Reggae in Canada started much similarly as in the UK and US where Jamaicans settled in the late '50s and '60s. In the beginning the music was simply imported from Jamaica but soon began to record their own music.
Pioneers in the Canadian scene was the groups the Rivals, the Sheiks, the Cougars and the Cavaliers. All dating from the pre-reggae era of ska and rocksteady music. The would often feature next to visiting bands such as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. It was Toronto that had become the center of reggae in Canada with some exceptions in other parts. Venues that were popular were WIF (West Indian Federation) Club, Club Jamaica, Tiger's Den, and the Blue Angel.
The first artist to record in Canada was Jackie Mittoo (who lived there long periods), Stranger Cole, Tony Eden, Audley Williams, the Webber Sisters, Leroy Brown and Joe Issacs. In 1974 the famous Summer Records studio released their first single (Johnny Osbourne's »Love Makes the World Go Round«).
For many locals and traveling Jamaican musicians, Jerry Brown’s Malton, Ontario-based Summer Sound Studios – known as Canada’s answer to Lee Perry’s Black Ark – was a creative haven that tapped deep into the depths of universal reggae consciousness. Located just outside of Toronto, the label fired their first shot in 1974 with Johnnie Osborne’s “Sun Rise” backed with the heavenly bounce of “Love Makes The World Go Round” (co-produced by Brown’s one-time collaborator and Half Moon Records founder, Oswald Creary).
Throughout most of the seventies, Canadian-produced reggae music was a commercial non-entity, bar a thriving underground scene of ex-pats who simply did what came naturally to them in small studios and private dances. The records mostly sat unnoticed amidst the steady flow of JA product in the gaggle of independent record shops in Toronto that catered to the West Indian population.
Over the years, a veritable who’s who of reggae music legends passed through Brown’s now defunct basement studio, wired by none other than Prince (now King) Jammy: Jackie Mittoo, Willi Williams, Noel Ellis, Johnnie Osbourne, Stranger Cole, Leroy Sibbles, and Carl Dawkins to name a few.
During the the intense political and social turbulent years '72 to '82 in Jamaica many Jamaican artist moved to Toronto and elsewhere in southern Ontario. Something that was very positive for the local reggae music scene. Some artists were Ernie Smith, Carlene Davis, Ken Boothe, Willie Williams, Fabienne Miranda, Joe Cooper and Lovindeer. Also producer Prince Jammy lived for some time in Toronto in relative obscurity until returning to Jamaica and becoming a major character in the evolvement of reggae history.
In 1976, the group Ishan People (who featured Johnny Osbourne under the alias Bumpy Jones) made their first album for GRT, a second followed the next year. It was however Messenjah, Sattalites and Leroy Brown who were some of the few reggae artist that were to record for a Canadian major label.
Leroy Sibbles (of the Heptones) moved to Toronto in 1973 and released several album in Canada for labels such as Micron, Boot, A&M and Attic. With reggae growing world-wide appeal also reggae in Canada started increasing with artists such as Nana McLean, One Love (featuring the guitarist Tony Campbell), Ital Groove, Winston Hewitt, and Earth, Roots and Water.
In 1979 King Culture (who came to Toronto three years earlier) set up his record label and record/video store. He was to become one of the most prolific producers of Canadian reggae together with Jerry Brown(Ex-member of 'The Jamaicans') of Summer Records and Oswald Creary of Half Moon.
From the 1980s, a number of Canadian reggae artists dominated the music scene in Vancouver (Mango Dub, Chester Miller, and Ras Lee), Montreal (Kali & Dub) and Toronto (R. Zee Jackson, Lazo, Noel Ellis (who was Alton Ellis son), Truth & Rights, Mojah, Adrian Miller, 20th Century Rebels, Jimmy Reid, Nana McLean, Blessed, Sattalites, and Snow).
1981, in Kitchener, Ontario, the group Messenjah formed. They were to be recognized as one of Canada's leading roots-reggae bands.
In 1985 Winston Hewitt founded the Canadian Reggae Music Awards. Also the Juno awards introduced the category best reggae/calypso (later changed to simply best reggae) category the same year.
Sound Systems in Canada
Stuart Browns sound system African Star was formed circa 1980 in Toronto. It relocated to Jamaica approximately 1986. Leroy Sibbles had an active sound system in Canada called Papa Melody - it featured Stamma Rank among others. In 1988 the esteemed Jamaican sound system Metromedia did a tour in Canada.
Some Canadian Artists/Producers
Some Canadian Labels
Sources
The Canadian Encyclopedia - Reggae; http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002944
Comments (1)
kalcidis said
at 1:45 pm on Mar 28, 2009
Shaker; I just read your changes and I wonder if this part (I've deleted it and pasted it here) really shouldn't be under Jackies page instead of Canadian reggae?
In 85-87? Jackie Mittoo sat down with a couple of cases of 33, 45, and a few 78's. Hundreds of cuts. He had played on every one, we recorded a taste of each cut, and Jackie told the stories of each session. Listing all the players, studio, instruments, anything great or funny. I know it played on BBC radio.
Did he sit down with the case with you or was it for the BBC-airing?
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