The Meditations

The Meditations are a reggae vocal harmony group from Jamaica formed in late 1974. They have released several studio albums and were still performing in the 2000s.

History

The Meditations were formed in late 1974, when Danny Clarke left The Righteous Flames, recruiting Ansel Cridland (previously of The Linkers) and Winston Watson.cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae |year= 1998 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-7535-0242-9 ] After releasing singles credited to the individual members, they began recording as The Meditations in late 1976, shortly after which they released their biggest hit, "Woman Is Like a Shadow", which sold over 45,000 copies in its first month of release.Germa, Romain & Maslowski, Nicolas (2007) "Guidance" sleeve notes from the Makasound release] They recorded in the mid-1970s for producers such as Dobby Dobson, Joseph Hoo Kim, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, their righteously Rastafarian style gaining comparisons with The Mighty Diamonds.cite book |last=Barrow |first=Steve |coauthors= Dalton, Peter |title=Reggae: The Rough Guide |year= 1997 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=1-85828-247-0 ] Their first album, "Message From The Meditations", was released in 1977.

The Meditations sang backing vocals on a number of Bob Marley songs, including "Blackman Redemption," "Punky Reggae Party," and "Rastaman Live Up", as well as providing backing for Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff and The Congos (on their "Heart of the Congos" album). [http://www.easystar.com/meditations.html E A S Y S T A R * R E C O R D S ] ]

They appeared at the "One Love Peace Concert" in April 1978, officially a commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Haile Selassie's state visit to Jamaica, but more famous for the handshake between Michael Manley and Edward Seaga when they joined Bob Marley on stage.cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Reggae & Caribbean Music |year= 2002 |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=0-87930-655-6 ]

The Meditations 1983 album, "No More Friend" was produced by Linval Thompson and featured The Roots Radics, and saw them adapting to the prevailing dancehall sound.

Cridland left the group, leaving Clarke and Watson to record 1988's "For The Good of Man" without him, but they were reunited for 1993's "Return of The Meditations".

They have subsequently toured the United States and Europe. All three members are now based in the US - Clarke in Phoenix, Arizona, Watson in Seattle, Washington, and Cridland in New York City.

Discography

Albums

*"Message From The Meditations" (1977) Wild Flower
*"Wake Up" (1978) Third World
*"Guidance" (1979) Tad's/Guidance
*"No More Friend" (1983) Thompson Sound/Greensleeves
*"For The Good of Man" (1988) Greensleeves
*"Return of The Meditations" (1993) Sonic Sounds/Heartbeat
*"Ghetto Knowledge" (1999) Easy Star
*"I Love Jah" (2002) Wackies (recorded 1982)
*"Stand In Love" (2004) 2Good

Compilations

*"Greatest Hits" (1984) Shanachie/Greensleeves
*"Deeper Roots: The Best of The Meditations" (1994) Heartbeat/Greensleeves
*"Reggae Crazy: Anthology 1971-1979" (1997) Nighthawk

References

External links

* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/22 The Meditations at Roots Archives]
* [http://rootsdub.free.fr/Meditations-disco.htm The Meditations at Rootsdub]