Biography
Lowell Fillmore Dunbar, known professionally as Sly Dunbar, established the core elements of Jamaica's drumming tradition through his pioneering technique. As half of the Riddim Twins alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, he supplied the rhythm section and production for numerous reggae acts such as Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, the Mighty Diamonds, and U-Roy, while also collaborating with international artists including Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Ian Dury, Herbie Hancock, Maxi Priest, Cindy Lauper, Carly Simon, KRS-One, and Queen Latifah. The duo's own release Friends earned a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1999. Dunbar has issued four solo projects: Simply Sly Man in 1976, Sly, Wicked and Slick in 1977, Sly Go Ville in 1982, and the 1997 album Reggae Drumsplash, which surveys Jamaican rhythms via 843 sampled loops. Keyboard Magazine observed that Dunbar's electro/acoustic shuffles and stomps remain second to none.
His initial spark for drumming came from observing Lloyd Knibbs with the Skatalites on television. In a 1997 interview he stated, "I saw (Knibbs) playing and I thought, 'I want to be a drummer' because he's the hardest worker in the band. He's my idol! In some ways, I'm self-taught but I got a lot of help from other drummers by watching them play." Reportedly nicknamed for his devotion to Sly & the Family Stone, Dunbar entered music in his teens, joining the Yardbrooms at age 15. His first recording appeared in 1969 on Dave and Ansell Collins' album Double Barrel, after which he performed with Ansell Collins in Skin, Flesh and Bones.
Dunbar met Robbie Shakespeare, then bassist for the Hippy Boys, in 1972, beginning a lifelong partnership. When Shakespeare needed a drummer recommendation for producer Bunny Lee's Aggrevators session, he selected Dunbar. The pair then committed to ongoing collaboration. Their breakthrough arrived with Peter Tosh's 1976 album Legalize It! They remained with Tosh's band through 1979, contributing to Equal Rights, Bush Doctor, Mystic Man, and Wanted: Dread And Alive while producing the 1978 hit duet "(Keep On Walking) Don't Look Back" with Mick Jagger. Legend holds that the duo subsisted on bread and water during Tosh tours to fund their own venture. Their determination succeeded. After departing Tosh, Dunbar and Shakespeare created Taxi Productions and the studio ensemble The Taxi All-Stars, whose initial effort yielded Gregory Isaacs' Jamaican number-one single "Soon Forward."
Their longest-running association has been with Black Uhuru, involving tours and six albums: Showcase, Red, Sinsemilla, Chill Out, Anthem, and Dub Factor. Early work with non-Jamaican performers included Grace Jones' Warm Leatherette in 1980, Nightclubbing in 1981, and Living My Life in 1982. In 1997 Dunbar and Shakespeare produced the chart-topping "Dancehall Queen" for Beenie Man and Chevell Franklyn.
His initial spark for drumming came from observing Lloyd Knibbs with the Skatalites on television. In a 1997 interview he stated, "I saw (Knibbs) playing and I thought, 'I want to be a drummer' because he's the hardest worker in the band. He's my idol! In some ways, I'm self-taught but I got a lot of help from other drummers by watching them play." Reportedly nicknamed for his devotion to Sly & the Family Stone, Dunbar entered music in his teens, joining the Yardbrooms at age 15. His first recording appeared in 1969 on Dave and Ansell Collins' album Double Barrel, after which he performed with Ansell Collins in Skin, Flesh and Bones.
Dunbar met Robbie Shakespeare, then bassist for the Hippy Boys, in 1972, beginning a lifelong partnership. When Shakespeare needed a drummer recommendation for producer Bunny Lee's Aggrevators session, he selected Dunbar. The pair then committed to ongoing collaboration. Their breakthrough arrived with Peter Tosh's 1976 album Legalize It! They remained with Tosh's band through 1979, contributing to Equal Rights, Bush Doctor, Mystic Man, and Wanted: Dread And Alive while producing the 1978 hit duet "(Keep On Walking) Don't Look Back" with Mick Jagger. Legend holds that the duo subsisted on bread and water during Tosh tours to fund their own venture. Their determination succeeded. After departing Tosh, Dunbar and Shakespeare created Taxi Productions and the studio ensemble The Taxi All-Stars, whose initial effort yielded Gregory Isaacs' Jamaican number-one single "Soon Forward."
Their longest-running association has been with Black Uhuru, involving tours and six albums: Showcase, Red, Sinsemilla, Chill Out, Anthem, and Dub Factor. Early work with non-Jamaican performers included Grace Jones' Warm Leatherette in 1980, Nightclubbing in 1981, and Living My Life in 1982. In 1997 Dunbar and Shakespeare produced the chart-topping "Dancehall Queen" for Beenie Man and Chevell Franklyn.
Albums
Singles
