Fifty years ago when Earl Zero released None Shall Escape The Judgement, Alphanso Henclewood was one of the people with whom that militant song resonated.
Over the years, he has worked as a producer with his boyhood hero. Their latest collaboration is Jah Shall Come, taken from Welcome to Greenwich Town, an album released in September by his Montego Records.
That compilation, which also includes songs by roots-reggae stalwarts like Johnny Osbourne and Tony Tuff, was released in September. Known as King Shark, Henclewood released three other albums in September — Instrumentals to The Fullest, Roots And Culture Sound Clash and Green Farm All Stars.
The albums are homage to Greenwich Town (also known as Greenwich Farm), the working-class community where King Shark and Earl Zero grew up.
“Earl Zero was a little bit older than me. He always had a smile, was very respectable, and always had a guitar in his hand,” recalled King Shark. “He would come to my house, playing his guitar, singing sweet music, and I would be carrying the harmony for him. I was blessed to have these brethren in my corner in the early 70’s, when we didn’t have water or light.”
Legendary guitarist, Earl “Chinna” Smith, who is also from Greenwich Town, played on the albums which were mainly recorded at his home studio in Kingston. Bassist Flabba Holt of the Roots Radics Band and ace percussionist Harry “Harry T” Powell also participated in those sessions, which brought back memories for King Shark.
“Greenwich Farm was the place to be in the 70’s. As a little boy, growing up there, all my friends were singers or players of an instrument. We had so much fun in those days!” he recalled. “We would sit down in the back of my yard cooking Ital (unsalted) food and praising Jah.”
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