Monday, September 28, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRIGADIRE JERRY


Brigadier Jerry (born Robert Russell, 28 September 28 1957, in the Papine area of the eastern side of KIngston, Jamaica. Brigadier was first known as a stand up comedian then switched to deejaying for local soundsytems. One of the first sounds that he was linked to was King Stur-Gav Hi-Fi sound system. Brigadier has always given much credit and thanks to his style to his predecessors U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Big Youth and Dennis Alcapone.

In 1978, he appeared on Jah Love Muzik sound system. On this set Brigadier was known to spread the message of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In 1980, Brigadier's style of deejaying set him apart of the others and he became one of the most popular deejays on the island of Jamaica. With respect to his style, Brigadier has always given much credit and thanks to his predecessors U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Big Youth and Dennis Alcapone. In that same year Briggy teamed up with Studio One. In 1982, he recorded on the Jwyanz label the songs "Pain" on the Answer riddim and "Gwan a School" which were hits in Jamaica. The following year (1983), he recorded his first album Live at the Controls and in 1985 his second album Jamaica Jamaica. (See his other work at the end)

Briggy's career has taken him all over the world. Presently, he lives in the United States with his wife and children. He is still recording, traveling, performing and can still be heard chanting and preaching against slackness that is been sung in today's dancehall music.


Briggy's work:

• Live at the Controls (1983), Dance Hall
• Jamaica Jamaica (1985), RAS
• On the Road (1986), RAS
• Hail Him (1992), Tappa
Compilations
• Freedom Street (1995), VP

Appears on
• 129 Beat Street Ja-Man Special
• Wild Goose Race
• A Dee-Jay Explosion
• This One's Dedicated To You
• Ghetto Stylee
• Going Down To Texas
• Champion D.Js From Studio 1
• Every Man A Mi Brethren
• Dancehall
• Fred Locks A Dreadlocks
• Rub-A-Dub Soldiers
• Roots Man Skank
• Fight For Your Rights
• Stalag 17,18 & 19
• What Kind Of World
• Studio One DJ's
• Every Man A Me Brethren
• Studio One Dj's Vol 2
• Ram Dance Master
• Trojan Eighties Box Set
• Jamaica Jamaica
• Trojan Ras Reggae Box Set
• Armagiddeon Style
• Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set
• Smart, Smart, Smart
As a musician
Vocals
• Brigadier Jerry - Jamaica Jamaica [1982]

It is with great honor and pleasure, I take this time to wish BRIGGY a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

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