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Tribute to Sly Dunbar.
With the death of one of the world’s greatest drummer there have been a lot of tributes but Sly Dunbar is a genius, a creator and great musician. He was seen as a reggae drummer but regardless of what genre of modern western music you like the work of Sly in incomparable.
For starter it is estimated that Sly and Robbie has played on over 200,000 recordings which include remixes and original recordings. Sly was amongst the most creative drummers that ever played, and he could mix Mento, Congo drumming, and other form of Jamaican music with R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, Cuban, Hispanic, Indian and African flair and put it all together.
As a youth in high school the first song I was attracted to that Sly played the drums on was one called “Death in the Arena” which was big hit at the time. My friend Laurel Easington would take his guitar to school and my friends, and I would dance and sing while he played. That tune was infectious to a young me.
Since then, I have followed Sly on his musical journey. We know Sly has backed or influenced most reggae artist coming out of Jamaica. He has been a mentor to many of the younger producers and engineers including Rory Stone Love, Bulbie York, Lenkie Marsden, Steven Mcgreggor to name a few and the generation before had a long list including George Phang, Fattis Burrell, Red Rose, etc. and many of the Jamaican producers and musicians.
Sly is quiet and does not seek additional fame, he worked hard and loved his work. I would not classify Sly as a reggae drummer because of the influence and the songs he made come to life. If you are reading this and never heard of Sly I bet you have dance to one of his infectious beats? I will name a few in other genres.
The great drumming of Sly has been trendsetting in Reggae with Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Chaka Demus and Plyers, Tamlins, Jimmy Riley, Beenie Man, Shaggy, and all the great recording artists.
Sly was a quiet musician who did not get all his dues as he just loved music, Sly has never sued anyone to my knowledge for copyright infringement when his work has been copied by recording artists the world over. I remember in the 1980s in Kingston driving by a music studio and I saw a line of people waiting to go in. I asked what was happening and was told Sly and Robbie was recording for a day, so these singers/artists all waited in line hoping to get their chance to record with the Riddim Twins. This was surprising to me as I have never seen this before.
I will miss the work of Sly and Robbie as it has been the riddim of my life from the days of “Death in the Arena” through “Guess who is coming to Dinner”, “Buckingham palace”, “Heart made of Stone” “Baltimore”, “Love has found its Way” , “Unmetered Taxi”, “Bam Bam” and all the great riddim.
Walk good to one of the top drummers in the world and Jamaican great. Job well done Father Sly, hope your story will be told and your credits are due.
With the death of one of the world’s greatest drummer there have been a lot of tributes but Sly Dunbar is a genius, a creator and great musician. He was seen as a reggae drummer but regardless of what genre of modern western music you like the work of Sly in incomparable.
For starter it is estimated that Sly and Robbie has played on over 200,000 recordings which include remixes and original recordings. Sly was amongst the most creative drummers that ever played, and he could mix Mento, Congo drumming, and other form of Jamaican music with R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, Cuban, Hispanic, Indian and African flair and put it all together.
As a youth in high school the first song I was attracted to that Sly played the drums on was one called “Death in the Arena” which was big hit at the time. My friend Laurel Easington would take his guitar to school and my friends, and I would dance and sing while he played. That tune was infectious to a young me.
Since then, I have followed Sly on his musical journey. We know Sly has backed or influenced most reggae artist coming out of Jamaica. He has been a mentor to many of the younger producers and engineers including Rory Stone Love, Bulbie York, Lenkie Marsden, Steven Mcgreggor to name a few and the generation before had a long list including George Phang, Fattis Burrell, Red Rose, etc. and many of the Jamaican producers and musicians.
Sly is quiet and does not seek additional fame, he worked hard and loved his work. I would not classify Sly as a reggae drummer because of the influence and the songs he made come to life. If you are reading this and never heard of Sly I bet you have dance to one of his infectious beats? I will name a few in other genres.
- ”Ain’t nothing going on but the rent “, Gwen Guthrie (He played on most of her famous tracks)
- “Rockit”, by Herbie Hancock (if did break dancing or hip hop back the days this was the theme dance song).
- “Genius of Love”, Tom Tom Club which was later remixed by Mariah Carey
- “Pull up to the bumper”, Sly played on most Grace Jones biggest hit songs
- “Electric Slide”, Sly played on the remix of the Marcia Griffiths Electric slide
- “The Score” Sly played on the Fugees album
- “Jokerman” ,Bob Dillon
- “Girls”, Ian Dury
- “Just another night”, Mick Jagger
- “Supernatural” Madonna. Sly played on the remix
- “Hey Baby” No Doubt
- “Cheerleader” Omi
- “Piece of me”, Britney Spears
- “Sheffield Steel” Joe Cocker
The great drumming of Sly has been trendsetting in Reggae with Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Chaka Demus and Plyers, Tamlins, Jimmy Riley, Beenie Man, Shaggy, and all the great recording artists.
Sly was a quiet musician who did not get all his dues as he just loved music, Sly has never sued anyone to my knowledge for copyright infringement when his work has been copied by recording artists the world over. I remember in the 1980s in Kingston driving by a music studio and I saw a line of people waiting to go in. I asked what was happening and was told Sly and Robbie was recording for a day, so these singers/artists all waited in line hoping to get their chance to record with the Riddim Twins. This was surprising to me as I have never seen this before.
I will miss the work of Sly and Robbie as it has been the riddim of my life from the days of “Death in the Arena” through “Guess who is coming to Dinner”, “Buckingham palace”, “Heart made of Stone” “Baltimore”, “Love has found its Way” , “Unmetered Taxi”, “Bam Bam” and all the great riddim.
Walk good to one of the top drummers in the world and Jamaican great. Job well done Father Sly, hope your story will be told and your credits are due.
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