Al Campbell

Alphonso "Al" Campbell, born on August 31, 1954, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a veteran reggae singer whose career began in church, singing to raise funds under the guidance of his preacher father. As a teenager, he formed the vocal group The Thrillers, recording in the late 1960s for Studio One alongside classmates like Lloyd James (Prince Jammy). Campbell briefly collaborated with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, later joining Prince Lincoln Thompson's Royal Rasses and the Mighty Cloud band. He then embarked on a solo career, contributing vocals to two Heptones albums, and became a prominent roots reggae singer in the 1970s, recording for producers including Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs, and at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark studio. His 1975 single “Gee Baby” was a hit in both Jamaica and the UK. Campbell successfully adapted to early dancehall and lovers rock in the late 1970s and 1980s, working with producers such as Linval Thompson. His 1980 recording “Late Night Blues” became a blues-party staple, and he performed with the Stur-Gav sound system in the early 1980s. Over the years, he continued recording with King Jammy, Philip “Fatis” Burrell, and Mafia & Fluxy, maintaining his relevance across reggae subgenres. In 1997, Campbell joined Cornell Campbell and Jimmy Riley to revive The Uniques, releasing a self-titled album in 1999. Although he has not performed in Jamaica since a stageshow with Jack Ruby shortly before the latter’s death, Campbell continues to tour extensively across Europe and North America, sustaining his long-standing influence in the reggae music scene.