#jahlarry

This edition takes a trip back to the 1970s, featuring several artists, many of whom are no longer with us. We begin with a 12" single by Roy Shirley with a medley of his biggest hits, called The Great Roy Shirley. The medley includes Hold Them, Feel Good (also known as In The Groove), and Get Ready (also known as Get On The Ball). The record was produced by the longtime partnership of Pete Weston and Lloyd Charmers, a duo responsible for numerous hits. Both Weston and Charmers went on to successful solo producing careers, with Canadian-based Weston finding success with the Micron Music label. Roy Shirley, also known as King Roy Shirley and The High Priest, launched his musical career in 1965 with the single Oh Shirley. In 1966, he recorded Hold Them, considered one of the first true rocksteady tracks, produced by Joe Gibbs. Roy's ecstatic live performances contributed significantly to his success, particularly during the 1960s and 70s. He made the UK his permanent home in 1973, where he established several organizations dedicated to mentoring artists and nurturing young talent. His final performance was at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in 2008. He passed away a month later at the age of 63. The B-side of the 12-inch single features renowned toasters Big Youth and I-Roy (credited here under his real name, Roy Reid). While the label lists two separate tracks, the two tunes blend seamlessly together, which is unsurprising as they both utilize the same backdrop: Roy Shirley's Hold Them, also known as the Leggo Beast riddim. Big Youth, born Manley Augustus Buchanan, is a reggae artist of exceptional stature. Emerging in the early 1970s, he quickly became one of Jamaica's top deejays, also gaining notoriety for his teeth, which were inlaid with red, gold, and green jewels. His 1973 album, Screaming Target, became an instant classic. Starting in the mid-1970s, he took control of his production, releasing music on his own labels, Negusa Nagast and Augustus Buchanan. He enjoyed continued success and prolific output until the mid-1980s, when the rise of digital riddims pushed him somewhat into the background. Since the turn of the millennium, he has returned to the forefront, frequently performing at festivals worldwide and regularly recording new music. I Roy's story, unfortunately, has a less positive ending. After working in the sound system circuit, he recorded a four-song set for producer Harry Mudie, which launched a successful career throughout the 1970s. He recorded popular tracks with various producers, and his 1973 debut album for Gussie Clarke, Presenting I Roy, was a major hit. His work with Bunny Lee is also well-known, including his "feud" with deejay Prince Jazzbo. He later signed with Virgin Records, which released several of his albums. Like many artists of the 1970s, I Roy struggled to adapt to the rise of digital riddims. He faced health issues and financial difficulties, even experiencing homelessness. He passed away in November 1999, penniless and alone, in a hospital in Spanish Town. The second 12" single features Jah Larry, a reggae deejay/singer, producer, and label owner whose output was relatively limited. Beyond his base in Clarendon, Jamaica, little is known about him. On this single, he collaborates with singer Ken Parker, who enjoyed a successful, though brief, career in the Jamaican music industry. During the latter half of the 1960s, Parker scored hits for both Coxsone Dodd's Studio One and Duke Reid's Treasure Isle. His biggest successes came with Treasure Isle, including the tunes Jimmy Brown and Can't Hide. Disillusioned with the music business, he left Jamaica in 1972, moving to the UK via the US. Since the 1980s, he has focused on gospel music and continues to perform occasionally. The track by Jah Larry and Ken Parker is a successful remake of The Techniques' 1967 hit, Queen Majesty, which itself was an adaptation of The Impressions' massive hit Minstrel And Queen. It's possible that Jah Larry and Ken Parker drew inspiration from The Jayes' version featuring deejay Ranking Trevor, famous for the iconic "takeover" scene in the film Rockers. The track is produced by Lloyd Charmers, a prominent artist and singer who has made a significant contribution to the Jamaican music industry. Read the full article