Junior Reid A Real Reggae Icon

Junior Reid got his initial inspiration from a tough upbringing in West Kingston's notorious Waterhouse district. It was there in the politically turbulent mid-'70's that he recorded his first-ever single "Know Myself" at the age of 14 for the late Hugh Mundell, released in the U.K. by Greensleeves.

He then went on to form his own band, the Voice of Progress, and after a local hit with "Mini-Bus Driver" the group scored local success with an album of the same name.

He was then commissioned by the great Sugar Minott to record a number of tunes on Minott's Youth Promotion Label, enjoying considerable popularity with tracks such as "Human Nature," "A1 Lover," and the evergreen "See How Me Black See How Me Shine," an uplifting and proud statement which became an anthem to the ghetto youth whom Junior increasingly championed.

Junior moved on transferring his talents to King Jammy's stAudio on St. Lucia Road where his fast-growing success rose yet another notch. "Boom Shacka Lacka" was his first UK hit and led to another exceptional album.

After a number of fine singles - which included "Youthman," "Bank Clerk," "Sufferation," "Give Thanks and Praises" and "Higgler Move" - his chance of a wider audience came with the offer of replacing Michael Rose in Black Uhuru.

Always a strong follower of Black Uhuru, and with a similar vocal style, Junior slipped into Rose's shoes with ease and the collaboration on his first Uhuru-period album "Brutal" was well received by all. Two years and two albums later Junior's interest to produce material for himself drove him back into the solo arena and back to King Jammy's Studio where he recorded and released this title in the early '90s.

With his incisive, prophetic lyrics and unstinting support for the ghettoman cause, Junior Reid remains a roots artist of great power while maintaining an already burgeoning international reputation. "Big Timer" is a vital catalog reissue that captures Junior at his best.

The Reggae News Agency

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