Al Campbell

Alphonso "Al" Campbell (born 31 August 1954) is a Jamaican reggae singer active since the late 1960s. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell's singing career began in church, where his father was a preacher, and Al would sing to raise funds. He went to school with Lloyd James (aka Prince Jammy) and formed a vocal group with friends as a teenager, called The Thrillers, who recorded in the late 1960s for Studio One. After briefly joining up with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, he went on to work with Prince Lincoln Thompson's Royal Rasses, and the Mighty Cloud band. Campbell then embarked on a solo career (also contributing vocals to two Heptones albums), and was a popular roots reggae singer during the 1970s, recording for producers such as Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, and Joe Gibbs, and recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark studio. His "Gee Baby" was a big hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He adapted successfully to the early dancehall and lovers rock styles in the late 1970s and 1980s, working with producers such as Linval Thompson. Campbell's recording of "Late Night Blues" (1980) became a staple of blues parties. Campbell performed with the Stur-Gav sound system in the early 1980s. More recently he has recorded for King Jammy, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, and Mafia & Fluxy. In 1997, he joined Cornell Campbell and Jimmy Riley in a new version of The Uniques, the group releasing a self-titled album in 1999. Campbell has not performed in Jamaica since a stageshow held by Jack Ruby shortly before the latter's death. He continues to tour Europe and North America Gee Baby (1977) Phil Pratt/Sunshot Ain't That Loving You (1978) Jamaica Sound (reissued 1994 as Sly & Robbie Presents The Soulful Al Campbell) Loving Moods of Al Campbell (1978) Ital Mr. Music Man (1978) Manic No More Running (1978) Terminal Showcase (1978) DEB Rainy Days (1978) Hawkeye Diamonds (1979) Burning Sounds More Al Campbell Showcase (197?) Ethnic Mr. Lovers Rock (1980) Sonic Sounds Late Night Blues (1980) JB The Other Side of Love (1981) Greensleeves Dance Hall Stylee (1982) Narrows Enterprise Bad Boy (1984) CSA Freedom Street (1984) Londisc Forward Natty (1985) Move Shaggy Raggy (1985) Sampalu Reggae '85 (1985) Blue Mountain Fence Too Tall (1987) Live & Love Ain't Too Proud To Beg - LP (1987) Live & Love Bounce Back (1990) Reggae Road The Soulful Al Campbell (1994) Rhino Road Block (1997) Exterminator Revival Selection (1998) Kickin' 22 Karat Solid Gold (1998) Reggae Road 22 Karat Gold Volume 2 (1998) Reggae Road Rock On (1998) Charm Hit Me With Music (1998) Hot Shot Roots & Culture (1999) Jet Star Today, Tomorrow, Forever (2000) Reggae Road Deeper Roots (2001) Reggae Road Always In My Heart (2001) Artists Only Higher Heights (2002) Reggae Road Love From a Distance (2003) Cousins Tribute to Clement Coxsone Dodd (2004) Reggae Road 24/7 (2006) Reggae Road Rasta Time - Lagoon Talk About Love - Sonic Sounds It's Magic - free world music Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0242-9. Peter I. "Al Campbell (interview)". reggae-vibes.com. Reggae Vibes Productions NL. Archived from the original on 23 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008. Campbell-Livingston, Cecilia. Al Campbell is 'Man from Studio One' Archived 28 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Jamaica Observer. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-2-28. Al Campbell at Roots Archives Al Campbell discography at ReggaeID