Black Slate

Black Slate came together in London during 1974, drawing musicians from several different nations. Originally London natives, keyboardist George Brightly and bassist Elroy Bailey joined forces with three Jamaicans—vocalist Keith Drummond, guitarist Chris Hanson, and drummer Desmond Mahoney—while rhythm guitarist Cledwyn Rogers arrived from Anguilla. Their first professional breaks arrived through supporting visiting Jamaican performers, including Delroy Wilson. By 1976 the band had reached the U.K. reggae charts with “Sticks Man,” then scored two further successes in 1980 with “Boom Boom” and “Amigo.” Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s Black Slate stood alongside acts such as Steel Pulse as a leading exponent of British reggae, yet the group produced no new material after the middle of the decade.