Rose blooms again in Waterhouse 

MICHAEL Rose has fond memories of growing up in Waterhouse, the second child of a 'litter' born to working-class parents. It's where he started a career that has made him one of roots-reggae's acclaimed singers.

Last year, the 50-year-old Rose went back to his hometown to work with producers Lloyd 'John John' James and DeMarco at the famed King Jammys studio. The result is the soon-to-be-released album, Michael Rose Returns to Kingston 11.

Already, the collaboration has borne fruit with the song Shootout (featuring Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley) becoming a popular club and radio hit. It is the first time in almost 20 years that Rose has made local charts.

"This jus' show people sey things still can gwaan wid the elders. Look pon Sly and Robbie, dem a elders and still a mek some great beats," Rose told The Gleaner last week.

International fame

Rose was scheduled to appear with Black Uhuru at last Saturday's Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite concert at the James Bond Beach in Oracabessa. He achieved international fame with that group in the 1980s, winning the first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985 with Anthem.

The computerised sound on Michael Rose Returns is a far cry from the heyday of Uhuru, a roots trio that also included founder Derrick 'Duckie' Simpson and Puma Jones.

In addition to Jr Gong, Rose teams with other youngbloods such as Busy Signal on Real Jamaican and with Assassin on Living Love. He said he and the young Marley have developed a mutual respect.

"One day him jus' pass through the studio an' hold a vibes, tell mi how him love the song (Shootout). So, him jus' voice it," Rose related.

Rose recorded Shootout solo at a studio which is an institution in a community scarred by years of political and gang violence. He remembers more peaceful times in his formative years.

"Dem days did alright, yuh nuh. Is not like today wid the whole heap a gun thing," he said.

Maiden session

Early in his career, Rose said he listened to all types of music, from the soul of The Dells to the lovers rock of Dennis Brown and Ken Boothe. In 1976, he recorded for the first time, for producer Winston 'Niney' Holness. One of the songs from his maiden session was Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

After a stint on the north coast hotel circuit with the Happiness Unlimited band, Rose said he returned to Kingston where he met drummer Sly Dunbar, a friend of his older brother Joseph.

As a solo act, he cut two songs for Dunbar: cover versions of Bob Marley's Sun is Shining and Dawn Penn's No, No, No. In the late 1970s, he linked with Simpson and became singer of Black Uhuru.

The group recorded for Dennis Brown's DEB label with little success, but 1979 saw a change in fortunes. They became the pet project for Dunbar and production partner Robbie Shakespeare's Taxi Records which released a slate of hits including Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, General Penitentiary and Plastic Smile.

With backing from Island Records, Black Uhuru took off internationally in the early 1980s with several well-received albums. But shortly after Anthem's historic win, Rose left the group, reportedly due to a falling out with Simpson.

He had a relatively successful solo career with Heartbeat Records before patching things up with Simpson four years ago.

"Wi jus' get together an' share a joy, agree fi let bygones be bygones," Rose said.

Black Uhuru, with Rose as lead singer, have done two European tours since his reunion with Simpson. While he is excited about finding a new, younger audience, Rose said his message of upliftment remains.

"Mi have a standard and mi have to hold it. Wi cyaan bother wid the run up and down ting cause wi been there done that," he said.

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Tarus Riley Tops Reggae Academy Awards

Below is a complete list of the WINNERS IN ALL CATEGORIES FOR 2008

Best Reggae Song She’s Royal - Omar Riley (Songwriter’s Award)

Best Solo Male Reggae Vocal Performance She’s Royal - Tarrus Riley

Best Solo Female Reggae Vocal Roots - Etana

Best Reggae Album Mind Control – Stephen Marley

Best Instrumental Recording or Album Making Notes – Robbie Lyn

Best Solo Male Dancehall Vocal Nah Go A Jail – Busy Signal
Performance

Best Female Dancehall Vocal Chat To Me Back – Lady Saw
Performance

Best Dancehall Vocal Performance Love Is Wicked – Brick and Lace
Duo, Group

Best Dancehall Album Intoxication – Shaggy

Best Dancehall Video Church Heathen Remix – Jay Will
(Video Director’s Award)

Breakthrough Reggae Artist Tarrus Riley

Best Dancehall Riddim Tremor – Stephen McGregor

Best Gospel Album Prodigal Son – Prodigal Son

Best Gospel Song Can’t Stop Now –
(Songwriter’s Award) Kemoy Rowe, William Barclay and Courick Clarke

Best Music Producer Stephen Marley

Best International Artist Collie Buddz

Best Reggae Compilation Album Jamdown Riddim Driven – Delmar
(Executive Producer’s Award) Drummond/Dangerzone

Best Reggae Video She’s Royal – Rupert Campbell
(Video Director’s Award)

Best Reggae Recording She’s Royal – Romel Marshall
(Engineer’s Award)

Best Reggae Vocal Performance – On My Mind – Da’Ville & Sean Paul
Duo, Group, Collaboration

Best Dub Recording or Album Live As One Album – Zion Train

Breakthrough Dancehall Artist Munga Honourable

Best Reggae Riddim Guardian Angel – Arif Cooper/Fresh Ear
(Producer’s Award)

Best Dancehall Song Nah Go A Jail Again – Reanno Gordon
(Songwriters’ Award)

Best Dancehall Compilation – two Tremor Riddim Driven – Stephen McGregor/
or more artistes Big Ship Music
(Executive Producer’s Award)

Best Dancehall Recording One Loaf a Bread – Jammy James
(Engineer’s Award)

Best Solo Male Vocal Gospel This Place – Prodigal Son
Performance

Best Solo Female Gospel Pray For Peace – Chevelle Franklyn
Performance

Best Vocal Gospel Performance Ketch A Fyah – Prodigal Son and Jason
by a Group, Duo or Collaboration Mighty

Best Gospel Music Video Gully People Supen – Andrew Grey
(Video Director’s Award)

Most Popular Song She’s Royal – Tarrus Riley

Most Popular Artiste Beenie Man

Special Awardees

Reggae Trailblazer Award Chris Blackwell

Reggae Legend Award Ernie Ranglin

Reggae Icon Award Bob Marley