Johnny Clarke ruled the Dancehall in the mid 1970’s, using the cleaver 'Flyers Rhythms'
that gave some of his tunes an edge with the Sound Systems. But his voice was always
bigger than this and his versatility to sing a wide range of vocal styles, has seen him cut
through the decades as one of Reggae’s best voices.
Johnny Clarke (b.1955.Jamaica) cut his musical teeth at the age of seventeen, recording
his first song ‘God made the sea and sun’ for Producer Clancy Eccles. A low key release
but one that led to Johnny catching Producer Rupie Edwards eye, when he appeared at
a talent contest at Bull Bay. Impressed by his voice both live and on disc, Rupie cut a few
tunes with Johnny, ’Don’t Go Julie’ and ‘Everyday Wondering’ the later of which had
success not only in Jamaica, but also in the UK reggae market. The back bones of
‘Everyday Wandering’ now voiced by Rupie himself would lead onto an even bigger
hit in the 70’s with the classic ‘Irie Feelings’.
Johnny Clarke’s decision to move on around this time coincided with producer
Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee looking for a new singer to compete in the ever moving Dancehall
arena. Johnnie’s break came in a strange way, having provided backing vocals initially
to a Bunny Lee produced cut, Earl Zero’s ‘None Shall Escape the Judgment’.
The very same session the drummer on the track, Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis, when asked by
Bunny to come up with some new sound and while working the High - Hat cymbals,
hitting it when open, then when shut (based on the Philadelphia Disco Sound known
as the Phili - Sound ) gave what the reggae world would call a ‘Flyers Sound’.
On transferring the tune to four track to mix down at King Tubby’s studio, Earl Zero’s
vocal was mistakenly left off. Johnny Clarke being present at King Tubby’s and knowing
the track already inside out, then sang the lead vocal. The track became a smash
Sound System favourite and the rest as they say is history.
Johnny Clarke became one of Bunny’s main vocalists during the heyday that was the
1970’s. It’s from this vast cannon that we have selected some of the singers finest cuts.
His soulful voice worked the musical field from Dread to Rockers to Lovers Rock.
A great gift that on playing this album we hope you’ll agree carries through with the
tests of time.
CD Track Listing
1. NOBODIES BUSINESS
2. PLAY PLAY GIRL
3. JAH JAH WE PRAY
4. JUDGE NOT A MAN
5. GIVE ME A LOVE
6. MY DESIRE
7. YOU PRAY
8. STEALING,STEALING
9. RASTAMAN
10. THIS GRACEFUL WOMAN
11. THIS OLD HEART OF MINE
12. GIVE THE RIGHT
13. YOU HAVE CAUGHT ME BABY
14. BUILD MY WORLD AROUND YOU
15. DO IT RIGHT*
16. SINCE I FELL FOR YOU*
•CD Bonus Track
Vinly Track Listing
Side 1
1. NOBODIES BUSINESS
2. PLAY PLAY GIRL
3. JAH JAH WE PRAY
4. JUDGE NOT A MAN
5. GIVE ME A LOVE
6. MY DESIRE
7. YOU PRAY
Side 2
1. STEALING,STEALING
2. RASTAMAN
3. THIS GRACEFUL WOMAN
4. THIS OLD HEART OF MINE
5. GIVE THE RIGHT
6. YOU HAVE CAUGHT ME BABY
7. BUILD MY WORLD AROUND YOU
Musicians Include:
Carlton 'Santa' Davis, Carlton Barrett, Sly Dunbar: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare, Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Lloyd Parks: Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith: Lead guitar
Tony Chin, Winston 'Bo Beep': Rhythm Guitar
Ansel Collins: Piano
Bernard 'Touter' Harvey, Winston Wright: Organ
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Vin Gordon: Trombone
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown: Alto Saxophone
Recorded at: Channel 1,Randy's Studio 17,Harry J’s,King Tubby's & Dynamic Sounds.
Produced by: Bunny Lee.
Photography: Bunny Lee / Jah Floyd Archive
Design by: Gary at Voodoo London.
Manufactured under licence from E.Lee
Made in the U.K.
All tracks copyright control