Legendary Jamaican trio recording roots reggae
Jamaican vocal harmony trio the Mighty Diamonds are one of the most internationally popular reggae groups to emerge from the '70s roots era, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group was formed in 1969 and remains together 50+ years later.
Regardless of whether they are singing love songs or protest anthems, Mighty Diamonds brings a startling emotional commitment to their best material. Their debut album, Right Time, still stands as one of roots reggae's all-time classics, and their original 1982 hit “Pass The Kouchie” became the infectious and Int’l monster hit “Pass the Dutchie” sampled by 3 generations of Artists.
In December 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston, the group was formed. It comprises lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw, and harmony vocalists Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson (Lead on some early recordings They had become friends at school in the mid-1960s and were originally called The Limelight, adopting 'Mighty Diamonds' after Shaw's mother started referring to them as "the diamonds”
Their early recordings as always, are produced by judge, tabby, and bunny. all original songs (as for most of their repertoire) brought a brand new sound, we are in 1970. Stranger Cole (Tabby brother-in-law at the time) brought them to the studio for their first production ever recorded "Oh No Baby” but due to lack of finance, it wasn’t getting played. Soon after they met Derrick Harriott who gave them studio time at Dynamic Sound to record ("Mash-Up" which they will release with Dynamic to avoid competition with Chosen Few Harriot’s main Artist. Unofficially “Mash-Up” was their first-ever released recording while officially around the same time in 1970 they also released "Girl You Are Too Young". They recorded that song after going to Rupie Edwards record store for an audition after which Edwards sent them to a studio to record it and soon after its release, Mighty Diamonds started to get make their name on the radio.
Their next 2 productions "Jah Jah Bless the Dreadlocks" & "Carefree Girl", were recorded at Harry J recording studios and released by Bunny Lee who started promoting them through sound systems Socialist Roots Sound system being one of their main pushers. That’s when Lee "Scratch" Perry let them record ("Talk About It") at his Black Heart Studio. After 4 years at it, it was in 1973 that Bunny Diamonds who sang with Pat Francis in the meditators before 1969 got Francis’ help to record at Dynamic Sounds studio, what will be their first hit single "Shame and Pride”
It was their mid-1970s work that gave them their real breakthrough, "Country Living" and "Hey Girl" were recorded and released by the Channel One label. "Right Time" followed, on Hoo Kim's Well Charge label, and cemented their status as one of the top Jamaican groups of the time.
Virgin Records signed them and the group's debut album, Right Time, was released in 1976, including most of their early Channel One hits. The album was an international success and for the follow-up, Virgin sent them to work with Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, with local musicians providing the backing. The resulting album “Ice on Fire” was later described as New Orleans soul musicians going reggae.
In the early 1980s, the Diamonds recorded, largely using old Studio One tracks as the basis for their records. Dubplates of these sessions, particularly "Pass the Kouchie,” recorded on the “Full Up” riddim, became popular on sound systems in Jamaica, New York, and London. The Mighty Diamonds’ work with Clarke produced another album “Changes,” in 1981.
Also, in 1981, the Diamonds recorded another monumental album, the buoyant “Reggae Street,” on their indecent label, Bad Gong, collaborating with musical greats such as Sly and Robbie, Dean Fraser, and Earl “Chinna” Smith.
In the mid-'80s, the Diamonds incorporated the digital sounds of ragga into their music, on albums such as “Struggling” (1985), “The Real Enemy” (1987) and “ Get Ready (1988). Their recording pace slowed a bit in the '90s, though they still came up with fine new albums such as the smooth and soulful “Paint It Red” (1993) and harder-hitting “Speak the Truth” (1994). The group also continued its extensive international touring schedule up into the millennium and kept up a steady string of appearances at the annual Reggae Sunsplash Festival. At the request of their host, Ziggy Marley, the Diamonds joined acts such as the I-Threes, Wailing Souls, and Ras Michael at the “ Reggae Night X” at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011.
In October of 2021, the Mighty Diamonds received Jamaica’s highest honor, the Order of Distinction, for their cultural contributions.
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