil (lead guitar), Dillon (rhythm guitar), George (bass), Dennis (drums), Dudley (lead vocals).
Record Company: Jama...
Latest Release: "I`m A Loner" (Love).
Background: Originally a six-piece until the death of Tony Brown (Dillon`s brother) late last year. He`d been the keyboard player and joint composer of their first disc, "Sympathy", which sold quite well. A talented teenage outfit.
Prospects: The release of the next disc "Johnny", composed and sung by the deceased shoul be a big seller. A band with potential.
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:-

COUNT PRINCE MILLER:
Age: "The bad side of 25."
Record Company: None...
Latest Release: "Come On Girl" (Ashanti).
Background: Back in the very early sixties he was a member of the Downbeats singing in a bass voice. Worked on the Jamaican North Coast as a polished cabaret artiste. Joined Jimmy James and the Vagabonds and came to Britain with them in the sixties. He is remembered for his great hit "Mule Train" and his Wembley reggae festival appearance. Only two other Trojan Releases, "Bewildered", and "The Monkey". Helps out at the soulful Q club.
Prospects: Currently involved in his own productions. His new material will be something lighthearted and entertaining I`m sure. A great entertainer.
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:-

NINETY DEGREES INCLUSIVE:
Line-Up: Webster Dyer (keyboards), Delford Davis (drums), Winston Henry (bass), Henry Barnes (guitar and vocals), Hugh Francis (guitat and vocals). All are originally from Jamaica.
Inception: 1973. All are self-taught musicians.
Career: They started playing and singing together because they "thought it was a sweet life. But it was not at all it`s very hard", said Hugh the group`s spokesman. Played on album sessions for Honeyboy`s Cactus album "Sweet Cherie Impossible Love". Plus 45s like "Remedy", and "Own True Love".
Repertoire: About twelve songs from which they select stage material. They include "Needle And Thread", "Revolution", "Superman", "205 Astronaut", and "Stoned Cold Cat" written by ex Equal Eddie Grant, the band`s producer since late 1975. Henry Barnes and Hugh Francis write most of the material.

90 Degrees are entertaining and manage a quite witty rapport with their audience through leader Hugh. They are a reggae band but they`re by no means limited in skill or expression. Hugh points out that. . ."We used to play in rock, soul, and reggae bands. We get better and just let out what`s within. Basically it`s reggae. We think this will be the year because there`s so many people since last year that want us to put signature to paper, but we`re still checking them out. . .".
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:-

DANNY RAY:
Record Company: Trojan...
Latest Release: "Morning Side Of The Mountain".
Background: Came to Britain at 19 in 1968, joined the British Air Force, then bought himself out after two years. Sang with a German-based band, Les Mysteres (later Danny Ray and the Vibrations) while still serving in the Air Force. A return to Britain in 1972 followed a short trip to Jamaica. Made "The Scorpion" for MCA while with a group called the Falcons. Later, Jackie Edwards produced Danny on "Your Eyes Are Dreaming" for Trojan. Since then he has released 45s like "Sister Big Stuff", "I`m Gonna Get Married", "Just Because", "Don`t Stop", "White And Wonderful", "Ain`t It A Beautiful Morning", etc, and the album "The Same One" (Trojan).
Prospects: A Brook Benton styled, Jackie Edwards - influenced singer who appeals to older ears. A ready-made market but Danny is too young and needs wider exposure.
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:-

EUGENE PAUL:
Record Company: Jama...
Latest Release: "I Want To Be There" (Eagle).
Background: Came to Britain in the mid-sixties and recorded first for Pama, making a name from himself with discs like "I`ll Take You There", "Tears Fall", "I Found A Man", and "Power To All Our Friends". One of his best ever sellers were "Snake In The Grass" released on Trojan three years ago. Last year in May he recorded a version of "She`s Gone" which was released on the Eagle label.
Prospects: A fine singer who looks like doing well again this year,. Should be well suited to Jama`s compact company.
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:-

JACKIE ROBINSON:
(ex Pioneer lead vocalist).
Present Record Company: Unknown...
Last 45: "Say You" (a cover of the old Temptations song) (horse label).
Background: Sang lead and harmony vocals with Sydney Crooks and George Dekker as the Pioneers up to 1974. Jackie and Sydney first sang together on "Gimme Little Loving", a big hit for producer Joe Gibbs in 1968. The duo made "Long Shot", "Jackpot", "Shake It Up", "Good Nanny", "Tickle Me" and "Catch The Beat" before teaming up with George Dekker. The trio joined producer Leslie Kong to make a further string of hits, "Easy Come Easy Go", "Long Shot Kick The Bucket", "Mamah Look Deh", Poor Rameses", "Money Day", "Battle Of The Giants", "Samfie Man", "Simmer Down Quashie", "Driven Back" and many more.

They came to Britain in 1969 after "Bucket" was a chart hit. The group`s decline started with their next hit "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah", which was far too commercially contrived for West Indians especially. When they split in 1974, Jackie had already been quite successful among serious reggae buyers with his solo version of "Homely Girl", but his first solo song had been "Come On Over To My Place" back in 1972. "Warm And Tender Love", "Personality", and "My Love For You" were all 1974 solo releases. "In My Life", a version of the Beatles` song, was a 1975 Trojan release.
Prospects: Jackie is a fine distinct vocalist. His popularity among West Indians in Britain was quite high in `74 and earlier last year. But his failure to keep up the releases has probably ill affected this esteem. He can still be a strong force provided he finds the right material, for he`s not a writer.
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:-

SIDNEY RODGERS:
Record Company: Ethnic Fight...
Latest Release: "Once Upon A Time".
Background: Came to Britain from Antigua in 1964 working as an apprentice engineer. Joined a band called the Wranglers, who later changed their name to the Mohawks, recorded with Pama, and toured Europe and the Middle East. Sidney left the band and stopped singing until 1973 when Larry Lawrence made a record called "Don`t Throw Stones" with him. Together they also made an LP titled "Miracle Worker", from which the title track was a good 45. Since then they`ve worked well together on singles like "Another Lonely Night" and "Once Upon A Time".
Prospects: A good singer/songwriter with a brittle vocal style and sentimental but convincing lyrics. He should stick with Larry but needs better promotion.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace