by Howard Campbell
SOUTH FLORIDA – On the top of the roots-reggae revolution in 1974, even hardcore Rastamen needed songs they may chill to with their queen. They received it that 12 months with Everything I Own, a lush ballad by Ken Boothe produced by Lloyd Charmers.
October is Black Historical past Month in the UK. This 12 months marks 50 years since “The whole lot I Personal” was primary on the British pop chart for 3 weeks.
A reggae cowl of Bread’s 1972 blue-eyed soul hit, Boothe heard the unique whereas in Canada. The singer was 25 years previous on the time he recorded his model at Federal Data in Kingston.
Willie Lindo performed the memorable guitar intro to The whole lot I Personal. He recalled Boothe “banging it out on di piano” however not everybody within the studio was excited in regards to the preliminary construction.
“Charmers sey it too gradual, too candy. (Drummer) Paul Douglas needed to depart ‘trigger he needed to go to rehearsals with Toots (and The Maytals). However I do know it was one thing particular,” mentioned Lindo.
Lloyd Parks performed bass, and Charmers performed the organ, piano, and percussion. They have been the principle musicians on “The whole lot I Personal.” This music was successful in Jamaica. Later, Trojan picked it up and distributed it within the UK. The UK had rising Jamaican and West Indian communities.
Roots-Reggae Motion
The roots-reggae motion, which had exploded in Jamaica, was additionally robust within the UK. Militant and conservative blacks, in addition to white Britons, have been drawn to the mellow tones of The whole lot I Personal which soared to the highest of the charts. It matched the success of fellow Jamaicans Millie Small’s My Boy Lollipop in 1964, and Double Barrel by Dave Barker and Ansel Collins in 1971.
This didn’t shock Lindo.
“It was successful report…from after we have been recording it, I knew it was successful report,” he mentioned.
The whole lot I Personal stays the most important hit for Boothe, who made his identify as a teen sensation at producer Clement Dodd’s Studio One label through the Sixties. Now 76, he lives in Kingston.
Willie Lindo owns the Heavy Beat label. This label has produced hit songs by Dennis Brown, Berres Hammond, and his son, Kashief. In 1986, he produced Boris Gardiner’s music, I Wanna Get up With You. This reggae ballad reached the highest of the British pop chart.
