Johnny Osbourne

Johnny Osbourne

The serious return of Johhny O

Johnny Osbourne - First Choice - Black Wacks.

Ever since Johnny Osbourne burst back into the business in 1980 with

the Studio One set 'Truths & Rights' he's made some great music for a

wide variety of producers. Many of them could have pushed him out to a

wider audience - the breakthrough never came. It was said he was

working on a fantastic album with Augustus Pablo, which is still

unreleased. One set of people he's never worked with until now are

Youth Promotion and Wackies. This Black Wacks album changes that. This

set a hugh step forward for all concerned. It's traditional dancehall

- but with enough touches on it to make sure you know you are dealing

with the year 2000. Lyrically its very much the same. Sugar Minott,

Lloyd Barnes and most of Johnny O must be well pleased with this!

Johnny Osbourne - Truths & Rights - Studio One

In the late seventies Johnny Osbourne long time resident of Canada

returned to his native Jamaica. And it didn't take him long to

returned to his making ways. And that process was started at Studio

One. Coxsone Dodd knew that the recent change in the music - the

advent of the dance hall style was something he take advantage - after

all he had originally cut some of the most popular dance hall rhythms.

Yet he needed good singers/songwriters enter Johnny Osbourne. Who

along with a few others put Coxsone back on top.

Johnny Osbourne - Fally Lover - Greensleeves

Around 1979/80, within a short space of time, less than six months. It

was clear that a new production force had emerged in Jamaica - Henry

Junjo Lawes. Junjo could have just concentrated on his main talent

Barrington Levy. Instead he started to work with

a wide variety of talent including Johnny O. It was a perfect

combination. Johnny quickly adapted to Junjo more though rhythms. His

lyrics became rougher, more direct, but still enjoyable. Listen out

for 'Mushroom' and 'Ice Cream Love' as good examples.

Johnny Osbourne - Folly Ranking - Jammy's

The success of his albums for Coxsone and Junjo, was all that was

needed for other producers to either issue their own Johnny Osbourne

productions or record the man. One such producer was the then Prince

Jammy. Who to be fair to the man, was trying very hard to set up

himself. Yet nothing happens before it's time, and Jammys time was to

come. Still 'Folly Ranking' was and is a very good album. Lyrically

it's a lot like 'Fally Lover'. Production wise it had a more rockers

feel to it. The title track being the best example of this.

Johnny Osbourne - Dancing Time - Londisc - 1984

In the early eighties Johnny Osbourne quickly had a number of albums

in the record racks. Each of these albums took Johnny to greater

heights of popularity. And of course they also overexposed him. Since

then Johnny as consistently put out great music with a variety of

producers. Yet this album takes Johnny back and forward from 1980. A 7

track album which includes a the big hit - 'Get Cracking' and other

great songs like the 'Show Must Go On' a great version of Alton

Ellis's 'A Fool'.

Johnny Osbourne - Johnny Osbourne - Lix

This album gives us a chance to listen to what Johnny can do when he

sits down behind the board in a studio. Naturally his efforts are

excellent. Showing a complete knowledge of current studio techniques.

And in fact introducing one or two new ones to the music. The most

interesting to be found is on 'Reasons'. Here Johnny double tracks his

voice through some sort of vocorder to very pleasant effect. It would

be good to hear more done with such a device. Congratulations to Rap

Rose as well as co-producer of the set.

Johnny Osbourne - Rub A Dub Soldier - Jammys

The last Jammy produced Johnny Osbourne album the very disappointing

'Water Pumping' was enough to have turned me off of checking any new

works from the artist and the producer altogether. Yet with Jammys

back in good form it's a real pleasure to report that this is a corker

of an album. Like most of the recent Jammy album productions, it's a

showcase. And that for me doubles the enjoyment of listening to the

likes of 'Rewind' 'Biddy Bye No.1' and 'In The Area' as well as the

title track.

Johnny Osbourne - Smiling Faces - Blue Mountain - 1989

Bobby Digital's move into production in the late eighties provided a

lot more studio work for King Jammys regular artists, Johnny Osbourne

included. This set is than more interesting from a Bobby Digital angle

than a Johnny Osbourne angle. Digital's rhythms are truly inspiring.

Interesting recuts of some lesser known classics. While Johnny's

lyrics include 'Smiling Faces' and 'Pretty Blue Eyes'. Aside form

those two, Mr.O works his way through his usual selection of dance

hall lyrics.