Biography
Winston Evans first drew breath around 1964 in Jamaica. The initial glimpse most listeners caught of the roots enigma arrived through an uncredited spot on Channel 4’s 1982 Deep Roots broadcast, where he wrung Horace Andy-inflected vocals from the tormented lines of “Where Do The Children Play” alongside DJ Bobby Culture during a live Jack Ruby Hi Fi session. Jack Ruby oversaw the singer’s first release, “Little Children No Cry,” yet the track stirred no further studio interest. Evans next entered Joe Gibbs’ Retirement Crescent facility and cut “Bandulu,” which likewise left little trace. Recognition finally arrived once Prince Jazzbo opened the doors of his Ujama imprint, a concern known for championing artists bypassed by other producers. Those sessions yielded the roots favorites “Mr User” and “Blood Sucker,” each securing modest but devoted listeners across the UK. Although never especially prolific, Evans entered a brief flurry of activity toward the close of the decade, issuing the off-kilter cowboy reworking “In Texas Town” in 1987—a take on the Cajun staple “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)”—followed the same year by the apocalyptic “Babylon” for Augustus Pablo’s Rockers label, then “Cool Down Sufferer” in 1989 for Tesfa McDonald, and “Jah Calling All Over The World” in 1990 for Cashima Steel’s Creation label, the latter also supplying an as-yet-unreleased album. A separate body of recordings was laid down for Finnish producer Tero Kaski, though only “Resign Babylon” from 1994 has surfaced. Another stretch of quiet ended in 1993 with the arrival of Glory To The King on Jah Shaka’s King Of The Zulu Tribe imprint.
Albums
Singles
