Garth Dennis
Rudolph "Garth" Dennis (born 2 December 1949) is a Jamaican musician who was a founder member of Black Uhuru, later a member of The Wailing Souls for ten years before returning to Black Uhuru in the mid-1980s, and has also recorded as a solo artist.
Garth Dennis | |
---|---|
Birth name | Rudolph Dennis |
Born | Jamaica | 2 December 1949
Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
Genres | Reggae |
Years active | 1972–present |
Labels | Greensleeves, Mesa |
Associated acts | Black Uhuru, The Wailing Souls |
Career
Born in 1949, Dennis grew up in Kingston, Jamaica.[1] His older sister, Joanne, had a hit in Jamaica in 1964 with "You're Wondering Now", as part of the duo Andy & Joey (with Reuben Anderson).[2] He formed Black Uhuru in 1972 with Don Carlos and Duckie Simpson.[3] After the group's early releases Dennis left, going on to join the Wailing Souls in the mid-1970s, staying with them during their successful Channel One era.[4]
When the core members of the Wailing Souls moved back to Jamaica in 1985 after a period in the United States, Dennis stayed behind, but later returned to Jamaica to rejoin the re-formed original lineup of Black Uhuru.[5] With Black Uhuru, Dennis recorded the Grammy-nominated 1991 album Now and three further albums (along with dub versions). When Simpson left the group, Dennis and Carlos continued as Black Uhuru until December 1987, but Simpson also claimed the name, winning a legal case in 1998.[6][7]
In 2008 Dennis returned to the Wailing Souls.[8]
His first solo album, Trenchtown 19 3rd Street, which featured Sly Dunbar and Carlton "Santa" Davis, was released in February 2015.[1] His second solo album is due for release in early 2020.[2]
Discography
Solo
Albums
- Trenchtown 19 3rd Street (2015)
Singles
- "Slow Coach", Sydna
with the Wailing Souls
- Wild Suspense (1979), Mango
- Wailing (1981), Jah Guidance
- Fire House Rock (1981), Greensleeves
- Soul & Power (1981), Studio One
- Inchpinchers (1982), Greensleeves
- Baby Come Rock (1983), Joe Gibbs Music
- On The Rocks (1983), Greensleeves
- Stranded (1984), Greensleeves
with Black Uhuru
- Now (1991), Mesa/Rhino
- Now Dub (1991), Mesa
- Iron Storm (1992), Mesa
- Iron Storm Dub (1992), Mesa
- Mystical Truth (1992), Mesa
- Mystical Truth Dub (1993), Mesa
- Live (1993), Sonic Sounds
- Strongg (1994), Mesa
- Strongg Dub (1994), Mesa
References
- Campbell, Howard (2015) "Garth Dennis Goes Back to Trench Town", Jamaica Observer, 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015
- "All eyes on Garth Dennis", Jamaica Observer, 29 August 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019
- Moskowitz, David V. (2005) Caribbean Popular Music, Greenwood Press, ISBN 978-0313331589, p. 33
- Prahlad, Sw. Anand (2001) Reggae Wisdom: Proverbs in Jamaican Music, University Press of Mississippi, ISBN 978-1578063192, p. 216
- Pareles, Jon et al (eds.) (1997) "Black Uhuru" in The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll, Pocket Books, ISBN 978-0684810447
- Borzillo, Carrie (1995) "Black Uhuru Members Tangle With Label and With Each Other", Billboard, 29 April 1995, p. 11. Retrieved 30 August 2015
- Oumano, Elena (1998) "Simpson Victorious in Black Uhuru Suit", Billboard, 18 April 1998, p. 14. Retrieved 30 August 2015
- "The 'Souls' Reunite", Jamaica Gleaner, 7 October 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2015