Roots Archives Forum

MERLENE BROOKS:
One of the most outstanding female soul/reggae singers Jamaica has produced. First hit "Are You Sure" in 1972 was produced by Geoffrey Chung, whose Company Edge Corporation she is now signed to.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BIG BILL BROONZY:
Major blues influence, until his death in Chicago in 1958, Big Bill travelled around the world presenting an authentic, though faintly showbiz, version of country blues. His rich voice and delicate guitar picking was presented on countless albums in the `50s, while his pre-war black audience career brought him immense popularity on Perfect, Vocalion and Bluebird.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

BUSTER BROWN:
Somewhat incongruously, Buster`s downhome voice and harmonica brought the blues to New York in 1960. His "Fannie Mae" (Fire) was a minor classic and a major hit. But despite a couple of smaller hits using a similar sound of raw vocal, harp, and raunchy saxes, he`d faded within 3 years.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

CLARENCE "GATEMOUTH" BROWN:
Brilliant electric guitarist, emotional singer and inventive violinist, Gatemouth scored major hits for Houston`s Duke Records in the fifties with "Ookie Dookie Stomp". Now lives in France.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

CHARLES BROWN:
West coast blues singer/pianist who as part of Johnny Moore`s Three Blazers gained success in the 40`s with "Drifting Blues" and "Trouble Blues". Continued to sell well in the 50`s for King, especially with "Merry Christmas Baby". Recently part of the Johnny Otis show.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

DENNIS BROWN:
Young (17) JA singer who was voted best male performer in `73 after being `the most promising` the previous year. Had five records in the JA charts including "No Man Is An Island", "Concentration", "I Didn`t Know", "Money In My Pocket" and "Baby Don`t Do It".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

HUX BROWN:
Leading Jamaican session guitarist. Has played with prominent ska-rock steady groups The Vikings and Lynn Taitt And The Jets. The distinct style that he has forged in JA music is respected by many local and foreign artists who have employed his services.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

JAMES BROWN:
Soul`s most extrovert son. The story of the shoeshine boy from Macon, Georgia, who became a millinoaire and found world stardom is the stuff of legend. His gospel background, forming the Famous Flames, recording his first disc in 1956, "Please Please Please", eventually selling a million for Federal/King. Then on to more smashes, the building of his stage show into an immense caravan which takes towns apart with it`s no holds barred hysteria. The live albums, the breakthrough to the white market with "Papa`s Got A Brand New Bag" and "I Got You", the million sellers in the 60`s, LP after LP, the coming of black awareness, hot pants, films, screaming and dropping to his knees sweat pouring from every pore. Soul Brother Number One.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

MAXINE BROWN;
Sweet voiced soul sister who gained two smashes in 1961 for Tony Bruno`s Nomar label. Continued to have hits throughout the sixties for Wand Records, her biggest being "Oh No Not My Baby", later re-worked by many singers, from Aretha to Rod Stewart.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

NAPPY BROWN:
Napoleon Brown gained a vast black following with a series of city blues, drooling ballads and novelty numbers including "Little By Little" and "It Don`t Hurt No More". But when Savoy finally finished with him obscurity followed.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace