Frankie Paul

Paul Blake (19 October 1965 – 18 May 2017), better known as Frankie Paul, was a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist. Born blind, he was dubbed by some as the Jamaican Stevie Wonder. Born in Jamaica in 1965, Blake was born blind but as a child had his sight partially restored by an operation on a hospital ship. He sang for, and impressed Stevie Wonder when Wonder visited the school that Blake attended, prompting him to pursue a singing career. Adopting the stage name Frankie Paul, he first found fame in the early 1980s, and he recorded prolifically throughout the decade. He recorded for virtually every producer/studio in Jamaica at some time, and was known to release several albums a year. Notable works of Frankie Paul include the popular "Sara" and "War is in the Dance". Paul resided in The Gambia from 1994. In January 2016, he underwent surgery to amputate a foot and part of his leg. Frankie Paul died on 18 May 2017 from complications with his liver at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Give the Youth a Chance (1982), Freedom Sounds – also released as Rich & Poor Pass the Tu-Sheng-Peng (1985), Nyam Up Tidal Wave (1985), Greensleeves Over the Wall (1985), Crystal Still Alive (1985), Jammy's Shut Up Bway (1986), Ujama Sara (1987), Jammy's (JA) / Live & Love (UK/US) Warning (1987), RAS Alesha (1987) Fire Deh a Mus Tail (1988), Blacka Dread Dance Hall Duo (1988), RAS Slow Down (1988), VP Frankie Paul at Studio One (1988), Studio One Veteran (1989), VP Reaching Out (1989), Blue Mountain Can't Get You Out of My Mind (1990), Rohit Detrimental (1990), Rohit Get Closer (1990), Profile Start of Romance (1991), Sonic Sounds Best in Me (1991), VP Let's Chill (1991), VP Jamming (1991), VP Should I (1991), Heartbeat Money Talk (1991), Jammy's Sleepless Night (1992), Sonic Sounds Hot Number (1992), VP Tomorrow (1992), Sonic Sounds Cassanova (1992), Dynamic Sounds Live & Love (1992), VP Sizzling (1992), VP Don Man (1993), Philo Talk All You Want (1994), VP Hard Work (1994), RAS Time Less (1995), Tan-yah If You Want Me Girl (1995), Trojan Come Back Again (1996), VP Freedom (1996), RAS A We Rule (1997), RAS Live at Maritime Hall (1999), Artists Only Give Me That Feeling Freedom Blues (1999), Foxtail Forever (1999), World Rock On (1999), Charm Every Nigger Is a Star! (2000), Greensleeves Remember the Time (2001), Artists Only I Be Hold (2001), T.P. Don't Wanna Get Funky (2001), Prestige Elite Sara (2002), Fatman Blessed Me (2002), Scorpio Hardcore Loving (2003), Charm Asking for Love (2004), Jet Star Who Issued the Guns (2006), Music Avenue Are You Ready (2007), Cousins Best of Friends (2007), Charm Tink Say Dem Know Me (2008), Jet Star Most Wanted (2011), Greensleeves The Reggae & African Beat. Vol. 6–7. Bongo Productions. 1987. p. 18. Henry, Balford (19 May 2017). "Reggae singer Frankie Paul is dead". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 19 May 2017. Steve Huey. "Frankie Paul | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2013. Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Virgin Books. pp. 219–220. ISBN 0-7535-0242-9. Moskowitz, David V. (2006). Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. Greenwood Press. p. 233. ISBN 0-313-33158-8. "Greensleeves - Frankie Paul". Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. "Singer Frankie Paul takes stand". Jamaica Observer. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014. Bonitto, Brian (21 January 2016). "Frankie Paul on the mend". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 29 January 2016. Mason, Peter (24 May 2017). "Frankie Paul obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2017. David Jeffries (7 June 2011). "Most Wanted – Frankie Paul | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2013. Frankie Paul discography at Discogs