DID YOU KNOW?

1.

Did you know that the first producer to produce Barrington Levy was Dobby Dobson? Mr. Dobson first recorded Barrington in 1978 at 14 years of age as part of a duo called “The Mighty Multitudes.” The other singer in the duo was Barrington’s cousin Everton Dacres and the title of the song was “My Black Girl.” Barrington Levy of course, hit big time the following year with recordings for producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes including: “Collie Weed,” “Shine Eye Girl,” and the classic “Bounty Hunter” album. The recordings achieved the two fold effect of announcing the arrival of a star in Levy, and established the reputation of Lawes as a first rate producer. Together they paved the way for the change of direction in reggae in the following decade vocally and musically in their respective roles.

2.

Did you know that Garth Dennis’ 1973 hit “Slow Coach” was intended to be released as a Black Uhuru song? According to the song’s producer Roydale “Andy” Anderson, after much practice, the group could not get the harmony right. He decided to drop the harmony and release the song as a solo recording for Dennis to the dismay of the group. The song became a sizable hit for Dennis, who would soon move on to join The Wailing Souls, which he still sings with today. As for Black Uhuru, after undergoing several lineup changes that always included founder Derrick “Duckie” Simpson, they would achieve international success with Michael Rose as lead singer and back up vocals from Simpson and the American born Sandra “Puma” Jones with musical direction and production from the famed “Riddim Twins,” Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

3.

Did you know that Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare both played on recordings for Bob Marley & The Wailers, but not together? Robbie played bass on “Concrete Jungle” and “Stir It Up” on the “Catch A Fire” album released in 1973. Sly played drums on “Punky Reggae Party,” a single produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, released in 1977. The song was written by Bob Marley as a positive response to the release of a cover version of Junior Murvin’s “Police And Thieves” by British punk band The Clash.