HARRY J’s “LIQUIDATOR” GOES SILVER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM!

By Kevin Jackson—

Tara Johnson

LIQUIDATOR, the organ-driven reggae instrumental by Harry J All Stars, was certified silver in the United Kingdom last Friday for streaming and digital sales exceeding 200,000.

The certification was issued by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Liquidator was released in 1969 and reached number nine on the Official United Kingdom Chart. It was re-released digitally in August 2005 via Trojan Records.

Tara Johnson is the daughter of Harry “Harry J” Johnson, who produced Liquidator. She is also managing director of Harry J Recording Studio in Kingston.

“It’s always a joy when my father’s work hits milestones even after decades of being created. It is a lesson for me in creating and facilitating the creation of music that can stand the test of time and still be relevant after years of being created. It is also a lesson for us who love this music called reggae to see and know that it continues to be music for the world and not just us in Jamaica,” Johnson told the Jamaica Observer.

Harry “Harry J” Johnson

Harry J All Stars was the session band for Harry J.

“From records that I have in my possession, I know that the bassist who played on Liquidator was Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett (drummer), Alva Lewis (guitarist) and Winston Wright (organ),” Johnson disclosed.

She added that her father, who died in 2013 at age 67, was fond of Liquidator.

“My father always talked about Liquidator because it was his most successful production, and he always said he loved how soothing it was. Whenever I hear it I think of relaxed Sunday afternoons because he loved to play it then,” she shared.

Liquidator was a hit locally, soaring to number one on the RJR Top 40 Music Chart.

American soul/gospel family band, The Staple Singers, re-recorded Liquidator’s introduction and bass line for their 1972 hit song, I’ll Take You There, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

British ska band, The Specials covered Liquidator as part of Skinhead Symphony on their EP, The Special A.K.A. Live! which went to number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 1980.

Renewed interest in the song led to Trojan Records reissuing the Harry J All Stars version as a double A-side with Long Shot Kick De Bucket by The Pioneers, another song featured in The Specials’ medley. The reissue reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.

Liquidator is a popular theme with British football teams including Chelsea, Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, and St Johnstone.