August 25, 1958 – April 11, 2005
In a crowded field, Junior Delgado stands out amongst Jamaica’s consummate roots performers, one whose distinctively expressive, and slightly husky, vocals have seen his popularity remain undiminished, even after styles changed and his original forte was pushed away by dancehall. Success only came after the singer moved to Dennis Brown’s DEB Label and set to work with producer Earl “Chinna” Smith. Their first collaboration, “Tition”, bore fruit and set the stage for a string of further hits, including “Famine” and “Devil’s Throne”, which culminated in Delgado’s 1978 debut album, Taste of the Young Heart.
Delgado recorded the magnificent “Sons of Slaves” single, Sly & Robbie oversaw the production and laid down the rhythms for the classic, “Fort Augustus”, while the singer self-produced the equally seminal “Rich Man Poor Man.” He spent over 25 years in the business, and in 1999 he appeared at the Glasonbury and Roskilde Festivals to widespread adulation.
Hits include:
- “Sons of Slaves”
- “Sisters & Brothers”
- “Taste of the Young Heart”
- “More She Love It”