Country: Jamaica
The Techniques were a Jamaican rocksteady vocal group formed in 1962 by Winston Riley while still at school. The original lineup included Riley, Slim Smith, Franklyn White, and Frederick Waite. The group first performed at Edward Seaga's Chocomo Lawn club, where talent scouts from Columbia Records discovered them, releasing their first single, "No One," in the United Kingdom in 1963. Their Jamaican debut came in 1965 when singer Stranger Cole introduced them to producer Duke Reid. Under Reid, they released hits such as "Don't Leave Me," "When You Are Wrong," and "Little Did You Know." Slim Smith left in 1966 to pursue a solo career and later formed The Uniques with Franklyn White, and he was replaced by Pat Kelly. The transition from ska to rocksteady suited the group, and they scored several hits in 1967 and 1968, including "You Don't Care," "Queen Majesty," "I Wish It Would Rain," "It's You I Love," and "Love Is Not a Gamble." In 1968, The Techniques left Reid's Treasure Isle label, with Riley establishing his own Techniques record label, which released both the group's recordings and his productions for other artists. The lineup frequently changed over the years, with Riley as the only constant member. Other members in the late 1960s included Lloyd Parks, Bruce Ruffin, and Dave Barker, while Pat Kelly returned briefly to record lead vocals on "What Am I To Do?" Riley went on to become one of Jamaica’s most successful producers in the 1980s. Several former members also found individual success: Kelly and Ruffin pursued solo careers, Parks became a prolific session musician and solo artist, Barker achieved fame as part of Dave & Ansell Collins, and Waite moved to the UK to manage the band Musical Youth, which included his sons. The Techniques were briefly revived in 1982…
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