R.I.P. Dennis Brown 1st July 1999

Was meant to post this yesterday but it was a very busy day. Went to interview the young guns from Big Ship Chino and Laden. Interview will be up shortly.

Yesterday marked the 10th year anniversary passing of the Crown Prince of Reggae (1February 1957 – 1 July 1999) and a guy who really should be more known and respected to those outside of Reggae.

Dennis Emmanuel Brown (February 1, 1957 – July 1, 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, he had recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the pioneers of lovers rock, a sub-genre of reggae. Bob Marley cited Brown as his favourite singer, and dubbed him "The Crown Prince of Reggae".

Biography
Dennis Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott, but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). During this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. "Money In My Pocket" was a UK Top 20 hit in 1979 (reaching #14 in the UK Singles Chart). This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records; which produced several of hits, including many by Junior Delgado.

His first commercially successful song internationally was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clarke. Trojan Records included Brown on their Jamaican Superstars compilation album (along with Gregory Isaacs, Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, John Holt and Pat Kelly), calling him the "perfect superstar". The compilation was released in 1998, the year before his death.

Death
In May 1999, after touring in Brazil with other reggae singers, Brown started to show symptoms of illness. After returning to Kingston, Jamaica, on the evening of June 30, 1999, he was rushed to Kingston's University Hospital, suffering from cardiac arrest. Brown died the next day, and the official cause of his death was a collapsed lung. Former Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.

SOURCE

Here are a few of my favourites. If you claim to be a Reggae fan, but haven't got these in your record box you aren't a true fan. Hold tight all my Vibes FM Rice and Peas selection crooooo!

The party/concert starters







2 lovers tracks



Think he originally recorded this when he was about 14. Could be wrong but he was between 12-14. Can't be arsed to search it right now so deal with it!



Jeeeezum, I was supposed to stop at 3 songs. Alright one more

This is actually called To The Foundation

Left us with some timeless music and a great legacy. Still mashing up dancefloors and holds a special place in our hearts 10 years after his passing. RIP

Throwback Thursday will commence next week