Anthony Red Rose

Born Anthony Cameron around 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica, the vocalist initially performed under Red Rose because Michael Rose had already used the name Tony Rose. In 1985 he cut the first successful single to emerge from King Tubby’s freshly opened studio; titled “Tempo,” the track followed the Waterhouse style that Tenor Saw had brought to prominence, and Tenor Saw’s own “Fever” closely mirrored the arrangement. Subsequent scattered successes included “Reminisce,” which featured ethereal harmonies by Brian And Tony Gold, along with “Vanity Rush,” “Babylon Be Still,” and “Not Ready For My Loving.” By 1994 combination records such as “Gun Talk,” issued beside Tony Rebel’s “You A Mi Heart” and spotlighting the rising DJ Merciless, “Ragga Reggae” with Don Youth, and “Never Get” that again featured Anthony Malvo had begun to surface; Malvo also appeared with Red Rose on Cobra’s “Rumours” and Prezident Brown’s “Red Alert.” The American edition of Family Man received widespread praise. Jungle’s growing audience prompted a fresh wave of interest when “Tempo” was reworked at accelerated speed. While still delivering dancehall material, Red Rose turned increasingly to production, forming a partnership with Anthony Malvo under the How Yu Fi Seh Dat? and RR&M imprints. Together they oversaw their own vocal sides as well as charting cuts for Beenie Man (“Name Brand”) and Red Dragon (“Sweet Heart”). In 1995 the pair guided Simpleton’s “Quarter To Twelve” to hit status; the rhythm spawned multiple versions and yielded the various-artists set Quarter To Twelve, which collected contributions from Beenie Man, Cobra, and Snagga Puss. The collection first appeared in typical dancehall format—vinyl pressings without artwork. The following year they repeated their success with Red Dragon’s “Explode Gal,” helping restore the deejay’s standing after his earlier pop-leaning collaboration with Brian And Tony Gold. Demonstrating further range, Red Rose and Malvo also supplied Brown Sugar with the lovers-rock gem “Sensimilla Babe,” a marijuana-themed tribute.