Biography
Roydell Johnson first saw the light of day on 12 April 1943 in Kendal, Hanover, Jamaica, West Indies. Early on he performed alongside Ras Michael And The Sons Of Negus and the Rightful Brothers. Big Youth and producer Trevor Douglas later connected him with Cedric Myton, the former Tartans singer, whose falsetto paired seamlessly with Johnson’s tenor to create an ideal vocal match. In 1975 the pair began working together as the Congos. The next year Lee Perry produced their opening single, ‘At The Feast’, which led to sessions for the landmark Heart Of The Congos. Recorded with baritone Watty Burnett, the album appeared in 1977 on Perry’s Black Ark imprint.
By 1980 the original Congos had disbanded and each member had turned to solo work. Johnson issued his first effort under the name Congo Ashanti Roy, Sign Of The Star, on Pre, the same label that released Gregory Isaacs’ classic Lonely Lover. Love songs styled after Isaacs filled the set, yet it failed to stir comparable excitement. A warmly received concert with Prince Far I, who had produced Johnson’s solo debut, helped promote the record. Buoyed by the praise, Johnson moved ahead with a follow-up tracked in Jamaica with the Roots Radics and in the UK with Undivided Roots. Highlights included ‘Roadblock’, ‘Give It To The Postman’ and the poignant ‘Sweet Love’. In later decades he maintained a modest profile in the music world. He rejoined Myton and Burnett in 1997 for a one-off Congos appearance at New York’s SOB’s club, and in 2004 the trio revealed plans for a world tour.
By 1980 the original Congos had disbanded and each member had turned to solo work. Johnson issued his first effort under the name Congo Ashanti Roy, Sign Of The Star, on Pre, the same label that released Gregory Isaacs’ classic Lonely Lover. Love songs styled after Isaacs filled the set, yet it failed to stir comparable excitement. A warmly received concert with Prince Far I, who had produced Johnson’s solo debut, helped promote the record. Buoyed by the praise, Johnson moved ahead with a follow-up tracked in Jamaica with the Roots Radics and in the UK with Undivided Roots. Highlights included ‘Roadblock’, ‘Give It To The Postman’ and the poignant ‘Sweet Love’. In later decades he maintained a modest profile in the music world. He rejoined Myton and Burnett in 1997 for a one-off Congos appearance at New York’s SOB’s club, and in 2004 the trio revealed plans for a world tour.