Robert Ffrench (born c. 1962) is a Jamaican reggae singer and record producer.
Robert Ffrench | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1962 |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
Biography
editRobert Ffrench grew up in central Kingston and attended Kingston College.[1] He recorded his first singles in 1979, at the age of 17.[1][2] He achieved success in 1984 with his performances at the Festival Song Contest and the Reggae Sunsplash festival.[3] He had a combination hit with deejay Clement Irie with "Bun & Cheese", and his first two albums were released in 1985. He had another hit in 1989 with "Modern Girl", a collaboration with Courtney Melody.[2] In the mid-1990s he relocated to New York City, where he teamed up with rapper Heavy D, with whom he had a hit with "More Love", with an album following on Ras Records, featuring collaboration with several artists including Lady G and General Degree.[3][4] He has since returned to Jamaica, where he runs the Ffrench record label and distribution company, and more recently set up the Sing Jock label with Horace Davis.[2][5] He released the album Yesterday and Today in 2001, collecting many of his earlier singles.[6] After a period of inactivity as a recording artist, he returned in 2009 with the single "I Do".[5]
As a producer he has worked with artists such as Dennis Brown, Buju Banton (he produced Buju's first single, "The Ruler"), Beres Hammond, George Nooks, Luciano, Jah Cure, and Sizzla.[1][2][7]
Ffrench is a cousin of Rocksteady singer ( from The Techniques ) and foundation sound engineer Pat Kelly.[1]
Discography
edit- The Favourite (1985), Black Solidarity
- Wondering (1985), Blue Mountain
- Reggae for the World (1986), Scar Face – with Frankie Paul
- Mr. French Showcase (198?), Progressive
- Showcase, Abraham
- Robert French Meets Anthony Johnson (198?), Midnight Rock – with Anthony Johnson
- Robert Ffrench, Heavy D and Friends (1995), RAS – with Heavy D
- Yesterday and Today (2001)
References
edit- ^ a b c d McDonald, Kandré (2007) "Robert Ffrench returns to singing", Jamaica Gleaner, 21 October 2007, retrieved 24 December 2010
- ^ a b c d Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 111-2
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9, p. 99
- ^ Anderson, Rick "Robert Ffrench, Heavy D, and Friends Review", Allmusic, retrieved 24 December 2010
- ^ a b Campbell, Howard (2009) "Robert Ffrench on the comeback trail", Jamaica Gleaner, 29 July 2009, retrieved 24 December 2010
- ^ Anderson, Rick "Yesterday and Today Review", Allmusic, retrieved 24 December 2010
- ^ Huey, Steve "Buju Banton Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 24 December 2010
External links
edit- Robert Ffrench at Roots Archives