A. Mykal Roze – Last Chance
B. Mykal Roze – Mix
Ruff Cutt – RC 031
Two reggae veterans, Michael Rose and Shinehead, are prominent in this edition, with the former boasting a more extensive career.
Michael Rose, born in 1957 and also known as Mykal Rose or Mykal Roze, is best remembered as the voice of the legendary Black Uhuru (1977-1984), a period marked by great success, including their groundbreaking win of the first Grammy Award for reggae with the album Anthem.
In the 1970s, Michael Rose established himself with producer Niney the Observer, releasing notable songs such as Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner and Clap the Barber. This period set the stage for his pivotal 1977 meeting with Duckie Simpson, the driving force behind Black Uhuru. Their initial collaboration resulted in the album Love Crisis, produced by Prince Jammy, also released in 1977. By 1979 the trio of Michael, Duckie, and American Puma Jones then achieved their breakthrough with the album Showcase.
Following Showcase, Michael Rose continued his success with Black Uhuru alongside Sly & Robbie, producing acclaimed albums like Red and Anthem. At the peak of the group’s popularity, he transitioned to a solo career that continues today, though with varying degrees of success. The period from the 1990s to 2008 saw a prolific output of albums, some of which did not fully resonate with discerning reggae listeners. During this time, he also toured extensively internationally and recorded albums for European producers. Additionally, he participated in a brief Black Uhuru reunion, though his relationship with Duckie Simpson remained strained.
Beginning in 2013, Michael Rose has presented new work, and notwithstanding a decrease in his rate of releases, he maintains his status as a highly sought-after artist whose live performances still mesmerize crowds. The 1994 12″ single stands out, featuring the track Last Chance, skillfully produced by the British Ruff Cutt Band, namely Carlton ‘Bubblers’ Ogilvie, Kenton ‘Fish’ Brown, and Tony ‘Crucial’ Phillips. The flip side, entitled Mix, offers a compelling dub instrumental rendition of Mykal’s vocal tune.
A. Shinehead – Who The Cap Fit
B. Shinehead – Billy Jean/Mama Used To Say
Virgin – VS 917-12
The somewhat eccentric Shinehead, born Edmund Carl Aiken in England, is featured on our second 12″ single. His diverse musical palette, shaped by his upbringing in Jamaica and New York, is clearly discernible in his productions.
Shinehead launched his musical career by performing live with Tony Screw’s Downbeat the Ruler and later African Love sound systems. He innovatively combined raunchy deejaying, smooth ballad-esque vocals, hip-hop influenced rapping, lyrical themes of reality and romance, and old-school reggae beats in his performances. This unique blend made his debut album, Rough And Rugged, an immediate success.
Shinehead’s debut single, Billy Jean/Mama Used To Say, ultimately proved to be one of his most successful tracks. The song represents an ingenious fusion of two soul/pop hits, underpinned by The Upsetters’ processed Chim Cherie riddim. The riddim was groundbreaking for its use of a drum machine in reggae, programmed by Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett and Carlton Barrett.
Shinehead released music until the new millennium, but then his output declined. He now lives in Los Angeles and mainly works with his Kingston 12 Hi-Fi sound system. This 12″ disc offers the excellent song Who The Cap Fit on the Tempo riddim on the A-side and the unforgettable Billy Jean/Mama Used To Say on the B-side.
[These tracks were digitized directly from vinyl using a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable equipped with an Ortofon cartridge. The recordings were captured in 24-bit/96kHz WAV format via SoundForge]