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Afrikan
Simba
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Afrikan Simba
Born in Nigeria, Afrikan Simba has recorded with the likes of Zion Train, Dub Judah, The Truth, Cultural Warriors and runs his own Ayamba record label, based in Jamaica. He has also been an mc with various London sound systems, most notably Zulu Priest, Aba Shanti and Channel One. His first track for Jah Warrior, "One Roar" the DJ version to Tena Stelin's "Lion Symbol" 12" is a fine example of his authentic style. Also check out "Patience" on the Jah Warrior Showcase album plus his 7" single "Sinner". Look out for further collaborations in future.
Alton
Ellis
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Alton Ellis
The undisputed godfather of reggae music, Alton Ellis began his recording career in 1959 and is still going strong today. He has recorded a wealth of material at every major studio and for every major producer in Jamaica, including Studio One and Treasure Isle. His albums such as "Sunday Coming" and singles like "Mad, Mad, Mad" and "I'm Just A Guy" remain enduring classics of Jamaican music. With a voice at ease covering the full range of reggae from soul flavoured lovers material to serious roots, Alton Ellis is quite simply "Mr Reggae." His first recording for Jah Warrior is "Here I Stay" on Jah Warrior Showcase Vol. 2. Also check out the 10" single "Zulu Man."
Anthony
John
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Anthony John
Jamaican singer Anthony John is a name not widely known to many people,
but highly talented nevertheless. He has released a number of singles
in Jamaica, and also appears with Lutan Fyah on the Higher Ground label
CD featuring Lutan & Anthony B. Anthony John has also appeared on
Reality Sound label & has worked with the Vibronics. His track “Creation“
for Jah Warrior is forthcoming on 7".
Anthony
Johnson
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Anthony Johnson
Jamaican singer Anthony Johnson first came to prominence as one of the mis-named vocal trio Mystic Eyes (Anthony says it should be Mystic M), whose tune "Perilous Times" was a massive roots hit in the late 1970's. Embarking on a solo career with various producers including Linval Thompson and Jah Thomas, it was Thomas who gave the singer his biggest hit with the 1981 epic "Gunshot," released on the Greensleeves label. Amongst his other notable recordings have been "Just Call Me" and "Life is Not Easy" for Linval Thompson, plus his solo recut of the Perilous Times rhythm, "Know The Truth." Look out for the Jah Warrior 7" called " Africa" on the Declaration Of Rights rhythm, plus "Give A Helping Hand" on Jah Warrior Showcase Part 2.
Bobby Blue
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Bobby Blue
Jamaican artist Bobby Blue has recorded with Rootsman, featuring on the
Select Cuts/Meteosound album “New Testament”, Groove Corporation,
Iration Steppas, Blakamix, Conscious Sounds and Ossie Thomas in Jamaica.
Check is tune for Jah Warrior, awesome version of Dennis Brown’s
classic “Open Up,” on 7”.
Culture
Freeman
Jah Warrior Artist Profile
of Culture Freeman
Culture Freeman is known mainly for his work with the Bush Chemists, releasing singles including “The Fittest,” “Dread Ina Babylon” and "King Davids House." His first LP “Conqueror” was released in late 1998. He tours regularly in Europe with The Bush Chemists, and has also worked as an mc with Jah Warrior. His two Jah Warrior releases to date are the 12” single “Rootsman Potential,” and "Meditation Rock" on Jah Warrior Showcase.
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Danny Vibes
Up and coming youth singer Danny Vibes is currently being hailed as one
of the brightest young hopes of UK roots singers. He already has work
released with the Disciples and Dubwise Productions, and has amassed a
large collection of unreleased material with other producers including
Jonah Dan and Prento of Messenjah. His first release for Jah Warrior is
the 7" single "Now Is The Time," on the Declaration of
Rights riddim. Watch out for more to come from this promising and highly
talented artist.
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Dillinger
As DJ music grew in popularity in Jamaica during the early 1970's, a number of artists were influenced by the pioneers of the microphone like U Roy, I Roy and Big Youth. One such artist was Dillinger, born as Lester Bullock, who began the decade as an unknown and ended it as an international star. Beginning his career alongside Dennis Alcapone on El Paso sound system, Dillinger recalls his first record as being "Bring the Kutchie Come" for Lee Scratch Perry in 1973. He recorded for Phil Pratt, Studio One (including the "Ready Natty Dreadie" album, Channel One, Joe Gibbs, Augustus Pablo, Bunny Lee, Yabby You, Niney the Observer and many other Jamaican producers. Although taken by the popularity of Rasta which was sweeping the youth of Jamaica then, Dillinger never stuck to just that one style, instead earning himself a reputation for dealing with any subject matter in a variety of styles, serious, humorous, talking or singing. The record which truly launched him into the spotlight was "Cocaine In My Brain," recorded for the Hookim Brothers at Channel One in 1976, which became an international hit and led to two albums for Island Records, including CB200. Dillinger has also turned his hand to production, releasing a string of records including "5 Man Army", featuring the combined talents of himself with Trinity, Al Campbell, Wayne Wade and Junior Tamlin, "3 The Hard Way" with himself, Al Campbell & Trinity, "Yo Yo" by Johnny Osborne, his own "Cup A Tea", and "Jah Jah Can't Help You" by George Nooks.. Following a break from the music business for much of the 1990's, In 2000 Dillinger once again came to public attention as part of the Blood and Fire sound system tour, travelling to America in the spring and various UK and European dates in the summer. His album "Youthman Veteran" for Jah Warrior was released in 2001.
Earl
Sixteen
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Earl Sixteen
Earl 16 is a major name in reggae, having recorded for producers such as Lee Perry ("Freedom"), Joe Gibbs ("Malcolm X"), Derrick Harriott (another version of "Malcolm X"), Coxsone Dodd ("Love Is A Feeling"), Augustus Pablo ("Changing World"), Mikey Dread ("African Tribesmen", "Reggae Sound"), Linval Thompson ("Black Man Time"), Earl Morgan ("The World Has Just Begun"), Roy Cousins ("Julia", "No Matter What the Crisis") and countless others. Now resident in London, the 1990's have seen him work with UK producers such as Mad Professor and Manasseh, for whom his tunes "Natural Roots" and " Zion City" were particularly well received. Earl 16's first release for Jah Warrior is "Reality" on Jah Warrior Showcase Part 2. Different mixes of another Earl 16 tune for Jah Warrior, "Evolution", can be found on the compilation CDs "Rootical Vibrations" (Victory World Records) & "Warrior Style" (Age Of Venus Records).
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Horace Andy
Horace Andy is not only a reggae legend, but also one of the greatest
singers in the world. His falsetto vocal style has influenced a huge number
of reggae singers and his career reads like a history of reggae. Beginning
at the university of reggae, "Studio One," in 1969, he joined
singers like the young Bob Marley, Alton Ellis & Dennis Brown, recording
classic tunes like "Skylarking", "Fever" & "Mr
Bassie". A list of his hits would be too much to catalogue here,
but amongst the most memorable have been "Money Money" for Phil
Pratt & Bunny Lee, "I Don't Want To Be Left Outside" for
Wackies, "Natty Dread A Weh She Wants" for Tappa Zukie, "Problems"
for Augustus Pablo, and countless others. In the 1990's he worked with
Jah Shaka, Mad Professor & Blakamix in the UK and came to the attention
of a wider audience through working with Massive Attack. Watch out for
his first Jah Warrior release "Wash That Woman," in the future.
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Hughie Izachaar
Born in Jamaica, Hughie Izachaar came to England as a child. Raised by
a strict family, after disobeying parental warnings not to attend sound
systems he arrived home one evening to find his clothes on the doorstep
and himself thrown out of home. Aged 17, he joined the British army as
“the only alternative to being homeless on the streets,” &
spent several years in Germany. Following the army, he began playing music,
working with artists like Pablo Gad & Ras Imru. A guitarist foremost,
but also skilled vocally & with other instruments, he soon picked
up plenty of live & studio work, playing with Jah Shaka, Mad Professor,
Dub Syndicate & many others. Much of his recent recorded work has
been for King Original & Barry Isaacs. He continues to tour live both
in his own right and backing Jamaican artists on International tours.
His “Can’t Take The Pressure” album for Jah Warrior built
on the success of the title track single.
Jah Mason
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Jah Mason
Bobo dread singjay Jah Mason is one of the most exciting and talented
artists in Jamaica today. A member of Capleton’s “David House”,
he shot to fame with 2 duets alongside Jah Cure - “Run Come Love
Me Tonight” and “Working So Hard.” He has released hundreds
of singles in Jamaica on labels including Stone Love, Harmony House, Flames,
HMG, Kickin’, Brick Wall, Kariang, Rashanco, Love Promotion, etc
and has toured extensively throughout Europe and the USA. His first two
albums “Keep Your Joy” & “Unlimited” were
released to critical acclaim, whilst his third “Never Give Up”
on Nocturne instantly became a best seller.
The story of his collaboration with Jah Warrior begins in 2001, when the
pair met up following a show in London with Jah Mason and Anthony B. Recording
3 tunes that night - “Most Royal,” “Rainbow Circle Throne”,
and “No Joke,” all of which went on to become successful singles.
Since then Jah Mason returned to London several times to record with Jah
Warrior, and the results can be heard on the “Most Royal”
album.
Joseph
Cotton
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Joseph Cotton
Previously known as Jah Walton during the 1970’s, in the early 1980’s
the DJ changed his name to Joseph Cotton, scoring a number of hits on
the UK label Fashion. A great retrospective of his career was released
on Moll Selekta label titled “Dancehall Days 1976-1984). Based in
Germany nowadays where he continues to record and tour regularly, his
track for Jah Warrior “Nuh Eat From Morning” can be found
on the “Jah Warrior & Friends” CD released by Hammerbass.
Kenny
Knots
[PHOTO BY SEB CARAYOL]
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Kenny Knots
Singer Kenny Knots started his musical career as a teenager in the 1980's singing with North London's Unity sound system, who also released his hugely successful debut single "Watch How The People Dancing." Absent from the scene for much of the 1990's, he reappeared after the millennium with a strong of singles for the Conscious Sounds label, culminating in the album "Gi Me Di Music." In recent years he has also recorded for Disciples, Jonah Dan, Zion Gate and other producers, touring regularly throughout Europe. His debut tune for Jah Warrior "Ain't Gonna Be Put Down" is available on 10".
King
General
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of King General
Another artist largely associated with the Conscious Sounds studio, King
General cut a brace of singles, “Gunman”, “Joker Smokin”,
“History” & “Money Run Tings”, the latter of which
was the title track of his first album. His Jah Warrior debut “Put
Down The Gun” reworked an old dubplate run by Jah Warrior & Aba
Shanti.
Lutan Fyah
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Lutan Fyah
Jamaican bobo artist Lutan Fyah has toured regularly in Europe & the
USA. He has appeared on many singles for labels including Buju Banton’s
Gargamel, Xterminator, Addis, Conscious Sounds etc. His first 2 albums
were released by Lustre Kings and Minor 7 Flat 5, the latter of which
included Lutan as guest artist on albums by Turbulence and Luciano. Lutan
has voiced a number of singles for Jah Warrior including “Never
Surrender My Faith”, “Let Righteousness Be Your Guide,”
and “Crab Inna Barrel.” A full album on Jah Warrior will be
released in future.
Michael
Rose
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Michael Rose
Born in the Kingston ghetto, Michael Rose established himself as a major
name in reggae, working both solo and more familiarly in the 1970’s
and 80’s as frontman for Black Uhuru. Teaming up with producers
Sly & Robbie, they recorded albums like Sinsemilla, Red, Chill Out
and Anthem, the latter of which won a grammy award in 1985. Working solo
throughout much of the 1990’s, Rose released a number of albums
for labels including Heartbeat, and continues to voice regularly for a
host of Jamaican producers and labels, keeping his name up there at the
top of the reggae tree. Check his track for Jah Warrior on the “Drifter”
riddim titled “Righteous” on 7.”
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Naph-Tali
Hailing from East London, Naph-Tali first came to the reggae world's attention in 1987 with 2 singles on the Vibes Sounds label, "Hole Up Your Hand" & "No Do Me Dat." In 1991 he voiced an LP for Keety Roots' Black Legacy label called "Break The Chains." His Jah Warrior collaborations began in the late 1980's with a string of dubplates for the sound system, culminating in the 1989 single "2000 Style" & two tracks on the Zulu Warriors "Warrior Dub" album released on WAU/Mr Modo. Naph-Tali featured on the first Jah Warrior release in 1995, "The 22 nd Book," which was widely acclaimed. A further single "Pollution" appeared the following year, culminating with the 1997 LP "One Of These Days."
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Peter Broggs
Jamaican singer Peter Broggs is a major name in roots reggae, having recorded at the legendary Studio One in addition to work with Prince Far-I, Sly & Robbie and other producers. All his albums are released on the RAS label in America. His album for Jah Warrior entitled "Jah Golden Throne" was released to critical acclaim. Another Peter Broggs tune "Jah Is Mighty In Battle" is available on the Jah Warrior Showcase album. Also available is a reworking of his classic tune "Jah Golden Throne" on Jah Warrior 7" plus "Zulu Man" on 10".
Professor
Frisky
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Professor Frisky
DJ Professor Frisky worked on the legendary Jack Ruby sound system in
Jamaica. A good friend of U Brown, he has released an album for Producer
Barry O’Hare in Jamaica, and also appeared live in the UK with Blood
& Fire sound system. His track for Jah Warrior “Man Fi Strong”
can be found on 10”.
Prezident
Brown
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Prezident
Brown
Conscious artist Prezident Brown began his career in Jamaica in 1986, passing thru' producers like Jack Ruby and Barry O'Hare, for whom he has recorded 2 albums "Big Bad & Talented" and "Prezident Selections" on RUNN records. He has also recorded an album called "Original Blue Print" for Bobby Digital and another called "To Jah Only (Praying For The World)" for Kariang. A "chanting stylee" singjay, Prezident Brown is a big name to watch for in the future. His first track for Jah Warrior, "Nothing Beats A Failure Like A Try" can be found on Jah Warrior Showcase Part 2.
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Prince Alla
Prince Alla is a true legend of reggae music with a career spanning 30 years. He has worked with veteran producers such as Joe Gibbs, Tappa Zukie, and Bertram Brown of Freedom Sounds, spawning a string of classics like "Rastafari," "Bucket Bottom," "Bozrock," "Stone," "Their Reward," "Cities," "Funeral," "Lot's Wife," "King Midas," "Daniel," and countless others. A serious, humble and genuine rastaman, in recent years he has also worked with Jah Shaka, whilst his classic material has been brought to the attention of a new audience courtesy of the Blood & Fire reissue label. Prince Alla has recorded 2 albums for Jah Warrior entitled 'Glory' and "More Love". Another track "Be Careful" can also be found on Jah Warrior Showcase Vol 2.
Ranking
Joe
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Ranking Joe
Born Joe Jackson and starting musical life as "Little Joe," this dj worked on the early 70's soundsystem El Paso Hi-Fi and recorded a tune called Gun Court at Studio One. Changing his name to Ranking Joe in 1977 he worked with producers such as Joe Gibbs, Sonia Pottinger and Dennis Brown. His unique fast tongue-rolling style made him instantly recognisable. To roots afficionados some of his finest outings have been on Dennis Brown productions, including the spellbinding dj cuts to DB's own "Slavedriver", "Cup Of Tea", "Home Sweet Home" and Black Uhuru's "Rent Man," many of which can be found on the album "Round The World." Another notable hit in the early 1980's was "Music Business," his dj cut to Triston Palma's "Fussing & Fighting" tune on the Cuss Cuss rhythm. Ranking Joe has also worked with Stereograph and Ray Symbolic soundsystems and now lives in New York. Look out for him on Jah Warrior's "Three The Roots Way" dj showcase album with U Brown + Trinity. Joe also cut "Drifter Inna Warrior Style" on the Drifter riddim, available on Jah Warrior 7". Further works with the DJ are currently in progress.
Rasheda
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Rasheda
Sister Rasheda came to public attention in the 1980’s with her massively popular
tune ”Hear My Cry” on Jah Shaka label. A totally conscious artist she has also
recorded for other producers including Augustus Pablo, the Twinkle Brothers,
Universal Roots, Deep Root plus her own Rasheda Lionness label. Her 1990’s album
“Hail HIM” recorded with the Disciples is regarded as a UK roots classic. Watch
out for her forthcoming track “Jah Is Love” coming on Jah Warrior label.
Rod
Taylor
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Rod Taylor
Rod Taylor cut his first tune "Bad Man Comes & Goes" for producer Ossie Hibbert in 1975. He has recorded a wealth of classic material for producers such as Bertram Brown "Ethiopian Kings," "In the Right Way," Prince Far I "Run Run," "No One Can Tell I About Jah," Prince Hammer "Words of Parables," "If Jah Should Come Now," Mikey Dread "His Imperial Majesty," "Behold Him," and many other tunes for many other producers. Rod "Rocky T" Taylor's album for Jah Warrior is titled "Shining Bright." He now lives in France, from where Patate Records recently issued a best selling revival compilation "Ethiopian Kings 1975-80."
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Tena Stelin
Tena Stelin has a career in reggae spanning over ten years, having recorded
albums & singles for Conscious Sounds (most notably “Can’t
Touch Jah”), Sound Iration (Thanks & Praise, Jah Equity, etc
on the WAU/Mr Modo label) & Keety Roots (Warning, Urban Ghetto Youths,
Spirit of Amlak) etc. He has also worked with the Firehouse Crew in Jamaica
& released a self-produced LP “The Order.” Tena Stelin featured
prominently on Jah Warrior Sound dubplates, & his first release for
the label “Lion Symbol/What Is Wrong With Man” was well received.
He has released an album for Jah Warrior entitled "Lion Symbol".
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Tony Roots
Born in Jamaica, where he went to school with Luciano, Tony Roots came to the UK several years ago. His first release here was a single "Hola Zion" for Barry Isaacs Reggae On Top label. He also released a 12" for King Original entitled "Intensional Invention." Since then Tony Roots has recorded several albums with The Disciples, another with Roots Hitek and has worked with Zion Gate in France, Manila Jeepney in the USA plus various other labels. His first release for Jah Warrior, a 7" single titled "Ease Off" was released in 1999, and he also features on the Jah Warrior Showcase album with the track "See Them A Come".
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Trinity
Trinity had a string of dj singles from the mid 1970's onwards, including
"Tallie De Banana," "Vampire," "Eventide Fire",
"Come Together" (with
Freddy McKay), "Three The Hard Way (with Dillinger and Al Campbell),
5 Man Army (with Dillinger, Wayne Wade, Al Campbell & Jr Tamlin),
"Blessed Are The Meek" & "King Pharaoh's Plague"
for Yabby U, "Perilous Time" with Mystic Eyes and many others.
His albums have included "Teenjam," and his recent Blood &
Fire collection of Yabby U produced rarities, "Shanty Town Determination."
Doubling as a singer under the name Junior Brammer he has recorded several
albums including "Telephone Line" for producer John Dread, worked
with Sly & Robbie and others. Look out for 3 tracks from him on Jah
Warrior's "Three The Roots Way" set, released autumn 2000.
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of U Brown
Born in Jamaica, U Brown began his musical career with various sound systems including the legendary King Tubbys Hi Fi. His first album "Satta Dread" was recorded in 1975 for producer Bunny Lee, for whom he voiced 3 other albums, "London Rock", "Revelation Time" and "Starsky & Hutch". The dj's career has encompassed working with the cream of Jamaicas producers (including Ossie Hibbert, Gussie Clarke, Carlton Patterson, Bim Sherman, Leggo, Winston Riley & Linval Thompson) and soundsystems (Socialist Roots, Jack Ruby, Black Harmony, Killermanjaro, Sturmars). Amongst his biggest hits have been titles like "Train To Zion" with Linval Thompson, "Weather Balloon" for his own Hit Bound label, "Can't Take The Praise Without Raise", the dj cut to Dennis Brown's "Praise Without Raise," and "Tushung Peng", the dj cut to Dennis Brown's "Revolution." In recent years the early work of U Brown has been brought to prominence courtesy of re-issue releases by the Blood and Fire and Tabou One labels. U Brown is amongst the artists featured on Jah Warrior's "Three The Roots Way" dj showcase, released in Autumn 2000. His full album for Jah Warrior is called "Rougher Than The Rest."
Jah Warrior Artist Profile of Winston McAnuff
Born and raised in Jamaica, Winston McAnuff cut his first tune "Ugly Days" for producer Derek Harriott in 1976, following up with singles like "Unknown Melody" and an album "Pick Hits To Click" for the same producer, and "Hypocrites & Parasites" for Fatman. He also wrote "Malcolm X," performed by both Earl 16 and Dennis Brown. A long time friend and associate of the late Jacob Miller, McAnuff performed with Miller as part of Inner Circle and replaced him as lead vocalist following Miller's death, recording an album called "Weh the Man A Deal With." His track "Tense Pon A Bench" features on Jah Warrior Showcase Vol. 2.
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