Jah Stitch (born Melbourne James, 27 July 1949 – 28 April 2019) was a reggae deejay best known for his recordings in the 1970s.
After an introduction to music singing in a yard with the likes of The Wailers, The Heptones, Roy Shirley, and Stranger Cole, James became well known in Jamaica by deejaying with the Lord Tippertone and Black Harmony sound systems, working as Jah Stitch. His debut single was the Errol Holt-produced "Danger Zone". Big Youth was an early influence on Stitch's deejay style and he had several hits working with producer Bunny Lee, with deejay versions of songs by Johnny Clarke, as well as tracks such as "African Queen" with Yabby You. Shortly before the One Love Peace Concert in 1976, Stitch survived being shot, providing the inspiration for "No Dread Can't Dead". His success in Jamaica continued and in 1977 he toured the United Kingdom.
In the mid-1980s, he worked as a selector on Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion sound system, now under the name Major Stitch.
He resumed his recording career in 1995, working with Trevor Douglas and Jah Woosh. His peak 1970s output for Bunny Lee and Yabby You was collected in 1996 by Blood And Fire on the Original Ragga Muffin (1975–77) compilation.
He died on 28 April 2019, aged 69.
Links to Peel[]
Peel seemed to have discovered the artist in 1978, according to available tracklistings on this site. However, it was the mid/late 90's that Peel seemed to have played many of the reggae musician's material.
Shows Played[]
- 21 February 1978 (& Errol Dunkley): Hard Luck Story (12") Aries ARI 001
- 1980
- 20 September 1980 (BFBS): Mash Mouth (7") Stew Mack
- 23 September 1980: Mash Mouth (7") Stew Mack
- 1994
- 05 March 1994: ‘Black Harmony Killer (Various Artists CD - If Deejay Was Your Trade (The Dreads At King Tubby's 1974-1977))’ (Blood & Fire)
- 18 March 1994: ‘Greedy Girl (Various Artist CD - If Deejay Was Your Trade)’ (Blood & Fire)
- 02 April 1994 (BFBS): Greedy Girl (v/a album - If Deejay Was Your Trade (The Dreads At King Tubby's 1974-1977) Blood & Fire
- 1996
- 19 March 1996: Two Roads (LP - Jah Woosh Meets Jah Stitch) Original Music
- 12 April 1996: ‘Give Jah The Glory (CD – Original Ragga Muffin (1975 – 1977) )’ Blood & Fire
- 13 April 1996: Ragga Muffin Style (album - Original Ragga Muffin (1975-1977)) Blood & Fire
- 20 April 1996: No Dread Can't Dead (album - Original Ragga Muffin (1975-77)) Blood & Fire
- 27 April 1996 (BFBS): 'Ragamuffin Style (LP-Ragamuffin Style)'
- 29 April 1996 (BBC World Service): No Dread Can't Dead (LP - (Original Ragamuffin (1975-1977)) Blood & Fire
- 19 May 1996: Cool Down Your Temper (album - Original Ragga Muffin (1975-77)) Blood & Fire
- 1997
- 25 February 1997: ‘Ragga Muffin Style (Various Artists – Another Blood And Fire Sampler)’ Blood And Fire
- 17 March 1997 (BFBS): 'Ragga Muffin Style (Compilation CD-2 Heavyweight - Another Blood And Fire Sampler)' (Blood & Fire)