- Al Campbell
Al Campbell (b.
31 August 1954 ,Kingston, Jamaica ) is aJamaica nreggae singer active since the late 1960s.cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae |year= 1998 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-7535-0242-9 ]Biography
Campbell's singing career began in church, where his father was a preacher, and Al would sing to raise funds.cite web |url=http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/alcampbell/alcampbell.htm |title=Al Campbell (interview) |accessdaymonth=03 February |accessyear=2008 |author=Peter I |year= |month= |work=reggae-vibes.com |publisher=Reggae Vibes Productions NL |quote= ] He went to school with Lloyd James (aka
Prince Jammy ) and formed a vocal group with friends as a teenager, called The Thrillers, who recorded in the late 1960s forStudio One . After briefly joining up withFreddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, he went on to work withPrince Lincoln Thompson 's Royal Rasses, and the Mighty Cloud band. Campbell then embarked on a solo career (also contributing vocals to twoHeptones albums), and was a popularroots reggae singer during the 1970s, recording for producers such asPhil Pratt ,Bunny Lee , and Joe Gibbs, and recorded atLee Perry 'sBlack Ark studio. His "Gee Baby" was a big hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and theUnited Kingdom . He adapted successfully to the earlydancehall andlovers rock styles in the late 1970s and 1980s, working with producers such asLinval Thompson . Campbell's recording of "Late Night Blues" (1980) became a staple of blues parties. Campbell performed with the Stur-Gav sound system in the early 1980s. More recently he has recorded forKing Jammy ,Philip "Fatis" Burrell , andMafia & Fluxy .In 1997, he joined
Cornell Campbell andJimmy Riley in a new version of The Uniques, the group releasing a self-titled album in 1999.Albums
*"Gee Baby" (1977) Phil Pratt/Sunshot
*"Ain't That Loving You" (1978) Jamaica Sound (reissued 1994 as "Sly & Robbie Presents The Soulful Al Campbell")
*"Loving Moods of Al Campbell" (1978) Ital
*"Mr. Music Man" (1978) Manic
*"No More Running" (1978) Terminal
*"Showcase" (1978) DEB
*"Rainy Days" (1978) Hawkeye
*"Diamonds" (1979) Burning Sounds
*"More Al Campbell Showcase" (197?) Ethnic
*"Mr. Lovers Rock" (1980) Sonic Sounds
*"Late Night Blues" (1980) JB
*"The Other Side of Love" (1981) Greensleeves
*"Dance Hall Stylee" (1982) Narrows Enterprise
*"Bad Boy" (1984) CSA
*"Freedom Street" (1984) Londisc
*"Forward Natty" (1985) Move
*"Shaggy Raggy" (1985) Sampalu
*"Reggae '85" (1985) Blue Mountain
*"Fence Too Tall" (1987) Live & Love
*"Bounce Back" (1990) Reggae Road
*"The Soulful Al Campbell" (1994) Rhino
*"Revival Selection" (1998) Kickin'
*"22 Karat Solid Gold" (1998) Reggae Road
*"22 Karat Gold Volume 2" (1998) Reggae Road
*"Rock On" (1998) Charm
*"Hit Me With Music" (1998) Hot Shot
*"Roots & Culture" (1999)Jet Star
*"Deeper Roots" (2001) Reggae Road
*"Higher Heights" (2002) Reggae Road
*"Love From a Distance" (2003) Cousins
*"Tribute to Clement Coxsone Dodd" (2004) Reggae Road
*"Always In My Heart" (200?) Artists Only
*"Today, Tomorrow, Forever" (200?) Reggae Road
*"24/7" (2006) Reggae Road
*"Road Block" (2007) Exterminator
*"Rasta Time" Lagoon
*"Talk About Love" Sonic SoundsReferences
External links
* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/187 Al Campbell at Roots Archives]
* [http://www.reggaeid.co.uk/artists.php?artist=Al%20Campbell&PHPSESSID=5761ce0405c680dcd6d Al Campbell discography at ReggaeID]
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