Dennis Brown

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The Promised Land compiled by Blood and Fire
The Promised Land compiled by Blood and Fire

Dennis Emanuel Brown (February 1, 1957 – July 1, 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. He was one of the pioneer in the lovers rock style of reggae, and with 78 albums to his name was one of the most prolific names in the business. Honoured with the title "Crown Prince of Reggae" by the great Bob Marley, Brown was regarded by many as reggae's greatest singer after Marley.

Contents

[edit] Music career

Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for the legendary Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Dennis Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart, the title track of which was penned by another Jamaican singing legend Alton Ellis. At about this time, Brown recorded further material for other producers such as Lloyd Daley the Matador ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and recorded more material for Derrick Hariott which eventually saw release as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label (named after Hayle's wife) early in his career. In 1977 he had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and starting his own label, DEB records. DEB records produced a number of hits, including many by Junior Delgado.

His first smash hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, working for various producers, Brown had recorded and performed chart toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" & "Revolution", many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section.

As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, "Emmanuel" maintained his relevance within Jamaican music, frequently recording with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. By the time of his death in 1999, he had recorded over seventy five albums. Brown was such a prolific recording artist, with many labels and producers. His peak years are generally considered to be the 1970s, the compilation album 'The Prime of Dennis Brown' is a good showcase of his mid-70's period. The albums 'Visions' and 'Wolf and Leopard' are also classics and essential in the collections of fans of 1970s reggae. However, the 1980s showed Brown's enduring appeal, notably with "Sitting and Watching", "The Promised Land" and "Revolution", songs that are the equal of his 70's golden years.

Revolution is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.

Brown's death is commemorated in a song called "Song for Dennis Brown," written by The Mountain Goats and recorded on their 2005 album, The Sunset Tree.

[edit] Passing

According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. 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, Jamaica. 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.[1]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  • "Money In My Pocket" (1977) - UK No. 14
  • "Love Has Found Its Way" (1982) - UK No. 47
  • "Halfway Up Halfway Down" (1982) - UK No. 56

[edit] Albums

1970 - No Man Is An Island
1971 - If I Follow My Heart
1972 - Super Reggae & Soul Hits
1973 - Superstar
1974 - Deep Down
1975 - Just Dennis
1976 - Visions
1977 - Westbound Train
1977 - Wolf & Leopards
1979 - Joseph's Coat Of Many Colors
1979 - So Long Rastafari
1979 - Words of Wisdom
1979 - Best of Volume I
1980 - Live At Montreux
1980 - Spellbound
1981 - Money In My Pocket
1982 - Best Of Volume II
1982 - Love Has Found It's Way
1982 - More
1982 - Stagecoach Showcase
1982 - Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow
1983 - Satisfaction Feeling
1983 - The Prophet Rides Again
1984 - & Gregory Isaacs - Judge Not
1984 - Love's Got A Hold On Me
1985 - Revolution
1985 - Slow Down
1986 - & John Holt- Wild Fire
1986 - Brown Sugar
1986 - History
1986 - Hold Tight
1987 - & Janet Kay - So Amazing
1988 - Inseparable
1989 - & Gregory Isaacs - No Contest
1989 - Death Before Dishonor
1989 - Good Vibrations
1990 - Over Proof
1990 - Unchallenged
1992 - Beautiful Morning
1992 - Blazing
1992 - Friends For Life
1992 - If I Didn't Love You
1993 - Best Of - Musical Heatwave 1972-75
1993 - Cosmic Force
1993 - It's The Right Time
1994 - Light My Fire
1995 - Open The Gate - Greatest Hits Volume II
1996 - Milk & Honey
1998 - 2CD - Tracks of Life
1999 - Bless Me Jah
1999 - The Great Mr Brown
2000 - Academy
2000 - May Your Food Basket Never Empty
2002 - In Dub - Niney & King Tubby
2002 - Memorial - Featuring John Holt
2002 - The Promised Land 1977-79
2003 - The Complete A&M Years
2004 - Dennis Brown Conqueror: An Essential Collection
2006 - & King Tubby - Sledgehammer Special
2006 - REISSUE - Super Reggae & Soul Hits
???? - Absolutely the Best of Dennis Brown: The King of Lover's Rock
???? - Dennis Brown Sings Gregory Isaacs (May Your Food Basket Never Empty)
???? - & Freddie McGregor - Reggae Giants
???? - Go Now
???? - Prince Jammy Presents
???? - Rare Grooves - Reggae Rhythm & Blues Volume II
???? - Sings Gregory Isaacs
???? - Presents Prince Jammy Umoja 20th Century

!To be expanded!

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

Reggae
Reggae - Mento - Ska - Blue Beat - Rocksteady - Dub music - Dub poetry - Toasting - Lovers Rock - Dancehall - Ragga - Reggae rock - Reggaetón - Roots reggae - 2 Tone
Reggae genres - Caribbean music in the United Kingdom
Related topics
Jamaica - Haile Selassie - Marcus Garvey - Rastafari - Rude boy - Skinhead - Dancehall (venue) - Dubplate - Jamaican sound system - Sound system (DJ) - Riddim - Jamaican English - Studio One - Trojan Records - Island Records - Coxsone Dodd - Chris Blackwell - Reggae musiciams - Dub artists - Jamaican record producers
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