how to begin with the heptones?

[alonsoreggae]

there are a few heptones tracks on the lee perry "open the gate." Mistry Babylon is a killa song!

[fadel diagne]

"love without feeling"at harrie moodie is also akiller single not to be missed!

[don]

no more heptones :formally know as the heptones
earl is not in the group,so no more heptones pretty locks
one of the best

[don]

also earl was the one who started the heptones

[Jumbo]

actually there are two 'Heptones' nowadays, just like black uhuru, the abyssinians and the Wailers have had more than one outfit touring under those names.


Earl Morgan formed a 'new Heptones' with Robert Dacres & Michael Black

in 2009 they released a remake of 'What Am I to do' on the orignal Treasure Isle riddim of 'Stay Away'

havent heard anything since.. so i dont know if they are still active as a trio.

[Inyaki]

The Heptones' is a quite complex story, with loads of twists.
Obviously this is not the place here to talk about paperwork, contracts, who wrote what and who took the money and arranged the songs, and the whole legal side of it...etc

People should keep in mind that there has been at least 4 different line ups of The Heptones. The original 66-77 with Leroy as the main lead singer (not always). Then Barry and Earl (Barry as the main singer). Then with Naggo Morris as lead....of course some with Earl on lead. and since them a few "reunions" and loads of solo recordings and performances.

Loads of people can't tell the lead singers apart on many classic songs, and they get confused:
Book Of Rules is Barry.
Pretty looks is Earl.
The rest, mostly Leroy...up to 77.
But the post-77 period with Channel One and Niney (their best "roots" period) is Barry and Naggo on lead (Mr Do Over Man, we Want it, Blackman memory, Can't Hide from jah, et....)


Leroy Sibliss and Barry LLewelyn tour as The Heptones these days. Earl got 2 other singers but afaik don't tour. Also Lerot tours sometimes with 2 backing vocalists as Leroy Sibbles. Also in the 90s Earl and Barry were touring as Heptones.
Take your pick.....

[Vlad]

and the underrated "Good Life" (with Naggo Morris on lead vocals).

"Good Life" may be underrated by some, but not by me. One of the best reggae sets ever. Easily in my top 10.

Naggo Morris has in fact a better vocal style than Leroy Sibbles who, for some reason, lost his singing and/or compositon magic after the 1980 brilliant "Strictly Roots" LP, no disrespect. Check him on a recent and wicked 12" "susu pon rasta" on Irie Ites french label, currently selling well on most reggae record sites.

[Inyaki]

capp wrote :and the underrated "Good Life" (with Naggo Morris on lead vocals).

"Good Life" may be underrated by some, but not by me. One of the best reggae sets ever. Easily in my top 10.

Naggo Morris has in fact a better vocal style than Leroy Sibbles who, for some reason, lost his singing and/or compositon magic after the 1980 brilliant "Strictly Roots" LP, no disrespect.

Naggo Morris is not the lead singer on Good Life.
Most songs are Barry, a few are Earl.
I always liked that album, first Heptones album I bought, in 79.

[Litelet]

Inyaki, would you know who is the singer on "Calli Weed" a mid 70's 7" on JAYWAX? A very different voice than usually with the geptones, to me.

guidance

[Inyaki]

On the 7" it credits it as:

" Telford Nelson
( HEPTONES ) Expression "

I presume the lead singer is Telford Nelson but I'm not that familiar with his voice.
He was a member of Culture in the last few years, met him at a few shows I played in Europe.

Definitively Heptones on B/Vs. Barry is loud and clear.