The Chantells

The Chantells were a Jamaican reggae vocal trio active in the latter half of the 1970s, consisting of Samuel Bramwell, Tommy Thomas, and Lloyd Forrester. They began recording in 1975 with producers Duke Reid and Clive Hunt, and their most notable work came through collaborations with Roy Francis on his Phase One label. Their soulful, harmony-driven sound produced singles like “True Born African” and “Children of Jah”, as well as their only album, Waiting in the Park (1978), which featured Jah Berry and U Brown. The group was usually backed by The Revolutionaries or Lloyd Parks’ band Skin, Flesh and Bones, with engineering by King Tubby and Scientist. Their single “How Can I Get Over”, released by Sonia Pottinger on High Note, was a major success and later featured on Heartbeat Records compilations. Despite their early promise, the Chantells disbanded in 1979. Vocalist Sam Bramwell pursued a solo career with producer Donovan Germain, recording roots reggae favorites such as “It Aggo Dread Inna Babylon”, “Effort in Yourself”, and “Ruling Time”, which remain staples on sound systems worldwide, especially in the UK. Tragically, Bramwell was killed in 1985 during a failed robbery in Kingston, cutting short his influential career. In recent years, the Chantells’ work has been preserved and celebrated through several compilations, cementing their legacy as innovative roots reggae and dub artists. Notable releases include The Chantells & Friends – Children of Jah 1977-1979 (1999) by Blood and Fire and The Sound of Phase One (2002) by Motion Records. Their recordings continue to be appreciated for their originality, soulful harmonies, and contribution to the rockers reggae era.