Niney (b. Winston Holness or George Boswell in Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1951) got his nickname after having lost a thumb in a workshop accident. He is however also known as Page One, The Observer, George Boswell and Winston Holness.
His musical career started by organizing bands to play at school dances. However he came in to the music industry as a protégé to Bunny Lee in the late 60's ('67?) when he was organizing sessions for Bunny's stable of artists. He later moved on to work with Lee Perry at Joe Gibbs' Amalgamated imprint. When Perry left in '69 to set up his own Upsetter label Niney became the chief engineer. When Niney later left Errol Thompson took over his part.
In 1970 Niney launched his own Destroyer label with the first release being »Mr. Brown« by the deejays Dennis Alcapone and Lizzy. The song was a minor hit but the real hit came in december the same year, the song »Blood and Fire« utilising the Soul Syndicate for backing was a major success. It was with economical help from Clancy Eccles that Niney could release the single. The record had some controversy though due to it's likeness with Bob Marley's »Duppy Conqueror«. When the issue was solved it got reissued on his now named label Observer. The single went to become the Jamaican record of the year in 1971 selling over 30,000 copies in Jamaica.
Niney then started a successful musical relationship with Max Romeo issuing songs such as »Bear Man Feast«, »Reggae Matic« and »Aily Ailaloo«. He even worked with Lee Perry cutting the song »Rasta Band Wagon«.
Some of Niney's most appreciated and successful productions came working with Dennis Brown. In 1973 they did »Westbound Train« - the rhythm being based on the classic Al Green song »Love & Happiness«. The following year came the songs »Cassandra«, »I am the Conqueror« and »No More Shall I Roam«. Niney also made sure to work with the engineer King Tubby to whom he brought his tapes to be dubbed up, some times even recording at Tubby's house. Their collaboration brought the highly praised »Dubbing with the Observer« credited to the Observer All Stars (more known as the Soul Syndicate) and King Tubby that was released on the Attack label shortly before it was shut down.
Niney left the music business in the late 70's. He resurfaced in Paris around 1982 and by the mid 80's he was back in Kingston to briefly work at the Channel One studios.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.