Freddie McGregor, Maxi Priest, Romain Virgo, Raging Fyah, Jah9, Christopher Ellis, The Green, Katchafire and Jah Cure are just a few of the top flight artists that will put reggae's Crown Prince, Dennis Emmanuel Brown, back in the spotlight.
We Remember Dennis Brown drops June 3 on VP Records and will highlight the Jamaican singer's storied career. Although he he passed away in 1999 (age 42), Brown was a major influence on several generations of artists.
Early in his career he found success covering American R&B hits; his mid-career found him equally successful in roots and especially lovers rock idioms, and toward the end he successfully scored hits in the dancehall arena.
He worked with legendary producers, from Joe Gibbs and Niney The Observer, through Gussie Clarke and King Jammy. In many ways Brown was second only to Bob Marley in his overall impact on reggae, hence his title as it's Crown Prince.
Through rub-a-dub anthems like "Your Love Got A Hold On Me" (covered by Sanchez), or thoughtful conscious numbers like "Wolves and Leopards" (redone by Richie Spice), you get a sense of the scope of the man's work. It was immense and impactful: He rejected violence with "I Don't Want to Be No General," and created uplifting spiritual anthems ("To The Foundation") that receive heartfelt deejay spins to this day.
Few artists receive the posthumous acclaim that Brown has, and in his case, it's more than worthy and warranted.
TRACK LISTING:
- Iba Mahr, Jesse Royal, Keznamdi, Chronixx, Exco Levi, Kelissa, Jahmiel, Kabaka Pyramid & Rockaz Elements - I Need Your Love (Rasta Children)
- Bushman - Don't Want To Be No General
- The Green - Promised Land
- Raging Fyah - Milk and Honey
- Christopher Ellis - Created By The Father
- Mutabaruka & Marla Brown - Words of Wisdom
- Chino - Melting Pot
- Yahsha - The Existence Of Jah
- Jamelody- Halfway Up, Halfway Down
- Freddie McGregor - Little Village
- Mykal Rose - Easy Take It Easy
- Jah9 - Bloody City
- Richie Spice - Wolves and Leopards
- Shuga - Black Liberation
- VP Hit Team - To The Foundation
- Romain Virgo - Caress Me
- Marsha Ambrosius - Have You Ever
- No Maddz - Rocking Time
- Maxi Preist - Love Me Always
- Jamelody & Ikaya - Love Has Found Its Way
- Sanchez - Your Love Got A Hold On Me
- Katchafire - If I Had The World
- Etana - Should I
- Jah Cure - Ghetto Girl
- Christopher Martin - Baby Don't Do It
- Gyptian - How Can I
- Ikaya - For You
- Dalton Harris - No More Will I Roam
- Jah Vinci - Money in My Pocket
- VP Hit Team - Silhouette
