Freddie McKay

[I-Defenda]

Greetings one and all.
Freddie McKay must be one of my favourite roots, culture and reality singers. Heartical vibes!
Still I can not find so many things to read about this brother. I read that he passed away in 1985.
Does anyone know if his albums are re-released?
Any interesting information about Freddie McKay is very welcome.

Oneness

[Ites]

He passed away in 1986 i think. i wouldn't call mckay a roots and culture singer per se, he was a little bit of everything, someone called him a 'blues singer, which is pretty much what he was

he was the lead singer for a group from the jamaican countryside, linstead, called the soul defenders, some of their tracks came on a heartbeat cd

he did an all time classic lp for studio one, he recorded lp's for joe gibbs and gorgon, many many singles too

there are some cd's of his dynamic material

very underrated singer, worthy of a serious compilation

[Litelet]

Creation LP was rereleased as "REGGAE SUN" on the French AMO label, quite cheap to get and wicked LP...

His "Im a free man" with Pablo (wicked Roots) has been rereleased on a 10" SANTIC...

There is a repress of the 2nd (very great roots version) of Drunken Sailor on 10" too... on ORIGINAL MUSIC

Other great roots cuts if thats what youre looking for are...

*Jah Love I* (LUCKY STAR) a murder stepper
*Your cup is full* (SUN LOVER) the singles is 10x better than LP version!
*Drunken Sailor* 1st version on Studio One (MONEY DISC)
*In times of trouble* a killer 12" disco, early dancehall

Many more but mostly on singles (imo) and not so easy to get... Start with the repress on top, they are really great

oh and there is a Blood and Fire compilation to start
guidance

[anbessa]

The 12" version of "Peace in the garden" is wonderful too

[realego]

"Dance inna dis Festival" is a great tune but doesn't sound like most of the other tracks i.ve heard by him!

[Rob Strictly-Rockers]

Yes, Dance Dis Ya Festival backed by the Revolutionaries was a great tune and I think it was the winning song in the 1976 Carifesta competition. The label of the 7" mentions Orvil Samuels and Freddy McKay. Anyone know who Orvil Samuels was?

Regards

Rob

[Ites]

perhaps his song collaborator... my twopenniesworth

[mashdown45]

Orvil Samuels is/was a member of Rags & Riches

[David2]

There is a "Best of" Lp on GG's which is very nice as well and a repress on Dynamic which is still available. pressing is not too bad, first songs on each side are a bit noisy though, but its worthwile because of the heavy killer music.

[mashdown45]

aaaaa that 'Lonely Man' LP on Dynamic is AMAZING!!

Tracks like Lonely Man, Peace In The Garden (1st cut), I'm A Free Man, Rendevous & a couple of tunes that I really didnt enjoy at first (cos of the riddims) but eventually loved them! Black Beauty & If I Should Dream My Life Over..

One of the very very few vocalists in the history of Reggae music who sounds as if he really felt what he was singing about..