Al Campbell

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  • Born: Birmingham, England
  • Years Active: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s

Albums

Biography Wikipedia

Wikipedia:

Al Campbell (born 31 August 1954) is a Jamaican reggae singer active since the late 1960s.

Biography

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell's singing career began in church, where his father was a preacher, and Al would sing to raise funds. He went to school with Lloyd James (aka Prince Jammy) and formed a vocal group with friends as a teenager, called The Thrillers, who recorded in the late 1960s for Studio One. After briefly joining up with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, he went on to work with Prince Lincoln Thompson's Royal Rasses, and the Mighty Cloud band. Campbell then embarked on a solo career (also contributing vocals to two Heptones albums), and was a popular roots reggae singer during the 1970s, recording for producers such as Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, and Joe Gibbs, and recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark studio. His "Gee Baby" was a big hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He adapted successfully to the early dancehall and lovers rock styles in the late 1970s and 1980s, working with producers such as Linval Thompson. Campbell's recording of "Late Night Blues" (1980) became a staple of blues parties. Campbell performed with the Stur-Gav sound system in the early 1980s. More recently he has recorded for King Jammy, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, and Mafia & Fluxy.

In 1997, he joined Cornell Campbell and Jimmy Riley in a new version of The Uniques, the group releasing a self-titled album in 1999.

Campbell has not performed in Jamaica since a stageshow held by Jack Ruby shortly before the latter's death. He continues to tour Europe and North America

Albums

Gee Baby (1977) Phil Pratt/SunshotAin't That Loving You (1978) Jamaica Sound (reissued 1994 as Sly & Robbie Presents The Soulful Al Campbell)Loving Moods of Al Campbell (1978) ItalMr. Music Man (1978) ManicNo More Running (1978) TerminalShowcase (1978) DEBRainy Days (1978) HawkeyeDiamonds (1979) Burning SoundsMore Al Campbell Showcase (197?) EthnicMr. Lovers Rock (1980) Sonic SoundsLate Night Blues (1980) JBThe Other Side of Love (1981) GreensleevesDance Hall Stylee (1982) Narrows EnterpriseBad Boy (1984) CSAFreedom Street (1984) LondiscForward Natty (1985) MoveShaggy Raggy (1985) SampaluReggae '85 (1985) Blue MountainFence Too Tall (1987) Live & LoveAin't Too Proud To Beg - LP (1987) Live & LoveBounce Back (1990) Reggae RoadThe Soulful Al Campbell (1994) RhinoRevival Selection (1998) Kickin'22 Karat Solid Gold (1998) Reggae Road22 Karat Gold Volume 2 (1998) Reggae RoadRock On (1998) CharmHit Me With Music (1998) Hot ShotRoots & Culture (1999) Jet StarDeeper Roots (2001) Reggae RoadHigher Heights (2002) Reggae RoadLove From a Distance (2003) CousinsTribute to Clement Coxsone Dodd (2004) Reggae RoadAlways In My Heart (200?) Artists OnlyToday, Tomorrow, Forever (200?) Reggae Road24/7 (2006) Reggae RoadRoad Block (1997) ExterminatorRasta Time - LagoonTalk About Love - Sonic SoundsIt's Magic - free world music