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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZAITKEN, Laurel(b Cuba) Ska singer who emigrated first to Jamaica, then to UK early '60s. He made the first Jamaican recording issued in the UK, 'Boogie In My Bones'/'Little Sheila' '58, and the first release on the Bluebeat label, 'Boogey Rock' '60. Earliest efforts were in two styles: jump R&B on titles such as 'Railroad Track', 'More Whisky', 'Back To New Orleans', 'Bartender'; and revivalist tunes like 'Judgement Rock', 'Zion City Wall', 'Mighty Redeemer', 'Brother David'. Singing ska and later reggae, he recorded through the '60s--early '70s, issuing hundreds of sides on many labels, subjects ranging from social commentary ('Landlords And Tenants') and vagaries of sound system life ('Blues Dance' and 'Woppi King'), love songs ('You Left Me Standing'), risqu‚ items ('Pussy Price', long a staple of stage act). The most popular of these were collected on The High Priest Of Reggae early '70s; he teamed with female singer Girly for Scandal In Brixton Market, though mostly concentrating on singles. In the 2-Tone era he enjoyed a small revival; continued performing now and then with his band the Full Circle. CDs in UK incl. Early Days Of Blue Beat, Ska and Reggae on Bold Reprive, Godfather Of Ska on Haven; Long Hot Summer, Ringo The Gringo and Rise And Fall/It's Too Late, all on Unicorn. |