Biography
Bridgeport, Connecticut, serves as the base for the reggae group Anthem, an act entirely separate from the Japanese heavy metal band that used the identical name during the 1980s. Formed in 1996, Anthem avoids strict traditionalist approaches and instead pursues a crossover sound reminiscent of Caribbean Pulse, Third World, and Steel Pulse. The Connecticut musicians draw heavily from urban contemporary, pop, and adult contemporary traditions, resulting in several tracks that forgo any reggae rhythm and instead deliver R&B or pop material sung with Jamaican vocal inflections. Even so, Caribbean elements typically surface, confirming that crossover reggae remains the ensemble’s central orientation.
Although Connecticut is seldom associated with reggae origins—most leading figures having emerged from Jamaica or, secondarily, England, the birthplace of Aswad, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Steel Pulse—the United States nonetheless sustains notable reggae activity, particularly in regions that have drawn substantial Caribbean immigration. Anthem itself blends Jamaican-born members with musicians raised in the United States. Among those born in Jamaica are lead vocalist Rob Williams, keyboardist and background vocalist Donald Rose, and guitarist and background vocalist Courtney “Coozie” Mellers. The Mellers family contributes additional personnel: Carey Mellers on keyboards and background vocals and Jermaine Mellers on bass and background vocals, both nephews of Courtney Mellers. Outside Anthem, Courtney Mellers has produced recordings for Sugar Minott, Max Romeo, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and other prominent reggae artists.
One United States–born member is drummer Leslie Ming, born November 17, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. A seasoned session musician, Ming has supported Evelyn “Champagne” King, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, the O’Jays, Randy Crawford, Gladys Knight, and numerous other major R&B performers. He previously belonged to the Brooklyn-based disco-funk band B.T. Express, which operated in the 1970s and 1980s alongside Brass Construction, Mass Production, and the Crown Heights Affair. B.T. Express achieved several major hits, among them “Do It ’Till You’re Satisfied,” “Express,” “Shout It Out,” “Give It What You Got,” and “Can’t Stop Groovin’ Now, Wanna Do It Some More.”
Anthem entered into a recording agreement with Mack Avenue Records in 2003. Although primarily recognized for jazz releases, the label has also issued material by non-jazz artists. The band recorded the album Are You Ready?, produced by Eric Schilling, whose prior work encompasses Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and Shakira. Are You Ready? appeared in February 2004.
Although Connecticut is seldom associated with reggae origins—most leading figures having emerged from Jamaica or, secondarily, England, the birthplace of Aswad, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Steel Pulse—the United States nonetheless sustains notable reggae activity, particularly in regions that have drawn substantial Caribbean immigration. Anthem itself blends Jamaican-born members with musicians raised in the United States. Among those born in Jamaica are lead vocalist Rob Williams, keyboardist and background vocalist Donald Rose, and guitarist and background vocalist Courtney “Coozie” Mellers. The Mellers family contributes additional personnel: Carey Mellers on keyboards and background vocals and Jermaine Mellers on bass and background vocals, both nephews of Courtney Mellers. Outside Anthem, Courtney Mellers has produced recordings for Sugar Minott, Max Romeo, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and other prominent reggae artists.
One United States–born member is drummer Leslie Ming, born November 17, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. A seasoned session musician, Ming has supported Evelyn “Champagne” King, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, the O’Jays, Randy Crawford, Gladys Knight, and numerous other major R&B performers. He previously belonged to the Brooklyn-based disco-funk band B.T. Express, which operated in the 1970s and 1980s alongside Brass Construction, Mass Production, and the Crown Heights Affair. B.T. Express achieved several major hits, among them “Do It ’Till You’re Satisfied,” “Express,” “Shout It Out,” “Give It What You Got,” and “Can’t Stop Groovin’ Now, Wanna Do It Some More.”
Anthem entered into a recording agreement with Mack Avenue Records in 2003. Although primarily recognized for jazz releases, the label has also issued material by non-jazz artists. The band recorded the album Are You Ready?, produced by Eric Schilling, whose prior work encompasses Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and Shakira. Are You Ready? appeared in February 2004.
Albums
