Michael Rose
Encyclopedia
Michael Rose is a Grammy award winning reggae
singer from Jamaica
. Possessing a wide-ranged voice
, Rose would regularly meet in Kingston
with singers, musicians, writers, and producers such as Dennis Brown
, Big Youth
, The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs
, Sly and Robbie
, and others.
career as a solo
artist for record producer
s Yabby You
and Niney the Observer
. He joined Black Uhuru
in 1977 after the departure of Don Carlos and Garth Dennis. He led them to international success in the early 1980s, having written most of their popular material. They won the first-ever Grammy Award
for reggae
in 1985 for the album Anthem, with the hallmark voice of Rose in the forefront.
After the release of Anthem, Rose left Black Uhuru and retired to the Blue Mountains
in Jamaica to start a coffee farm. He released a string of singles
in Jamaica, but nothing much was heard of him outside the island until 1989, when he was signed to RCA
and released the strongly pop
influenced album Proud in Europe
and Japan
. The deal with RCA was short-lived however, and Rose returned to Jamaica to record a new string of Sly and Robbie produced singles. He also recorded for other producers but the only albums during this period were the Japan only releases Bonanza
(1991) and King Of General (1992). The Sly and Robbie produced singles were eventually released on the vinyl
only Sly And Robbie presents: Mykall Rose - The Taxi Sessions in 1995 also saw his American
debut as a solo artist with the album Michael Rose
on Heartbeat Records
. The single "Short Temper" reached #2 on the Gavin reggae chart
.
In the period 1995-2004 Heartbeat Records released a total of nine albums including Party In Session: Live
and a compilation entitled Happiness: The Best Of Michael Rose
. Next to these albums, a great amount of different recordings appeared on dozens of Jamaican vinyl singles and several albums, including "Last Chance" which was #1 on the UK
reggae charts for several weeks. He also recorded "Michael Rows the Boat Ashore" in 2001.
In 2002, Rose recorded two albums: Babylon 9/11 Tip Of The Iceberg (released on Love Injection in 2004), and a yet untitled album for African Star records. In August 2002, Rose was reported arrested in Miami Airport by U.S. Marshals
in a case of mistaken identity. Although he was released, it resulted in Rose losing his U.S. work permit.
Rose re-joined Black Uhuru in February 2004, and performed several concert
s in Jamaica and Europe with the group. They also released a Jamaican single "Dollars" and reportedly have recorded a yet untitled and unreleased album. Yet, in spite of his reunion with Black Uhuru, Rose still tours, records and releases material as a solo artist. In 2007 he recorded the number 1 single "Shoot Out" for producer John John. His latest album was released early 2008 on the Rhythm Club record label
, entitled Great Expectations.
His distinct vocal style, his tu tu tweng, and other scat
s, have inspired many singers.
Rose was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards'
judging panel to support independent artists.
way of spelling his name, which made it feel closer to home. Other spellings found on certain releases include 'Mykal Roze', 'Mikal Rose', 'Michael Roze' and so forth. This may have caused difficulty in tracking down releases.
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 from Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. Possessing a wide-ranged voice
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
, Rose would regularly meet in Kingston
Kingston, 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...
with singers, musicians, writers, and producers such as Dennis Brown
Dennis Brown
Dennis Emmanuel Brown was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of lovers rock, a sub-genre of reggae...
, Big Youth
Big Youth
Manley Augustus Buchanan , better known as Big Youth , is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s....
, The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Anthony Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in the New York Times, described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae". His nicknames include Cool Ruler and Lonely Lover....
, Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie is the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production team of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare who joined in the mid 1970s after having established themselves separately in Jamaica as professional musicians...
, and others.
Career
Rose started his recordingSound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
career as a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist for record 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...
s Yabby You
Yabby You
Vivian Jackson , better known as Yabby You , was a reggae vocalist and producer, who came to prominence in the early 1970s through his uncompromising, self-produced work.-Biography:...
and Niney the Observer
Niney the Observer
Winston Holness, better known as Niney the Observer , is a Jamaican record producer and singer who was a key figure in the creation of many classic reggae recordings dating from the 1970s and early 1980s....
. He joined Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru . The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Duckie Simpson always maintaining group control and ownership...
in 1977 after the departure of Don Carlos and Garth Dennis. He led them to international success in the early 1980s, having written most of their popular material. They won the first-ever Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for reggae
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...
in 1985 for the album Anthem, with the hallmark voice of Rose in the forefront.
After the release of Anthem, Rose left Black Uhuru and retired to the Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains (Jamaica)
The Blue Mountains form the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m . From the summit, accessible via a walking track, both the North and South coasts of the island can be seen...
in Jamaica to start a coffee farm. He released a string of singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in Jamaica, but nothing much was heard of him outside the island until 1989, when he was signed to RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
and released the strongly pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
influenced album Proud in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The deal with RCA was short-lived however, and Rose returned to Jamaica to record a new string of Sly and Robbie produced singles. He also recorded for other producers but the only albums during this period were the Japan only releases Bonanza
Bonanza (Michael Rose)
Bonanza is a studio album by Jamaican reggae singer Michael Rose.-Track listing:#"Ganja Bonanza"#"Someone Is Watching"#"Youths Of The Ghetto"#"It's Alright"#"Whoo-La"#"Give A Little"#"Chatto"#"Jah Jah Never Fail I"#"We All Need Love"...
(1991) and King Of General (1992). The Sly and Robbie produced singles were eventually released on the vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
only Sly And Robbie presents: Mykall Rose - The Taxi Sessions in 1995 also saw his American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
debut as a solo artist with the album Michael Rose
Michael Rose (Reggae Album)
-Track listing:All tracks composed by Michael Rose#"Too Hard A Hearing"#"How You Fi Do That"#"Short Temper"#"Who You, "#"Badder Than You"#"Casabank Queen"#"Hang On"#"Warning"#"So Much People Crying"#"Don't Play With Fire"...
on Heartbeat Records
Heartbeat Records
Heartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington , Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music. Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of Linton Kwesi Johnson's Dread Beat an' Blood...
. The single "Short Temper" reached #2 on the Gavin reggae chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
.
In the period 1995-2004 Heartbeat Records released a total of nine albums including Party In Session: Live
Party In Session: Live
-Album information:*Artist: Michael Rose*Genre: Reggae*Release Date: October 6, 1998*Label: Rounder Records*Studio/Live: Live-Tracks:#Introduction #Sensemilla #How You Fi Do That #Gone A New York #Shine Eye Gal #Plastic Smile #Short Temper...
and a compilation entitled Happiness: The Best Of Michael Rose
Happiness: The Best Of Michael Rose
-Album information:*Artist: Michael Rose*Genre: Reggae*Release Date: August 3, 2004*Label: Heartbeat Records*Studio/Live: Studio-Tracks:#Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - #Rent Man - #Sun Is Shining...
. Next to these albums, a great amount of different recordings appeared on dozens of Jamaican vinyl singles and several albums, including "Last Chance" which was #1 on the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
reggae charts for several weeks. He also recorded "Michael Rows the Boat Ashore" in 2001.
In 2002, Rose recorded two albums: Babylon 9/11 Tip Of The Iceberg (released on Love Injection in 2004), and a yet untitled album for African Star records. In August 2002, Rose was reported arrested in Miami Airport by U.S. Marshals
United States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
in a case of mistaken identity. Although he was released, it resulted in Rose losing his U.S. work permit.
Rose re-joined Black Uhuru in February 2004, and performed several concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s in Jamaica and Europe with the group. They also released a Jamaican single "Dollars" and reportedly have recorded a yet untitled and unreleased album. Yet, in spite of his reunion with Black Uhuru, Rose still tours, records and releases material as a solo artist. In 2007 he recorded the number 1 single "Shoot Out" for producer John John. His latest album was released early 2008 on the Rhythm Club record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, entitled Great Expectations.
His distinct vocal style, his tu tu tweng, and other scat
Scat
-Education:* School and College Ability Test* Somerset College of Arts and Technology, a community college in Somerset, England* Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology, a community college in Shropshire, England-Games:* Thirty-one , a card game...
s, have inspired many singers.
Rose was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards'
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
judging panel to support independent artists.
Name spelling
From about 1991 onwards, his name was often spelled 'Mykal Rose', which Rose has said is the EthiopianEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
way of spelling his name, which made it feel closer to home. Other spellings found on certain releases include 'Mykal Roze', 'Mikal Rose', 'Michael Roze' and so forth. This may have caused difficulty in tracking down releases.
Singles
- "Key of Keys" / Version (Trojan Rockers TRO 9019) (1977)
- "Shoot Out" (2007)
- "Jump Nya Benge" (2006)
- "Are You Ready For Something New" (Rebel Cuts) (2006)
- "Rude Boys (Back in Town)" (6 song maxi-single) (1996)
- "Short Temper" (6 song maxi-single) (1995)
Albums
- Dub Expectations (2008)
- Great Expectations (2008)
- The Saga (2007)
- Warrior Dub (2007)
- Passion Of Life (2007)
- Warrior (2007)
- Babylon A Fight (2006)
- African Dub (2005)
- African Roots (2005)
- Babylon 9/11 - Tip of the Iceberg (2004)
- Happiness: The Best Of Michael RoseHappiness: The Best Of Michael Rose-Album information:*Artist: Michael Rose*Genre: Reggae*Release Date: August 3, 2004*Label: Heartbeat Records*Studio/Live: Studio-Tracks:#Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - #Rent Man - #Sun Is Shining...
(2004) - Never Give It UpNever Give It UpNever Give It Up is a studio album by Jamaican reggae singer Michael Rose.-Track listing:#"Never give it up"#"Chant higher"#"Big Ting"#"Grandma"#"Jailhouse Call"#"Strike it hard"#"People dem bawling"#"Draw the Weed"#"Small World"...
(2001) - Live in San Francisco (2002), 2B1 - released in 2003 as Live At Maritime Hall
- Fire Fire Burning (2002)
- X Uhuru (1999)
- Bonanza (diff from Japan 1992 release) (1999)
- Party In Session: LiveParty In Session: Live-Album information:*Artist: Michael Rose*Genre: Reggae*Release Date: October 6, 1998*Label: Rounder Records*Studio/Live: Live-Tracks:#Introduction #Sensemilla #How You Fi Do That #Gone A New York #Shine Eye Gal #Plastic Smile #Short Temper...
(1998), Heartbeat - Selassie I Showcase (1997)
- Dub Wicked (1997)
- Dance WickedDance Wicked-Track listing:#Happiness #Dance Wicked #Lion In The Jungle #Run Dem A Run #Dreadlocks #Reality #Landlord #See And Blind #I Don't Want To Say Goodbye #Mind Made Up #Never Get Me Down #Life In The Ghetto...
(1997) - Nuh Carbon (1996)
- Big Sound Frontline (1996)
- Be Yourself (1996)
- Rising Star (1995)
- Michael Rose (1995)
- Voice of the Ghetto (1995)
- King Of General (1994)
- Bonanza (Japan) (1992)