Horace Andy has always commanded a place high on the list of Reggae singers from
Jamaica. His distinctive haunting vocal style stands strong on any rhythm, song or style
he chooses to cover. Of the singers on that long list, he has managed more so than
any other, to crossover to a new generation of listeners due to his individual style,
helped also by his collaborations with the likes of Massive Attack.
Horace Andy (b. Horace Hinds,1951,Kingston Jamaica) like many other Jamaican
singers began his musical career at Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One. So impressed
with the youth, Coxsonne decided on a name change for the young artist and
called him after his top songwriter of the time Bob Andy. So Horace Hinds became
Horace Andy. His first tune for Coxsonne ‘Something On My Mind’ was a slow burner
in Jamaica, but his belief in his young protégé paid off when followed later by
‘Skylarking’ a tune that burst the singer all over the radio and sound systems of
Jamaica. After numerous singles and two albums worth of material, Horace moved
on to work with many of the top flight Jamaican producers, among them Keith Hudson,
Augustus Pablo and Niney the Observer, but it was his work with producer Bunny Lee
in the 70’s that he cut most of his hits for and from this stable of work, that we have
compiled this set. Some of his late 60’s classics were recut in the popular 1970’s style,
working with the rhythm kings themselves, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.
They have added some shine to the tracks, ‘Something On My Mind’ and ‘Skylarking’
and made them hits all over again. Such was Horace’s delivery to the covers he sang
like Delroy Wilson’s version of the Tams ‘Riding For A Fall’, the Heptones
‘My Guiding Star’, John Holts ‘Man Next Door’ and Bill Wither’s ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’,
that these fine tunes were made his own. The roots end of his musical style was
covered by Andy originals such as ‘You Are My Angel’, ’Zion Gate’, ‘Money Money’
and the cut which we have taken our edited title, the timeless ‘Just Say Who’. A bass
heavy cut to Bob Marley’s ‘Natural Mystic’ works so well in this style also.
Another nickname Horace acquired was the affectionate title of Sleepy, as he was
always hanging around the yards and studios of Jamaica waiting his turn, sometimes
so long he would fall asleep. His enthusiasm to get back in the studio to work some
more of his magic, to a catalogue of material that has developed into one of the
finest in Jamaica. I hope you will agree, this fine set of 1970’s classics will sit alongside.
CD Track Listing
1 You Are My Angel
2 My Guiding Star‘Money
3 Just Say Who
4 Money Money
5 Skylarking
6 Something On My Mind
7 Riding For A Fall
8 Zion Gate
9 Natural Mystic
10 Love of A Woman
11 Don’t Try To Use Me
12 Man Next Door
13 Better Collie
14 No Man Is an Island
15 Ain’t No Sunshine*
16 Man To Man*
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1 You Are My Angel
2 My Guiding Star‘Money
3 Just Say Who
4 Money Money
5 Skylarking
6 Something On My Mind
7 Riding For A Fall
Side 2
1 Zion Gate
2 Natural Mystic
3 Love of A Woman
4 Don’t Try To Use Me
5 Man Next Door
6 Better Collie
7 No Man Is an Island
Musicians Include:Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis, Sly Dunbar: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare: Bass
Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith: Guitar
Winston Wright: Organ
Augustus Pablo: Keyboards
Tommy McCook: Saxophone
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Recorded at: Channel 1, Randy’s Studio 17, Harry J’s & King Tubby’s
Produced By: Bunny Lee
Design by: Voodoo Londoon
Photography: Courtesy of Bunny Lee
Manufactured Under Licence From E.Lee