Leaders Of Black Countries

The Mighty Diamonds to jedna z najbardziej znanych grup wokalnych jamajskiej sceny reggae.

Leaders of Black Countries to wznowienie jednego z klasyków muzyki reggae wczesnych lat 80-tych.

Garveyite influenced lyrics to such great effect that they will always envoke memories of that time and place, but also like all great music never seems to date.

The Mighty Diamonds consist of Donald ‘Tappy’ Shaw (lead vocals), Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson and Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson providing those fantastic harmonies. They began their recording carreer working with Producers Stranger Cole and Rupie Edwards but found their breakthrough success with Producer Joseph ‘Joe Joe’ Hookim at the legendary Channel One Studios recording ‘Hey Girl’ and covering two foreign tunes namely ‘ Country Living’ (The Stylistics) and ‘Stoned Out of Mind’(The Chi – Lites) which suited their vocal styles perfectly.

It was the Mid – 70’s and the strong militant sounds and vibes of that time translated into the Diamonds music. ‘Back Weh A Mafia’ and the timeless ‘Right Time’ fitted the mood of the moment in Kingston, Jamaica in 1975. The following year saw more hits in the shape of ‘Have Mercy’ and the classic ‘I Need A Roof’. The vocal group also cut tracks with other renound Producers of the time Joe Gibbs, Gussie Clarke and Mr Tappa Zukie of which we focus this release on. Politically based tunes like the title track of this release ‘Leaders Of Black Countries’, ‘Don’t Burn Your Bridges’ and ‘Rude Boy’ work alongside some fine covers Dennis Browns ‘No More Will I Roam’ and oddly ‘Who’s Sorry Now’. On listening these tunes work perfectly with the harmonies weaving together and lifting the songs to another level. The group also leave some room for a history lesson in the shape of ‘Morgan The Pirate’ and the thought provoking ‘Do You Want To Spend Your Time Wasting Time’.

Well waste no more and enjoy this set by one of Jamaicas finest vocal groups….

Nicely presented repackage of tracks the Diamonds recorded for Tappa Zukie in the early eighties featuring the Revolutionaries. The title track is one of their best post Channel One productions.

The Mighty Diamonds are one of the most famous vocal groups to come out of the

Jamaican Reggae scene. Their perfect harmonies ride over the wholesome and

Recorded at Dynamic Sounds (Kingston, JA)

Bass – Lloyd Parkes, Robi Shakespeare

Design, Illustration – A. Lovindeer (Lovey)

Drums – Carlton Davis, Sly Dunbar

Engineer – Noel Elliott, R. Sinclair (Black Beard)

Engineer [Mixing] – Noel Herne, R. Sinclair (Black Beard)

Horns – David Madden, Dean Frazer, Nambo Robinson

Lead Guitar – Willie Lindo

Piano, Organ – Robi Lyn, Winston Wright

Producer – R. Sinclair (Black Beard), Tappa Zukie

Rhythm Guitar – Bo Pee

Vocals – The Mighty Diamonds