- Deborahe Glasgow
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Deborahe Glasgow Born 1965 Origin London, England, UK Died January 25, 1994 (aged 29) Genres Reggae, Lovers Rock Occupations Singer Years active 1977–1989 Labels Greensleeves Records Deborahe Glasgow (1965–1994) was an English "Lovers Rock" singer of guyanese parentage who was active from the late 1970s to the beginning of the 90s. Though Glasgow released only one album in her lifetime, 1989's Deborahe Glasgow, she began releasing singles in her adolescence. She is perhaps best known for her duet with Shabba Ranks on a song initially released as "Champion Lover" on her eponymous album, but recut by Ranks as "Mr. Loverman" in 1990.
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Background
Glasgow was born in London in 1965, recording her first single "Fallin' in Love" (as Debbie G) in her mid teens for producer Mad Professor's Ariwa label.[1] She steadily built up a following amongst black Londoners by working the local sound system circuit. This led to a record contract with Greensleeves Records' Bubblers subsidiary and a series of popular singles, including "Knight in Shining Armour", "When Somebody Loves You Back" and "Don't Stay Away".[1]
An album collaboration in Jamaica in 1989 with Dancehall producer Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, backed on many tracks by Steely & Cleevie proved the highlight of Glasgow's short career and "made her name a legend."[2] The resultant collection of songs is highly representative of the Lovers Rock genre and described by some critics as "the best lovers rock album ever recorded".[2] Tracks such as "Don't Test Me" and "This Love" remain popular twenty years after their recording. "Champion Lover" revealed an uncharacteristically hard-edged sound, with the 12" "Sex" mix of the track representing a move towards dancehall and sentiments that were less innocent in content than other Glasgow recordings. In 1990, Shabba Ranks versioned "Champion Lover" under the new title "Mr. Loverman" on his album "Rappin With the Ladies". Four years later, after Glasgow's early death, he re-recorded the tune, this time with Chevelle Franklin as the featured singer, and this version became a huge hit around the world.
At the start of the 90s, Glasgow collaborated briefly with General Lee, resulting in the tracks "Weak" and "Knocking The Boots". However, aside from some lucrative work on advertisement jingles, her recording career was largely dormant. Instead she opted to devote more time to the needs of her young family.[1] She was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, the complications from which ultimately claimed her life. She died in Wandsworth, south London on January 25, 1994 of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of twenty eight.[1]
Album Discography
- Deborahe Glasgow (1989) Greensleeves
- Gimme Your Love (1994) World
- The Legend (1999) World
References
- ^ a b c d Larkin, Colin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9
- ^ a b Deborahe Glasgow album review at Allmusic
External links
Categories:- 1965 births
- 1994 deaths
- Lovers rock musicians
- Black British musicians
- British female singers
- British reggae musicians
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