Folkes Brothers

The Folkes Brothers were a Jamaican reggae group, composed of John, Mico, and Junior Folkes, best known for the single "Oh Carolina".

History

The group's 1960 single "Oh Carolina" was the first hit record produced by Prince Buster, and is regarded as a landmark in the history of ska and reggae music. John Folkes, the author of the song, received a certificate from the Jamaican Government dated 1984, which recognized "Oh Carolina" as the first-ever reggae song.

In 1994, John Folkes and Buster were involved in a legal dispute over the authorship of the song, after a cover version by Shaggy became an international hit.[1][2] It was eventually ruled by the High Court in London, England, that Folkes held the copyright.[1][3] Later, Folkes assigned the copyright to Greensleeves so that Shaggy's Pure Pleasure album could be released. This included listing Henry Mancini as co-author because it was alleged that Shaggy sampled the "Peter Gunn" theme song.

The group recorded an album with Jah D replacing John Folkes in 2011.[1]

Discography

Singles

Albums

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Jamaican Records Fill R&B Gap", Jamaica Gleaner, 20 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014
  2. ↑ "The Folkes Brothers Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 21 July 2014
  3. ↑ Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 113-4