Artist Profile: Junior Reid A namesake of his father, Kingston, Jamaica- born singer Delroy "Junior" Reid is part of a group of singers whose cutting edge style challenges musical boundaries and springs from the politically- turbulent era of the 1970's. From the early age of 14, with his first single "Know Myself" which he recorded for fellow artist Hugh Mundell's label, Junior proved his gift in the marketplace. A native of the Waterhouse section of Kingston, he formed his first band called Voice of Progress who had a hit in Jamaica with the song "Minibus Driver" and released an album by the same name. What followed was a prolific recording period that produced a number of singles for King Jammys including the hit "Boom Shacka Lacka." "Foreign Mind" was recorded with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion as well as his own JR Production label- two artist owned companies which are a vital part of the massive 45 singles market that exists in Jamaica to the present day. When he was 18 years old he was asked to replace the spot filled by Michael Rose in Black Uhuru. This period resulted in a wellspring of great compositions including "Fit We Haffi Fit", and the classic collaboration with the 'Riddim Twins'- Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare- "Great Train Robbery." Junior Reid has a gift for collaboration and the ability to present his talents in a manner that reaches an audience beyond that of the grassroots reggae aficionado. In 1987 he teamed up with Coldcut, an early Acid Jazz group on "Stop This Crazy Thing", a theme taken from the animated series The Jetsons, yielding a Top 20 hit on the European pop charts. One year later in Jamaica, Junior recorded the song "One Blood" his first solo project since the break-up of Black Uhuru. The song was a massive hit from the dance halls of Jamaica to New York and the United Kingdom where remixer Paul 'Trouble' Anderson hailed, the two of them creating a mix, released on Big Life/Mercury that became the first "crossover" hit to incorporate the rhythms of modern day dance hall with a message of unification and strength. ONE BLOOD was released world wide in 1990, and the follow-up album LONG ROAD was released in 1991. Both albums were nominated for the Caribbean Music Awards with ONE BLOOD winning the Jamaica Music Industry Award for Best Album, Best Single, Best Song and Most Conscious Lyrics. The All-Music Guide rates Junior Reid's 1991 release LONG ROAD 4 1/2 stars (out of a possible 5 stars.) This record includes the classic single "Banana Boat Man" that chronicles the hurdles that the artist has overcome to reach the heights of success. Collaborations with Hip-Hop artists have ensued over the years including those with Busta Rhymes and Bounty Killer on "Change Just Like the Weather" and "Dreadful Day" with the Poor Righteous Teachers. The artist has also worked with the likes of Guru, the Wu-Tang Clan and Bobby Digital. The Soup Dragons cover of the Rolling Stones' song "I'm Free" that featured Junior Reid's toasting became the band's groundbreaking hit. Countless collaborations with reggae artists from the brilliant spectrum of styles have included a full-length album with Don Carlos entitled FIRE HOUSE CLASH. In 1992 Junior Reid recorded the album, VISA that contained some key singles from the era including "All Fruits Ripe" and "Friend Enemy", and a team-up with the late Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs entitled "It's Not A One Man Thing". Junior Reid has been toured extensively throughout his career to countries including Japan, throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the United States. Festival appearances in 2002 have included Rebel Salute in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Raggamuffins' Bob Marley Days in Los Angeles, France's Montreux Jazz Festival, SummerJam, 2002 in Hanover, Germany and Reggae in the Park in San Francisco. As a producer, his JR Production company and label has worked with a multitude of artists including the Mighty Diamonds, Elephant Man, Luciano, Anthony B and his two sons: Andrew and Wadada Blood. In the year 2000, Junior Reid released EMMANUEL CALLING with an exalted, agile-toned chorus as its title track, the record contains a mélange of elements including Dancehall, Hip Hop and R&B. The artist incorporates the sound of the Nyabinghi drum, an integral part of Rasta spirituality on several compositions. The musicians including bassie Chris Meredith and drummie Style Scott, and Deadley Headley Bennett on sax flavor 15 tracks of pro musicianship. "Sky Is the Limit" features a duet with German deejay/rapper Absolute Beginner. The fall of 2002 is the time for RASTA GOVERNMENT to make its debut worldwide. In collaboration with his new LA-based promotion team One Nation Family, JR Productions and Nazrite in the UK, the new album is finding its way to the massive around the world. New songs include "Propoganda", "Taliban", and the title track that bring forth the Bobo Ashanti agenda. New mixes of "One Blood" one with Terry Ganzie and a Spanish version with Argentine deejay Fidel make this 19 song release ram jammed with content. For over 20 years, Junior Reid's vibrant stage presence and flawless falsetto have made fans throughout the world. His conscious, insightful lyrics have allowed him to maintain a powerful and significant role as a roots reggae artist and have given him entrée to the Hip Hop and Pop music scenes.