Tag: jamaica

Music from Jamaica – Black Uhuru

Black Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru (Swahili for ‘freedom’). The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Derrick “Duckie” Simpson as the mainstay. They had their most successful period in the 1980s, with their album Anthem winning the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985. (wikipedia) 

Edit : just saw this one was my 750th posting on worldmusic in nearly two years :-) i´m happy

Here is their famous song “Guess whos coming to dinner ”

 

Music from Jamaica – Toots & The Maytals

Toots & The Maytals are a jamaican reggae and ska music group, formed in 1963. Listen to their classic “Pressure Drop”, recorded in 1969, which was rated as No. 446 in the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by the Rolling Stone magazine:

Music from Jamaica – Akua Kamau

Akua Kamau is an indie, blues, pop, reggae, jazz, ethnic musician from Jamaica. Listen to his nice piece “Cries Of The Ancestors” as a tribute to the african ancestors.

Music from Jamaica -Ijahman Levi ( Trevor Sutherland )

Ijahman Levi (born 1946 in Manchester Parish, Jamaica as Trevor Sutherland) is a roots-reggae musician. His debut album, Haile I Hymn was released in 1978 under the label Iceland Records. His nickname Ijahman Levi he received after he converted to the Rastafari movement, as he sat 1972-1974 in prison.

Here is his song ” Jah is no secret” from his debut album “Haile i Hymn”

Music from Jamaica – Desmond Craig

Artist Bio : Desmond Craig, started music aged 17. First time in studio playing keyboards on tracks for Linton Kwesi Johnson’s debut album “Dread Beat and Blood”. I recorded a track from the same album and it was released in 1977 on the Jah Lion label entitled “Jack the Ripper”. It achieved no.9 in the British Reggae Charts. Six years later I formed a band “Camajia” an anagram of the word, Jamaica with musicians: Joel Wright- drums, Neville- bass guitar, Gordon- lead guitar, Clive Laws- keyboards, Neville “Reuben” Wright- percussions and I on guitar & lead vocals; releasing a 7′ single entitled “Education”. The song went on to attract support due to the relevance of its lyrical content for the times. It was played mainly by Roots DJ’s of the era and was a hit with Jah Shaka and Mannaseh Hi Fi. Another single entitled “Bun Bun” & “Preacher Boy” followed on the B.P. label. This followed by “Signs” which was released on the “UpTempo” label and this was when I was given the name Bob Skeng by Steve (UpTempo), who thought Desmond sounded bland, plus my style of ad-libbing helped to create the name. Further tracks were released on the “First Dan” label: “I’m Not a King,” “Baby I Want You,” “Picture Lover” and “Gold Cup” featuring the Firehouse Crew. During the late ‘80’s thru to the early ‘90’s I decided to take a break. Fellow artists have always encouraged me to continue as it sounded good to them, my form of word phrasing and also my melody. In 2008, and at this point I must Big Up Nick Mannaseh and John from Roots Gardens. It was through Manasseh’s encouragement that I decided to finally “give it another shot”. Mannaseh produced my first of 2 tracks. Having got back the taste for recording and writing I decided to re-enter music but as a Dub Poet. I was introduced to a band called “Soothsayers” and with whom i recorded the dub poetry track called “Mama Seh.” Hence this lead to the culmination of various tracks recorded and produced with a variety of producers and musicians. (from Reverbnation )

Music from Jamaica – Winston McAnuff

Winston McAnuff, also known under the stage name Electric Dread, (born 1957, in Mandeville) is a Jamaican singer and composer of reggae- and dub music. McAnuff was born in a family of preachers. He started his musical career, singing gospels in the church choir.

Although McAnuff had reasonable fame in Jamaica, none of his work was released elsewhere. It took til 2002 that his work was released in Europe. In 2002 the French record label Makasound released the first two albums and acompilation album Diary of the silent years. The release of the albums revived McAnuff’s career, notably in France. (wikipedia)