I would describes my style as
"A pinch of Lovers Rock
Touch of Roots and Culture
mixed together with all the music
that has touched my life ...
and hey you're a reggaebaby!!!!
or maybe not, if you can't cook!!"
Born and Bred
Born in Birmingham England, 4th youngest in a family
of eight
Sang in the School Choir and played trombone in the School and Youth Brass
Band
Made up my first melody at the age of six on the piano and started writing
seriously at the age of sixteen. You know the age, when you start asking
what's the meaning of life and why me?
Why Reggae?
'This is my life
If you know what a mean
to be a reggae singer is my dream'
I did however join an Operatic Society for a short
time but only stayed for one production
'Kiss Me Kate' - 'Kiss Me What!!'
After that my friend Sue and I, formed a pop band Double Vision that's when I learnt to play the bass, we would perform at local venues.
My real education began when I joined my brothers group Sceptre as a keyboardist and then guitarist (you could say I learnt to 'chop' on the job), it became a family affair when our youngest sister Bev (Rankin Bev) joined and took over on the keyboards.
(Roots/Rock/Reggae)
That was when I realised I was
A Reggaebaby
After Sceptre split I was eager to pursue a solo career, singing on sound systems at dances and carnivals. But after self-financing 4 small releases, on my own record label 'Foxy Lady' between 1990 and 1994 became disheartened with the British Reggae Affair (or no Affair).
Was just not mean't to be - mmm!! that sounds like the title for a song
Memorable Experiences?
No 1
Sceptre Supporting Sugar Minott
(if I remember everything was running late - we were like lambs to the
slaughter)
after waiting so long the crowd was in no mood for a support band
it was a laugh
(not really - it was frightening)
No 2
Uniting with Local artists to
release our first record as Sceptre Handsworth Explosion
and coming together to promote at 'Hummingbirds.' (United we
stand)
Why now!
I believe in the phrase 'It's never too late to pursue what you want in life - too many people go through life not even attempting to realize their dreams, I don't want to be one of them. I enjoy the whole process of making music and performing. I began the album by accident, it started out as getting quality tracks together for regular performances in France and turned into an album. This also lead to a write-up in National French Magazine "Reggae Ska RAGGA".
What do I hope to achieve
I have spent 4 years working, planning and saving to put this album together and I have enjoyed every moment of it. This is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing, whether it be for my own achievements and/or for others in the community. To be able to share music with others and at the same time do something that I love and maybe inspire someone to achieve their dreams along the way would be a massive achievement.
I don't expect to become famous and (record deal, what's one of them), but if I can create a little and sing a little I'll be happy and if you enjoy my album and appreciate it for what it is, that would be the cherry on top.
'A little wining, a little grooving and hey!
You're a ReggaeBaby'
