Earl Sixteen
Encyclopedia
Earl Sixteen is a reggae
singer whose career began in the mid-1970s.
and Jamaican artists such as Dennis Brown
, began his singing career by entering local talent shows. He became the lead vocalist for the group The Flaming Phonics, playing live around Jamaica. Daley decided to drop out of school to pursue his music career, which prompted his mother to throw him out of the family home. Needing to make some money, the group tried out for producer Duke Reid
, but left before finishing their recording for him due to his habit of firing live gunshots in the studio. They then worked with Herman Chin Loy
, with Daley cutting his first solo track, "Hey baby". The group split up, with Daley concentrating on his solo career. Daley recorded "Malcolm X" for producer Joe Gibbs
in 1975 - a track written by his school-friend Winston McAnuff, and which was later successfully covered by Dennis Brown
. In 1977, he joined Boris Gardiner
's group, The Boris Gardiner Happening, which brought him into contact with Lee "Scratch" Perry. In the late 1970s, after a spell with Derrick Harriott
, Daley recorded four tracks at Perry's Black Ark
studio, including the original recording of "White Belly Rat", also meeting Earl Morgan of The Heptones
, who later produced his album, Shining Star. In the early 1980s he recorded singles for a variety of producers including Linval Thompson
, Augustus Pablo
, Clement Dodd, Sugar Minott
, Yabby You
, and Derrick Harriott, and recorded his debut album with Mikey Dread
. He teamed up with Roy Cousins
for two albums, Julie and Special Request. Earlier material recorded for Studio One was released as 1985's Showcase album.
In 1985, after spending time in the United States
, he relocated to England
, fathering a child. His child's mother knew Mad Professor
, who Daley began working with. He also worked with other British producers such as Stafford Douglas. One of his tracks from this era was a cover version of "Holding Back the Years", which had been a big hit for Simply Red
. Returning to Jamaica, he worked briefly with King Jammy
. In the 1990s he made guest appearances on tracks by Leftfield
. He is one of the two vocalists for the UK electronica/reggae band Dreadzone
, who he has been with since 1995. He signed to WEA
for his major label debut, 1997's Steppin' Out album.
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 whose career began in the mid-1970s.
Biography
Daley grew up in Waltham Park Road, Kingston, and, influenced by American soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and Jamaican artists such as Dennis Brown
Dennis Brown
Dennis Emmanuel Brown was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of lovers rock, a sub-genre of reggae...
, began his singing career by entering local talent shows. He became the lead vocalist for the group The Flaming Phonics, playing live around Jamaica. Daley decided to drop out of school to pursue his music career, which prompted his mother to throw him out of the family home. Needing to make some money, the group tried out for producer Duke Reid
Duke Reid
Treasure Isle re-directs here. For the game, see Treasure Isle .Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner....
, but left before finishing their recording for him due to his habit of firing live gunshots in the studio. They then worked with Herman Chin Loy
Herman Chin Loy
Herman Chin Loy is a Jamaican record producer, best known for his productions from the late 1960s and early 1970s of artists such as Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis and Bruce Ruffin, and for the Aquarius and Scorpio labels that he ran. He is a Chinese Jamaican.-Biography:When Lloyd A...
, with Daley cutting his first solo track, "Hey baby". The group split up, with Daley concentrating on his solo career. Daley recorded "Malcolm X" for producer 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...
in 1975 - a track written by his school-friend Winston McAnuff, and which was later successfully covered by Dennis Brown
Dennis Brown
Dennis Emmanuel Brown was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of lovers rock, a sub-genre of reggae...
. In 1977, he joined Boris Gardiner
Boris Gardiner
Boris Gardiner is a Jamaican singer, songwriter and bass guitarist.-Career:Gardiner performed on the tourist circuit for much of the 1960s and was a member of Carlos Malcolm & the Afro Caribs and Byron Lee's Dragonaires...
's group, The Boris Gardiner Happening, which brought him into contact with Lee "Scratch" Perry. In the late 1970s, after a spell with Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott is a singer and record producer. He has produced recordings by Big Youth, Chariot Riders, The Chosen Few, Dennis Brown, The Ethiopians, Keith & Tex, The Kingstonians, Rudy Mills, Scotty, Sly & Revolutionaries, and Winston McAnuff.-Biography:As a student at Excelsior High School,...
, Daley recorded four tracks at Perry's Black Ark
Black Ark
The Black Ark was the recording studio of reggae and dub producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, built in 1973 and located behind his family's home in the Washington Gardens neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica...
studio, including the original recording of "White Belly Rat", also meeting Earl Morgan of The Heptones
The Heptones
The Heptones are a Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio most active in the 1960s and early 1970s. They were one of the more significant trios of that era, and played a major role in the gradual transition between ska and rocksteady with their three-part harmonies.-History:Leroy Sibbles, Earl...
, who later produced his album, Shining Star. In the early 1980s he recorded singles for a variety of producers including Linval Thompson
Linval Thompson
Linval Thompson is a Jamaican reggae and dub musician and record producer.-Biography:Thompson was raised in Kingston, Jamaica, but spent time with his mother in Queens, New York, and his recording career began around the age of 20 with the self-released "No Other Woman," recorded in Brooklyn, New...
, Augustus Pablo
Augustus Pablo
Horace Swaby , known as Augustus Pablo, was a Jamaican roots reggae and dub record producer, melodica player and keyboardist, active from the 1970s onwards. He popularized the use of the melodica in reggae music...
, Clement Dodd, Sugar Minott
Sugar Minott
Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator.-Biography:...
, Yabby You
Yabby You
Vivian Jackson , better known as Yabby You , was a reggae vocalist and producer, who came to prominence in the early 1970s through his uncompromising, self-produced work.-Biography:...
, and Derrick Harriott, and recorded his debut album with Mikey Dread
Mikey Dread
Michael George Campbell , better known as Mikey Dread, was a Jamaican singer, producer, and broadcaster. He was one of the most influential performers and innovators in reggae music...
. He teamed up with Roy Cousins
Roy Cousins
Roy Cousins is a reggae singer, producer, and record label owner, known for his work as leader of The Royals, his productions of artists such as Charlie Chaplin, Prince Far I, and Cornell Campbell, and his record labels such as Tamoki Wambesi.-Biography:Cousins worked for the Jamaican Post Office...
for two albums, Julie and Special Request. Earlier material recorded for Studio One was released as 1985's Showcase album.
In 1985, after spending time in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he relocated to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, fathering a child. His child's mother knew Mad Professor
Mad Professor
Mad Professor is a dub music producer and engineer known for his original productions and remix work. He is considered one of the leading producers of dub music’s second generation and was instrumental in transitioning dub into the digital age. He is a prolific producer, contributing to or...
, who Daley began working with. He also worked with other British producers such as Stafford Douglas. One of his tracks from this era was a cover version of "Holding Back the Years", which had been a big hit for Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
. Returning to Jamaica, he worked briefly with King Jammy
King Jammy
Lloyd James , better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub master at King Tubby's recording studio...
. In the 1990s he made guest appearances on tracks by Leftfield
Leftfield
Leftfield are a British duo of electronica artists and record producers, namely Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, who formed in 1990 in London, England...
. He is one of the two vocalists for the UK electronica/reggae band Dreadzone
Dreadzone
Dreadzone are a British band whose music is an eclectic fusion of dub, reggae, techno, folk and rock. They have so far produced six studio albums and two live albums.-Career:...
, who he has been with since 1995. He signed to WEA
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
for his major label debut, 1997's Steppin' Out album.
Discography
See also dreadzone Discography- Reggae Sounds (1981) DATC
- Julie (1982) Roy Cousins
- Super Duper (1982) Time
- Special Request (1983) Roy Cousins
- Shining Star (1983) Vista
- Songs For a Reason (1983) Vista
- Songs of Love and Hardship (1984) Kingdom
- Showcase (1985) Studio One
- Year 2000 (198?) Oswald Music
- Babylon Walls (1991) Ariwa
- Boss Man (1992) Carib Sounds
- Not For Sale (1993) Next Step
- Phoenix of Peace (1993)
- Rootsman (1994) Rhino
- Steppin' Out (1997) WEA
- Wonderous Works (2000) Gussie P
- Cyber Roots (2001) Epark
- Laika Come Home' (2001) (with Gorillaz, Spacemonkeyz and Terry Hall)
- Soldiers of Jah Army (2003) Patate
- Mash Up The Dance: Earl Sixteen live with No More Babylon BMG
- Feel The Fire WEA Allemagne
- Wake Up (2006) Ariwa
- "The Fittest" (2011) JahSolidRock Music/HeartBeat Europe