Hugh Mundell
| Hugh Mundell | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Blessed Youth, Jah Levi |
| Born |
June 14, 1962 East Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died |
October 14, 1983 (aged 21) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1975–1983 |
Hugh Mundell (June 14, 1962 – October 14, 1983) was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter.
Biography
Mundell was born in 1962 to a middle-class family; His father was a lawyer.[1] He attended Ardenne High School before pursuing a career in music.[1] Mundell was introduced to reggae by reggae performer and producer Boris Gardiner who was a friend of the family (but did not live next door to Hugh, contrary to popular rumor). With Gardiner's assistance, Mundell recorded his first single "Where Is Natty Dread?" with producer Joe Gibbs at the age of 13.[2]
In 1978, at the age of 16, he recorded the album Africa Must Be Free By 1983, produced by Augustus Pablo, with Mundell writing all the songs. It included two Black Ark-recorded titles: "Let's All Unite" and "Why Do Black Man Fuss & Fight", both supervised and mixed by Lee Perry. The album received five stars from Rolling Stone magazine[3] and was included in Tom Moon's 2008 book, 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. He was a major influence on Junior Reid, who was three years younger, and Mundell was the first to record Reid.[1]
Mundell recorded several 12" singles under the alias Jah Levi.[4]
Mundell was shot to death in October 1983 while sitting in a vehicle with Reid in Grant's Pen Avenue, Kingston, Jamaica.[1][4] At the time of his death, Mundell had produced five LPs and numerous singles.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Campbell, Howard (2012) "Hugh Mundell freedom fighter", Jamaica Observer, 15 June 2012, retrieved 2012-06-17
- ↑ The Tofu Hut
- ↑ Rolling Stone 5 Star Album Lists - 1983
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Craig Harris: Hugh Mundell (Allmusic)
- ↑ Roots Archives - Artist : Hugh Mundell
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