Welcoming in the celebration of Black history month, I wanted to start off with a special bornday mention…..

“Here I come with love and not hatred, surely goodness and mercy shall follow I all the days of my life…”

Dennis Emmanuel Brown, born February 1st, 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica, has got to be one of the most recognizable voices in reggae music. Coined as the “Crowned Prince” of reggae, Brown would help define the elements of Lovers Rock, Rockers and Conscious reggae music. Brown’s most recognizable record would probably be Love and Hate which is indeed a classic reggae tune. Dennis Brown worked with a canon of notable reggae producers that included Niney the Observer, Joe Gibbs, and Sir Coxsone Dodd. A musical prodigy, he recorded his first record No Man is an Island at age 13.

I was introduced to reggae music via my father’s vinyl collection. The very first Dennis Brown album I ever became familiar with was an album titled Judge Not which had a picture of both Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs on it. I have to say though, my favorite Brown album is Satisfaction Feeling. This, to me, is an undeniable classic DB album. His voice, no lie, is like soothing honey and he sings with such passion. He is indeed my favorite reggae artist and I am happy that I was able to witness his last live performance in New York at SOB’s in 1998.

Dennis Brown died July 1, 1999 of complications with pneumonia. He rests in Kingston National Heroes Park in Jamaica. The influence of Dennis Brown’s music resonates through artists like Luciano, Freddie McGregor and George Nooks.

So thankful for Youtube, here’s a video of Brown recording Rocking Time….Enjoy