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ARCOIRIS.TV (www.arcoiris.tv) - July 2006
Earl Sixteen è uno degli artisti veterani in azione al Sunsplash : è nato nel 1958 e nonostante sia comunque ancora molto attivo ha avuto il suo periodo d'oro nel decennio 1975-1985. Il suo primo successo è stata la notevole "Malcolm X" scritta dal suo amico d'infanzia Winston McAnuff e prodotta da Derrick Harriott. Ancora molto giovane Earl inizia a lavorare nel circuito dei night clubs e hotels come cantante della band di Boris Gardiner ma il suo coinvolgimento nell'ambiente Rastafari e la conseguente crescita dei suoi locks fanno si che Earl sia costretto a lasciare la band. Da quel momento questo cantante inizia una attività di cantante solista che darà frutti notevoli: per Lee Perry ai Black Ark Studios Earl registra "Freedom" e "Cheating", mentre registra ottimo materiale anche per Roy Cousin, Mikey Dread e Linval Thompson. A questo punto arriva il momento di accasarsi a Studio One: la sua "Love is a feeling" è un notevole hit in Giamaica ed il suo successo spinge Coxsone Dodd a pubblicare il suo album "Showcase". Negli anni ottanta Earl incide parecchi albums per vari produttori e raggiunge nell'88 un grosso successo con la cover dei Simply Red "Holding back the years". Negli anni novanta registra ottimo materiale per Mad Professor, in particolare l'album "Babylon Walls" e si accosta al mondo della dance elettronica prestando la voce ai Leftfield per la loro ottimo album "Leftism" che venderà ben 300 mila copie complessive. E' un cantante molto versatile ed il suo repertorio spazia dal roots & culture al lovers style.
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REGGAE-VIBES.COM (www.reggae-vibes.com) - November 2004
In may 2004, Earl 16 has been touring over France with No More Babylon as backing band.
During this tour, he has recorded his first live album. This set shows that Earl 16's voice is unmistakeable
- a cracked falsetto and a lazy delivery combine to make this voice most poignant, particularly when riding a
solid roots riddim. And truly solid roots riddims, provided by a very tight playing No More Babylon, are featured
on this very entertaining live album from beginning to end.
It's 100% roots & culture that you are offered with Earl 16
performing some of his biggest tunes such as "Freedom", "Malcom X", "Natural Roots", "Love Is A Feeling", "Soldiers Of Jah Army"
and "Rastaman" and classic riddims like "Heavenless", "Real Rock" and "Heptones Gonna Fight". Also worth of hearing is one of his
latest tunes, the awesome "Important To Be Nice", and his wicked cover versions of Keith Rowe's "Groovy Situation", Albert Malawi's
obscure but truly brilliant roots anthem "Children Of The Emperor" and Dennis Brown's "Milk And Honey". Overall opinion is that
this is a very entertaining live album, worthwhile checking out.
Teacher & Mr. T.
Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor) // Vocals : 4/5 Backing : 4/5 Production : 4 Sound quality : 5 Sleeve : 3/4
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UPFRONT.CH (www.upfront.ch) - September 2004
Fantastic night in the Cabaret Sauvage with Earl 16 and "Mr. Rocksteady" all backed by a well talented band... let's make a shout for No More Babylon.
By 9 PM, Earl 16 reached first on stage in the Cabaret Sauvage Club - Paris well filled with No More Babylon and their horn section.
He played a first set of classics like soldiers of jah army, freedom, milk and honey, natural roots, groovy situation…and then reaches back for the anthemic Malcolm X. Electrizing the crowd with his new tune "It’s nice to be important" and closing his set with a Tribute to Augustus Pablo on Peacefull Rastaman. A 10PM, third appearance with No More Babylon lead singer for few tracks. (10 min.).
Earl 16 gave the best to the public with his largest tunes and well backed with a pleasant backing band including nice horns.
Before Ken Boothe, Sheila Hylton, kingstonian female singer, made a short set on stage leaving a correct performance with still some technical problems
Around 11PM, the Artist, awaited by the whole crowd and for the first time in Paris went on stage. With his first notes Ken Boothe voie charmed the whole public (particularly all ladies in the audience...). Singing in his lover style, he went on with crying over you, when I fall in love, train is coming, artibella, moving away, the girl I left behind…Multiplying speaches & acapellas…there was a guy from spain…Christopher Colombus was his name…magnifique !
His joy was so communicative that most of the people quite forget he was replacing Gregory Isaacs.The whole crowd overwhelmed with this legendary artist giving after 40 years always his best during a close to who hours performance, altogether more than 3 hours stage shows in a very nice and pleasant venue (which is quite rare here in Paris). Big Up to Earl 16 & No More Babylon, the Horns Section, Sheila Hilton and Mr Rocksteady Ken Boothe for all these vibes…
Thanks also to Flo for pictures and Isabelle Lemann (Salammbo Promotions…)
Report by Kikou
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