Henry »Junjo« Lawes
Biography
Junjo (b. Henry Lawes, ca. 1948) was born and raised in the ghetto around Olympic Way, West Kingston, Jamaica. Initially trying to break as a singer with the name Mr. Dominic in 1978 with the vocal trio Grooving Locks Junjo didn't see any success and instead decided to focus on producing. He started with the help of Linval Thompson in 1978 - being an assistent on Thompsons I Love Marijuana album. According to Junjo he also produced the Showcase album with Al Campbell in 1978 that was released on DEB Music (even though productions are credited to Al Campbell himself).(1)
In 1979 Junjo recorded the youthman singer Barrington Levy, the singles became major successes and both Junjo and Barrington became the hottest new sensations in reggae, as producer and respectively singer. Junjo together with Jah Life also produced Barrington debut album. It was also with Barrington that Junjo came to use the backing of the Roots Radics, the band that more than any other backing group came to define the early Dancehall style. He would also use the backing of the High Times Band on occasions. It was yet another reason for Junjos success he made the choice of employing the young and inventive engineer Hopeton »Scientist« Brown.
Junjos main label was Volcano (this was also the name of his Sound System), though he also used two other labels, Jah Guidance and Arrival Records, extensively . Junjo produced music for many artists during the 80's, many of which had their best material with him. Much of this material was leased to Greensleeves Records in the UK and formed the basis of its hugely succesful and still highly rated Discomix 12" series in the early 80's.
Since Junjo didn't have a studio of his own he was using the Hookim brothers Channel One studio. He would during the early 80's have several major hits with artists such as Eek-A-Mouse, Michael Prophet, John Holt, Yellowman, Johnny Osbourne, Wailing Souls, Toyan, Captain Sinbad and others. In 1984 he met and released an album by the then unknown Cocoa Tea with singles released such as Rocking Dolly and Lost My Sonia.
In 1985 Lawes relocated his business to New York. He however came in troubles with the law after possession and drugs and had to spend several years in prison. In 1991 Junjo was released from prison and relocated to Jamaica where he had to adapt to the ragga trend in the dancehalls. He recorded with older companions such as Cocoa Tea, Yellowman and Josey Wales. He also recorded some of the newer talents among them Ninjaman, Shaka Shamba and [General T.K.] but none of the songs would prove to be as successful as his productions of the rub-a-dub era. Later on Junjo decided to relocate to London.
In June 14 1999, in Harlesden North West London (where Junjo lived at the time) he was shot fatally by two men who where likely gang members. The case remains unsolved.
Junjo's labels
Sources
(1) Small Axe #18 - Interview with Junjo by Colin Moore and Ray Hurford.
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