Lloyd Clarke

The Lloyd Clarke Story - Directed by Colby Graham - Vintage Boss

When technology changes - Jamaica is always one of the first countries to notice. 

Recording being something very close to the Jamaican heartbeat is a good example.

The Jamaican Recording industry started with one track. Then quickly jumped to two. And quickly could see all that could be done with it - revoicing and overdubbing for example.

When it jumped to four - King Tubby see the potential, but of course, it wasn't only King Tubby.

And so it went on. When technology changes what was possible become possible.

With the advent of video digital technology in the nineties - I was hoping that someone in Jamaica could see the potential.

Initially, it was sound system dances that gave us the evidence that people were learning to use this kind of technology. The effects were amazing - sometimes over the top - but still great to see. 

What really interested me, and I'm sure a lot of others as well - was the story telling

Nature of video that was perfect for reggae music. Most artists are natural storytellers. Once you have the rights set of questions to get the process going.

And that is where Colby comes in. The man not only knows he cares.

That is something that an artist of the stature of Lloyd Clarke responds to well.

He is a true foundation artist - with loads of big hits in the Ska and Rock Steady - he's worked with a whole heap of producers as well.

One of his big hits was for Duke Reid 'Parapinto Boogie' a song about a card name. So popular he got the nickname Lloyd 'Paro' Clarke.

In this amazing documentary, Lloyd tells the story of how Duke couldn't pay him for the tune in money - so he paid him in records and asked him to bring back the money to him, so he could be paid. It didn't end well.

And that was the only tune he did for Duke.

And that is just one great story out of many. Listen out for the story of 'Japanese Girl' another big hit for the man. Inspired by Lloyd's visit to London. A great work.

Lloyd Clarke - Parapinto Boogie - Duke Reid - Duke Reid - Blue Beat 1960

Well, according to the internet it seems Lloyd could be singing about a "Spotted horse of little or no value". Not sure about that, but its a great tune from Lloyd and one of his earliest. Produced by Duke Reid. What is unusual on this tune is the use of an horn riff - the type you would find coming from New Orleans. Perhaps even at this stage it was unconsciousness attempt to create something new. Although Duke Reid had his musicians had no trouble in getting that sound here.

Lloyd Clarke - Japanese Girl - Charley Moo - Moo's - Island - 1962

It don't take much to inspire Lloyd Clarke to the highest heights of lyrical invention!!!

And so having a Japanese Girl by his side - talking of course in Japanese was enough to for Lloyd - to write this great tune and bring it to Charley Moo of Moo's records for production. Charley's production is a nice uptempo Shuffle Beat tune - pushed along by a well played rhythm guitar. Pure far east intro is great as well. Plus some nice sax playing once again - it could be Roland, but it might be Tommy.

Lloyd Clark - Girls Rush - Lloyd Bell - Beverley's 1961

Lloyd Bell at the controls - yet this is the very first tune on Beverley's! Who knows perhaps Leslie Kong started the label with the intention of releasing productions from other producers - then changed his mind. Whatever happened next, the story on this tune is that it's a great one. Lloyd is in great form - the song is good and his singing is even better. You get a nice mellow Trombone solo somewhere in the middle of it as well. Lloyd Bell started up his own label President - releasing all his music in the Ska era.