Gregory Isaacs is a Reggae singer/songwriter, born Gregory Anthony Isaacs on 15 July 1950 in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica, and is known as "The Cool Ruler" for his seductive crooning vocal style. In the late 1960's, Gregory first performed in a vocal trio called The Concords, after being encouraged by Byron Lee; but 1970 the group had split up and the singer songwriter would form his own imprint, African Museum. In the late 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his own African Museum (JA) label with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of Roots Reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream Lovers Rock material. Early hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio. A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its producer Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One". Personal problems affected him, particularly battles with a cocaine addiction and possession charge; which prevented him from touring in North America for the a significant part of his career, until a pardon could eventually be secured. Isaacs recorded with a number of producers, including the Riddim Twin's (Sly & Robbie) Taxi Records, who gave them their first hit with 1979's "Soon Forward" , After a series of releases with Sly & Robbie, Gregory built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. In addition to these local Jamaican labels, The Cool Ruler had had releases on Trojan, VP, Virgin's Front Line and English producer Tad A. Dawkin's Tad's Records. Isaacs would would eventually sign with Chris Blackwell's I
1 | Nigger | Trojan Box Set: Dub |
2 | No Speech, No Language | My Number One |
3 | Star | Out deh |
4 | Material Man | Night Nurse |
5 | Out Deh | Out deh |
6 | Slum | Trojan Box Set: Dub |
7 | Lonely Days - Version II | My Number One |
8 | Public Eye | Trojan Box Set: Dub |
9 | Explanation | Enough Is Enough |
10 | Cool Down the Pace | Night Nurse |
11 | Ease Off | Enough Is Enough |
12 | Dieting | Out deh |
13 | Private Secretary | Out deh |
14 | Settle Nuh | Enough Is Enough |
15 | Philistines | My Number One |
16 | Sheila | Out deh |
17 | Doesn't Want Me To Be Her Man | Enough Is Enough |
18 | Tumbling Tears | My Number One |
19 | Objection Overruled | Night Nurse |
20 | Special Guest | My Number One |