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His sweet voice, reminding classic Jamaican singers like Horacy Andy has been one of the treasures of the island’s cultural heritage. Associated labels & producers like Freedom Sounds, Studio One, Barry Brown, Mikey Dread or King Tubby mean a lot to a roots reggae fan. The same could be said about Rod’s classic hits from 70’s – „Ethiopian Kings” or „His Imperial Majesty”. After years he does not give up and for the first ever visit to Poland his showcase will also include recently released new album „Original Roots”. Backed by the French Positive Roots Band and with St Marteen’s singer Bob Wasa, Rod Taylor will provide pure pleasure for roots ears at Ostroda Reggae Festival on 11th August.
Together with the likes of Sugar Minott, Barry Brown and Barrrington Levy, Rod Taylor was among the first generation of Jamaican singers to make their reputations on sound-system, as opposed to records or stage shows. In this sense, he’s every inch the dancehall singer, even though he’s long specialised in conscious themes, and the music he recorded back in the late seventies still plays in roots dances the world over.
Born in Trenchtown in 1957, he was known as Rocky T (also “Rock-stone”) as a child after had given birth to him on the kerbside. From the age of twelve, he was singing on that same street corner and entering local talent competitions. He sang in the Aliens with Barry Brown before recording his debut songs „Bad Man Comes and Goes” and „Every Little Thing”. Encouraged by Sugar Minott and Tony Tuff of the African Brothers, he soon gained popularity on the Kingston dancehall circuit, with such renowned sound-systems as Kenyatta, Kilimanjaro or Youthman Promotion.
A clutch of classic tunes for the Freedom Sound label circa 1978 brought him to wider prominence and paved the the way for further studio recordings produced by the late Prince Far I or Mikey Dread, for whom he voiced the unforgettable „His Imperial Majesty”.
One of his later best sets before disappearing into the Jamaican countryside to turn farmer is the Greensleeves album „Where Is Your Love Mankind” (1981).
He also recorded an album with the famous UK roots producer Jah Warrior „Shining Bright” (2002)
Now Rod Taylor resides in France and performs with experienced The Positive Roots Band (started in 1999) and their official singer Bob Wasa from St Martin.
„The vibes was there from a youth – as a youth I used to like music, like to sing on sound. But before that, we use to sing on juke box – you get a lickle five pence, an’ put in the box, and then we’d sing on the version.That is how I become a singer, by doin’ that.”
Rod Taylor
Links: http://www.myspace.com/rodtaylormusic
http://www.myspace.com/bobwasawithpositiverootsband
video:
Rod Taylor & Positive Roots Band - live 2010
http://youtu.be/36S-pKjSSoE
http://youtu.be/zmnpx5f273M
http://youtu.be/0xFl3rDKwqM
Rod Taylor & Joseph Cotton - "His Imperial Majesty"
http://youtu.be/-PWFA1O7RFI
Bob Wasa & Positive Roots Band live 2010
http://youtu.be/HFrdoKbJje0
Bob Wasa & Positive Roots Band - „My Life” clip (2012)
http://youtu.be/cA1B_Fw3DfA
Rod Taylor interview 2012
http://www.reggae.fr/voir-video/975_Rod-Taylor-en-interview-.html
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