Biography

The Soul Syndicate, a Reggae Band (also known as Aggrovators, Observers and Randy's All Star) debuted for Bunny Lee when backing the Twinkle Brothers song »Grandma« (b-side to »Sweet Young Thing«) and »Too Late« by Pat Kelly (b-side for »Miss World« by Norman Grant). Both were released on Bunny Lee's Jackpot-inprint in 1970. The following five years they recorded innumerable songs for Bunny Lee, often credited as the Aggrovators. The name Aggrovators came from Bunny Lee hearing Eddy Grant refering to an aggravating situation as »it's aggro«. The word stuck with the producer who started to call the group the Aggrovators.

They later also worked with Phil Pratt backing hit songs such as John Holt's »My Heart Is Gone« and Pat Kellys »Talk About Love« and many other artists such as Phil Pratts cousin Al Campbell.

The Soul Syndicate also played for Lee Perry backing songs such as »Mr. Brown« for Bob Marley and the Wailers. The Soul Syndicates work for Niney Holness earned them the award »best backing group« for three consecutive years (1973 - 1975). One of the songs they backed for Niney, the first day they played for him, was the classic »Blood and Fire«. At the end of the session Niney had escaped with the tapes and the group was without pay until much later when he turned up and pay them for the seven songs they had recorded. When record for Niney they where mostly referred to as the Observers. With Niney they backed a string of excellent songs for Dennis Brown.

In 1974 they (specifically »Santa«) originated what was to be known as the flying cymbal style, first to be heard on Earl Zero's »None Shall Escape The Judgement« (later on a massive hit for Johnny Clarke), production by Bunny Lee. The drumming, that was based on the soul-drummer Earl Young's (from the group MFSB among others) style, was dominant until Sly Dunbar originated the rockers rhythm for Channel One.

Group Members

Earl »Chinna« Smith - Rhythm Guitar

Carlton »Santa« Davis - Drums

Albert Valentine »Tony« Chin - Lead Guitar

George »Fully« Fullwood - Bass

Sources

• Seb Carayol, Wax Poetics #20 - Playing In Mr. B's Yard (2007), Wax Poetics Inc.