Jah Lloyd
Encyclopedia
Jah Lloyd, aka Jah Lion, The Black Lion of Judah, and Jah Ali (born Patrick Lloyd Francis, 29 August 1947, died 12 June 1999) was a reggae
singer, deejay
and producer
.
and settled in Trench Town.
Francis began his career in the mid 1960s as a singer in The Mediators along with Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and worked as a solo singer with tracks such as "Soldier Round the Corner" and "Know Yourself Blackman" recorded for producer Rupie Edwards
. In the early 1970s, he worked as a record salesman before turning to production, recording the early efforts by Simpson's new group The Diamonds, later to be renamed The Mighty Diamonds
. He also produced Mike Brooks
' 1976 album What a Gathering, and The Revolutionaries
1979 album Goldmine Dub.
Recording as Jah Lloyd, he turned his hand to deejaying, enjoying hits in Jamaica with "Black Snowfall", "World Class", and "Beware of the Flour". He then recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry, who decided to rename the deejay Jah Lion, the fruits of their association released on the Columbia Colly album in 1976 on Island Records
. "Wisdom" from the album was featured in the soundtrack to the film Countryman
, and "Soldier and Police War" (a deejay version of Junior Murvin
's "Police & Thieves") topped the reggae chart. Reverting to Jah Lloyd, he secured a two-album deal Virgin Records
' Frontline label, resulting in The Humble One and Black Moses.
Although he continued to record occasionally, he concentrated on production, working with artists such as Julie Charles. He had started his own Teem label in the mid-1970s, along with his younger brother Vincent, the label continuing on since, notably with recent CD reissues.
Francis was shot dead in Kingston on 2 June 1999.
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
singer, deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Biography
Francis was born in Point Hill, Saint Catherine Parish in 1947. His mother died when he was eight, and he lived with his father, a farmer. After leaving school at the age of twelve he moved to KingstonKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and settled in Trench Town.
Francis began his career in the mid 1960s as a singer in The Mediators along with Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and worked as a solo singer with tracks such as "Soldier Round the Corner" and "Know Yourself Blackman" recorded for producer Rupie Edwards
Rupie Edwards
Rupie Edwards is a Jamaican reggae singer and record producer.-Biography:...
. In the early 1970s, he worked as a record salesman before turning to production, recording the early efforts by Simpson's new group The Diamonds, later to be renamed The Mighty Diamonds
The Mighty Diamonds
Mighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group, which comprised Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson, was formed in 1969, and remains together as of 2010...
. He also produced Mike Brooks
Mike Brooks (singer)
Mike Brooks aka Mikey Brooks, Prince Michael is a reggae singer whose career stretches back to the early 1970s.-Biography:...
' 1976 album What a Gathering, and The Revolutionaries
The Revolutionaries
The Revolutionaries is a Jamaican reggae band.-Career:Set up in 1975 as the house band of the Channel One Studios owned by Joseph Hoo Kim, The Revolutionaries with Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespeare on bass, created the new "rockers" style that would change the whole Jamaican sound The...
1979 album Goldmine Dub.
Recording as Jah Lloyd, he turned his hand to deejaying, enjoying hits in Jamaica with "Black Snowfall", "World Class", and "Beware of the Flour". He then recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry, who decided to rename the deejay Jah Lion, the fruits of their association released on the Columbia Colly album in 1976 on Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. "Wisdom" from the album was featured in the soundtrack to the film Countryman
Countryman (film)
Countryman is an independent action/adventure film directed by Dickie Jobson. It tells the story of a Jamaican fisherman whose solitude is shattered when he rescues two Americans from the wreckage of a plane crash. The fisherman, called Countryman, is hurled into a political plot by the...
, and "Soldier and Police War" (a deejay version of Junior Murvin
Junior Murvin
Junior Murvin is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is best known for the single "Police and Thieves", produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry in 1976. Murvin's soaring voice and the infectious rhythm made "Police and Thieves" into an international hit during the summer of that year. It peaked at #23 in the...
's "Police & Thieves") topped the reggae chart. Reverting to Jah Lloyd, he secured a two-album deal Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
' Frontline label, resulting in The Humble One and Black Moses.
Although he continued to record occasionally, he concentrated on production, working with artists such as Julie Charles. He had started his own Teem label in the mid-1970s, along with his younger brother Vincent, the label continuing on since, notably with recent CD reissues.
Francis was shot dead in Kingston on 2 June 1999.
Albums
- Herbs of Dub (1974) DIP
- Soldier Round the Corner (1974) Plum Jam
- Columbia Colly (1976) Island
- The Humble One (1978) Front Line
- Black Moses (1979) Front Line
- Reggae Stick (1979) His Majesty
- Dread Lion Dub (1980) His Majesty
- In Action with Revolutionary Dub Band (1983) Vista Sounds
- The Good Old Days of the 70s (1998) Teem (with Dennis AlcaponeDennis AlcaponeDennis Alcapone is a reggae DJ and producer.-Career:Smith initially trained as a welder and worked for the Jamaica Public Services...
) - A Double Helping of Jah Lloyd and King Tubby Teem (combines both 1974 albums)
- Final Judgement Teem