Ansel Collins

Recorded at Music Mountain Studio, Kingstone, Jamaica. Happy Valley Music BMI. Jacket made in Canada. Texts in back cover: Jamaican Ansel Collins began his musical career in 1960, with Vere John's Opportunity Knocks Talent Show at RJR, Kingston. Soon after he won runner-up at a show at The Carib Theatre in Kingston. Joining the Caribeats (Bobby Akins' band) he started with drums but then moved on to keyboards (self-taught) and right into professional recording session work, first with The Caribeats and then his own band, the R.H.T. Invincibles. This band toured America as a night club act. Specializing in instrumental music, his first recording was "Night Doctor" which became a big hit under the name of The Upsetters; Ansel worked for quite some time with The Upsetters and took part in crafting many of their hits. (See Heartbeat's tribute to Lee Perry and The Upsetters, HB-37.) After moving on to Beverley's Recording Company, he began to cut under his own name. Hits followed such as "Night Of Love", "Cotton Dandy" and "Night Fever". Combining backup work with artists such as Toots and The Maytals and Jimmy Cliff with continued studio work, he had his first million seller in 1970 (as Dave and Ansel Collins) with "Double Barrel". This was followed up by "Monkey Spanner", also a large success. A year-long tour in the UK ensued. Since, Ansel has remained active touring the US with Toots, Africa with Jimmy Cliff, Europe with The Mighty Diamonds and then became part of The Jimmy Cliff Band from 1980 to the present, managing to squeeze in session work (as with Black Uhuru) when possible. An active figure in reggae, past and present, here we enjoy some of the many sides of Ansel Collins. ℗ & © 1986 Poli-Rhythm LTD.