Cornell Campbell

b. 1948
Kingston, Jamaica

One of Jamaica's most distinctive falsetto voices, Cornell Campbell has been a reggae hitmaker for years, but has somehow never been bigger than his last record. He first recorded for Studio One in the ska era during the early 60s, both solo and as part of a duo with Alan Martin. After a three-year gap he re-emerged in 1967 as a member of the Uniques, a popular but short-lived vocal group that also featured the exceptional falsetto of Smith, Slim (Reggae).

By 1969 Cornell was leading his own group, the Eternals, and was back at Studio One recording hits with 'Queen Of The Minstrels' and 'Stars'. In 1971 he began a long association with producer Lee, Bunny, re-recording his Eternals hits solo and sounding better than ever. By 1974 Campbell was second only to Clarke, Johnny in Lee's large stable, singing largely in the lovers rock style. His debut, Cornell Campbell (1973), was a shoddy affair despite the excellence of the music; the front cover featured an ice-cream cone (no picture of the singer was available) and Campbell did not even hear of its existence until 1977. In 1975 he changed his approach, becoming a rasta singer as befitted his appearance, and immediately Campbell's stock increased: 'Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm', the superb 'Natural Fact' and 'Dance In A Greenwich Farm' were all considerable Jamaican hits. The latter formed the title of his second album. A series of 'gorgon' records, with Campbell declaring himself 'the gorgon (ruler) of dis yah dance' set up another string of hits, as did 'Boxing', a brutal and much-covered record for Gibbs, Joe. He also intermittently returned to Studio One for one-off singles.

When his popularity began to wane in 1977, Campbell returned to love songs with 'The Investigator', a consummate piece of lovers rock. By 1980, however, the joint creativity of Campbell and Lee had run its course and the duo parted company, reputedly acrimoniously. Campbell drifted from producer to producer until the mid-80s, when he became only an occasional visitor to Kingston's studios, occasionally arriving at Waterhouse to make records with King Jammy or King Tubby. Since that time, only sporadic releases have increased the Campbell catalogue.

-- Courtesy (Encyclopedia of Popular Music) --

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