The Feb. 1 edition of Strictly Roots celebrated the music of Sly Dunbar.
The legendary drummer and producer — best known for his work with bassist Robbie Shakespeare — passed away on Jan. 26 at age 73.
If you missed it, here’s the archive.
While Dunbar’s career began in the late 1960s, it formally took off once he met Shakespeare who recommended Dunbar to producer Bunny Lee as a possible drummer for the Aggrovators, the house band Lee used for recording sessions.
In addition to Dunbar and Shakespeare, numerous musicians did spells with the Aggrovators before embarking on solo careers, including future Bob Marley band leader bassist Aston Barrett, keyboardist Jackie Mittoo and horn man Tommy McCook.
Following their time with Lee, Dunbar and Shakespeare continued working together, in the studio and on stage. They formed Taxi Records in 1980.
Dunbar, who had 13 Grammy Award nominations and won two Grammy Awards, also worked with Lee Scratch Perry’s band, the Upsetters and with the Revolutionaries, the house band for Channel One studio boss Joseph Hoo Kim.
Dunbar played drums on several noteworthy tracks produced by Perry, including “Night Doctor,” Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves” and Bob Marley & the Wailers’ “Punky Reggae Party.”
Dunbar and Shakespeare played on Bob Dylan’s “Infidels” and “Empire Burlesque. The duo also appeared on recording by Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg and the Rolling Stones.