Roots Archives Forum

Hello. Does anyone have any background or trivial information on Earl Cunningham? He has recorded for a variety of producers including Jah Thomas, Roy Cousins, Dennis Brown, Naggo Morris, Earl Morgan, Jah Screw & Ranking Joe, and more. It seems that he is somewhat of an obscure singer that is often over-looked. However, at least a few nice single reissues have surfaced now & then.

Any comments welcome!
BC

Another one I would like to know more about

Yeah I full agree with you Ranking... Im real fond of his early work...!!
And one discomix especially, that is in my TOP5 12" ever... on the ONE STOP MUSIC label... both killing sides...
I bought dis cause I knew "The Gates Are Open Wide" a killer vocal of him, on a Nyahbinghis rythm played by the drummer... Pure killa that worth the price of the discomix itself... but when I heard the flip....

"Ive got to Know that Place"
It was even better!!
A murderer vocal of him pon the *Can't get I out* riddim (heptones) that is 10x better than the Naggo Morris cut! This is one of the best ever riddim but few people could put a vocal on it and Earl's cut is far the best.

After having found this stuff, I looked intensivly for the work of Earl. It never reached that summit but there are other good stuff, but his carrer is unfortunately mainly in the early dancehall years. The recent 12" repress on Art&Craft is nice... He also did a 12" cut on the freedom Sound label on the "Jah Love is Sweeter" riddim, interesting... Or his "Hungry Days" (recently pressed) for Jah Woosh is good too. Ive never heard his showcase, but looking the dates, I doubt it could be a pure killer, let me know if you have it.

I will look in my records to find some more...
And look forward to learn more to search

Guidance
Litelet

To see both of chunes I mentioned:
the MIGHTIEST ONE:
http://popsike.com/php/detaildata.php?itemnr=4701641917
The One on Jah Love riddim:
http://popsike.com/php/detaildata.php?i ... 0044895228

"Listen to the words of the father" is also a total killer tune by Earl Cunningham... reissued on Emmanuel Music, still available i guess.

Pluie.

True Pluie, it's a nice one. There is a discomix version on D.E.B. too.

Litelet, the E.C Showcase is in fact a pure killer! do not pass this one up! Just a nice as those other singles you mention. aDambom

http://www.bomreggae.gemm.com

Litelet,

The showcase LP is backed by the Radics with a heavy mix, dubs included. This is what turned me on to Earl C. in the first place. Great stuff!

I agree about the 12" on One Stop... lucky for me I swooped it up for just a few bucks before the price jumped way up. I think it's in the $250 price range now. Yikes! Excellent record.

The Never Give Up 12" has a Clint Eastwood tune on the B-side. It was reissued on 7" a few years ago with the Version on the B-side (without Eastwood). Earl C. also has another 12" on Freedom Sounds called Vanity Woman/Best Things.

BC

There are 2 dub versions of 'Words of the Father' on a fantastic dub compilation called 'Return To Umoja', very worthy to seek out this album!

http://www.roots-archives.com/release/2962

BC

Cool thanks... so am happy to be wrong and will seek that showcase...