Trinity

During the roots reggae era Trinity ranked among Jamaica’s foremost DJs, blanketing sound systems with countless versions and complete albums. He was born Wade Brammer in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 10, 1954, and received his schooling at the historic Alpha School for Boys. He first recorded under the name Prince Glen, cutting his debut sides for Winston Edwards in 1974, several of them alongside his close friend Dillinger. Channel One producer Jo Jo Hookim later gave the young toaster the name Trinity. For that label he laid down several well-received tracks, the standout being “Hang on Sloopy.” His sessions with Yabby You carried even greater weight, as “Words of the Prophet,” “Tradition,” and “How Long Jah” climbed both Jamaican and U.K. reggae charts. The full-length Shanty Town Determination appeared next, while Clem Bushay’s split Clash album pairing Trinity with Dillinger also surfaced in 1976.

From that point Trinity recorded for virtually every producer who approached him. “Three Meals a Day” and “Pomps & Pride” enjoyed strong Jamaican sales, whereas “Tribal War,” “Ready Done,” and “Internal Feeling” succeeded both at home and overseas. Bunny Lee produced the equally popular “Up Town Girl,” which supplied the title for Trinity’s 1977 album, issued in the U.K. as Side Kiks. Joe Gibbs, however, helmed Trinity’s signature hit “Three Piece Suit,” which named another full-length release. Althea & Donna answered with the pointed “Uptown Top Ranking,” a British number one. Trinity kept the momentum going when Yabby You’s productions “Z-90” and “Lively Tribulation,” together with the Dillinger collaboration “Jesus Dread,” reached the U.K. charts in 1978, joined by the popular “Starsky & Hutch” and “Taille de Banana.” Bunny Lee added Dreadlocks Satisfaction to the year’s output, while Gussie Clarke delivered a Showcase. Jo Jo Hookim meanwhile supervised the tongue-in-cheek clash album Three Piece Chicken & Chips, matching Trinity against Ranking Trevor. The DJ still found time to self-produce At His Toasting Best.

Sir Percy enjoyed success with Trinity’s “Pain Come Back,” Alvin Ranglin teamed the DJ with Gregory Isaacs on the hit “Chunnie No. 1,” and also produced the 1979 album African Revolution. Trinity next collaborated with the Mighty Diamonds on the aptly named Trinity Meets the Mighty Diamonds. Linval Thompson drew two strong albums from the DJ, 1979’s Rock in the Ghetto and 1980’s Have a Little Faith. Trinity’s “Eventide Home” proved timely, yet fatigue was beginning to set in. Even so, 1981’s Bad Card and Full House remained solid efforts, though the next project did not surface until the self-produced Teen Jam in 1983. Singles continued under Roy Francis, Jammys, and George Phang among others, but the 1985 compilation Best of Trinity felt like a closing statement. The following year the toaster briefly sang on Telephone Line, then reclaimed his original moniker for 1987’s Hold Your Corner. Trinity has also occasionally produced, guiding notable records by Natty King and Luciano. Although his visibility later declined, Trinity never vanished entirely, and the lasting impact of his roots-era work makes any complete disappearance improbable.