Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Jacob Miller - Reggae Artiste

Jacob Miller (May 4, 1952 – March 23, 1980) was a Jamaican reggae artist.

Jacob was featured in the film Rockers, alongside many other musicians including Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth and Burning Spear. In the movie, he plays the singer of a hotel houseband, in reality Inner Circle, who are joined on drums by the films hero, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and play a wicked live version of Tenement Yard.

Miller had close links with Bob Marley, who was known to promote him as 'My favourite singer'. One of Jacob Millers biggest Jamaican hits 'Tired Fe Lick Weed' betrayed his political leanings as can be seen in his performance of the song in the film 'Heartland Reggae', where his open enjoyment of a 'ganja spliff' on stage was intended to be seen as a militant statement.

Millers most potent works are often attributed to the 'rockers' singles of the mid 1970's with the band Inner Circle, with tracks like 'Tenement yard', 'Tired fe Lick Weed' and 'Stand Firm' among them. However the track which has brought him the most lasting recognition is the rockers standard 'King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown' with Augustus Pablo. Other notable tracks with Augustus Pablo include 'Keep on Knocking, 'False Rasta' and 'Who Say Jah No Dread', all produced by King Tubby.

Jacob Miller had a unique vocal style, using staccato motifs in counter play with the rhythm section, a perfect example of which is 'Tired Fe Lick Weed'. Miller was an intelligent and original artist, and recognised his own potential to lead, releasing a re-cut of his own track 'Tenement Yard' with the title 'To Much Imitator', a straight out attack on those trying to copy his style.

With an obvious energy, Jacob Miller was a magnetic presence on stage, and his appearance at the 'One Love Peace Concert' in Jamaica, April 1978 was typical 'Killer' Miller. Mesmerising and full of life, Jacob Miller invited members of the Jamaican political coalition, the 'Peace Committee' on to the stage for a rendition of 'Peace Treaty Special', conducting crowd, band, press and guests all with his customary zeal.

Some of Millers later work has been seen by reggae purists to be too much of an attempt at finding a commercial avenue for his music, with his yearning for success becoming evident on the track, 'I've Learned My Lesson Well', from the Island Records album 'Everything Is Great' from 1979.

This album, from musical point of view, is almost totally unconnected to his earlier 'roots' work, and exhibits the ability of the Inner Circle band to adapt to different genres, using strong disco themes here. It is with some irony then, that Jacob Millers lasting contribution to the reggae genre will be forever focused on those 'rockers' tracks, which are, at least culturally, perhaps more important than reaching 'The top 100'.

Miller who died very young in a car accident, cutting abruptly short a promising career that had already taken young Jacob from 'yard' (Jamaica) to an international record deal with Island Records.

Miller had planned to perform along with Bob Marley and Inner Circle in Brasil and then to tour with them; this tour was cancelled after Miller's untimely death.

See you in Jamaica.

6 comments:

JConoclast said...

No comprehendo...

Anonymous said...

There is definately a lot to learn about this topic. I love all of
the points you made.

Also visit my weblog ... bleeding hemorrhoids treatment

Anonymous said...

This is my first time go to see at here and i am in
fact happy to read everthing at one place.

my weblog windows xp registry cleaner

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact
was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?

my blog post: Best registry cleaners

Anonymous said...

Wow, marvelous weblog layout! How lengthy have you been
running a blog for? you make blogging glance easy.
The overall glance of your web site is magnificent, let alone the content material!


Have a look at my blog ... Bmi Chart

Anonymous said...

This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a
reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog
(well, almost...HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!

Visit my website - online graduate certificate