Tad Dawkins, who produced the popular version of Dennis Brown’s anthem Love and Hate (Here I Come), plans to release an album by the Crown Prince of Reggae this year to mark the 20th anniversary of his death.
Dawkins did not give details of that project, but said his company Tad’s International Record will release Bobby Socks to Stockings, a song by Brown, soon.
As for the bigger project, Dawkins said: “Yes, I still have a 12-track D Brown album to release, but not ready as yet.”
Widely regarded as reggae’s most influential singer, Brown died in July, 1999 at age 42. He would have turned 62 today (February 1).
Dawkins was a close friend of the singer, a prodigy who had a flurry of hit songs during the 1970s and 1980s. His uptempo version of Love and Hate (originally done by Brown for his 1977 album, Wolf and Leopards) is a reggae classic. Recorded in 1980, it was a signature entrance for Brown’s live shows.
Bobby Socks to Stockings was recorded in 1985. It features some of the top musicians in reggae including bassist Lloyd Parks, who was leader of We The People, Brown’s longtime band; guitarist Willie Lindo, who produced the Crown Prince’s Inseparable album; drummer Sly Dunbar, Robbie Lyn on piano and synthesizer, Franklin ‘Bubbler’ Waul on organs, saxophonist Dean Fraser and singer Pam Hall, who did harmony.
Dawkins was one of numerous producers Brown worked with during an extraordinary 30-year career. His many hit songs include No Man is an Island, If I Follow my Heart, Money in my Pocket, Westbound Train, Cassandra, Whip Them Jah Jah, Revolution, Sitting and Watching, Inseparable and The Promised Land.
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