Freddy McKay

Freddy McKay - Pic: Beth Kingston

It was Prince Buster who launched Freddy McKay's career in reggae music back in 1967 with the double A sided 'Giving You A Try Girl' and 'Go On Girl' (Red Eye Girl). Released in the UK on Blue Beat BB386.

It's got all the classic Rock Steady production techniques including the much loved Lynn Tait guitar 'dink' right at the beginning. A great song and some truly heartfelt singing from Freddy make for a great debut.

The other side 'Go On Girl' (Red Eye Girl) is much more rougher and also features harmonies. 

So the man got off to a to a great start - but the tunes didn't hit. His next move was to check Leslie Kong at Beverley's  recording under the name of Freddie McLean - 'Fine Fine Fine' shows the pace of Rock Steady getting quicker - this didn't seem to bother Freddy - and it shouldn't. It is a untypical Beverley's production with great riffing horns - and also some great harmonies.

Three great tunes in a row - and no hits - but enough fine songs and singing to catch the

attention of his next producer Duke Reid. Given a new name 'Treasure Boy' Freddy gives Duke, one of most memorable and biggest hits of the Rock Steady era - 'Love Is A Treasure'.

This one could not miss if it tried! Its got everything a great intro - a well forward rhythm guitar - a superb horn riff from Tommy McCook. And when Freddy comes in with his "Ohh's" Followed by his simple statement about "Love is a treasure, its strange but true..."

Freddy only cut this one tune for Duke Reid - and with it being such a success - you can

only assume that they fell out over money. It was still 1967 and we was still in the Rock Steady era. 

By the time Freddy was in the studio next - it was 1968 and the Reggae era was on us.

Pat Hardy's Kismet label released 'So Long Farewell' this one was still more rock steady than reggae - but it had the reggae pick guitar made famous by Hux Brown. Another release on Kismet 'Tears Won't You' also released in 1968 was classic Rock Steady. And sounds like it was older than 'So Long Farewell'

It's fair to say the Freddy sat out all of the 'Reggae' era with no releases at all in 1969 or 1970. When he returned to studio in 1971 he was still recording for Kismet and he recut 'So Long Farewell' in the deep and heavy roots style. This tune also probably represents the first time that Freddy recut one of his tunes. Although its also probably true that its also the first time he recut the same tune for the same producer!!!

Reggae music moves fast - and the massive success of 'Love Is A Treasure' in 1967 was a long time ago in 1971. And his next move took him to Brentford Road and Studio One.

His big hit at Studio One in 1971 was 'Sweet You Sour You' in fact all of his singles on Studio One did well . 'Picture On The Wall' and 'High School Dance' being the other two big hits from that year.

What made 'Sweet You Sour You' different, was the lyrics. This was not a tune that could have come from America or anywhere else. The rhythm of course matched the lyrics - a slow organ intro - probably played by Jackie Mittoo - over a wild rhythm that must have come from the Soul Defenders. 

Even though he had become a major Studio One artist with the 'Picture On The Wall' album and hit singles. Freddy in common with so many artists could not resist doing a tune or two for other producers.

One of those from 1971 was 'Go On This Way' for producer Harry Mudie. This must be the first cut of a tune that Freddy did at least for two other producers - possibly even four. 

With Santic, and C.Prehay making it three, and some claim a Coxsone cut making it four.

It's a great tune. With Freddy pleading with his woman to be more reasonable. Harry's cut is more reggae than roots. And could have come out in 1969. 

The Prehay cut is the one that for me captures Freddy at his best. Released in the UK on Bullet. C.Prehay, worked a lot with Leonard Chin/Santic.. And both producers worked with Freddy again over the next few years/

Meanwhile Harry Mudie who also released another favourite from Freddy 'Old Joe' plus another single 'Too Much Fire' all in 1971.

After the great success in 1971, Freddy found even more success with Coxsone 'I'm A Free Man' It wasn't a big hit like 'Sweet You', but even today remain a popular song. 

Both this cut from Studio One, and the next cut he did for Leonard Chin which gained

release in the UK on Atra - at the time a up and coming label.

Stare McCallum a little known producer - but still very well respected also produced Freddy in 1972. 'Don't Turn Back' came out on Rebel in Jamaica. And its got all the style of the time. With a reggae beat that is leaning towards the more roots style which was now in place.

Other tunes from 1972 include production Rad Bryan 'Standing In The Rain' released on Track United. And the first self produced single from Freddy 'Tear Drops' released on Channel 7. A label he used only again for a co-produced tune with C.Prehay. Which was yet another recut of 'Lonely Man'. 

It had been a very good year for Freddy - with a promise of a lot more good works to come. He was on par with his peers - artists like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Horace Andy. With big hits in Jamaica and in the UK. 

The best cut of 'Go On This Way' produced by C Prehay is finally released in the UK on Bullet. Just to make things confusing it seems that Pama records who control the Bullet label also issued the same tune from all three producers C.Prehay/Leonard Chin/Harry Mudie. On the same label on the same number. Which ever one you get you won't be disappointed!!! But like I said I like cut from C.Prehay. It put Freddy McKay on my musical radar - and the man as been on it ever since!!!

The build up to the release of the 'Lonely Man' album on Dynamics see the release of a a number of tunes on the Dynamic group of labels in Jamaica. Juguar, Panther, Lion - and carried the credit produced by Warrick Lyn. Warrick had spent a lot of time at Dynamics working with Leslie Kong. It made a lot of sense to Byron Lee to keep him at the studio, as part of the team of producers that included Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, and Tommy Cowan . 'Our Rendezvous' 'Peace In The Garden' and  'Black Beauty' were all very popular tunes for Freddy.

The one that seemed to sell the most was 'Black Beauty' which also gained released in the UK on Dragon - a new label set up by Island Records for Dynamics - which then was distributed by Trojan. 

Warrick Lyn had learned a lot from Leslie Kong over the years - and it really showed in these tunes. They had a certain 'polish' that you just didn't hear in other works coming from Jamaica, perhaps with the exception of Harry J. Who was doing very well with the likes of the Heptones , Joe Higgs and Carl Dawkins using the same kind of sound.

And with the backing of Dynamics, those singles made it on to the album which also gained released in the UK. Something that Harry J was not able to convince Island to do with his great albums from that time.

'Im A Free Man' the Santic/Leonard Chin cut was also released that year On Atra. Here was another label who was trying so hard to do things properly. And yet ironically because of this - the early Atra releases were hard to find!

The simple explanation for this was probably most of the stock was in shops that

didn't care for reggae music that much, and so couldn't sell it.

The shops that could - could not easily get the tunes. Thanfully Atra then linked up with Tropical Records - another new label were about to release the Augustus Pablo debut

Album 'This Is Augustus Pablo'.

All this came a little bit too late for Freddy. What should and could have been a big hit for him - just today remains another classic tune from him.

But still despite all the upheaval of those times in the reggae market - in the UK, Freddy had gained an album release in the UK. On one of the biggest reggae labels outside of the majors. 

Right at the very end of the roots era Freddy got another hit with a flying cymbal style duo with Horace Andy. A Dudley Swaby/Ja Man production - a man noted for his deep roots tunes with people Junior Byles. This tune Freddy McKay & Horace Andy - Talking Love - Dudley Swaby - Ja Man JA - Treble C/Third World - 1975 sounded like it had escaped a Bunny Lee session!!! Just the raw power of the rhythm - was enough for most people - but both singers blend really well - and it must be one of the last hits from a male

duo in Jamaica. 

When Freddy linked up with Alvin a year or so later with Equal Rights - Alvin Ranglin - GG's - 1977. It really looked like a great move. Alvin had enjoyed so much success with Gregory Isaacs - over the last year or so - but probably knew that Gregory was destined for greater things - and was looking around for another vocalist who he could work the same magic with. It's a great song from the Heptones - songbook, but sadly this cover of it - lacks something. Being the first tune from a whole set of disco's Alvin released at the time - it needed to be something special, and it wasn't.

Freddy pushed on with this co-produced tune with the newly independent Sly & Robbie.

Peace Was In The Garden - released on Kingsley Sound in the UK in 1978. This tune had everything that you wanted from Freddy and Sly and Robbie. A poweful song is matched by a powerful rhythm - with some great organ work which sounds like it was coming from Ossie Hibbert. Kingsley Sound also promoted the tune well in the UK. Virtually an unknown practice in the UK at the time. Sadly the big hit the man needed at the time still eluded him.

The man who played the organ on 'Peace' came forward for 'La La Bye Woman' - Ossie Hibbert - Ossie Sounds - 1978. When Gregory left Alvin Ranglin his next work was with Ossie the 'Mr Isaacs' set so it came to pass with Freddy!!! He leaves Alvin Ranglin GG's set up and ends up on Ossie Sounds. This tune was massive for Freddy the militant steppers beat caused him no problems at all. But it never gained a UK release - or if it did it wasn't at the time of its success. Although it was on the 'Creation' album released by Plant.

One of Freddy' s last big hits was this tune 'Cool Down Your Temper' - Freddy McKay - Marsha - 1979. This tune took Freddy into the dancehall style in majestic fashion. This slow 'Far East' styled rhythm was a perfect for him. Like so many other great tunes from the man. It never gained UK release. 

And in part explains the mystery of his lack of success. His really great tunes never got the kind of release coverage they needed to take him up to the next level. Yes he worked with all the great producers - but the chances he got were very few. Being in the right place at the right time - can make all the difference. 

Freddy through no fault of his own was always slightly out of sync. Still with over 150 singles released - and a brace of great albums - his music will be always be enjoyed by those who love the deepest root sounds from Jamaica. 

Freddy McKay - Picture On The Wall - Studio One - 1971

Studio One in the early seventies, still had a certain amount of attraction to any upcoming artist. Although Dynamics. Harry J and Federal had better studios they tended to follow trends rather than create them. Coxsone was always prepared to give someone a chance. 

Although, afterwards most of his artists wished they hadn't asked. And with some of the best musicians also hanging around looking for a break, it was hard for him not to end up with classic album, and quite simply this is yet another one..

It was Coxsone's willingness to try something new, to give someone a chance that is the key to understanding this album.

The arrival of The Soul Defenders - or the 'The Boys From Bog Walk' as he tended to call them. They included  - Rhythm and lead guitar: Jah Privy, Lead guitar: Val Whittaker, Drums, keyboards, and vocals: Vin Morgan, Bass: Festus Walker, Percussion: Joseph Hill, and included other musicians like Bobby Kalphat also on keyboards, and even Ernest Ranglin on guitar.

This band captured the heavy roots of the time so well. The rhythms were not just slow - they highly textured - and usually featured some truly amazing horn arrangements.

'Picture On The Wall' the title track - was of course the hit, and rightly so. A simple story of a picture - that once brought him so much pleasure and now only causes him so much pain - but which he cannot take down. It showed that Freddy wasn't just interested in emotion - it was, what was in the the shadows of a subject that interested him, which he could convey so well.

Other great tracks inclued 'You Are Not The Kind', which features some amazing horn

Arrangements. 'Love Is A Treasure' was another big hit for Freddy. The original was done for Duke Reid in 1967. Released under the name of 'Treasure Boy' 'High School Dance' was also another very popular tune from Freddy during this time.

All together Freddy McKay had 14 songs released by Coxsone - and 12 of them are here.

The popularity of them over the years - gave Coxsone to re-release and remix many of them over the years. 

Freddy McKay - A Lonely Man - Dynamics - 1974

When Freddy McKay left Studio One, Dynamics wasn't his first stop, but the studio was almost the next best place for him to be. Freddy's wonderfully gravely voice was perfect for all kinds of material, and the softer Dynamics production approach seemed to suit him well. Thankfully the producers of this album Warrick Lynn and Neville Hinds were into the music well enough to know that great songs like 'I'm A Free Man' and 'Peace In The Garden' needed to be included, and duly are. A superb album.

It wasn't only Freddy who left Studio One, at the same time The Soul Defenders also

made the trip from Brentford Road to Bell Road. The very first track, the title track of the album 'Lonely Man' shows them at their very best. The song - is another one with a psychological angle that was heard on 'Picture On The Wall'.  

Listening very carefully its also possible that The Now Generation are also present here.

The track 'Black Beauty' sounds like them so much - its hard to work out who else they could be. Another tradition with Freddy is the recutting of a song. 'I'm A Free Man' is found here and on the Studio One album and he also cut it for Leonard Chin.

This cut is fastest out of the three - and the rhythm sounds like it was created by The Allstar Band - the traditional Dynamic Studio house band - most of whom were formerly known at The Beverley's Allstars. A positive reality song - the tempo suits it very well. And Freddy's impassioned vocals does the rest. The Now Gen band return for 'Losing Your Love' which is a more traditional love song from the man. A very nice tune - with some great horn work.

'Peace In The Garden' is another one of those tunes that Freddy as recut more than once.

With its far east horn intro - this cut is probably the best. A reality cultural song with a story from creation straight from the holy book. Without a doubt this the work of The Soul Defenders - and it is a great one. Dynamics rightly released it a single in Jamaica.

In the sixties and seventies it was always traditional to include a soul ballad. And on this album it comes in the form of 'Where Can Find True Love' done to this high standard its very nice to hear. Other great tracks include another one which features the Now Gen band ' 'I'm Not Your Love' a great example of the band's work with this fine artist. 

And anything Now Gen can do.... Step forward the Soul Defenders who jump in with this well forward scrubbing guitar epic 'Rendezvous'. Freddy rips into the song no doubt inspired by the heaviness of the rhythm. Yes, its a love song - but very few love songs get this kind of treatment. I'm sure this rhythm as been used elsewhere for a deejay cut.

The album concludes with an old favourite '100 Pounds Of Clay'. It's a not a bad cover version - with the rhythm supplied by the 'All Star Band'. A very interesting album showing the past and future direction of the music. And it remains one of the best albums ever released by Dynamics. It's a shame Freddy didn't stay with the company a little longer - but that part of his story - might not have had anything to do with him.

Freddy McKay - Best Of Freddy McKay - GG's - 1977

By the time of the 'Rockers' era in Jamaica - Freddy was due another album. By then - the era was dominated by three big producers Channel One, Lee Perry and Joe Gibbs. 

And yet producers like Alvin Ranglin had proved with Gregory Isaacs that he could come up with something different.

A different sound. Perhaps not as powerful as Channel One, or a stylised as Lee Perry or Joe Gibbs. But one that would still make an impact.

Alvin recorded a number of artists at the time. They included Gregory, The Ethiopian,

Roy Shirley, I.Roy and U.Roy.

The two albums from Gregory 'Best Of Vol 1 & Vol 2' were magnificent albums and helped to turn Gregory into a Superstar.

Strangely Freddy's set - despite having all the same people who played on Gregory's album - i.e. 'The Revolutionaries' - failed to make the same kind of impact.

Perhaps it was the choice of material - the songs, but that is not the case. Great recuts of 

'Sweet You, Sour You', 'Picture On The Wall' feature along other great cover versions of Lloyd Jones  'Rome' and some great rhythms which Freddy as added new lyrics too.

Could it have been the band, well at this time 1977 'The Revolutionaries' were red hot.

And with an horn section that featured Bobby Ellis, Herman Marquis, and Don Drummond Jr - it took the album up another level.

One possible explanation is the gap between Freddy's last big hit. 'Talking Love' which he did as a duo with Horace Andy for producer Dudley Swaby in 1975. And this album.

Or it could have been the tremendous amount of albums coming out during this time.

Freddy should have hit really big - back in the mid to late seventies. And yet it didn't happen. It must have been a very disappointing time for both producer and artist. Despite that  he went on to record a number of great singles for GG's at this time. 'How Can I Leave', 'The War Is Over' and 'Funny'. None of them are on this album, which suggests that these tracks were going to be used for a 'Best Of Vol 2' which of course never happened. 

Over the years this album as been repacked and renamed - Charly Records in the UK have released it as 'Doin' It Right' on CD in 1998. And it's very possible that Jamaican Gold who released a vast amount of excellent GG's material around the same time - may have picked it up for release - somewhere along the way.

It's an album that is a must for all fans of Freddy McKay - and for reggae music - because its shows that even when you do everything right - what should be a hit - turns into a miss and there is no sense to it all. Thankfully both Freddy and Alvin Ranglin pushed on. 

Although they never worked together after this album - they have much to be proud of.

Freddy McKay - Creation - Plant - 1979

This is probably Freddy's most basic set, in that the production is very minimal relying instead on a collection of rhythms that at the time were doing the rounds among a variety of singers including Leroy Smart and Junior Delgado. Still the choice of songs is interesting, with covers of 'Creation Rebel' 'Here I Come' and 'Rainbow'. Freddy sings all of these songs with enough conviction to make them own. Produced by Ossie Hibbert.

And even though it didn't make the impact of the 'Mr Issacs' from Gregory Isaacs. It certainly was exactly what Freddy needed at the time.

Given the rhythms were not the most up to date. They put Freddy back into the mainstream of what was happening - the beginning of the dancehall style.

The rockers rhythms were mixed in the mix down style of the dancehall style - and Freddy does a great job.

The opening songs, Burning Spear's 'Creation Rebel' and then Dennis Brown's 'Here I Come' are sung with great vigor by Freddy.

And then we get to one of the man's great songs 'Rock A Bye Woman' sometimes called 'La La Bye Woman' produced by the great Ossie Hibbert - this a militant uptempo version of the songs that Freddy originally produced back in 1974. 

Both tunes have great merit. For those who love the slow early roots tunes its got to be the 1974 cut. For those who love the 'Rockers' they will like this cut from 1978.

It's the sort of tune that the Alvin Ranglin produced 'Best Of' set was crying out for. 

But its impossible to fault Alvin Ranglin for this. Sometimes you get a quick change of rhythm - and this is one such instance. Steppers and Bouncers 'Rhythms' all made an appearance towards the end of the Rockers sounds, but were not around for too long.

'Jah Man' picks up on the same vibe of the 'Creation Rebel' and 'Here I Come' and is another great tune from the man. A powerful song about his faith. A truly remarkable track is 'Nah Mek It Look So' taking the rockers rhythms and adding a riffing horn section is inspired. It's one of the very few examples of this production style. Released on 'Roots From The Yard' on 12" without a production credit it sounds like yet another Ossie Hibbert production.

A very nice cut of Wentworth Vernal's 'The Rainbow' follows. With the album closing with what sounds like a couple of Freddy originals 'A Positive Mind' and 'Yesterday'. Ossie Hibbert's production on is superb on this work.

It showed that he understood what Freddy needed - less production not more. And the singer was certainly paying attention because - like so many artists from his generation although he had no problem in recording for producers, what he wanted to do and liked to do was to produce himself. And this was Freddy next's move. His first self produced set.

Freddy McKay - Harsh Words - Gorgon - 1983

The album Freddy would have made with more time available to him is this. And this was also his frist self produced set, which was very encouraging. It's never easy for an artist to make that crossover to production, but in the world of reggae music it is often essential if the artist is gain real rewards from his efforts. Production here tends to be very rootsy, but then these are rhythms built around songs all written by Freddy. Which includes 'Sun Don't Shine; and 'Teardrops'.

What it didn't include was Freddy's biggest hit from this time the self produced 'Cool Down Your Temper' released on Marsha Music in Jamaica. A lot of producers do tend to leave big hits off of albums - but the wisdom of this in this case - is debatable. 

'Cool Down Your Temper' not only was a great tune - it had a fantastic 'Far East' style

Intro. It would have been nice to hear a melodica cut of this from Pablo or Bobby Kalphat - still

Still even without this tune. This album is a truly great one. It finds Freddy in great singing and songwriting form. 

With a nice mixture of new songs. 'Harsh Words'  'Sun Don't Shine' and the usual recuts which include 'Rock A Bye Woman' and 'Peace In The Garden'.

The production is also - right in tune with the times, 'Dance Hall Style' but a little bit more rougher.

Also every encouraging was the sleeve. A magnificent photo of Freddy - and really nice graphics. Everyone expected a UK release of the album - but it never happened. What did happen was that Salsoul in the U.S. Released it!!! How a company more known for its 'Salsa' and Latin Jazz albums releases, got hold of it - must be a story in itself. 

Perhaps Freddy had a big following at the time with Latin music fans! Madder things have happened in the music business - but this as got to be in the Top 10 as far reggae music is concerned. It would make more sense if they had released other reggae albums - but this album from Freddy seems to be the only one.

What was included in the album is the Ossie Hibbert produced 'Rock A Bye Woman' - a truly classic steppers tune - which I'm sure Jah Shaka loved to play. In a way it kind of makes up for the lack of 'Cool Down Your Temper' not being present.

'Peace In The Garden' is another steppers tune. And is a very early Sly & Robbie production - released on Gorgon in Jamaica and on the well respected Kingsley Sounds in the UK. This tune and the others mentioned really put Freddy on a serious roll. It had taken a long time for Freddy to reach this stage. All he needed to do was to hold on - and slowly build on what he had, but sometimes that is easier said than done.   

Freddy McKay - Tribal Inna Yard - Move - 1985

The Dance Hall style rhythms of the early to mid seventies was perfect for Freddy. Yet with so much talent around in Jamaica it seemed like he was one of the last people to be produced in the style, and that production came from Delroy Wright and Linval Thompson who between them produced some of the best albums in the era. As always Freddy gives us another great album which includes many fine songs. Sadly this was on last album he recorded before he died of a brain hemorrhage.

Of course Freddy had already one great album in the Dance Hall era his own 'Harsh Words' set, but it wasn't a total dance hall album - in that it included tracks from the 'Rockers' era. It didn't make the album any less great. 

Yet it must be understood, when music styles change in Jamaica, as they did on a regular basis from the Ska era right up to the Ragga era. Those changes make it very hard to sell

music from that era - in the next era.

King Jammy for instance had many albums recorded in the 'Dancehall' style but when the

'Ragga' (digital rhythms) he just shelved the lot of them. Today none of that seems to matter. The last distinct music style came from Fatis and the Xterminator label and that popped up around 1994.

The opening track from this album is a masterpiece from the Radics - from the massive

Bass line from Flabba Holt- to the talk box guitar from Dwight Pinkney. Freddy in great from details the folly of violence that had engulfed Jamaica at the time.

Another track very similar is 'Youths Of Today' this time Freddy rides the 'A Yah We Deh' rhythm a 'Bouncers' rhythm that was first heard around 1978 when Barrington Levy first albums appeared for Junjo/Jah Life.

Such is the power of that rhythm - even some seven years after it was first recorded - it makes sense in the context of this album. Also of note is that it remains one of the few 'Dancehall' style rhythm that was original - and yet in truth is not 'Dancehall' it being a 'Bouncers' rhythm.  It's the nature of reggae music - which is full of such crazy contradictions. 

The rest of album consists of recuts - another fine old 'Dancehall' tradition and of course and even finer Freddy McKay tradition!!! Check out 'Lonely Man' and 'Father Will Cut You Off' for great examples of this. Also of note is that this album came out on Move a Scottish based reggae label who also issued a fine album from Al Campbell 'Forward Natty' plus I'm sure a few more which escape me at the moment. 

Although Freddy died in 1985, you can find him singing on digital ragga rhythms. But in truth this remains his last work on album. His best album remains his own self produced 'Harsh Words' but this album and of course the debt album for Studio One are truly essential to understanding the man's work.   

Selected Discography

Singles

01 Giving You A Try Girl - Prince Buster - Olive Blossom - 1967

02 Go On Girl (Red Eye Girl) - Prince Buster - Olive Blossom - 1967

03 Fine Fine Fine - Leslie Kong - Beverley's - 1967

04 Love Is A Treasure - Duke Reid - Treasure Isle - 1967

05 So Long Farewell - Pat Hardy & Jimmy G - Kismet - 1968

06 Tears Won't Help You - Pat Hardy - Kismet - 1968

07 Father Will Cut You Off - CS Dodd - Money Disc - 1971

08 Go On This Way - Harry Mudie - Moodisc - 1971

09 High School Dance - CS Dodd - Money Disc - 1971

10 Old Joe - Harry Mudie - Moodisc  - 1971

11 Picture On The Wall - CS Dodd - Money Disc -1971

12 Sweet You Sour You - CS Dodd - Festival 71 - 1971

13 Too Much Fire - Harry Mudie - Moodisc - 1971

14 When I Am Gray - CS Dodd - Money Disc - 1971

15 I Am A Freeman - CS Dodd - Money Disc - 1972

16 My True Love - CS Dodd - Money Disc - 1972 

17 Standing In The Rain - Rad Bryan - Track United - 1972

18 Tear Drops - Freddy McKay - Channel 7 - 1972

19 You'll Be Sorry - CS Dodd - Money Disc  - 1972

20 A Little Bit - F.McKay & C Prehay - Diamond - 1973

21 Go On This Way - C Prehay - Bullet - 1973

22 Million Dollar Baby - V Reid & K Francis - Soul Town - 1973

23 Our Rendezvous - Warrick Lyn - Jaguar - 1973

24 Peace In The Garden - Warrick Lyn - Jaguar - 1973

25 Black Beauty - Warrick Lyn - Panther - 1973

26 Dream My Life Over - Warrick Lyn - Dragon - 1973

27 I'm A Free Man - Leonard Chin - Atra - 1973

28 Won't Get Away - Eddie Wong - Downtown - 1973

29 Arise Sellassie I Arise - Sidney Crooks - Hot Rod - 1974

30 Go On This Way - Pete Weston - Soul Beat - 1974

31 Oh Carol - Lloyd Campbell - Spider Man - 1974

32 Dock Of The Bay - Sidney Crooks - Hot Rod - 1974

33 Lonely Man - F.McKay & C Prehay - Channel 7 - 1974

34 Rock A Bye Woman - Sidney Crooks - Hot Rod - 1974

35 Roots Festival - Dickie Wong - Tit For Tat - 1974

36 If You Want To Be Happy - Sidney Crooks - Harry J - 1974

37 Take These Chains From My Heart - Sidney Crooks - Harry J - 1974

38 Message To Martha - Sidney Crooks - Harry J - 1974

39 Tears Won't Help - Sidney Crooks - Harry J - 1974]

40 Help Me - Sonny Binns - Trojan - 1975

41 If You Must Go - Neville Hinds - Melrose - 1975

42 Because Of You - Lloyd Campbell - Total Sounds - 1975

43 Creation - Ossie Hibbert - Roots From The Yard - 1975

44 Darling Ooh - Dudley Swaby - Ja Man - 1975

45 It Deh Yah - Phil Pratt - Sunshot - 1975

46 Keep Your Big Mouth Shut - Alvin Ranglin - GG's - 1975

47 Running Over -Sonny Binns - Trojan - 1975

48 Since I Met You - Lloyd Campbell - Eagle - 1975

49 Tear Drops - Phil Pratt - Sunshot - 1975

50 Talking Love (With Horace Andy - Dudley Swayby - Ja Man - 1975

Albums.

Picture On The Wall - Studio One - 1971

A Lonely Man - Dynamics - 1974

Best Of - GG's - 1977

Creation - Plant - 1979

Harsh Words - Gorgon - 1983

Tribal Inna Yard - Move - 1985

Singles -

Go On Girl - (Red Eye Girl) - Prince Buster -  Blue Beat -1967

Fine Fine Fine - Leslie Kong - Pyramid - 1967 (as Freddy McLean)

Love Is A Treasure - Duke Reid - Trojan - 1967 (as Treasure Boy)

So Long Farewell - Pat Hardy - Kismet - 1968 (as Freddy McLean)

Father Will Cut You Off - Coxsone - Money Disc - 1971

Go On This Way - Harry Mudie - Moodisc - 1971

Picture On The Wall - Coxsone - Banana - 1971

Sweet You Sour You - Coxsone - Banana - 1971

Go On This Way - C.Prehay - Bullet - 1973

Black Beauty - Warrick Lynn - Dragon - 1973

Talking Love (with Horace Andy) - Dudley Swaby - Treble C - 1975

Equal Rights - Alvin Ranglin - GG's - 1977

Peace Was In The Garden - Freddy McKay & Sly & Robbie - Kingsley Sound - 1978

La La Bye Woman - Ossie Hibbert - Ossie Sounds - 1978

Cool Down Your Temper - Freddy McKay - Marsha - 1979

You're Gonna Be Sorry - Linval Thompson - Strong Like Sampson - 1979

Trickster Loving - Henry Junjo Lawes - Volcano - 1984

Got To Be Sorry - Prince Jazzbo - Ujama - 1986