This 38th edition of Double 12" Spin features Earl 16, a singer with a vast body of work and an extensive history in the music industry, as well as Chalice, the Jamaican reggae band that was primarily active in the 1980s and experienced a brief resurgence in the late 1990s.
Earl 16, whose birth name is Earl John Daley, was born in Kingston on May 9, 1958. He embarked on his musical career as a member of the Flaming Phonics, a group that unfortunately did not achieve widespread recognition. He then joined Boris Gardiner's band, the Boris Gardiner Happening, an experience that proved invaluable in his artistic development. His career breakthrough came in 1975 with the song Malcolm X, written by his friend Winston McAnuff and produced by Joe Gibbs.
Throughout the remainder of the 1970s, Earl 16 maintained his association with Boris Gardiner, a prominent figure in the Jamaican music landscape. This collaboration provided him with opportunities to connect with influential producers such as Derrick Harriott and Lee "Scratch" Perry. He released several singles during this period, and toward the close of 1979, he began working with producer and artist Mikey Dread, who was then gaining notoriety for his radio show Dread At The Controls on the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation. Earl 16's debut album, Reggae Sound, was subsequently released on Dread's label. The following year saw the release of Super Duper, produced by Ranking Joe, the deejay who also worked as a producer.
In the ensuing years, Earl 16 frequently collaborated with producer Roy Cousins, resulting in approximately three albums. He also worked with Earl Morgan of The Heptones on the album Shining Star. In 1985, Coxsone Dodd released Showcase, a compilation of tracks Earl 16 had recorded for him over the preceding years.
In 1985, following a period spent in the United States, Earl 16 relocated to the United Kingdom, where he currently resides. In the UK, he began working with the Mad Professor, which led to the release of the critically and commercially successful album Babylon Walls. He continued his collaborations with various UK producers, including Gussie P. He also joined Dreadzone, the UK electronica/reggae band, as one of their vocalists. In 1988, he achieved significant chart success with his cover version of Simply Red's Holding Back The Years a song that has become arguably his most recognizable and popular track.
Earl 16 remains active in the music industry, collaborating with numerous European production houses to create high-quality recordings. Recent examples of his work include The Fittest for JahSolidRock Music and Natty Farming for Roberto Sánchez, as well as his 2022 album Higher Than I.Turning our attention to the second 12-inch single, we feature the Jamaican group Chalice, a band that emerged in the early 1980s. The group's formation was initiated by drummer Phanso Wilson and bassist Errol Moore, who were later joined by guitarist Wayne Armond, keyboardists Howard Messam and Desi Jones, saxophonist Dean Stephens, and lead singer Trevor Roper, among other members.
Chalice cultivated a sophisticated musical style that blended reggae with elements of pop, rock, and soul. This fusion, while innovative, often failed to resonate with purist reggae fans, resulting in a lack of widespread recognition within that specific community. This relative lack of respect persisted despite the band's lyrics frequently addressing social issues.
Chalice's 1981 debut album, Blasted, featured two hit singles, Good To Be There and I Still Love You. Renowned for their dynamic and high-energy live performances, the band garnered local and international acclaim. However, this vibrant energy was often not fully captured on their studio recordings. Their 1983 album, Standard Procedure, also yielded several hits, including Can't Dub and I'm Trying.
Chalice toured extensively internationally and released more than twelve albums throughout their career. The band dissolved in 1996, following a period marked by several lineup changes. Approximately ten years later, a reformed version of the band reunited and released the album Let It Play in 2010.
This particular 12-inch single was released internationally on the German Ariola label, which aimed to promote Chalice as a mainstream reggae act. The single features extended versions of what are arguably their most well-known tracks, Can't Dub and I'm Trying.
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