King Jammy
Encyclopedia
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
. His dubs were known for their clear sound and use of effects.
for a few years in the early 1970s, he returned to Kingston in 1976 and set up his own studio at his in-laws' home in Waterhouse, and released a couple of Yabby You
productions. When Phillip Smart left King Tubby
's team to work in New York
, Jammy replaced him, getting to work with Bunny Lee
and Yabby You.
In the late 1970s he began to release his own productions, including the debut album from Black Uhuru
in 1977. In the 1980s, he became one of the most influential producers of dancehall
music. His biggest hit was 1985's "Under Me Sleng Teng
" by Wayne Smith
, with an entirely-digital rhythm hook
. Many credit this song as being the first "Digital
rhythm" in reggae, leading to the modern dancehall
era. Jammy's productions and sound system dominated reggae music for the remainder of the 1980s and into the 1990s. He continues to work as a producer, working with some of today's top Jamaican artists, including Sizzla
.
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
mixer and record producer
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...
. He began his musical career as a dub master at King Tubby
King Tubby
King Tubby was a Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, known primarily for his influence on the development of dub in the 1960s and 1970s...
's recording studio
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...
. His dubs were known for their clear sound and use of effects.
Biography
After earning money from building amplifiers and repairing electrical equipment from his mother's house in Waterhouse in the late 1960s, he started his own sound system. He also built equipment for other local systems. After leaving Jamaica to work in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for a few years in the early 1970s, he returned to Kingston in 1976 and set up his own studio at his in-laws' home in Waterhouse, and released a couple of 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:...
productions. When Phillip Smart left King Tubby
King Tubby
King Tubby was a Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, known primarily for his influence on the development of dub in the 1960s and 1970s...
's team to work in 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...
, Jammy replaced him, getting to work with Bunny Lee
Bunny Lee
Edward O'Sullivan Lee, better known as Bunny "Striker" Lee is a prominent, prolific and successful record producer best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
and Yabby You.
In the late 1970s he began to release his own productions, including the debut album from Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru . The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Duckie Simpson always maintaining group control and ownership...
in 1977. In the 1980s, he became one of the most influential producers of 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,...
music. His biggest hit was 1985's "Under Me Sleng Teng
Sleng Teng
Sleng Teng is the name given to the first fully computerized riddim in Jamaican music. The riddim, which was created by the collaboration between King Jammy and Wayne Smith, was titled "Under Me Sleng Teng". However, in this case Wayne Smith was the one who had found the computerized sound in Noel...
" by Wayne Smith
Wayne Smith (musician)
Wayne Smith is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician.-Biography:His 1985 recording of " Sleng Teng", is generally regarded as the beginning of ragga style reggae. The rhythm was created on a Casio MT-40 and is based on the riff from Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else"...
, with an entirely-digital rhythm hook
Hook (music)
A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to "catch the ear of the listener". The term generally applies to popular music, especially rock music, hip hop, dance music, and pop. In these genres, the hook is often...
. Many credit this song as being the first "Digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
rhythm" in reggae, leading to the modern 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,...
era. Jammy's productions and sound system dominated reggae music for the remainder of the 1980s and into the 1990s. He continues to work as a producer, working with some of today's top Jamaican artists, including Sizzla
Sizzla
Sizzla Kalonji, or simply Sizzla in are de reggae musician. He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artists and is well-known for his above-average prolificacy...
.
1979
- Fatman Dub Contest (Crucial Bunny Vs Prince Jammy)
- Kamikazi Dub
- Harder Na Rass (The Rass-es Band & Prince Jammy)
1980
- Fatman vrs. Shaka In A Dub Conference
- Big Showdown (Scientist v. Prince Jammy)....Jammy mixed rounds 2,4,6,8, and 10.
1981
- First, Second And Third Generation Of Dub (King Tubby & Prince Jammy & Scientist)
- Strictly Dub
1982
- Uhuru In Dub (Black Uhuru & Prince Jammy)
- Prince Jammy Destroys The Invaders
- Dub Landing Vol: 2 (Scientist & Prince Jammy)
Compilations
- Dub Gone 2 Crazy [King Tubby & Prince Jammy - 1975-79]
- Dub The Old Fashioned Way [Lee Perry & Prince Jammy - 197X]
- Dubwise Revolution [King Tubby & Prince Jammy & Scientist - 197X]
- The Rhythm King [Prince Jammy & Various Artists - 198X]
- Umoja - 20th Century DEBwise [Dennis Brown Presents Prince Jammy - 1978]
Appearances on various artist compilations
- Big Showdown
-
- Round 2
- Round 4
- Round 6
- Round 8
- Round 10
- Black Black Minds
- Peace And Rest Version
- How Long Version
- Keep On Trying Version
- Bunny Lee Meets King Tubby & Aggrovators
- Channel One A Boy
- Creation Rockers
- You're No Good
- Don Letts Presents The Mighty Trojan Sound
- Out Of Order
- Dub Chill Out
- Slow Motion Dub
- Black And White Dub
- Dub It In The Dancehall Dub
- Jump Song Dub
- Dub Massive Chapter 1
- Out Of Order
- Fist Of Fury
- Dub Massive Chapter 2
- Throne Of Blood
- Shaolin Temple
- Dub Sessions
- Dub Investigation
- Brothers Of The Blade
- Dubwise & Otherwise
- Wreck Up A Version
- Fat Man Dub Contest
- Jammy A No Fool
- Jammy's On The Move
- Jammy's A Shine
- Jammy's A Satta
- Fatman Presents Twin Spin Vol I
- Second Generation
- First, Second And Third Generation Of Dub
- Second Generation
- On The Scene
- Flashing Echo
- Fist Of Fury
- Jammin For Survival
- Out Of Order Dub
- Haul & Pull Up Selecta
- You're No Good (12)
- Jammin' For Survival (12)
- Heavyweight Sound
- Problems Dub
- In Fine Style
- A Useful Version
- King Jammy In Roots
- Slaughterhouse Five
- Born Free (Extended Mix)
- Youth Man Dub
- Kung Fu !
- Shaolin Temple
- Throne Of Blood
- Fist Of Fury
- Punky Reggae Party
- Run It Red
- Chapter Of Money
- Dub Ites Green & Gold
- Higher Ranking
- A Stalawatt Version
- Mr. Bassie Dub
- Music Dub
- Scratchy Sounds
- Brothers of the Blade
- Straight To I Roy Head
- Channel One A Boy
- The Crowning Of Prince Jammy
- Life Is A Moment In Space
- The Crowning Of Prince Jammy
- Return Of Jammy's Hi-Fi
- The Trojan Story Vol 1&2
- Throne Of Blood
- Third World Disco Vol 1
- Love Can Conquer
- This Is Crucial Reggae Dub
- Throne Of Blood
- Trojan 12" Box Set
- You’re No Good
- Born Free
- Trojan Dub Box Set Volume 2
- Fist Of Fury
- Throne Of Blood
- Shaolin Temple
- Under Me Sleng Teng Extravaganza
- Sweet Teng
- X-Ray Music
- Step It Up In Dub
- Dub There
- The Champion Version
- Dub Is My Occupation
Albums produced
- Anthony Johnson - A Yah We Deh [1985]
- Barry BrownBarry Brown (singer)Barry Brown was a Jamaican reggae singer, initially coming to prominence in the 1970s with his work with Bunny Lee, but remaining popular throughout his career.-Biography:...
- King Jammy Presents Barry Brown [1980] - Barry Brown - Showcase [1980]
- Black Crucial - Mr. Sonny [1985]
- Black Sounds Uhro - Love Crisis [1977]
- Black UhuruBlack UhuruBlack Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru . The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Duckie Simpson always maintaining group control and ownership...
- Black Sounds Of Freedom [1981] - Black Uhuru & Prince Jammy - Uhuru In Dub [1982]
- Cocoa TeaCocoa TeaCocoa Tea is a Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and DJ.- Biography :Cocoa Tea was popular in Jamaica from 1985, but has become successful worldwide only since the 1990s...
- The Marshall [1985] - Dennis BrownDennis BrownDennis 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...
- History [1985] - Dennis Brown - Slow Down [1985]
- Errol HoltErrol HoltErrol Holt , also known as Errol Carter and by his nickname Flabba, is a Jamaican bass guitar player who was a member of The Morwells and the Roots Radics and has played on hundreds of Jamaican albums.-Biography:...
- Vision Of Africa [1978] - Frankie PaulFrankie PaulPaul Blake , better known as Frankie Paul, is one of Jamaica's best-loved and popular dancehall reggae artists. Born blind, he has been dubbed by some 'The Jamaican Stevie Wonder'.-Biography:...
- Sara [1987] - Frankie Paul & Michael PalmerMichael Palmer (musician)Michael Palmer , als known as Palma Dog, is a Jamaican reggae musician who released several albums in the 1980s.-Biography:Born in the Maxfield Park area of Kingston in 1960, Palmer began his career performing with sound systems such as Stereophonic Sound with General Echo in the late 1970s, taking...
- Double Trouble [1985] - Half Pint - Money Man Skank [1984]
- Half Pint - One In A Million [1984]
- Kruxial Selecta- Long inna Time (1986)
- Horace AndyHorace AndyHorace Andy is a roots reggae songwriter and singer, known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as "Government Land", "Angel", "Five Man Army" and a cover version of "Ain't No Sunshine"....
- Haul And Jack Up [1987] - Hortense EllisHortense EllisHortense Ellis was a reggae musician, and the younger sister of fellow artist, Alton Ellis.-Biography:Her father worked on the railways while her mother ran a fruit stall. She was 18 years old when she appeared on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, then Jamaica's foremost outlet for young...
- Reflections [1979] - Hugh MundellHugh MundellHugh Mundell was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter.-Biography:Mundell was introduced to reggae by reggae performer and producer Boris Gardiner who was a friend of the family...
Featuring Lacksley CastellLacksley CastellLacksley Castell was a Jamaican reggae singer best known for his work in the early 1980s.-Biography:...
- Jah Fire [1980] - Johnny OsbourneJohnny OsbourneJohnny Osbourne is a popular Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, who rose to success in the late 1970s and mid 1980s. His album Truths and Rights was a notable roots reggae success, and featured "Jah Promise" and the album's title track, "Truths and Rights"...
- Folly Ranking [1980] - Johnny Osbourne - Mr Body Bye [198X]
- Johnny Osbourne - Musical Chopper [1983]
- Johnny Osbourne - Water Pumping [1983]
- Jolly Brothers - Consciousness [1979]
- Junior ReidJunior ReidDelroy "Junior" Reid is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician, best known for the songs "One Blood" and "Funny Man", as well as being the man that replaced Michael Rose as lead vocalist for Black Uhuru.-Biography:...
- Boom Shack A Lack [1985] - King Tubby & Prince Jammy & Scientist - Dubwise Revolution [197X]
- Leroy SmartLeroy Smart-Biography:Smart was born in 1952 and orphaned aged 2. He was raised at Maxfield Park Children's Home and educated at Alpha Boys School, where he studied singing, drums and dancing....
- She Just A Draw Card [1982] - Leroy Smart - Showcase [1985]
- Leroy Smart - We Rule Everytime [1985]
- Little JohnLittle John (musician)John McMorris , better known as Little John, is a Jamaican dancehall musician best known for his 1980s recordings.-History:Born 1970 in Kingston, Jamaica, Litle John was so called as he began performing and recording at the age of nine...
- Clarks Booty [1985] - Michael Palmer - I'm So Attractive [1985]
- Natural Vibes - Life Hard A Yard [1982]
- Niccademos - Dance Hall Style [1982]
- Noel Phillips - Youth Man Vibrations [1981]
- Peter Yellow - Hot [1982]
- Prince Jammy - Kamikazi Dub [1979]
- Prince Jammy - Osbourne In Dub [1983]
- Prince Jammy - Prince Jammy Destroys The Invaders [1982]
- Prince Jammy - Strictly Dub [1981]
- Prince Jammy & Various Artists - The Rhythm King [198X]
- Sugar MinottSugar MinottLincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator.-Biography:...
- A Touch Of Class [1985] - Sugar Minott - Bitter Sweet [1979]
- Tonto Irie - Jammy's Possee [198X]
- Travellers - Black Black Minds [1977]
- U Black - Westbound Thing A Swing [1977]
- U BrownU BrownU Brown aka New Roy, Hugh Brown, Nuroy is a reggae deejay who released eleven albums between 1976 and 1984.-Biography:...
- Mr Brown Something [1978] - U Brown vs Peter Yellow - DJ Confrontation [1982]
- Various Artists - 10 To 1 [1985]
- Various Artists - 1985 Master Mega Hits [1985]
- Various Artists - 1985 Master Mega Hits Vol 2 [1985]
- Various Artists - King Jammy - A Man And His Music Vol 1 [197X-8X]
- Various Artists - King Jammy - A Man And His Music Vol 2 [198X]
- Various Artists - King Jammy - A Man And His Music Vol 3 [198X]
- Various Artists - King Jammy In Roots [197X-8X]
- Various Artists - King Jammy's At Channel 1 [1977-79]
- Various Artists - Prince Jammy Presents Vol 1 [1986]
- Various Artists - Superstar Hit Parade [1986]
- Various Artists - Under Me Sleng Teng Extravaganza [1985]
- Wayne Smith - Smoker Super [1985]
- Wayne Smith - Under Me Sleg Teng [1985]
- Wayne Smith - Youthman Skanking [1982]
- Ween - Friends EP (only track #4 "King Billy")
Albums engineered and/or mixed
- Agrovators - Kaya Dub [1977]
- Alton Ellis - Many Moods Of Alton Ellis [1978-80]
- Alton Ellis & Heptones - Alton Ellis Sings, Heptones Harmonise [1978-80]
- Augustus Pablo - El Rocker's [1972-75]
- Augustus Pablo - Rockers Meets King Tubby In A Fire House [1980]
- Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers [1972-75]
- Barrington Levy - Englishman [1979]
- Barrington Levy - Englishman - Robin Hood [1979-80]
- Barry Brown - King Jammy Presents Barry Brown [1980]
- Barry Brown - The Best Of Barry Brown [197X]
- Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell - Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell [197X]
- Bim Sherman - Ghetto Dub [1988]
- Bim Sherman Meets Horace Andy And U Black - In A Rub A Dub Style [1982]
- Black Sounds Uhro - Love Crisis [1977]
- Black Uhuru - Black Sounds Of Freedom [1981]
- Black Uhuru & Prince Jammy - Uhuru In Dub [1982]
- Carl HarveyCarl HarveyCarl Harvey is a Jamaican born guitarist and record producer who recorded as a member of Crack of Dawn and The Aggrovators in the 1970s, and later became guitarist for Toots & the Maytals.-Biography:...
- Ecstasy Of Mankind [1978] - Carlton Patterson & King Tubby - Psalms Of Drums [197X]
- Cornell Campbell - Boxing [1982]
- Cornell Campbell - Follow Instructions [1983]
- Cornell Campbell - Turn Back The Hands Of Time [1977]
- Creation Rebel - Close Encounters Of The Third World [1978]
- Crucial Bunny Vs Prince Jammy - Fat Man Dub Contest [1979]
- DEB Music Players - 20th Century DEB-Wise [1978]
- David JahsonDavid JahsonEverald Pickersgill , better known as David Jahson, is a Jamaican reggae singer, active since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
- Natty Chase The Barber [1978] - Delroy Wilson - Go Away Dream [1982]
- Dennis Brown - Slow Down [1985]
- Dennis Brown Presents Prince Jammy - Umoja - 20th Century DEBwise [1978]
- Dillinger - Cornbread [1978]
- Earl "Chinna" Smith - Sticky Fingers [1977]
- Eek A Mouse - Wa Do Dem [1981]
- Frankie Paul & Michael Palmer - Double Trouble [1985]
- Gregory Isaacs - Slum In Dub [1978]
- Half Pint - One In A Million [1984]
- Horace Andy - In The Light / In The Light Dub [1977]
- Hortense Ellis - Jamaica's First Lady Of Songs [1977]
- Hugh Mundell Featuring Lacksley Castell - Jah Fire [1980]
- I Roy - Can't Conquer Rasta [1976]
- Jah Frankie Jones - Satta An Praise Jah [1977]
- Jah LloydJah LloydJah Lloyd, aka Jah Lion, The Black Lion of Judah, and Jah Ali was a reggae singer, deejay and producer.-Biography:...
- Black Moses [1979] - Jah StitchJah StitchJah Stitch is a reggae deejay best known for his recordings in the 1970s.-Biography:...
- Original Ragga Muffin [1975-77] - Johnny Clarke - Don't Stay Out Late [1977]
- Johnny Clarke - Dread Natty Congo [1977]
- Johnny Clarke - Sweet Conversation [1977]
- Johnny Osbourne - Folly Ranking [1980]
- Johnny Osbourne - Musical Chopper [1983]
- Johnny Osbourne - Water Pumping [1983]
- Junior Reid - Boom Shack A Lack [1985]
- Keith Hudson - Rasta Communication [1978]
- King Tubby - Dub Gone Crazy [1975-79]
- King Tubby - Dub Like Dirt [1975-77]
- King Tubby - Majestic Dub [197X]
- King Tubby's And The Agrovators - Dubbing In The Back Yard [1982]
- King Tubby & Aggrovators - Shalom Dub [1975]
- King Tubby & Prince Jammy - Dub Gone 2 Crazy [1975-79]
- King Tubby & Prince Jammy & Scientist - First, Second And Third Generation Of Dub [1981]
- Leroy Smart - Reggae Showcase Vol 1 [197X]
- Leroy Smart - Superstar [1977]
- Leroy Smart - Superstar [1976]
- Linval Thompson & Wayne Jarrett & Ranking Trevor - Train To Zion Dub [1981]
- Lord Sassafrass - Horse Man Connection [1982]
- Michael Prophet - Serious Reasoning [1980]
- Mikey Dread - African Anthem [1979]
- Mikey Dread - Dread At The Controls [1979]
- Mother Liza With Kojak - Chant Down Babylon [198X]
- Noel Phillips - Youth Man Vibrations [1981]
- Paragons - Heaven & Earth [197X]
- Paragons - Now [1982]
- Pat Kelly - One Man Stand [1979]
- Peter Yellow - Hot [1982]
- Prince Far I - Cry Tuff Dub Encounter II [1979]
- Prince Hammer - World War Dub Part 1 [1979]
- Prince Jammy - Dub Culture [1983]
- Prince Jammy - Fatman vrs. Shaka In A Dub Conference [1980]
- Prince Jammy - Kamikazi Dub [1979]
- Prince Jammy - Prince Jammy Destroys The Invaders [1982]
- Prince Jammy - Strictly Dub [1981]
- Revolutionaries - Goldmine Dub [1979]
- Rockers All Stars - Chanting Dub With The Help Of The Father [1978]
- Rod TaylorRod Taylor (singer)Rod Taylor is a reggae singer and producer, born in Jamaica, West Indies-Biography:After forming a short-lived group called The Aliens with Barry Brown and Johnny Lee, Taylor recorded his first single, "Bad Man Comes and Goes" in 1975 for Ossie Hibbert...
- Ethiopians Kings [1975-80] - Scientist - Heavy Metal Dub [1982]
- Scientist & Jammy - Scientist & Jammy Strike Back [1983]
- Scientist & Prince Jammie - Dub Landing Vol: 2 [1982]
- Sly & Robbie - Raiders Of The Lost Dub [1981]
- Sly And The Revolutionaries With Jah Thomas - Black Ash Dub [1980]
- Sugar Minott - Bitter Sweet [1979]
- Sugar Minott - Black Roots [1980]
- Sugar Minott - Ghetto-ology [1979]
- Tappa Zukie - Escape From Hell [1977]
- Tappa Zukie - Tapper Roots [1978]
- The Agrovators - Jammies In Lion Dub Style [1978]
- The Rass-es Band & Prince Jammy - Harder Na Rass [1979]
- Tommy McCook - Blazing Horns - Tenor In Roots [1976-78]
- Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis - Blazing Horns [1977]
- Travellers - Black Black Minds [1977]
- Trinity - Dreadlocks Satisfaction [1978]
- U Brown - Mr Brown Something [1978]
- Uniques - Showcase [1978]
- Various Artists - Superstar Hit Parade [1986]
- Wayne Smith - Smoker Super [1985]
- Wayne Smith - Youthman Skanking [1982]
- Ween - Friends EP (only track #4 "King Billy")
- Yabby U - Jah Jah Way [1980]
- Yabby You - Beware [1978]
- Yabby You - Dub It To The Top [1976-79]
- Yabby You & Various Artists - Jesus Dread [1972-77]
As an arranger
- Black Crucial - Mr. Sonny [1985]
- Black Sounds Uhro - Love Crisis [1977]
- Dennis Brown - History [1985]
- Dennis Brown - Slow Down [1985]
- Johnny Osbourne - Folly Ranking [1980]
- Noel Phillips - Youth Man Vibrations [1981]
- The Agrovators - Jammies In Lion Dub Style [1978]
As a percussionist
- Dennis Brown - Slow Down [1985]
- Johnny Osbourne - Water Pumping [1983]
External links
- Interview part 1 April 9, 2007 on 1Xtra; 60 minutes. (RealPlayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
) - Interview part 2 April 9, 2007 on 1Xtra; 27 minutes. (RealPlayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
) - Tunes produced by King Jammy