Gregory Isaacs

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Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse
Background information
Birth name	Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Born	July 15, 1950
Origin	Kingston, Jamaica
Genre(s)	Reggae
Occupation(s)	Singer - Songwriter
Years active	1974 - Present

Gregory Anthony Isaacs (born 15 July 1950) is a Jamaican reggae singer.

Isaacs was born in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica. In the 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his African Museum (JA) record label, formed in 1973 with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of roots reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream lovers rock material. His hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio.

A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its record producer, Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One". Many consider his best music to be from the various producers and labels he recorded with in the 1970s, with rootsier songs like "Slave Master" from the classic Mr Isaacs album (1977), contrasting with the optimism of songs like "Love is Overdue" and the beautiful, moving "Loving Pauper".

He signed with Virgin Records and then Charisma Records in the late 1970s, and material from this period gave him a wider international audience. Songs such as "Soon Forward", "If I Don't Have You" and "Let's Dance" are often re-released on compilation albums from this period.

Isaacs signed an international release contract with Island Records, which resulted in the release of the albums Night Nurse (1982), probably his best known album among the many white music fans who had taken to reggae by then; and Out Deh! (1983). Personal problems affected him after this contract ended. After recording for a number of record producers, Isaacs built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. His big comeback hit of 1988, "Rumours", was popular with both young reggae fans, and with those who had listened to his music since those classic songs from the 1970s.

In the 1990s the African Museum label continued to release all of Gregory Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. He continues to record and perform live in the 2000s.

He's sometimes called the 'Cool Ruler' and the 'Lonely Lover'.

Gregory Isaacs is an unusual artist in some respects. While some reggae titans such as Bob Marley consistently produced top-quality material, Gregory Isaacs' body of work contains some spectacular highs and some rather disappointing lows. This is largely attributable to two primary factors. Firstly, Gregory Isaacs signed certain contracts relatively early in his career that provided him with the incentive to simply turn out as many albums as possible. Some estimate the number of his albums, compilations, and singles TO BE OVER FIVE HUNDRED. Thus the careful listener must be selective when he or she chooses an album. "Night Nurse," "Ultimate Collection," "Soon Forward" and "The Best of Gregory Isaacs: One Man Against the World" are all solid choices from which interested listeners can expand their horizons. Secondly, Isaacs' up-and-down career was marked by setbacks such as illness and his confinement in a Jamaican prison under a cocaine charge.

Gregory Isaacs is best known as "lovers' music." This may undercut the significance of his work to relegate him to "bedroom music." This reputation may be due to some of his major hits. However, in sum, Isaacs' work provides some of the most eloquent, magnificent reggae ballads addressing ordinary life under conditions of dire poverty, heartbreak, and addiction.

Further in contrast to his constructed image as a smooth player or a man who chases after women right and left, Isaacs is said to be an utter gentleman in his conduct and behaves himself with the same grace and dignity in public that can be glimpsed if one looks into his songs beyond "Night Nurse."