Roots Archives Forum

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

GENE RONDO:
Age: 31.
Record Company: Shapiro Bernstein Publishing Company...
Latest Release: "Impossible Dream" (Magnet) and "Jim Dandy To The Rescue" (Jamatel).
Background: Began singing classical music at age eight in Jamaica. Influenced by Mario Lanza, songs like "Come Back To Sorrento" and "Because You`re Mine". First records, "Little Queenie" and "Squeeze Me", made at age 15 and released on his own label, Magico. Received five years` piano and voice training with a private teacher in Kingston. Came to Britain in 1962. Received two years elocution lessons at the Hammersmith School of Ballards. Gave Up classical singing in Covent Garden when he met with colour prejudice and recorded a JA-styled tune "Because You`re Mine" for R & B Records. Others like "I Like Sweet Music", "Mary Mary", "Ben Nevis", "Grey Life" and "It`s Got To Be Mellow" followed until R & B folded in 1967. Recorded an album, "On My Way", of original songs for Shapiro Bernstein Publishing Co, which was released and distributed by Trojan in 1971, as well as 45s like "ooh La La", "Goodnight My Love", "Pony Ride", "Sentimental Reasons", and "Lovers Question".
Left Trojan and made "since I Met You Baby", "Don`t Do It", and "My Dream Is Yours" for his own, Saucy Boy, label in 1973. Helped to form the Magnet label with singles like "Prisoner Of Love", "This Is Love", "Sweet Africa", and "Valley Of Tears". Recorded "You Said You Love Me More And More" for Clem Bushay and accompanied T.T. Ross on various singles and material for an (unreleased) LP.
For Third World he made "Rebel Woman" and "I`m In A Different World" in 1975. Lent vocal support to Susan Cadogan on Top Of The Pops as well as visiting reggae attractions like U. Roy. Ex-vocalist with the Undivided band.
Prospects: An excellent vocalist who reminds me sometimes of Joe Higgs. Talented all-round artist whose style of delivery alone should guarantee a more prosperous future.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

T. T. ROSS:
Real Name: Elizabeth Ross.
Record Company: DIP...
Latest Single: "Single Girl" (DIP) and "No Charge" (Lucky).
Background: First Record, "Last Date", for Pama around 1973. Joined DIP and made "Words" which was quite a good seller. Her re-recording of "Last Date" for DIP last year was almost a pop chart hit. Since then her releases with Gene Rondo ("Ms Grace" and "Little Things Mean A Lot"), and her solo discs ("When Will I See You Again" and "Single Girl") have sold well among West Indians mainly.
Prospects: It`s hard to tell how committed she is to reggae singing, but she has a good voice and her records are popular. Being white and English is an advantage now but eventually it may be a drawback.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLCK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

ROY SHIRLEY:
Age: 29.
Recording Label: Rand JJ which he owns and runs in partnership with a Mrs. Johnson...
Career: Roy is a founder member of the West Indian Federated Music Union formed five months ago to protect the interests of West Indian singers and musicians. Roy has been recording for over twelve years. His recording debut kicked off with an original song called "Shirley With The Diamond Ring" for Beverleys label about the same time that Bob Marley made his first record. Since then he has recorded many hits including the unforgettable "Hold Them", "Feel Good" for Joe Gibbs, the immortal "Music Field" foe Bunny Lee, and others like "Joe Razor" (which he claims was the first tune to have been recorded in King Tubby`s studio), "Get On The Ball", "I`m The Winner", "Musical War", "Million Dollar Baby", etc etc.

Through the efforts of record retailer ex-label owner Rita King, Roy came to Britain to do one small tour, and to live and work, in 1973. His shows were very successful. His first record after coming here, "A Sugar", had been recorded in Jamaica and was issued by Trojan in 1973. Since then Roy has given us "This World" (Count Shelly), "Dancing Girl" (Count Shelly), "When You`re Young" (Magnet) and a version of Ben E. King`s "Heart Breaking Gypsy" (Rand JJ), his biggest seller.

Roy Shirley is one of the most important names in the history of Jamaican music. His story will be told in full in next month`s BM. He has made vital contributions most definitely with the style and form of his earlier hits, and his distinctly eccentric voice is one that Jamaicans will always love. A very attractive stage artist himself, Roy likes to work with the talented band the Undivided. Still has great potential.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

TITO SIMON:
Present Record Company: Jama...
Latest Single: "Running Back For More".
Background: Real name is Keith Foster. Came to Britain from St. Mary Jamaica in 1961. Teamed up with Dandy Livingstone around 1964 for singles like "Let`s Ska" and "Only Heaven Knows" on the Carnival label. Quit singing after little success and resumed again in `67 working on the road with American acts like Ben E. King, Patti La Belle, and Major Lance under the pseudonym Sugar Simone. Toured Europe extensively up to 1972 when he returned to Jamaica where he signed a recording contract with Federal Records. He then teamed up with Jamaican producer Clancy Eccles and they made several recordings which were released as 45s and, eventually, an album by Trojan in Britain. The LP was called "Just Tito". It contained the singles, "Easy Come Easy Go", "Build ItUp", and "She Ain`t Nothing But The Real Thing". Trojan later re-released the LP retitled, "This Monday Morning Feeling", after adding three further tracks including the title track, Tito`s first British chart record.
With Trojan`s collapse in 1975 Tito took a few months off from music before deciding to join Jama. An LP is expected from him in the summer.
Prospects: A talented singer/songwriter with a soulful approach to singing, and a taste for rich uptempo arrangements that are always likely to get the attention of the airwaves. He can improve on his last hit but his approach will have to be more close to home.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

NICKY THOMAS:
AGE: 27.
Record Company: Trojan...
Latest Release: "Lola" (Trojan).
Background: Born Portland. Went to Kingston in 1962 in search of work. Had a minor hit with "Run Mr Nigel Run" for producer Derrick Harriott. His British hit "Love Of The Common People" sold well in Jamaica only after reaching the British charts. An LP of the same name was produced by Joe Gibbs, Came to Britain in 1970, toured, and signed with Trojan. They released singles like "God Bless The Children", "If I Had A Hammer", "Have A Little Faith", "Images Of You", "New Morning", "Only A Child" and "Lonely For Your Love". Nicky has done a tremendous amount of stage work throughout England.
Prospects: A highly entertaining, energetic performer with a taste for soul. He gives his all. His recorded output has slackened noticeably in the last two years. Needs a good album now to follow "Tell It Like It Is" and "ImagesOf You". Still has a lot of potential.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

TOP CAT:
Real Name: Sil Williams.
Age: 45.
Recording Company: Pye... One-year recording and songwriting contract.
Career: Made two records for the Big Shot label around 1969, "Sweeter Than Honey" and "This Old Man Come Rolling Home". Both unsuccessful reggae shots.
Recorded a number called "Reggae Moonrising" for the Wolf label which he ran with partner Les Foster in 1974.
Latest Release: A nice pop-reggae version of Sam Cooke`s immortal "Bring It On Home To Me" (Pye).
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

THE UNDIVIDED:
Line Up: Jah Bunny (drums and vocals), Paul (bass), Robin (guitar and vocals), Satch (trumpet and vocals),Rudy (tenor sax and vocals), Buggis (alto and tenor sax), Delroy (organ), Reco (trombone). All hail from Jamaica and are self-taugh musicians.

Inception: 1972. Before that Robin and Bunny gigged around in a band called the Ashanti. Reputed ex-Trojan album artist, Gene Rondo was the group`s lead singer until late 1973 when they recorded the Decca album "Listen To The World", released in 1974. Reco Rodriguez is the famed veteran of Jamaican trombonists who shared equal respect with the late great Don Drummond, for his brass work in the early to mid-sixties.

Sessionwork: Provided all the music for the LP "Listen To The World", and for Gene Rondo`s 1973 single "Prisoner Of Love" released on the Magnet label in 1973.
Stage Repertoire: numbers include two ska classics originally recorded by the fabulous Skatalites, "Eastern Standard Time", and "Man In The Street", plus Gene and Eunice`s "This Is My Story", and others written by members of the band like "Sweet Africa", and the instrumentals "Well Street Skank", "Going West", and "This Is Reggae Music".

They are a popular grass roots band flirting with and sometimes emphasising ska music on stage. The four brass players give their sound a much more breadth than most other Jamaican bands, and their audiences love to breathe the jubilant carefree atmosphere that the music contains.

"People know we and we remind them of the Skatalites", said Jah Bunny. "It`s just hard work but we love we work".

Bunny runs Java record shop in Dalston Lane by day and rehearses with the other guys at Wells Street at night. "We have lots of fans even in places like Huddersfield, Luton, Manchester, Bedford, Birmingham. People really like that sound, we keep the ska feeling going. Over the Carnival dem dance and rave to it. . .".
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

DELROY WASHINGTON:
Age: 24.
Record Company: Island...
Background: Came to Britain from JA in the sixties and has since been associated with various musical activities including session work and tour management. Made some unreleased recordings with CBS in a band called Rebel in 1971. Sang background harmonies on Wailers session for "Catch A Fire" album, and played percussion with Marley on his ealiest British visit. Records include "Long Island", and "Time Will Stand" (Attro), "Jah Man A Come", "Wat To Reason", and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (Count Shelly), and "Have You Ever Loved Someone" (Summertime).
Prospects: A self-taught multi instrumentalist and fine singer/songwriter of real intelligence. Some good music on tape which will be highly appreciated when Island release it. Del has potential.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

NORMAN T> WASHINGTON:
Age: 30.
Record Company: Jama...
Latest Release: "Set Me Free" (Eagle).
Background: Came to Britain in the early sixties and has done little singing and recording. With Pama he made things like "Same Thing All Over", "Tiptoe", "Jumping Jack Flash", "Oh Happy Day", and "Sweeter Than honey" between 1968 and `69. Returned to Jamaica around 1972 and early last year Jama issued a good selling disc by him entitled "Something Strange" (Tina), "Happy Christmas" on Eagle was a Christmas issue. Lives in Manchester.
Prospects: His music is light and sentimental. He writes his own songs and is a good singer. A new name that has a ready-made but limited audience.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: APRIL 1976:

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

CAROL WILLIAMS:
Record Company: Rockers...
Latest Release: "You Gotta Save All Your Love".
Background: Born in London to Jamaican parents she is only sixteen and still attends Norwood Secondary School. "I`d always been into music, singing at parties and things like that. I knew this guy who kinda fancied me. He was the nephew of Wintson Curmiff, who was a drummer who worked with Mike Dorane. Winston took me to Mike six months ago and Mike recorded me at Camden Town". Carol sang backups on "Reggae Time" the title track of Mike`s forthcoming album.
Prospects: Fairly bright if she sticks with Mike and makes full benefit of his vocal coaching.
Carl Gayle-
Black Music April 1976:

peace