Rupie Edwards

Rupie Edwards (born Rupert Lloyd Edwards, 4 July 1945, St. Ann Parish) is a Jamaican reggae singer and record producer.

Career

Rupie Edwards, an only child [http://www.studiowon.com/pama/rupie_edwards.htm Studiowon.com] ] , moved to Kingston in 1958, where he set up his first band while still at school. His first recording was "Guilty Convict" b/w "Just Because", for L.S. 'Little Wonder' Smith in 1962, released on Melodisc's Blue Beat label in the UK, and was paid £15 for the session. After recording a few singles, he became involved with the Virtues and, from 1968, started to focus only on his own productions.

By the beginning of the 1970s, apart from releasing singles as a singer, he had recorded artists like The Heptones, Bob Andy, Johnny Clarke, Joe Higgs, Gregory Isaacs and The Ethiopians on his own record labels 'Success' and 'Opportunity'. He also worked with DJs such as U-Roy and I-Roy, and released some instrumental versions with his studio band, The Rupie Edwards All Stars. The group included musicians such as saxophonist Tommy McCook, trombone player Vin Gordon, drummer Carlton 'Santa' Davis, guitarist Hux Brown, pianist Gladstone Anderson, bassist Clifton 'Jackie' Jackson and organist Winston Wright.

In 1974 and 1975, he scored hits in the UK Singles Chart with "Ire Feelings" and "Leggo Skanga". Both tracks were based on the same riddim and an album containing new and older materials was released in 1975. In 1985, Trojan Records rounded up a full LP "Ire Feelings - Chapter and Version" composed entirely around this riddim, which had originally been cut by Edwards for, and voiced by, Johnny Clarke, for his "Everyday Wondering". [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gifexqwgldae All Music Guide biography] ]

After these successes, Edwards moved to London, and since then has kept on producing and recording. He co-wrote "Big 7" with Judge Dread; "Buttoo" and "Lonely Man" with Gregory Isaacs; and singularly composed "Buckshot Dub", recorded both by King Tubby and Bill Laswell.

He is to be found running an eclectic record shop in Dalston, London, on Ridley Road.

Discography

Albums

*"Ire Feelings" - 1975 - Cactus
*"Jamaica Serenade" - 1976 - Cactus
*"Dub Classic" - 1977 - Success
*"Bible Music Citation" - 2007 - Success

Compilations

*Various Artists - "Yamaha Skank" - 1974 - Success
*Rupie Edwards & Various Artists - "Hit Picks" - 1974 - Horse
*Rupie Edwards & Friends - "Let There Be Version" - 1974 - Trojan (1990)
*Rupie Edwards All Stars - "Dub Basket" - 1975 - Cactus
*Rupie Edwards All Stars - "Dub Basket Chapter 2" - 1976 - Cactus
*Rupie Edwards All Stars & Various Artists - "Pure Gold" - Success
*Various Artists - "House Of Lovers"
*Various Artists - "Rupie's Gems - 1972-1974" - Cactus
*Various Artists - "Ire Feelings, Chapter & Version 1973-1975" - Trojan (1985)
*Various Artists - "Rupie's Scorchers" - 1969-1971 - Trybute (2002)

ee also

*List of Jamaican record producers
*List of reggae musicians

References

External links

* [http://www.studiowon.com/pama/rupie_edwards.htm Rupie Edwards biography at Studiowon]
* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/151 Rupie Edwards discography from the Roots Archives]