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Archive for the ‘Reggae’ Category

RIP, Lloyd Brevett (May 3, 2012) Founding Member Of The Skatalites

Posted by themusicsover on May 3, 2012

Lloyd Brevett
August 1, 1931 – May 3, 2012

Lloyd Brevett is best remembered as the longtime double bassist for the highly influential Jamaican ska band, the Skatalites.  Helping to form the group in 1964, Brevett was there for the early development of ska, a form of Caribbean music that included elements of calypso, mento, American jazz, and R&B that was the foundation of reggae.  The Skatalites’ biggest hit was “Guns Of Navarone.” The band broke in 1965 but reformed during the mid-’80s, instantly reclaiming their fandom.  Brevett left the group in 2004.  Lloyd Brevett suffered a major stroke in March of 2012 and died from complications on May 3, 2012.  He was 80.

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Skatalites

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RIP, King Stitt (January 31, 2012) Legendary Jamaican DeeJay

Posted by themusicsover on January 31, 2012

King Stitt (Born Winston Spark)
September 17, 1940 – January 31, 2012

King Stitt was, until the time of his passing, recognized as Jamaica’s oldest living deejay.  Stitt’s career dated back to the mid ’50s when he began deejaying for the legendary Coxsone Dodd on his Sound System.  Before he knew it, Stitt was releasing such influential deejay tracks as “Lee Van Cleef,” “Dance Beat,” and “Fire Corner” with such producers as Clancy Eccles and of course, Dodd himself.  In recent years, Stitt was featured in the The Studio One Story documentary and the to-be-released Legends Of Ska concert doc.   King Stitt was 71 when he passed away on January 31, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Eric Foss at Secret Stash Records for the assist.

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King Stitt

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RIP, Winston Riley (January 19, 2012) Jamaican Musician & Producer

Posted by themusicsover on January 19, 2012

Winston Riley
1946 – January 19, 2012

Winston Riley was an influential and pioneering reggae musician, singer, and producer.  Born in Kingston, Riley was just 16 when he formed his first group, the Techniques.  The vocal outfit went on to work with such producers as Byron Lee and Duke Reid before splitting up in 1968.  It was then that Riley formed his own record label and began producing other artists.  Over the next several years, he worked with the likes of the Escorts, Alton Ellis, and Johnny Osbourne.  One of his early productions, 1971′s “Double Barrel” as recorded by Dave and Ansel Collins, is considered one of Jamaica’s first international hits for reaching #1 on both the British and Dutch charts.  In fact, Riley is widely considered one of the first people to introduce reggae to England.  He also produced one of reggae’s most influential albums, the 1979 General Echo release, The Slackest.  The list of artists who can give Riley some credit for their success includes Gregory Isaacs, Buju Banton, Sister Nancy, Cutty Ranks, and Frankie Paul. In August of 2011, Riley was stabbed, and then a month later, he was shot in the head.  As of the early months following the incidents, police had not apprehended any suspects nor determined motive.  On January 19, 2012, Winston Riley died of complications from the shooting.  He was 65.

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Reggae Anthology: Winston Riley - Quintessential Techniques Disc 1 - Various Artists

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RIP, Errol Scorcher (January 19, 2012) Jamaican Raggae Deejay

Posted by themusicsover on January 19, 2012

Errol Scorcher (Born Errol Archer)
1956 – January 19, 2012

Errol Scorcher was a popular Jamaican deejay who built his following while working several soundsystems during the ’70s.  In 1978, he joined Prince Jammy’s Tapetown soundsystem which went on to become of Jamaica’s most popular.  Scorcher released albums like Rasta Fire, Unity Showcase, and Roach In De Corner.    The list of his hit singles includes “Roach In De Corner,” Frog In A Water,” and “Mosquitoes.”  On January 19, 2012, Earl Scorcher died after a blood vessel ruptured in his head.  He was 55.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.



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RIP, Philip “Fatis” Burrell (December 3, 2011) Prolific Jamaican Record Producer

Posted by themusicsover on December 3, 2011

Philip “Fatis” Burell
July 23, 1954 – December 3, 3011

Philip “Fatis” Burrell was a well-respected reggae producer, artist manager, and owner of the influential label, Xterminator Records.  By most accounts, he was one of the most successful producers of the modern reggae era.  Burrell’s first credit was likely as producer of Sugar Minott’s “More Dogs To The Bone” in 1984.  Around that time, he also started his first label, Kings & Lions.  A couple of years later, Burrell launched Vena Records where he helped launch the careers of Sanchez and Pinchers.  He also released records by such established greats as Gregory Isaacs and Frankie Paul on Vena.  Over the course of his career, Burrell also worked with – either as their label head, producer, or manager -  Luciano, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Ras Shiloh, and Everton Blender, to name a few.   On December 3, 2011, Philip “Fatis” Burrell passed away from complications of a mild stroke he suffered two weeks earlier.  He was 57.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



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