Beres Hammond
Encyclopedia
Beres Hammond is a reggae
singer known in particular for his romantic lovers rock
and soulful voice. While his career began in the 1970s, he reached his greatest success in the 1990s.
music; including Sam Cooke
and Otis Redding
. He was further influenced by the native musics of ska
and rocksteady
, in particular Alton Ellis
.
Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording
, of Ellis' "Wanderer". In 1975 he joined the band
, Zap Pow
, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single
, "The System" under the Aquarius Records
label
. However, he simultaneously sought a solo
career, releasing his debut album
, Soul Reggae
, in 1976. His solo ballad
s "One Step Ahead" (1976) and Joe Gibbs
produced "I'm in Love" (1978), were both hits in Jamaica. He left Zap Pow in 1979 to pursue his solo career, and recorded two more albums Let's Make A Song in 1980 and Red Light 1981. He formed Tuesday's Children, a harmony
group that toured but never recorded.
Hammond formed his own record label, Harmony Records, in 1985 for the release of his Make a Song album, which had two Jamaican chart-toppers that were influenced by the emerging dancehall
style: "Groovy Little Thing" and "What One Dance Can Do". The latter, produced
by Willie Lindo, began to break Hammond into the international market. He scored another hit in 1986 with "Settling Down" on his eponymous release. He left his fame in Jamaica for New York
in 1987, after being tied up as thieves ransacked his house during a home invasion
. There he recorded the Have a Nice Weekend album and the duet single "How Can We Ease the Pain" with Maxi Priest
.
Hammond returned briefly to Jamaica to record Putting Up Resistance, which was significantly harder than his typical ballads, produced by Tappa Zukie, which spawned the hits "Putting Up Resistance" and "Strange". He signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and returned to Jamaica permanently to record the dancehall smash "Tempted to Touch", with producer Donovan Germain
. This is perhaps his best known song
in the United States
and United Kingdom
, and set the foundation for the hits "Is This a Sign" and "Respect to You Baby" on the 1992 Love Affair album. Also in 1992, Beres released the single "Fire". The song received critical acclaim within the Reggae music industry and it was an extremely sought after 7" single. Now garnering interest from major studios
such as Elektra Records
, Hammond recorded five more albums in the 1990s as well as several compilations
, establishing himself as one of the top lovers rock
artists. His first album of the new millennium was 2001's Music Is Life, which featured an appearance by Wyclef Jean
, and contributions from Earl "Chinna" Smith and Flourgon
. The album spawned several hits, including "They Gonna Talk", "Rockaway" and "Ain't It Good To Know". The 2004 release Love Has No Boundaries, had guest spots by Buju Banton
and Big Youth
.
He returned to Jamaica to perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Cricket World Cup 2007.
He released yet another album in 2008, A Moment in Time, on VP Records, which featured the single "I Feel Good".
Compilations:
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
singer known in particular for his romantic lovers rock
Lovers rock
Lovers rock is a style of reggae music noted for its romantic sound and content. While love songs had been an important part of reggae since the late 1960s, the style was given a greater focus and a name in London in the mid 1970s.-History:...
and soulful voice. While his career began in the 1970s, he reached his greatest success in the 1990s.
Biography
Born the ninth of ten children; Hammond grew up listening to his father's collection of American soul and jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music; including Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
and Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. He was further influenced by the native musics of ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and rocksteady
Rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals and The Paragons. The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton...
, in particular Alton Ellis
Alton Ellis
Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD, was a Jamaican musician best known as one of the innovators of rocksteady music and was often referred to as the "Godfather of Rocksteady". In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.-Biography:Ellis was born in 1938 and...
.
Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, of Ellis' "Wanderer". In 1975 he joined the band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, Zap Pow
Zap Pow
Zap Pow were a Jamaican reggae band, whose members have included guitarist Dwight Pinkney and singer Beres Hammond. They existed from 1969 to 1979.-History:...
, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "The System" under the Aquarius Records
Aquarius Records
Aquarius Records is an independent record label founded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1969. The first president was Terry Flood and the other founding owners were Donald Tarlton, Bob Lemm, Dan Lazare and Jack Lazare. Originally the label was distributed by London Records of Canada.Among the first...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. However, he simultaneously sought a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
career, releasing his debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Soul Reggae
Soul Reggae
-Track listing:#"You Don't Have to Lie"#"Oh Take Me Girl"#"My Whole World"#"Don't Wait Too Long"#"Somebody Lied"#"Is This The Right Way?"#"I'll Never Change"#"Got to Get Away"#"Smile"#"Your Love Won't Shine"#"One Step Ahead"-Personnel:...
, in 1976. His solo ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s "One Step Ahead" (1976) and Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs (record producer)
Joe Gibbs born Joel A. Gibson was a Jamaican reggae producer.-Biography:Joe Gibbs worked as an electronics engineer in the United States before his career in music started. Gibbs eventually returned to Kingston, Jamaica and opened an electrical repair shop with television repairs and sales as its...
produced "I'm in Love" (1978), were both hits in Jamaica. He left Zap Pow in 1979 to pursue his solo career, and recorded two more albums Let's Make A Song in 1980 and Red Light 1981. He formed Tuesday's Children, a harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
group that toured but never recorded.
Hammond formed his own record label, Harmony Records, in 1985 for the release of his Make a Song album, which had two Jamaican chart-toppers that were influenced by the emerging dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
style: "Groovy Little Thing" and "What One Dance Can Do". The latter, produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Willie Lindo, began to break Hammond into the international market. He scored another hit in 1986 with "Settling Down" on his eponymous release. He left his fame in Jamaica for New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1987, after being tied up as thieves ransacked his house during a home invasion
Home invasion
Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally...
. There he recorded the Have a Nice Weekend album and the duet single "How Can We Ease the Pain" with Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest
Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most...
.
Hammond returned briefly to Jamaica to record Putting Up Resistance, which was significantly harder than his typical ballads, produced by Tappa Zukie, which spawned the hits "Putting Up Resistance" and "Strange". He signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and returned to Jamaica permanently to record the dancehall smash "Tempted to Touch", with producer Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain is a reggae producer, one of the most successful of the digital era.-Biography:Germain's entry into the music industry was via his record shop in New York City in the 1970s. He began production in 1972, visiting Jamaica for recording sessions, working in both roots reggae and...
. This is perhaps his best known song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and set the foundation for the hits "Is This a Sign" and "Respect to You Baby" on the 1992 Love Affair album. Also in 1992, Beres released the single "Fire". The song received critical acclaim within the Reggae music industry and it was an extremely sought after 7" single. Now garnering interest from major studios
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
such as Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
, Hammond recorded five more albums in the 1990s as well as several compilations
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, establishing himself as one of the top lovers rock
Lovers rock
Lovers rock is a style of reggae music noted for its romantic sound and content. While love songs had been an important part of reggae since the late 1960s, the style was given a greater focus and a name in London in the mid 1970s.-History:...
artists. His first album of the new millennium was 2001's Music Is Life, which featured an appearance by Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, and contributions from Earl "Chinna" Smith and Flourgon
Flourgon
Michael May , better known as Flourgon, is a Jamaican dancehall artist.-Biography:May got his nickname of 'Flourgon', which became his stage name, due to his love of dumplings. After being tutored by Charlie Chaplin, he gained experience deejaying on various Kingston sound systems, he started his...
. The album spawned several hits, including "They Gonna Talk", "Rockaway" and "Ain't It Good To Know". The 2004 release Love Has No Boundaries, had guest spots by Buju Banton
Buju Banton
Buju Banton is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician.Banton has recorded pop and dance songs, as well as songs dealing with sociopolitical topics....
and Big Youth
Big Youth
Manley Augustus Buchanan , better known as Big Youth , is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s....
.
He returned to Jamaica to perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Cricket World Cup 2007.
He released yet another album in 2008, A Moment in Time, on VP Records, which featured the single "I Feel Good".
Discography
- Soul Reggae (1976), Water Lily
- Let's Make a Song (1981), Brotherhood Music Inc.
- Red Light (1993), Heavybeat - recorded 1983
- Beres Hammond (1985), Charm
- Have A Nice Weekend (1988), Charm
- Full Attention (1993), VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...
- In Control (1994), Warner Bros.Warner Bros.Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
- Expression (1995), HeartbeatHeartbeat RecordsHeartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington , Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music. Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of Linton Kwesi Johnson's Dread Beat an' Blood...
- Beres Hammond & Derrick Lara - A Love Affair (1997), Jet StarJet StarJet Star was a United Kingdom record distribution company that grew out of Pama Records in 1978. It was one of the largest distributors of reggae music, the company themselves claiming the title "the world's largest reggae distributors".-History:Jet Star was formed in 1978 by the Palmer Brothers,...
- Love from a Distance (1997), VP
- A Day in the Life (1998), VP
- Music Is Life (2001), VP
- Sweetness (2001), VP
- Love Has No Boundaries (2004), VP
- Putting Up Resistance (2004), VP
- Lifetime Guarantee (2005), GreensleevesGreensleeves RecordsGreensleeves Records & Publishing is a record label specialising in dancehall and reggae music. The company was founded by Chris Cracknell and Chris Sedgwick and started as a small record store in West Ealing, London, in November 1975 and is based in Britain....
- A Moment in Time (2008), Greensleeves - with DVD
- Just a Man (2010), VP
Compilations:
- Jet Star Reggae Max (1996), Jet Star
- Beres Hammond: Collectors Series (1998), Penthouse
- Beres Hammond and Friends (2001), Ejaness
- Soul Reggae and More, Heavybeat
- Can't Stop a Man: The Best of Beres Hammond (2003), VP
- Something Old Something New (2009), Penthouse