Gussie Clarke

Augustus "Gussie" Clarke (born 1953, Kingston, Jamaica), is a reggae producer who worked with some of the top Jamaican reggae artists in the 1970s and later set up his own "Music Works" studio.

Career

Clarke started working in the music industry by cutting dub plates.Larkin, Colin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9] He made his debut as a producer in 1972, with U-Roy's "The Higher The Mountain".Thompson, Dave (2002) "Reggae & Caribbean Music", Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6] He established himself as the top producer of deejays in the early 1970s with albums such as Big Youth's "Screaming Target", and I-Roy's "Presenting I Roy", both regarded as among the best deejay albums ever produced.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) "The Rough Guide to Reggae", Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-329-4] Through the 1970s and early 1980s he worked with artists such as Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Augustus Pablo, Leroy Smart, and The Mighty Diamonds, including the latter's influential "Pass the Kouchie" in 1981. Much of his output was released on his own Gussy and Puppy labels.

In the early 1980s, Clarke adapted to the new dancehall style of reggae, but stood out from other producers by attempting to produce glossier recordings with greater potential to cross over internationally.

In 1987, he launched his Music Works studio, embracing the new digital era, and success as a producer returned with the likes of Gregory Isaacs' "Rumours", and hits from Eek-a-Mouse, Dean Fraser, Deborahe Glasgow, and JC Lodge. Lodge's "Telephone Love" was the biggest reggae hit of 1988 in the United States. He continued to be a high profile producer in the 1990s, working with artists such as Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest, Cocoa Tea, General Levy, and Courtney Pine.

Original albums produced by Clarke

* Big Youth - "Screaming Target" (1972)
* Delroy Wilson - "Worth Your Weight In Gold" (1984)
* Dennis Brown & Gregory Isaacs - "Judge Not" (1984)
* Deborahe Glasgow - "Deborahe Glasgow" (1989)
* Home T, Cocoa Tea, and Shabba Ranks - "Holding On"
* Home T, Cocoa Tea, and Cutty Ranks - "Another One For The Road"
* Gregory Isaacs - "Private Beach Party" (1985)
* Gregory Isaacs - "Red Rose For Gregory" (1988)
* Gregory Isaacs & Dennis Brown - "Two Bad Superstars" (1978)
* Hortense Ellis - "Reflections" (1979)
* I Roy - "Presenting I Roy" (1973)
* Hopeton Lindo - "The Word"
* Freddie McGregor - "Carry Go Bring Come"
* Leroy Smart Featuring The Mighty Diamonds - "Disco Showcase" (1979)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "Backstage" (1983)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "Changes" (1981)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "Dubwise" (1981)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "Indestructible" (1981)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "The Roots Is Here" (1982)
* The Mighty Diamonds - "The Real Enemy"
* The Mighty Diamonds - "Get Ready"
* The Revolutionaries - "Dread At The Controls Dub" (1978)
* Tetrack - "Trouble" (1983)
* Trinity - "Showcase" (1978)

Compilations of Clarke's productions

* "Black Foundation" (1976)
* "Black Foundation Dub" (1976)
* "Augustus Clarke - Greensleeves 12" Rulers"
* "Crucial Reggae Driven By Sly & Robbie" (1982)
* "Funny Feeling" (197?)
* "Gussie Presenting The Right Tracks" (1976)
* "Music Works Sho'Case" (1982)
* "Music Works Vol 1" (1971-83)
* "Music Works vol 2" (1971-83)
* "The Best In The Business" (1980)
* "Ram Dancehall" (1988)
* "Hardcore Ragga" (1990)

References

External links

* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/158 Gussie Clarke at Roots Archives]