Pat Kelly

Pat Kelly - Sings - Pama

I’m not sure if Pat Kelly started his solo career with producer Bunny Lee, but you really couldn’t find a better place to start.Bunny, was given the title Striker Lee a little bit later in his career, but it was tunes likes like ‘How Long Will It Take’ that his reputation as hits maker started.This tune was so big and so popular that it even got the Beatles interested. What they had in mine for this bone-fide reggae classic is anyone’s guess.It should have done a lot of business in the pop charts - but it didn’t. I don’t think Pama had a pop hit during the reggae era.

Still it’s a great tune, simple heartfelt lyrics, a magnificent bassline - and a very subtle string arrangement - ‘How Long’ as got the lot.Pat’s lilting voice lends itself so well to tunes of this type.‘Troubling Mind’ is another take - on how well he can express himself. it’s a tune about mental suffering - and the man feels it. His choice of material is superb ‘Try To Remember’ is done so well - and full credit to Bunny, for coming up with another great arrangement. A truly esssential album!

Pat Kelly - Lonely Man - Techniques - 1978

With a huge reggae era hit in the form of 'How Long' - Pat Kelly was well placed to be big in the early or mid seventies, instead his time came in the late seventies /early eighties. A singer with a wonderful high range and tone to his voice, he's also a good songwriter as this set for producer Winston Riley shows. A good mixture of musicians including what sounds like the Wailers on a couple of tracks, is all that the man needs to inspire him. With 'Broken Homes' being a haunting track.

Pat Kelly - Classics - Shelley - 1991

Compiled from four era's of reggae music, roots, rockers, dancehall and ragga this album just goes to show that a great voice can handle most musical changes of style. Bunny Lee seems to be the main producer on the album providing hit after hit. Although there are contributions from others. And it's one of them, who really makes the album, with a superb ragga recut of 'You Don't Care' the whole production is full of energy. It should have given Pat another hit, but that doesn't really matter that much.