The Folkes Brothers

Gathering at Prince Buster’s studio, the Folkes brothers—Michael, John, and Eric—joined Count Ossie’s drumming ensemble, pianist Owen Gray, and vocalist Skitter to lay down a landmark of Jamaican music. Earning the one-hit-wonder label often invites disdain, yet one-record-wonder status counts as genuine distinction. The Jamaican acts who produced a lone flawless track before disappearing, thereby shielding an unblemished legacy from later misfires, can be counted on one hand. The Folkes Brothers belong to that select group: in 1961 or early 1962 they cut ‘Oh Carolina’, an unmatched and flawless single, then never resurfaced. Count Ossie’s Rastafarian drummers drive the track with thunderous, intricate African cross-rhythms, while Gray’s piano supplies a contrasting American-styled backdrop and the Brothers deliver the vocals through soulful lead Skitter backed by two lighter-voiced male accompanists. In 1993 an updated version of ‘Oh Carolina’ topped the UK charts for ragga singer Shaggy.