Errol Dunkley
| Errol Dunkley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1951 (age 64–65) |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae, Rocksteady |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels | African Museum |
| Associated acts | Gregory Isaacs |
Errol Dunkley (sometimes Erroll Dunkley) is a Jamaican reggae musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1951.
Biography
Dunkley's recording career began in 1965, when he was fourteen, with "Gypsy" (a duet with Roy Shirley) for Linden Pottinger's Gaydisc label, "My Queen" (with Junior English) for Prince Buster, and "Love Me Forever" on the Rio label.[1] Between 1967 and 1968 he recorded several singles for Joe Gibbs including "Please Stop Your Lying" (1967) and "Love Brother" (1968), before switching to Coxsone Dodd in 1969.[2]
In the early 1970s, together with Gregory Isaacs he formed the African Museum record label, although Isaacs soon took sole control of the label, while Dunkley formed a new label, Silver Ring. In 1972 he teamed up with producer Jimmy Radway for two of his most popular singles, "Keep The Pressure On" and "Black Cinderella". The same year saw the release of Dunkley's Sonia Pottinger produced debut album, Presenting Errol Dunkley, which included the track "A Little Way Different".
Dunkley continued to record throughout the 1970s and towards the end of the decade his popularity in the UK grew, resulting in a breakthrough UK Singles Chart hit in 1979 with "OK Fred", a cover version of a John Holt-penned song, that reached number 11.[3] His 1980 release "Sit Down And Cry" also reached the charts.
Dunkley re-recorded his biggest hit, "OK Fred", in 1996 with Queen Sister *N*.
Albums
- Presenting Errol Dunkley (Gay Feet, 1972), reissued as Darling Ooh (Trojan Records, 1981) – (a four star AMG recommendation)
- Sit and Cry Over You (Third World, 1976)
- Militant Man (Lovella International, 1980)
- Profile of Errol Dunkley a.k.a. OK Fred (Third World, 1980)
- In A Different, Different Style (Easy Street Records, 1984)
- Special Request (Carousel, 1987)
- Aquarius (1989)
- The Early Years (Rhino, 1995)
- Please Stop Your Lying (early Joe Gibbs recordings) (Rocky One, 1996)
- Continually (2000)
- OK Fred (The Best Of) (Trojan 2004)
- Love Is Amazing (Studio One)
- Moodie Meets Errol Dunkley (Moodie Music)
See also
References
- ↑ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Muze. ISBN 0-7535-0242-9.
- ↑ Vinylrecords.ch website notes
- ↑ Guinness Book of British Hit Singles – 16th Edition – ISBN 0-85112-190-X
External links
- Errol Dunkley at AllMusic
- Reggae and Dancehall Artist Information – mini biography and discography
- Discogs website discography