I JAHMAN LEVI 'JAH HEAVY LOAD' RARE REGGAE 45

£ 47

$ 62

£ 47 Sold For

Nov 5, 2006 Sold Date

Oct 29, 2006 Start Date

£ 5 Start price

13 Number Of Bids

Great Britain Country Of Seller

eBay Auctioned at

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Description

I JAHMAN LEVI - JAH HEAVY LOAD / LUCKY ALL STARS - LOADED VERSION

Lucky LY 6016 (1976)

Ijahman Levi (born: Trevor Sutherland) has been on the cutting edge of Jamaica's music for more than four decades. While his 1985 duet with his second wife, Madge, "I Do," remains his best known tune, reaching the top position on the British music charts, Levi has continued to influence reggae and ska vocalists with his eclectic approach and songs of spirituality, love and humanity. Educated to the high school level in Kingston, Levi was mentored by vocal teacher Joe Higgs. Recorded his first single, "Red Eyes People," under the guidance of Stranjah Cole for Duke Reid Productions, at the age of thirteen. Shortly after moving with his with his band, Vibrations, which he formed in 1965, Levi became a regular performer at the Q club. After the group's disbanding, he formed Youth And Rudie And The Shell Shock, with which he performed until launching his solo career, as Youth, in 1966. Courted by several record companies, Levi recorded singles for Polydor in 1967 in 1967 and Decca in 1968. Levi's career was temporarily stilled when he was arrested in 1970 a sent to prison for three years. While imprisoned, he assumed the name of Ijahman Levi and wrote the classic tune, "Jah Heavy Lord." Released from prison in 1974, Levi found refuge at the house of Rastafari at the St. Agnes Place headquarters of the Twelve Tribes. Much of his time was spent studying the Bible. In 1975, Levi recorded "Jah Heavy Load" for the Concrete Jungle subsidiary of Dip Records. Singing on Rico Rodrigues' album, Man From Warika, for the Island label, Levi was signed to a recording contract by the label's owner Chris Blackwell. His two albums on Island -- Haile I Hymn, released in 1978, and, Are We A Warrior, released in 1979 -- were produced by late Jamaican producer Geoffrey Chung. Following the success of the two albums, Levi left Island and formed his own label, Tres Roots Records International", in 1980. The following year, he married his second wife, Madge. Ijahman remained active in the 1990s. In 1991, he performed at the Zimbabwe Sunspalsh. Five years later, he was invited to the Gambia state house as a special guest of President Jammeh.

Check out my other items for more rare reggae collectables!!!!

NOTE: It has become a source of some annoyance to me that I am forced to list within eBay's somewhat limited sub-categories for Reggae. I would rather there was just one blanket Reggae category than be forced to list Rock Steady as Ska, Lovers Rock as Roots etc. The only other option is to use an 'Other' category, which eBay are quick to point out is not the best way to ensure buyers can find the items they might want. We desperately need sub-categories for Rock Steady, Lovers Rock & DJ in the Reggae category. If you agree, please add your voice to mine in asking eBay for these additions.

The vinyl is a little worn, but plays with just a little background crackle. Sounds great. The record has also lost it's centre & the labels have been written on (see scans).

Vintage reggae & ska is sought after by collectors in just about any state, due to the extreme rarity of better than good condition copies.

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