Biography
Originating from Hellshire Beach in St. Catherine, Jamaica, the Jolly Brothers featured core members Winston Edwards, Clevian Lewis, and Willis Gordon. Like many Jamaican vocal ensembles, the lineup occasionally included additional voices, with both Hendrick Nicholson and Lennox Miller receiving credits for their contributions. Their first studio work took place in 1978 at Black Ark Studio under Lee Perry, who issued the tracks ‘Colour’ and ‘Conscious Man’. The latter crossed over to Britain via the recently established Ballistic imprint, an offshoot of United Artists Records. The singers’ sweet harmonies paired with Perry’s relaxed approach brought widespread praise and a global hit. Ballistic’s Mo Claridge responded by asking Perry to cut more material intended for a full album, yet a disagreement halted those plans. Claridge then enlisted King Jammy to helm six discomix sides that appeared on Consciousness; although ‘Conscious Man’ was included, the Perry dispute meant Tony J. received producer credit. The remaining cuts—among them ‘I Moved Your Picture’, ‘Live The Life You Love’, and ‘Get Up Little Girl’—were Jammy productions. By 1980 the group had returned to its origins and, despite scattered releases on Seven Leaves, faded from view. In 1993 the Roots label obtained the original Perry masters and issued an album containing ‘Colour’, ‘Cool Down’, and ‘Brotherly Love’, the last listed as featuring ‘Henri’ Nicholson. Release of those 1970s recordings might have elevated the Jolly Brothers to the stature long accorded the Congos.
Albums