There are sounds in life that are easy to identify, like the roar of the waves, the rain falling on the ground, the wind dancing between the leaves of the trees. We can even recognize the steps of those who approach us. We are full of sounds.
Tones we can remember forever, with a first beat we already know who or what we are listening to, especially when it comes to an elegant voice, seductive, refined and as unmatched as Gregory Isaacs, who does 10 years he physically left this space to be part of the gallery of the legendary.
Singer, producer, lord and master of talent shows during his youth in Jamaica, when he was looking to make himself known, but over time he understood that only he could build his own stage, his reign and being the artist he dreamed of being. So in 1968 under the pseudonym Winston Sinclair he recorded the song "Another Heartache", the single did not achieve many sales, did not make much noise and without letting this put him off, try the other way, decides to form a powerful duo and teams up with Jamaican musician Errol Duke to create the record label African Museum and then his first hit "My Only Lover" was born., a song named as the first "Lovers Rock" (Reggae style known for its atmosphere and romantic content). This was the first big step for a series of lucky ones for the label.
During 3 year old Gregory had a fantastic streak of hits produced by him, Reggae songs that ranked him among the greatest in Jamaica, With this, he could continue to finance his African Museum label.. In 1971 works with producer Alvin Ranglin and records the single "Love is Overdue" and is positioned as #1.
Over the years 70 Isaacs records with the largest Jamaican producers, as Lee Scratch Perry (“Mr. Cop”), Gussie Clarke (“My Time”), Lloyd Campbell (“Slave master”) among others. His talent, his charisma and his “mojo” unique when singing positions him as one of the most important Reggae artists of the time, His tours of the US and UK could only be matched by the other two giants of the era, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown.
In 1978 signs with Virgin Records label expanding his music even more internationally, and that same year he was one of the main characters in “Rockers”, the cult film, considered the jewel of Jamaican filmography.
For 1981 He was considered the sure heir to Bob Marley's throne in Jamaican music, but then came the problems and the consequences. His addiction to cocaine and crack cost him more than a window of arrests and his imprisonment for six months in Kingston in 1982 for possession of firearms without a license.
But nevertheless, his musical production never stopped. In the decades of the 80 Y 90 I work with great artists like Beres Hammond, Fredy mcgregor, Lady Saw, Ninjaman and in the year 2008 his career seemed to continue on top thanks to the Grammy nominated album, “Brand New Me”, which he followed with the excellent collection "My Kind Of Lady" and a collaboration with the Zimbabwean reggae singer, King Isaac, titled “Isaacs Meets Isaac”, but again fate held something different.
In 2009 diagnosed with cancer and despite a valiant battle against this disease, finally succumbed to its effects the 25 October 2010, leaving behind a legacy of more than 500 discos (some reissues of previously made recordings), 4 Grammy nominations and countless collaborations. His last recording was precisely in Argentina, in July of 2010 working with the Argentine band Holy Piby, on the track “She´s my baby”, in addition to the success of Los Pericos "Mucha Experience".
Gregory Isaacs “The Lonely Lover”, the creator of elegant and refined atmospheres. The silkiness of his voice warmly envelops the emotions, the swing of its romantic rhythms without losing the essence of Reggae Roots. Isaac would know how to raise it, how to make it yours both in the recording studio and performing each of your songs. The immortal romances that he gave us as "Night Nurse", “Cool Down the Pace”, “Hot Stepper”, “Sad to Know (that you´re leaving)”, continue to sound faithfully in the melomania of those who know Isaac. A decade after his eternal journey to the other plane the "Cool Ruler" continues to be unique and irreplaceable..
By Otto Pereda @otto.pereda
