Pato Banton

Pato Banton (born Patrick Murray) is a reggae singer and toaster from Birmingham, England. He began recording in 1982, appearing on "Pato and Roger a Go Talk" (from "Special Beat Service") with Ranking Roger of The Beat. He was one of the guest artists that appeared on the UB40 album Baggariddim in 1985. His solo debut was 1987's "Never Give In", which included a collaboration with Paul Shaffer. After an EP in 1988, Banton released a more pop-oriented LP, "Visions of the World", followed by 1990's "Wize Up! (No Compromise)", which included a college radio hit in "Spirits in the Material World" (The Police cover) and another collaboration, "Wize Up!", this time with David Hinds of Steel Pulse.

Banton then worked on a live album and with Mad Professor, and then released 1992's "Universal Love". After a 1994 British #1 hit in "Baby Come Back" (originally by Eddy Grant performing with The Equals), with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40, a best-of album was released. 1996's "Stay Positive" was followed by "Life Is a Miracle" in 2000. "Life Is a Miracle" received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2001 [http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.winners/ CNN.com - Entertainment - 43rd Grammy Awards - February 21, 2001 ] ] . Recently, Banton has been playing with Mystic Roots, a reggae band formed in Chico, California. Banton, a lifelong Wolverhampton Wanderers fan has always disapproved of the sacking of manager Dave Jones after a particularly dismal 2004 season. He made his views public during a recent match when he came onto the pitch at half-time to sing "Come back, Davey come Back" a revised version of his 1994 number 1 hit.

Trivia

Banton received the nickname "Pato" (Jamaican Patois for "wise owl") from his stepfather, and "Banton" from the disc jockey slang for a "heavyweight DJ".

In 1994 Banton was featured on Xpress (TV series), produced and directed by Pogus Caesar and broadcast Carlton Television in the UK.

Sublime (band) covered his song King Step.

The Beastie Boys sample his song "Don't Sniff Coke" in The Sounds of Science single.

In 1995 "Spirits Of The Material World" in single.

Discography

* Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton (1985)
* Never Give In (1987)
* Visions Of The World (1989)
* Mad Professor Recaptures Pato Banton (1990)
* Wize Up! (No Compromize) (1990)
* Live & Kickin All Over America (1991)
* Universal Love (1992)
* Collections (1994)
* Stay Positive (1996)
* Tudo De Bom - Live In Brazil (2000)
* Life Is A Miracle (2000)
* Live At The Maritime - San Francisco (2001)
* The Best Of Pato Banton (2002)
* Positive Vibrations (2007)
* Pato Banton and Friends (2008)
* Destination Paradise (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.patobanton.com Official Pato Banton website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/patobanton Official Pato Banton Myspace]
* [http://www.vitalspot.com/patobanton VitalSpot - Pato Banton]