Glen Adams

Glen Adams earned early notice in the late 1960s both as a solo vocalist and through his affiliation with the Reggae Boys/Hippy Boys, though his involvement with the Pioneers dated back to an earlier point in the decade. His organ technique, simultaneously abrasive and versatile, quickly earned him regular studio work with producers Lee Perry and Bunny Lee; he was selected to join Perry’s group for the British tour that capitalized on the 1969 success of “Return of Django.” Despite the track’s promise, Perry’s follow-up “A Live Injection” failed to register on the charts, even though Adams’s contribution to the recording stood out for its striking energy. While performing with Perry’s Upsetters he supported the Wailers, yet when Bob Marley relocated the Barrett Brothers rhythm section to Island Records, Adams chose to remain with Perry. By 1973–1974 his attention had shifted toward the United States, leading him to divide increasing amounts of time in Brooklyn, where he began releasing material on his own Capo imprint. Permanent relocation to New York occurred in 1975, after which he recorded for the Clocktower and Bullwackies labels, incorporating fresh soul and funk elements into his sound. During the early 1980s he collaborated with rapper T-Ski Valley, though commercial results remained modest. Adams passed away in December 2010 at the age of 65.