News : Father, son music bound
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:22 pm
Often, the phrase "you just like yuh father" has a negative connotation. However, in the case of the father- and-son duo of Errol and Shane Brown, the usage would not be one of ridicule but admiration.
Both are avid music practitioners. **Errol Brown** has a more keen interest in engineering, though he also produces. It is the other way around for Shane, who started out as an engineer but now seems to be paying more attention to producing. Both men have worked with some of the biggest entertainers in Jamaica. The senior Brown has worked with Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths Ellis, Judy Mowatt, John Holt and a few more. Along with Busy Signal, Shane has engineered and produced for Chuck Fendah, Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Capleton, Richie Spice, Macka Diamond, Lady Saw and more.
Errol started out engineering around 1964 when his uncle, deceased record producer, Arthur 'Duke' Reid, physically directed him to get into it. He was on a lunch break while attending Kingston Technical High when his uncle came and took him to the studio. Errol worked with Duke's record company, Treasure Isle, before moving on to Tuff Gong.
"He came to the school and said I should be doing this so he dragged me into it. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I found it interesting," Errol said.
Ever since, he has been involved in the business. That caught his son's interest. After growing up around some of the biggest names in music and seeing his father at work, Shane decided he also wanted to become an engineer. It was not an idea that was readily embraced by his father, Shane recalls. Errol said he did not want to limit his son and a university education would give him more possibilities.
"My father wouldn't let me. He said I should study my education. I thought he would be the first one to say 'come'," Shane said.
*education path*
He completed his studies at Excelsior Community College and then went on to the University of the West Indies where he began pursuing management studies. His heart was not on a university education though; he wanted to do music. With his unrelenting desire to be like his father, Errol Brown finally decided to take the youngster under his wings.
Today, Shane owns his own production company, Juke Boxx Productions, and has added artiste manager to his job description,he manages Busy Signal.
*natural talent*
"I am very proud of him. He is very brilliant. He is really fast. I don't know where gets those ears, but he has sharp ears," Errol said.
Shane also has high praises for man he describes as one who is keeping up with the times.
"He is the humblest human being I have ever met and he is young at heart. He knows how to fit in," Shane said.
With the bond they share and the generation difference, they both learn from each other. Errol, for example, said he is older and is not as familiar with newer technology. His son helps him in this regard. Likewise, Shane has learned almost everything he knows from his father. One thing his father has planted in his head is the technique of recording live drums.
"That's is one of the hardest things in the business. I grew up on live drums and Shane does it well," Errol said.
While others have criticised the digitalisation of music, Errol said it is exactly what was needed.
"It is the best thing that could happen. I am getting the sound I want. Tapes and ProTools are like night and day. Tapes just give you noise and not what you put on it," Errol said.
While Shane learned from his father, working with the big artistes meant touring regularly so, at times, Errol was away for up to six months at a stretch. Errol said he relies heavily on his children's mother to provide support. Shane understood and coped with it. He also said he was never star struck, since he grew up around the stars.
There is something great about Jamaican music which has overwhelmed the son, who is just like his father. Shane summed up the reason for the passion he and his father have for what they do. It is that feeling "when you have a vision of something and see it come to life - dream come true".
André Jebbinson
*source : [jamaica-gleaner.com](http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com)*
Both are avid music practitioners. **Errol Brown** has a more keen interest in engineering, though he also produces. It is the other way around for Shane, who started out as an engineer but now seems to be paying more attention to producing. Both men have worked with some of the biggest entertainers in Jamaica. The senior Brown has worked with Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths Ellis, Judy Mowatt, John Holt and a few more. Along with Busy Signal, Shane has engineered and produced for Chuck Fendah, Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Capleton, Richie Spice, Macka Diamond, Lady Saw and more.
Errol started out engineering around 1964 when his uncle, deceased record producer, Arthur 'Duke' Reid, physically directed him to get into it. He was on a lunch break while attending Kingston Technical High when his uncle came and took him to the studio. Errol worked with Duke's record company, Treasure Isle, before moving on to Tuff Gong.
"He came to the school and said I should be doing this so he dragged me into it. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I found it interesting," Errol said.
Ever since, he has been involved in the business. That caught his son's interest. After growing up around some of the biggest names in music and seeing his father at work, Shane decided he also wanted to become an engineer. It was not an idea that was readily embraced by his father, Shane recalls. Errol said he did not want to limit his son and a university education would give him more possibilities.
"My father wouldn't let me. He said I should study my education. I thought he would be the first one to say 'come'," Shane said.
*education path*
He completed his studies at Excelsior Community College and then went on to the University of the West Indies where he began pursuing management studies. His heart was not on a university education though; he wanted to do music. With his unrelenting desire to be like his father, Errol Brown finally decided to take the youngster under his wings.
Today, Shane owns his own production company, Juke Boxx Productions, and has added artiste manager to his job description,he manages Busy Signal.
*natural talent*
"I am very proud of him. He is very brilliant. He is really fast. I don't know where gets those ears, but he has sharp ears," Errol said.
Shane also has high praises for man he describes as one who is keeping up with the times.
"He is the humblest human being I have ever met and he is young at heart. He knows how to fit in," Shane said.
With the bond they share and the generation difference, they both learn from each other. Errol, for example, said he is older and is not as familiar with newer technology. His son helps him in this regard. Likewise, Shane has learned almost everything he knows from his father. One thing his father has planted in his head is the technique of recording live drums.
"That's is one of the hardest things in the business. I grew up on live drums and Shane does it well," Errol said.
While others have criticised the digitalisation of music, Errol said it is exactly what was needed.
"It is the best thing that could happen. I am getting the sound I want. Tapes and ProTools are like night and day. Tapes just give you noise and not what you put on it," Errol said.
While Shane learned from his father, working with the big artistes meant touring regularly so, at times, Errol was away for up to six months at a stretch. Errol said he relies heavily on his children's mother to provide support. Shane understood and coped with it. He also said he was never star struck, since he grew up around the stars.
There is something great about Jamaican music which has overwhelmed the son, who is just like his father. Shane summed up the reason for the passion he and his father have for what they do. It is that feeling "when you have a vision of something and see it come to life - dream come true".
André Jebbinson
*source : [jamaica-gleaner.com](http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com)*