dance hall | Musicosity

Empress Ayeola (it's Yoruba meaning "joy and wealthy life") presents herself to the record buying reggae massive with "Isat Innat" (Ethiopian Amharic for "Fire Mamma"), her debut album released by Gaddamaweh Productions. Empress Ayeola (real name Jannette Reid) was born in England and at the tender age of two she migrated to Jamaica where she grew up. She started developing her talents as a teenager when she attended music classes with Sonia Spence, the latter known from tracks like "I Am Leaving On A Jet Plane" and "No Charge".

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reggae

roots

roots reggae

conscious

dance hall

Virgin Islands Reggae

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Cocoa Tea

Cocoa Tea (Calvin Scott) born in Rocky Point, Clarendon was one of many vocalists who emerged from the dancehall 'explosion' of the early 80's in Jamaica. His honeyed voice brought him a healthy following with a marvellous vitality and purity of vocal tone.
He has recorded with most of the top producers on the island at one time or another and his body of work includes; 'Lost Me Sonia', 'Rocking Dolly', 'Good Life', 'Heathen' and countless others worth checking out.

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Half Pint

Half Pint (born Lindon Roberts) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in the West Kingston enclave of Rose Lane. He was nicknamed "Half Pint" by a Mr. Brown, who was the father of one of his mother's friends in nearby Waterhouse. Half Pint also refers to a Miami Bass rap artist. Pint's first single, Sally, was released in 1983 followed by Winsome, which went on to be covered by The Rolling Stones in 1987. Other singles by Pint include Mr. Landlord, Level The Vibes, Substitute Lover, and the hit single, Victory.

Little John

There are two artists called Little John 1. b. John McMorris, C. 1970, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. McMorris first recorded with Captain Sinbad for the Youth In Progress label at the tender age of nine, where his piping interjections contrasted neatly with Sinbad's gruff style, and throughout the 80's he was seldom out of the Reggae charts. Claimed by many to be the first Dancehall singer, his ability to fit lyrics over any rhythm or backing track became something of a legend in a business that has scant regard for second takes and "dropping in.

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Mr. G

Mr. G is an alias for UK house and techno producer Colin McBean. Formerly recording as part of The Advent with Cisco Ferreira, solo since 2001. In addition, it’s the fairy tale story of a 36 year old high school Drama teacher from Summer Heights whose self penned musical touched the nation and resulted in a string of memorable songs. One such song was “Naughty Girl”. Told through the voice of Drama teacher Mr G, the song describes the plight of a promiscuous young girl with an addiction for recreational drugs.

Mr. Vegas

He catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall boomshots "Heads High" and "Nike Air", his distinctive vocals fusing melodious singing with precision deejaying (rapping). Since then he has built an international fan base with hit singles like "Pull Up", "Tamale" and "Hot Gal Today" but it is on his latest CD "Constant Spring" that Mr. Vegas' spectacular sing-jay approach and cleverly crafted lyrics dazzle with the intensity of an evening in, well, Las Vegas.

Cornell Campbell

Cornell, or Cornel, Campbell started recording in 1956, cutting shuffle and early ska tunes like "My Treasure" and "Don't Want Your Loving" at the ubiquitous Studio One for Coxsone Dodd. His singing style is delicate and ephemeral, making heavy use of falsetto. His stint at Studio One produced some beautiful tunes like Stars, Queen Of The Minstrels, Magic Spell, Trick In The Book and many others. His sister, Cecille Campbell, also sang at Studio One and was a member of the Soulettes with Rita Marley.

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