Carroll Thompson

Born in 1960 in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, England, Thompson developed her vocal abilities through school and church choirs yet initially pursued studies aimed at the pharmaceuticals sector. During the mid-1970s she contributed backing vocals across several UK recording studios after securing a place in the short-lived disco outfit Sugar Cane, an abandoned project by Frank Farian intended to dominate the genre. Session work followed for assorted UK reggae artists alongside Imagination and soca performer Norma White. Launching a solo path, she reached the top of the reggae chart twice by 1981 with the Itals-issued singles “I’m Sorry” and “Simply In Love.” At the 1982 GLR Reggae Awards she received dual honors as best female performer while “Hopelessly In Love” was named best song. Continued visibility came via “Smiling In The Morning” on Excaliber and the S&G releases “Your Love” and “Hopelessly Without You,” on which she also took a production role; her harmony singer Saffrice issued “Dreaming Of Your Love” through the same imprint. An arrangement with Red Bus ensued after S&G could not supply sufficient promotion, yet the ensuing singles “Just A Little Bit” and “A Happy Song” drew negative press reaction, causing the ballads to stall and the deal to end quickly. Output remained steady into 1983, bringing another Voice citation plus a second GLR listeners’ poll victory as top female vocalist, plus duet recordings with Sugar Minott on “Make It With You” and Trevor Walters on “Love Won’t Let Us Wait.” Further solo successes encompassed “Honest I Do,” “Give Me A Chance,” and “You Make It Heaven.” Activity slowed by 1984, though “Baby Be True” still achieved a respectable chart position; she sustained visibility through strong showings at the GLR Reggae Awards and the fifth Black Echoes Awards. Collaboration with the funk ensemble Total Contrast yielded “Apple Of My Eye” in 1985. In 1990 she supplied lead vocals for a joint Aswad and Courtney Pine production of Diana Ross’s “I’m Still Waiting,” which registered low on the UK chart, and appeared as featured vocalist on Movement 98’s UK-charting tracks “Joy And Heartbreak” and “Sunrise.” Four years later she joined Alton Ellis, Prince Lincoln, Justin Hinds, Dennis Alcapone, and Owen Gray for a Gene Rondo memorial concert.