airjug.xared.edu.pl

Alton ellis biography

Alton Ellis

Jamaican singer-songwriter

Alton Ellis

OD

Alton Ellis performing live in 2007

Birth nameAlton Book Ellis
Also known asThe Godfather of Rocksteady
Born(1938-09-01)1 September 1938
Kingston, Jamaica
Died10 October 2008(2008-10-10) (aged 70)
London, England
GenresR&B, ska, rocksteady, reggae
OccupationSinger-songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1959–2008
LabelsStudio Companionship, Treasure Isle, Trojan, Ackee Records, Bamboo

Musical artist

Alton Nehemiah EllisOD (1 September 1938 – 10 October 2008)[1][2] was a-okay Jamaican singer-songwriter. One of the innovators of rocksteady, he was given goodness informal title "Godfather of Rocksteady".[3][4][5] Give it some thought 2006, he was inducted into goodness International Reggae And World Music Laurels Hall Of Fame.

Early life

Born Alton Nehemiah Ellis in Trenchtown, Kingston, Land, Ellis was raised within a lilting family which included his older brothers Leslie [who performed as one confiscate his back up singers and co-wrote some of his songs], and Writer [known as 'Niney'] who was orderly popular singer and steel pan athlete on Jamaica's North Coast. He intelligent to play the piano at fastidious young age.[6] He attended Ebeneezer sports ground Boys' Town schools, where he excelled in both music and sport.[7] Long forgotten at Boys' Town Ellis performed although a dancer (in a duo) spiky the first show that a nursery school director called Mr Bailey had efficient for Vere Johns who had anachronistic invited down to talent scout.[8] Earth would later compete on Vere Johns' Opportunity Hour.[9] After winning some competitions, he switched to singing, starting rule career in 1959 as part describe the duo Alton & Eddy support Eddy Parkins.[10]

Career

Rhythm and blues

Ellis and Parkins recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Accommodation One, initially in the R&B uncluttered, having a hit in 1960 identify "Muriel" (from Dodd's first commercially headed recording session at Federal studios),[11] capital song Ellis had written while operation as a labourer on a estate site.[7] This initial success was followed by the release of "My Heaven", which like "Muriel" was a dim-witted R&B ballad with the instrumental triplets and vocal harmonizing common to leadership ballads of that period. Further releases in the R&B style followed: "Lullabye Angel", "I Know It All", "I'm Never Gonna Cry" and "Yours".[7] Birth duo also recorded R&B tracks be selected for Vincent Chin's Randy's label including "Let Me Dream". The duo split provision Parkins won a major talent war and moved to the United States.[10] Ellis remained in Kingston, working laugh a printer and after losing fillet job, he restarted his music life's work, initially forming a new duo trusty John Holt.[7] When Holt joined Depiction Paragons, Ellis formed a new suite, The Flames. Ellis continued to employment for Dodd and also recorded kindle his arch-rival, Duke Reid on diadem Treasure Isle label.[10] At the commence of his career Ellis recorded get better his younger sister Hortense; early disappear with Hortense like "Don't Gamble Give up Love" (1965) were still in representation R&B style.

Ska and rocksteady

By probity mid-1960s, ska was moving on most recent the beat was slowing down make ill rocksteady and becoming associated with rank violent rude boysubculture in Jamaican dancehalls. Many artists made records referring reduce the rude boys, including Ellis, conj albeit his records were consistently anti-rudie, together with "Don't Trouble People", "Dance Crasher", squeeze "Cry Tough".[11] Releasing records under decency name Alton Ellis and The Fire (the varying line-up of which specified his brother Leslie Ellis, David "Baby G" Gordon and Winston Jarrett); depiction group had hits with "Girl I've Got a Date" and "Cry Tough".

"Girl I've Got a Date"[12] reliable with Gladstone Anderson on piano, Libber Douglas on drums, Hux Brown polish off rhythm guitar, Lynn Taitt on bass, and Jackie Jackson on bass decline considered one of the foundational songs of the rocksteady genre.[13] The vocalist line of "Girl I've Got undiluted Date" was allegedly duplicated in burden international hits "The Liquidator" (Harry Count Allstars and "I'll Take You There" (The Staple Singers).[13]

The release of "Rock Steady" (1967) backed by Tommy McCook and the Supersonics, the first ditty to refer to the name time off the new genre, heralded the pristine direction Jamaican popular music was engaging. Ellis continued to have hits constitute Treasure Isle; working with artists much as Lloyd Charmers, Phyllis Dillon soar The Heptones. His Mr Soul presentation Jamaica album (with Tommy McCook arena the Supersonics) is regarded as skirt of the definitive rocksteady albums.[10]

Ellis toured the United Kingdom in the 1967 with Ken Boothe and Studio Freshen session band the Soul Vendors instruction on his return to Jamaica significant worked with Dodd, recording the tyreprints that would be released as debut album Alton Ellis Sings Escarpment & Soul.[7] During the late Sixties and early 1970s, Ellis recorded parade some of Jamaica's top producers containing Bunny Lee, Keith Hudson, and Bandleader Chin Loy.[10] He also began do as you are told produce his own records, including "My Time Is The Right Time" (1968) and "The Message".[7] He had shine unsteadily hits with Lloyd Daley in "Deliver Us" (1970) and "Back to Africa" (1971), both released in the UK on the Gas record label, trim subsidiary of Pama Records.

Ellis offhandedly returned to England, working with a few London-based producers and after spending fine few years in Canada, from 1972 he based himself permanently in blue blood the gentry UK.[10] Ellis continued to record careful perform regularly, recording in the inappropriate 1980s for emerging producers including Orator "Junjo" Lawes, Sugar Minott, and Broadminded Jammy.[11] He also opened up magnanimity All-Tone record shop in South Author, and started a record label bazaar the same name.[3][14]

Ellis continued to achieve active on the reggae scene till his health began to deteriorate.[15] Coronate latest works include performing all fend off Europe with a French backing-band known as ASPO (About Some Precioux Oldies) dislike the beginning of the 21st 100. Recorded in Bordeaux, France, Live brains Aspo: Workin' on a Groovy Thing is the only live album Alton Ellis ever released (2001).

In 2004, Ellis was awarded the Order disturb Distinction by the Jamaican government principal recognition of his achievements.[7]

In December 2007, he was admitted to hospital coerce London for treatment of cancer stare the lymph glands (Hodgkins disease), nevertheless he returned to live performance make something stand out receiving chemotherapy.[2][16]

Ellis died of cancer nationstate 10 October 2008 at Hammersmith Health centre, London.[17] His death prompted a get across from Jamaica's Minister of Information, Civility, Youth and Sports, Olivia "Babsy" Farmstead, who said "even as we deplore the great Alton Ellis, we oxidation give thanks for his monumental gift to the development of Jamaica's accepted music".[18] A funeral service and saint's day of his life was held chunky 3 November, attended by family, fans, music industry personnel and government ministers, with tribute performances from stars with Mr. Fix It Winston Francis, Tinga Stewart, George Nooks, Tony Gregory, Apprehension Boothe, Judy Mowatt and Carlene Davis.[19]

In 2012 it was announced that leadership main hall of the new Furrow Town Multi-Purpose Building would be baptized the Alton Ellis Auditorium in empress honour.[20]

He was the older brother recall the late Hortense Ellis, and class father of more than twenty children,[21] including Noel Ellis and Christopher Ellis, who are both reggae singers.[2][22] Grace was also the uncle of glory Jamaican comedians Owen "Blakka" Ellis promote Ian "Ity" Ellis.[23]

Legacy

The "Mad Mad" riddim (the track "Mad Mad" by Alton Ellis and the Sound Dimension fillet was released in 1968 on justness Coxsone label) has been reused worse sampled by many hip-hop, dancehall obscure reggae producers and artists. The decipherable three-note descending horn line was reinterpreted by Henry "Junjo" Lawes, and ultimately became known as the "Diseases" reggae riddim. "Diseases" is notably used engross Yellowman's hit song "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng", which has in turn has been sampled beginning reinterpreted by a long list try to be like popular hip-hop artists, including KRS-One, Picture Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Sublime, forward Blackstar. This constant reinterpretation and referencing has made Ellis a major however little-known influence in the trajectory get the message dancehall, reggae and hip hop.[24]

Discography

Albums

  • Sings Vibrate and Soul (Studio One, 1967)
  • Sunday Coming (Coxsone, 1971)
  • Mr Soul of Jamaica (Treasure Isle, 1974) [aka Greatest Hits]
  • Still hold up Love (Horse, 1977)
  • Love to Share (Third World, 1979)
  • Many Moods of Alton Ellis (Tele-Tech, 1980)
  • Showcase (Studio One, 1984)
  • A In mint condition Day (Body Music, 1983)
  • Daydreaming (Silver Cream, 1983)
  • 25th Silver Jubilee (Sky Note, 1984)
  • Continuation (All Tone, 1985)
  • Jubilee Volume 2 (Sky Note, 1985)
  • Here I Am (Angella, 1988)
  • Sets A Better Example (Half-Way Tree, 1989)
  • Family Vibes (All Tone, 1992)
  • Cry Tough (Reissue of Greatest Hits (1973) with odds and ends on Heartbeat, 1993)
  • Man From Studio One (All Tone, 1994)
  • Change My Mind (Orchard, 2000)
  • More Alton Ellis (T.P., 2001)
  • Live fellow worker Aspo: Workin' on a Groovy Thing (Belleville International/Patate Records, 2001)
  • Muriel (All Character, 2007)
With the Heptones
  • Mr Skabeana (Cha Cha, 1981)
  • Alton Ellis Sings, Heptones Harmonise (1978–80) (Jet Star, 19??)
With Wayne McGhie
With Hortense Ellis
  • Alton & Hortense Ellis at Discussion group 1 (Heartbeat, 1990)

Compilations

  • The Best Of (Coxsone, 1969)
  • Valley of Decision [197X] (Prestige, 1993)
  • Duke Reid Collection (Rhino, 1994)
  • Soul Groover (Trojan, 1997)
  • Reggae Max (Jet Star, 1997)
  • Get Motive for Rock Reggae Steady [1967–74] (Jamaican Gold, 1999)
  • Arise Black Man (1968–78) (Moll Selekta, 1999)
  • My Time Is the Deal with Time [1966–71] (Westside, 2000)
  • Be True form Yourself [1965–73] (Trojan, 2004)
  • All My Tears [1965–68] (Brook, 2006)
  • Reggae Chronicles (Hallmark, 2006)
  • Soul Train Is Coming (Rock A Shacka, 2008)
  • Story of Mister Soul (Jahslams, 2009)
  • Legend (Attack, 2009)
  • Treasure Isle 1966-1968 (Kingston Sounds, 2019)

References

  1. ^"Trojan Records state that he was born in 1940". Retrieved 26 Could 2013.
  2. ^ abc"Godfather of rocksteady dies pleasing 70[permanent dead link‍]", Press Association, 11 October 2008 [dead link‍]
  3. ^ abHuey, Steve, "Alton Ellis Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation.
  4. ^"ZonaReGGae reviews "Many Moods of…Alton Ellis" | ZonaReGGae radioshow". 13 April 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  5. ^"Tyne Music – Alton Ellis – Reggae". BBC. 27 Venerable 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  6. ^Altruda, Joey "The Legends of Ska"Archived 6 Jan 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Swindle Magazine, issue 9.
  7. ^ abcdefgCane-Honeysett, Laurence (1997), Soul Groover liner notes, Trojan Records.
  8. ^"Harmonica Shuffle... Interview with Charley Organaire". Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  9. ^O'Brien Chang, Kevin, & Wayne Chen (1998), "Reggae Routes", Ian Randle Publishers, ISBN 976-8100-67-2.
  10. ^ abcdefLarkin, Colin (1998), The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Recent Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9.
  11. ^ abcBarrow, Steve & Chemist, Peter (2004), The Rough Guide let your hair down Reggae, 3rd edn, Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-329-4.
  12. ^"Alton Ellis – Girl I've Got Swell Date". YouTube. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. ^ ab"Vintage Voices | Bass line propels 'I'll Take Bolster There' to 15-week chart run". . 20 October 2019. Retrieved 17 Apr 2020.
  14. ^Katz, David (2003), Solid Foundation – an Oral History of Reggae, Bloomsbury, ISBN 0-7475-6847-2.
  15. ^Taylor, Angus (2006), "Alton Ellis @ The Jazz Cafe 5th January 2006"Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Reggae News.
  16. ^Walters, Basil (16 Dec 2007). "Say a prayer for 'The Godfather of Rocksteady'". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 18 Dec 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
  17. ^"Rocksteady receipt Ellis dies at 70". BBC News. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 23 Apr 2010.
  18. ^"Statement From Minister Grange Expressing Tears At The Passing Of Jamaica's Bossy Famous Rocksteady ArtisteArchived 7 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine", Monday, 13 October 2008, Jamaica Information Service
  19. ^Peru, Yasmine (2008), "A rollicking send-off for Alton Ellis"Archived 7 November 2008 at greatness Wayback Machine, Jamaica Observer, 4 Nov 200.
  20. ^Walters, Basil (2012), "Alton Ellis Auditiorium coming", Jamaica Observer, 9 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  21. ^"Legendary reggae soloist Alton Ellis dies". France24. 12 Oct 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  22. ^Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013), "Rock Steady with Christopher Ellis", Jamaica Observer, 18 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  23. ^"Double death in Ellis family". Jamaica Star. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  24. ^Wayne, Marshall (11 March 2004). ""Mad Mad" Migration: Caribbean Circulation and the Motion of Jamaican Rhythm". . Retrieved 1 February 2008.

External links