Johnny Clarke

364,281 plays (73,039 listeners)
In your library (0 plays)

Listening now: jfurze

18 shouts

Add to my Library Share

Get Ringtones

During the middle of the 1970’s Johnny Clarke stood at a Crossroads of Jamaican music, and was the point about which Reggae music turned during the “Golden Era” of 70’s Roots Reggae. Briefly there was no more popular act than he in Jamaica, and this in a country where popularity is exceptionally hard won.
He was nominated best vocalist five times in his own country, an indication of the love Jamaicans have for his voice and music. There are many reasons as to why he commands the respect of his countrymen, one is his ability to perform both roots Reggae material and love songs with equal ability and conviction. This dual persona, both as roots ‘preacher’ and love ‘crooner’, was one which out of financial necessity many other performers were required to adopt. Dennis Brown, then Johnny’s biggest rival, is a fine example in this regard.

Masterful dub remixes of Johnny Clarke’s songs by KING TUBBY contribute no end to the beauty of any mid 70’s single release by Clarke. Listen to ‘Move Out Of Babylon Rastaman’ or the later ‘Cold I Up’ and to the accompanying b-side dub versions, and you will realize why Johnny Clarke encapsulates so well, 70’s Roots Reggae. Few other artists have ever achieved such domination, let alone with the consummate ease and style that Johnny Clarke, the ‘studio idler’ did.

If you are looking to understand and absorb the world of Reggae, in particular the ‘Golden Era’ of the mid 70’s, Clarke’s music is an ideal vehicle within which to do so. When Bob Marley was turning himself into the first International Jamaican superstar, Big Youth, Inner Circle and Johnny Clarke ruled the roost back home. They were the acts popular with Jamaicans, in Jamaica.

Tagged as:

reggae, roots reggae, roots, jamaica, dub
See more…

Similar Artists

Top Albums

A Ruffer Version: Johnny Clarke At King Tubby's…
Johnny Clarke
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
- 7digital $12.99
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
Authorised Rockers
Johnny Clarke
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $13.55
- 7digital $15.99
- iTunes $14.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $28.79
- eBay Search
Dreader Dread
Johnny Clarke
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
Rockers Time Now
Johnny Clarke
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $7.99
- 7digital $6.99
- iTunes $8.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $28.60
- eBay Search

Top Tracks

1	None Shall Escape The Judgement full track	305
2	Declaration Of Rights full track	159
3	Enter Into His Gates With Praise full track	154
4	Blood Dunza full track	146
5	Every Knee Shall Bow full track	119
6	Collie Dread full track	115
7	Crazy Baldhead full track	98
8	Dread a Dread full track	82
9	Natty Dreadlocks Stand Up Right full track	67
10	Live Up Jah Man	62
10	Rebel Soldiering full track	62
12	Simmer Down full track	61
13	Age Is Growing	57
14	Ites Green And Gold full track	42
14	African Roots full track	42

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

polymorphous71 wrote:
17 days ago

I'd say that joe Higgs is even more overlooked.

View Profile | Leave polymorphous71 a shout
DZRTsurfer88 wrote:
last month

possibly one of most overlooked of the roots reggae Great1s

View Profile | Leave DZRTsurfer88 a shout
mojsehs wrote:
June 2009

soul...

View Profile | Leave mojsehs a shout
xikka wrote:
May 2009

very good!!!!

View Profile | Leave xikka a shout
RoseIrie wrote:
May 2009

Look out for "Rosie" by Johnny Clarke on Shaka..........hard!!

View Profile | Leave RoseIrie a shout
ashame wrote:
April 2009

This guy is funky :)

View Profile | Leave ashame a shout
P100L wrote:
February 2009

MEGA!!!!!

View Profile | Leave P100L a shout
CocoaDusted wrote:
February 2009

Voice.

View Profile | Leave CocoaDusted a shout
danny-777 wrote:
February 2009

i just love this thing music man

View Profile | Leave danny-777 a shout
dr-sativa wrote:
January 2009

Nicey nice the house of lord God Jahrastafari............H.I.M. Haile Selassie the conquering lion.........................Peace....................the Doc.

View Profile | Leave dr-sativa a shout
SkankinLion wrote:
January 2009

Hi. Has anyone got the Johnny Clarke dub track which appeared in the dancehall scene toward the end of the film Babylon. I think it was called "Babylon" and released on the Shaka label (SHAKA 842-A). I can't get it anywhere! Jah Love

View Profile | Leave SkankinLion a shout
underdogus wrote:
September 2008

MR JOHNNY CLARKE!!! Rastafar.....I

View Profile | Leave underdogus a shout
aakira009 wrote:
May 2008

I like his song "Left With A Broken Heart" for Bunny Lee.

View Profile | Leave aakira009 a shout
runabeat wrote:
May 2008

The Mighty Sparrow will be appearing at The Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HX, England on 19th July 2008 at 8pm. The show is called 'Soca Invasion' and other artistes include the Jamesy P and Shurwayne Winchester. More artistes to be confirmed. Tickets on sale 3rd June 2008. Call 08707 602603 or visit stellatickets.co.uk.

View Profile | Leave runabeat a shout
ursimon wrote:
October 2007

Be holy, My Brothers and Sisters is great track!

View Profile | Leave ursimon a shout
iyers wrote:
August 2007

Age is Growing - one of THE best roots reggae songs ever written

View Profile | Leave iyers a shout
asylwan wrote:
January 2007

Check out the group Reggae ca 1974-1984 if you enjoy this artist.

View Profile | Leave asylwan a shout