Barry Brown (c. 1962, Jamaica — 29 May 2004) was a Jamaican reggae singer, initially coming to prominence in the 1970s with his work with Bunny Lee, but remaining popular throughout his career.
Barry Brown was one of a number of singers to find success in the 1970s under record producer Bunny Lee. After forming a short-lived group called The Aliens with Rod Taylor and Johnny Lee, Brown went solo. Although his first release, "Girl You're Always on My Mind", had little impact, his vocal style soon found popularity, with his first hit single coming with 1979's "Step It Up Youthman", which led to an album of the same name on Paradise Records.
One of the most successful artists of the early dancehall era, Brown worked with some of Jamaica's top producers of the time, including Linval Thompson, Winston "Niney The Observer" Holness, Sugar Minott and Coxsone Dodd, as well as releasing self-produced material. He recorded for Studio One in 1983, including Far East. After releasing eleven albums between 1979 and 1984, Brown's releases became more sporadic, although his work continued to feature prominently on sound systems such as those of Jah Shaka.
In the 1990s, Brown's health deteriorated, suffering with asthma and substance abuse problems, and he died in May 2004 in Sone Waves recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica, after falling and hitting his head.
Links to Peel[]
According to tracklistings on this site, Peel seemed to have first played Barry Brown's records in 1979. After 1984, Peel revisited some of the singer's material in 1990, 1992, 1993, 2001 and 2004 months after his death.
Shows Played[]
- 1979
- 30 October 1979: unknown
- 11 August 1980: Natty Dread Nah Run (single) Strong Like Sampson
- 18 November 1980: Cool Pon Your Corner (album - Cool Pon Your Corner) Trojan
- 22 November 1980 (BFBS): Cool Pon Your Corner (album - Cool Pon Your Corner) Trojan
- 25 November 1980: Your Love Is Real (album - Cool Pon Your Corner) Trojan
- 15 December 1980 (& Ranking Toyan): Peace & Love (split 12" with Jah Thomas & Roots Radics - Peace & Love / Adapter Chapter) Daddy Kool
- 27 December 1980 (BFBS) (& Ranking Toyan): Peace & Love (split 12" with Jah Thomas & Roots Radics - Peace & Love / Adapter Chapter) Daddy Kool
- 1981
- 22 January 1981: Sharing My Life (12") Channel One
- 06 April 1981: Love - Love - Love (7") Black & White
- 1983
- 10 March 1983: Tourist Season (single) Joe Gibbs Roots Sound
- 17 March 1983: Tourist Season (7") Joe Gibbs Roots Sound
- 18 May 1983: Over Me (7") Hit Bound
- 21 June 1983: Dreadful Day (10") Hit Bound
- 26 June 1983 (BFBS): Dreadful Day (7") Hit Bound
- 1990
- 06 August 1990: Your Love Is Real (LP - Cool Pon Your Corner) Trojan
- 1992
- 01 November 1992 (Ö3): 'Politician (CD-Barry Brown Meets Cornell Campbell)' (Culture Press)
- 1993
- 02 January 1993: 'Politician (7 inch)' (Jackpot)
- 2001
- 16 May 2001: No Wicked Shall Enter The Kingdom Of Zion (7 inch) Fatman
- 24 May 2001 (Radio Eins): No Wicked Shall Enter The Kingdom Of Zion (7 inch) Fatman
- 03 June 2001 (BBC World Service): No Wicked Shall Enter The Kingdom Of Zion (7") Fat Man
- 07 June 2001: No Wicked Shall Enter The Kingdom Of Zion (7") Fatman
- 2004
- 18 August 2004: Politician (7") Gorgan
- 28 August 2004 (BBC World Service): Politician (7") Gorgan