THE TRUTH
OF JOHHNY OSBOURNE
Johnny Osbourne (born Errol Osbourne, 1948) is a
popular Jamaican reggae and dancehall
singer, who rose to success in the late 1970s and mid 1980s.
Born and raised in
His album "Truth and rights" is a notable roots
reggae success, and featured "Jah
Promise" and the album's title track, "Truths and Rights".
However, he is probably best known for his mid 1980s dancehall reggae
hits "Buddy Bye" (based on King Jammy's sleng tend riddim ), "Ice Cream Love" and "Water
Pumping.
During 1967 Osbourne became lead vocalist of
The Wildcats, and recorded for producer WINSTON
RILEY ,
although nothing was issued.
The Wildcats' managerthen financed a session
at COXSONE DODD's
STUDIO ONE, from which his debut single "All
I Have Is Love", was released.
In 1969 he recorded the album, "Come back darling" , again for RILEY.
On the day that he completed the album, Osbourne emigreted to
After singing with various soul and reggae groups, he became lead
vocalist for ISHAN PEOPLE , and recorded two albums
with them.
The group broke up in 1979, and Osbourne
decided to return to
Shortly after returning, he recorded "Forgive Them"
and "Jealousy, Heartache And Pain" for the Studio One label.
Through late 1979 and early 1980 he recorded extensively for Dodd, with
these sessions culminating in Truths And Rights.
In 1979 he also had a hit for KING JAMMYS (then
Prince Jammy) with "Folly Ranking", and an album of the same name
followed in 1980.
The success of these recordings made him one of the most in-demand
vocalists on the island, and a glut of material was
released, including Fally Lover, Warrior,
Innah Disco Style and Never Stop
Fighting, between 1980 and 1982. In 1983, he began the year with two big
hits, "Yo Yo" and
"Lend Me A Chopper", and later in the year enjoyed further success
with "Water Pumping", an adaptation of HOPETON LAWIS' "Take It Easy", which had also served as the
basis for JOHNNY CLARKE's
1976 hit "Rockers Time Now".
The hits continued with "Get Cracking", "Check For You", "Rewind" (1984), "Buddy
Bye", "No Sound Like We" and "In The Area" (1985).
In the late 1980s he was
particularly successful when recording for BOBBY
DIGITAL , and had hits with "Good Time Rock" (1988) and
"Rude Boy Skank" (1988), both of which are
included on his 1989 album, Rougher Than Them.
Throughout the 80s he continued to record for Coxsone
Dodd, and singles included "Keep That Light", "Unity" and
"A We Run Things", but a long-promised second album from Dodd has not
materialized.
British Reggae group, UB40
recorded Come Back Darling, which peaked at ..10 on the
Blessed with an eclectic voice, and an unparalleled style, Johnny's
music transcends genres and generations. Reggae historian ROGER STEFFENS affirms, "A 25-year career that shows no signs
of letting up, from soulful reggae to a massive dancehall catalog,
Osbourne's warm voice filled with conviction and
yearning, is one of the island's best".
After more than 3 decades that sound is distinct and fresh as ever.
No doubt songs
like Come Back Darling, Truth & Rights, Reasons, Jah
Promise, Sing Jah Stylee,
Water Pumping, Ice Cream Love, All I have Is Love, Warrior, Yo-Yo, Buda Bye, In
your Your Eyes, Give A Little Love, Fally Lover, Love Is Universal Groovin,
Sexy Thing, Little Sound Boy and many others are omni-present in the minds of
reggae music lovers. AVAILABLE ON CATALOG