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"Our Journey Together"

A TRIBUTE TO GARNET SILK

Story as told by record producer Delroy 'Callo' Collins.

"FOR 17 YEARS THEY SHARED A DREAM BUT IT ENDED IN TRAGEDY"

The sudden and tragic death of reggae star Garnet Silk in December 1994, left a nation in shock.

Music fans, musicians, singers and artistes from all over Jamaica (and indeed from as far as Japan) spontaneously descended on the quiet, almost sleepy town of Mandeville to pay their final respects to a singer who in a very short time had become a ‘star in waiting’.

His memorial at Brooks Park in the town was attended by thousands, including posses of teenage girls who wept openly at the news that Reggae’s rising star had perished along with his mother Teega, in a fire that engulfed their tiny house. It was a tragedy beyond belief, especially for those who knew Garnet of his deep love for his mother.

Garnet's greatest dream was to build his mother a brand new house. But the dream was never realized. Just as Garnet decided to take over the supervision of the building work for a new and larger house on the same site where they lived, tragedy occurred!

The bizarre tragedy was as a result of an explosion of a gas cylinder that was pierced by a bullet, accidentally discharged from a gun that Garnet and another friend had been tampering with in the house. At this time Garnet Silk was recognized as the shining light of a new generation of reggae vocalists posed to make his mark as an international star with his personalized style of delivery and his melodious Roots and Culture lyrics at the birth of the Dancehall movement.

Born Garnet Smith in the Brumalia district of Mandeville in the parish of Manchester, in the cool mountains of central Jamaica, Garnet and his family soon moved to the nearby district of Hatfield where he attended Hatfield Junior Secondary School. It was while at school that Garnet developed his love for music and started hanging out at the various Sound System dances in his local community. His first real involvement with a Sound System was as a DJ with the local Girls Soul Disco, playing at parties and at school fetes.

It was about this time, during the summer of 1977 that he met Delroy 'Callo' Collins, and during the next seventeen years they would go on to share many personal and musical experiences together.

As 'Callo' recalled, "my first meeting with Garnet was when he was only eleven years old and I was approaching my fourteenth birthday. We didn't know it then, but Bimbo and I were about to embark on a journey of a lifetime".

At the time young Callo was busy learning the trades of the entertainment business, helping to run his father's nightclub TUDOR HEIGHTS, as well as his other business interests which included a fairly lucrative bakery operation. Young Callo naturally grew very interested in the entertainment side of the business and spent a lot of time at the club helping to promote the venue and getting first hand experience of how the music business worked.

During this time, the popular SOUL TO SOUL Disco which had a large following in the community was playing at the club, and Callo met Garnet through Teddy, owner of the Girls Soul Disco. Teddy wanted his young DJ (known then as Bimbo) to have a try out on a bigger Sound System and subsequently brought him to the club to audition on the Soul to Soul set.

Young Callo was there to witness the event.

He recalls "they had to place three beer crates to make a platform for him just to reach the console, but the diminutive Bimbo proceeded to rock the club to its foundations with his performance". The performance made a big impression on young Callo who was just starting to dabble with music production, making jingles and dub plates for Sound Systems, and experimenting with song writing, but it was about a year later before Callo and Garnet met again.

This time young Garnet resurfaced as the resident DJ at Pepe' Hideout which was situated across the road from Tudor Heights. Many nights young Callo would stay over at his father's place and listen to young Garnet 'nicing up the place on the microphone' and often he would go over to the club to see him perform. "You could tell that he had a little vibe going for him even then, and all the youths in the area used to rate him highly. He had a charisma that everybody seemed attracted to".

When John Pepe, the owner of Pepe's Hide Out, decided that he wanted to produce a dub plate with Garnet to promote the club, it was Callo to whom he turned for assistance. Callo immediately linked up with legendary producer King Tubby who had introduced him to record production and taught him about the skills of the studio. Callo regarded Tubby as a mentor, and arranged a visit to his studio in Kingston with Garnet. It was Garnet's first visit to a recording studio. Garnet also teamed up with STEREOPHONIC DISCO who boasted the legendary General Echo among its crew, and about that time in 1980 there was a real 'buzz' developing in the local community about Garnet. The town of Mandeville was experiencing a musical explosion which gravitated around Callo's own EVERSONIC MUSIC DISCO on which Garnet often dee jayed at local sessions.

When Callo started to set up his own little home demo studio, garnet was deejaying for DESTINY SOUND SYSTEM that also boasted other young DJs like Chakademus, Culture Knox, Tony Rebel, Co-Pilot (later to be known as Shabba Ranks) plus singer Everton Blender. Eventually Callo linked up with the Destiny crew and they formed the Rhythm Track Crew. Under the stewardship of young Callo, they started to seriously dabble with recording, and they ended up recording a couple of songs at Harry J's studios, but nothing really happened until about 1983 when they started to make regular visits to the Music Mountain studio where they linked up with the progressive musical brothers Danny Brownie (main Street Records) and Cleveland brownie (of Steelie & Cleevie fame). Little did they know it then, but for the crew from Mandeville, this was a very important stage in their development as future stars, as it exposed them to the studio atmosphere and gave them valuable insight into studio techniques which they would later incorporate into their repertoire as their careers developed as international artistes.

Around 1983, Callo created the 'Crackerjack' rhythm at his home studio with Tony Roach and Ricky Myrie. It was eventually voiced by Garnet dee jaying a song titled 'Problem Everywhere'. The rhythm was then re-recorded at Music Mountain studios, where Tony Rebel also recorded a song on the rhythm track. Around the same time they also recorded 'Blend Them' with Everton Blender, and 'King Moses' with Frankie Wilmott, another song that would later be covered by Garnet.

Like most other new ventures into the music recording business, the early days were frustrating for the crew from Manchester as they battled to get their air play for their recordings, but eventually they made the breakthrough when radio host Winston 'the Cool One' Williams granted them the favour of playing their records on his popular radio show. In no time Garnet and other members of the crew were being booked for stage shows in Mandeville and the surrounding communities.

After migrating to the USA for nearly 3 years, studying engineering and gaining further business and work experience, 'Callo' returned to Mandeville where fate again linked him up with Garnet who expressed a desire to convert from a DJ and to become a singer. "He told me that he now wanted to be a singer because he was losing his interest in deejaying and he wanted me to help him produce some songs. At that time Garnet was still performing as Bimbo and was now well regarded as a sing - jay working out with the Crystal Rock Sound System. he had just recorded "Respect Due" for Sugar Minott's Youth Man Promotion label. It was his first recording as a singer".

Callo wasn't really impressed with Garnet's singing style at the time and if anything, tried to discourage him from making the transition from DJ to singer --- until one day during a journey to Kingston! they were travelling in the car of Barrington 'Sweetie' Trowers, a close friend and devoted brethren who always drove them the sixty odd miles to the studios in Kingston from Mandeville - even on days when they had no money.

"Garnet started playing a tape on which he had composed a song - it was a High Fashion dub rhythm which was very popular at the time. Spontaneously, garnet just started singing Bob Marley's "Chant Down Babylon" on the same rhythm track. It was as if he adopted a new and distinct style which I hadn't heard before" Callo was so impressed he had to stop the car to rewind the tape so that Garnet could sing the song again. "I told him it sounded really good and that it was the style he should work on. It was a really original style, his tone, his delivery, the vibes in his voice, it was all there - it was a revelation". Callo knew there and then that Bimbo was now ready to make the transition from DJ to singer - and Callo's encouragement and endorsement of his ability seemed to be the inspiration that young Bimbo was looking for.

At the time, Garnet had a baby son Deiron and he now had to face up to the realities of trying to make ends meet as a singer while bringing up a family at the same time. "Garnet was very much a 'family man' who cherished his mother and loved and respected all his siblings and family members. He was determined to live up to his responsibilities now that he was a father and for him it was a challenge that he was prepared to meet squarely, even if it meant giving up the singing business for a while" Callo explained. Garnet resorted to taking on a day job as a mechanic at a local garage. As far as he was concerned, at the time nothing much was happening for him musically or for the reggae recording industry on the whole. As far as Garnet was concerned, time seemed to be standing still as far as the music business was concerned, and there were few opportunities for new artistes. It was a period that lacked the presence of a dominant artiste and original songs. it was a period of 'cover versions' and re-worked rhythms, while the market held its breath for a fresh new star to emerge. Behind what must have seemed like desperate dark clouds, little did Garnet know that a whole new world was about to open up for him, and the real journey was about to begin!

Callo visited him at the garage on the day after he had started working at the garage. Garnet confided to him "I love the music you know Callo, but the music don't love me. I have a family now and I need to earn, and I can't see ant income from the music right now so I just had to get a job". Fate played a big hand in what was about to happen, and it seemed appropriate, if only because of the trust and respect that Callo and Garnet shared for each other. Callo had an instant vision there and then, and with the instincts of a true believer in Garnet's talent, he made a decision to try and help the young singer, a decision that helped to change Garnet's life and he never forgot.

Garnet wanted to be a singer and he was determined to make whatever sacrifices he had to in order to make it to the top - yet this period of artistic maturity also coincided with the heights of some of Garnet's personal struggles.

Callo proceeded to help garnet financially in any way he could. he told him " don't worry, be cool, don't fret, I will help you out and do what I can to subsidise the programme because I know that you are going to make it. I will help to take care of the household bills and cover the expenses for you to go to Kingston to keep recording your songs". For Garnet it was the break he was waiting for, and Callo's decision ensured that he would never have to seek employment from outside of the music business again!

While in Kingston, Garnet renewed his close links with his pals TONY REBEL and YASUS AFARI, and with other members of the Mandeville crew who had by now moved to the capital city to try and make a breakthrough as recording artistes. Callo quickly made arrangements with his old time friend, producer Cleveland Brownie who was now at the forefront of music production, working with producer Steelie at the Mixing Lab studio, and gaining worldwide recognition as Steelie and Cleevie.

Callo reminded Cleevie about the little DJ Bimbo whom he had worked with years before at Music Mountain studios and informed him that he was now singing. Callo persuaded Cleevie to give Garnet a try in the studios. the rest as they said - is history! Garnet went on and auditioned at the Music lab studios for producers Steelie & Cleevie who were so impressed with him that they immediately signed him to the label. Cleevie knew that Callo was a good judge of talent and was grateful that he had recommended garnet to the studios.

Callo recalls. "Garnet wanted to sign the contract as Garnet Smith, but Steelie& Cleevie had a sense of savvy and a lot of foresight, and they showed it when they convinced Garnet that his voice was too sweet and smooth for him to be known as Garnet Smith. As far as they were concerned, Garnet's voice was as smooth as silk and instantly they christened him Garnet Silk". For Garnet the opportunity cold not have come at a more appropriate time as he related to Callo about the night after the audition when Steelie & Cleevie came to his home with the contract. "He was staying with Tony Rebel at the time and that very night they were wondering what they were going to eat because all they had was some callalloo and their last pound of rice because everybody was broke, stone broke, and they were wondering where the next meal was coming from". Steelie & Cleevie presented him with a contract and a cheque for JA$20,000 as an advance for him to record for them. Garnet also revealed to Callo that he managed to get Steelie & Cleevie to give him a small cash advance so that he could buy some food to eat that night, and advance the dynamic producers never bothered to ask him to repay.

Garnet's first recording for Steelie & Cleevie was a cover of the Whitney Houston classic 'You fill me up' which failed to make any impact on the charts, but by this time word was rapidly spreading fast and wide about the 'hot' new singer who Steelie & Cleevie has discovered. Garnet was now linking up with many of the major artistes and musicians who were all impressed with his vibes, and the raw beauty and emotion of his voice. Soon, Garnet started gaining popularity on the blossoming dancehall circuit making impromptu appearances at stage shows and giving performances with top Sound Systems who started to ask him to record 'specials' and dub plates for them.

He always kept close in touch with his friend Callo who he regarded as his personal confidante, and he called on Callo's experience for advice on most aspects of his career. "During one such visit, he confided to me that Yasus Afari had arranged a session for him to voice some tunes for producer Courtney Cole and he wanted my advice on what to do and what songs to sing. At the time Garnet had just began writing lyrics for himself and he always wanted my opinion as to whether they were 'ready' to be recorded. I went on to advise him to record only cover versions for that label because I wasn't sure that the market was ready for any original music from a new artiste even though I was really impressed with some of the songs he was trying to write". Garnet went on to record 'Seven Spanish Angels' for producer Cole's Roof International label, and he also recorded 'I can see clearly now' in combination with Yasus Afari for the Ocho Rios based label.

The records quickly started getting a lot of airplays, giving garnet his first major breakthrough in the local charts. It was also around this time that Garnet recorded 'Let it Flow' and 'Satisfaction' for Callo which was released on his Rhythm Track label, also gaining a lot of airplays. by now Garnet was writing songs fluently and expressed a desire to Callo that he wanted to record some of them. Callo directed him to up and coming producer Bobby Digital for whom he recorded 'It's Growing', and it was then that Garnet teamed up with songwriter Anthony Rochester with whom he penned several songs including 'Place in Your Heart', 'Fill us with your Mercy', 'Zion in a Vision' and 'Keep them Talking' among others. These releases received lots of airplay and started to spread his name and he started recording prolifically for various labels including Bobby Digital, Jammys, Top Ranking and Startrail - for whom he recorded 'Jah Jah is the Ruler' and the anthem 'mamma Africa' which soon started to make an impact overseas.

The journey for Garnet continued as his popularity just kept growing as the hits came flooding out, and in no time Garnet had become a household name in Jamaica - with young music fans hailing him as 'the next Bob Marley' - inspired by his cultural messages and his sweet, soulful, harmonic vocals.

For Callo and those close to him, it was becoming evident that the world was witnessing the arrival of an artiste whose time had come, and it was no surprise when the international scene started opening up for garnet as 'mamma Africa' and his other songs started getting exposure on radio stations and Sound Systems in the USA, Canada and the UK, and even as far away as Japan -- and soon the offers for shows and appearances abroad started pouring in.

During this time, Garnet also took time to move his young family from the hustle and bustle of Pembroke Hall and down town Kingston, to the more peaceful and milder environs of Jack's Hill. In 1992 Garnet was signed to Atlantic Records who recognised his potential as an international star, and he launched himself into an energetic schedule of appearances. It was during one of these appearances at The Ritz in New York that Garnet fell ill and had to be rushed to the hospital emergency ward after complaining about fainting spells while performing on stage,

He was diagnosed as suffering from exhaustion, and he immediately returned to Jamaica to relax and chill for a while as he recovered from his mystery illness and took time off for himself to recuperate in Ocho Rios and in the cool mountains of St Ann. Garnet missed all the major shows and big music festivals during 1983 while he was regaining his strength, and he continued writing new songs for the exciting chapter in his career which was about to open up for him.

Disappointments continued to plague Garnet, and when he visited London to do a series of live performances he found himself in the middle of a dispute between rival promoters, with the end result being that he was kidnapped and held ransom by one of the promoters in a bizarre episode. However, the incident and the media coverage it received added further to his growing mystique and reputation as the rising star of Jamaican music.

A recuperated Garnet eventually returned to the studio in 1994 and recorded a new generation of original songs including 'Piano', 'Wicked', 'Red Natty Dread', and 'Every Knee Shall Bow' as he continued to record for Callo, finishing off some songs which they had started to write many years before. Garnet also returned to live performances including both Sum Fest and Sun Splash where he gave one of his stellar performances and earned 5 encores and rave reviews in the international media. he was now starting to assume the position as the #1 singer in Jamaica, and his infectious charisma and mysterious persona, ignited to create a performer destined to be enshrined as a folk hero, and whose adventurous life tossed up many epic experiences including the time when he was kidnapped in Kingston by gunmen. That night Garnet was driving through one of the rougher neighbourhoods when he and a companion was accosted by gunmen who demanded that they got out of the car and hand over all the money and jewellery that they had in their possession. the robbers were about to shoot him and his companion in a gully when there was a flash of lightening and the assailants recognised the singer who they idolised. The ‘would be’ robbers apologetically returned all the money and the jewellery that they had earlier snatched. But as was typical of him, Garnet pardoned them and ended up taking their phone numbers for future reference if he could in any way help them. He even went as far as to give them a fair portion of the money among themselves as he sympathised with their desperation, one he experienced himself not so long before. It was typical of Garnet's love for his people and his fellow man and the level vibes he displayed at all times. It endeared him to all and sundry who knew him and who noted his emergence. Everyone sensed that Garnet Silk was ordained to play a major role in the new era of reggae music.

Garnet's growing fame brought some modest financial rewards and he instantly launched himself into one of his lifelong dreams - to build his mother a new house to replace the cramped one room structure which they had lived in, and in which many of his siblings, family members and their off springs still found shelter. But despite his immense and growing popularity, Garnet did not seem his usual bubbly self when Callo saw him around this time.

"He seemed disturbed. He was disappointed at the way progress of the building had been delayed because of the mysterious disappearance of materials he had provided, and he decided to take matters in his own hands and supervise the building process himself. He was carrying a little Bible and quoting from it, explaining that he had a vision that he should stop singing and start preaching and just talk the word, because he was becoming disenchanted with life and the system. He said he wanted to find an alternative way of earning a living like doing some farming or running a business as a means of supporting his family.

He was convinced that his destiny was to deliver the message, and the even if he had to stand at the street corners and preach, he was determined to get the message across to the youth and anyone who would take the time to listen. Garnet had immersed himself fully in the Rastafarian faith and was deeply searching into himself, and it was during this time that his chanting style became more pronounced and he started to include more and more biblical references and quotes in his lyrics."

FOR GARNET, SERVING JAH WAS HIS NEW FOUND MISSION IN LIFE AND HIS STAGE APPEARANCES AND NEW SONGS HAD STARTED TO TAKE ON A MORE SPIRITUAL ASPECT, WHILE HIS AURA GLOWED BEFORE A NEW GENERATION OF MUSIC FANS WHO WERE ALL SITTING AND WAITING FOR THE 'MESSIAH' TO TAKE OVER.

THEY WERE WAITING ON A LEADER TO LEAD THE JOURNEY OF REGGAE MUSIC INTO A NEW ERA OF SPIRITUALITY AND MUSICAL HEIGHTS!

THEY WERE WAITING ON GARNET.