Leroy Smart, recognized for his command of love songs as well as roots material, first appeared on the reggae circuit in the early 1970s. Raised at Kingston's Alpha Catholic Boys Home, he launched his recording career during that same period. Work with producers such as Gussie Clarke, Joe Joe Hookin, and Bunny Lee brought him notice for an extravagant stage presence, a deeply tormented vocal approach, and an incisive singing technique. His powerful voice frequently seemed poised to fracture under the strain of anxiety and conviction partway through a performance. Smart has kept his standing intact ever since, without registering any crossover or international hits yet still commanding loyalty from Jamaica's notoriously unpredictable listeners.