Pato Banton | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Patrick Murray |
Born | Brixton, London, England | 28 January 1961
Origin | Birmingham, England |
Genres | Reggae |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1980s–present |
Labels | Fashion, Ariwa, IRS |
Website | www |
Pato Banton (born Patrick Murray; 28 January 1961) is a reggae singer and toaster from Birmingham, England. [1] He received the nickname Pato Banton from his stepfather: its first name derives from the sound of a Jamaican owl calling "patoo, patoo", while its second comes from the disc jockey slang word "banton", meaning heavyweight lyricist or storyteller. [2] [3] In 1994, he achieved a number 1 on the UK Singles Chart with a cover of The Equals' "Baby, Come Back", featuring Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40.
Banton first came to public attention in the early 1980s when he worked with The Beat. [4] He recorded "Pato and Roger a Go Talk" with Ranking Roger, included on the 1982 album Special Beat Service . [5] He went on to record a series of singles for Fashion Records and Don Christie Records. [5] He was one of the guest artists that appeared on the UB40 album Baggariddim in 1985. His debu single "Hello Tosh" featured a parody on a well-know jingle. [6] [1] Banton's debut album was the 1985, Mad Professor-produced Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton, followed in 1987 by Never Give In , which included a collaboration with Paul Shaffer and a follow-up to his earlier collaboration with Ranking Roger with "Pato and Roger Come Again". [7] After an EP in 1988, Banton released a more pop-oriented LP, Visions of the World, followed by 1990's Wize Up! (No Compromise), which included a college radio hit in Spirits in the Material World (The Police cover) and another collaboration, "Wize Up!", this time with David Hinds of Steel Pulse. [5]
Banton then worked on a live album with Mad Professor, and then released 1992's Universal Love. The album featured a song covered by Banton called "United We Stand", which was written by fellow Birmingham musician Ray Watts, of the group Beshara. After a 1994 British number one hit with "Baby Come Back" (originally by Eddy Grant performing with The Equals) with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40, [5] a best-of album was released, and Banton was invited by Sting to join him on his "This Cowboy Song" single. [7] His collaboration with Reggae Revolution on a reinterpolation of the Young Rascals single "Groovin'" reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart in July and became a major hit in New Zealand, reaching number four on the RIANZ Singles Chart and staying in the top 20 for nine weeks. [8] [9] It was the country's 47th best-selling single of the year, [10] received a Gold sales certification for selling over 5,000 copies, and was featured on the soundtrack of the 1996 film Kazaam and 1998 hit Disney remake The Parent Trap . [11] 1996's Stay Positive, credited to Pato Banton & The Reggae Revolution, was followed by Life Is a Miracle in 2000. Life Is a Miracle received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in the 2001 Grammy Awards. [12]
Singles with UK Singles Charts positions [13] Baby Come Back #1 (1994) This Cowboy Song #15 (1995) * Sting (feat Pato Banton) [14] Bubblin' Hot #15 (1995) Spirits in the Material World #36 (1996) Groovin' #14 (1996)
William Anthony Maragh, also known as Super Cat, is a Jamaican deejay who achieved widespread popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement. His nickname, "Wild Apache", was given to him by his mentor Early B. Super Cat is considered one of the greatest deejays in the history of the Jamaican dancehall scene.
Neil Joseph Stephen Fraser known by his stage-name Mad Professor, is a British dub music producer, engineer and remixer. He has collaborated with reggae artists Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sly and Robbie, Pato Banton, Jah Shaka and Horace Andy, as well as artists outside the realm of traditional reggae and dub, such as Sade, Massive Attack, The Orb, Gaudi, the Brazilian DJ Marcelinho da Lua, Grace Jones, and Perry Farrell.
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"Groovin'" is a song written by the American singer songwriters Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, initially recorded by their group the Young Rascals in 1967. Cavaliere was inspired to compose the song by his girlfriend Adrienne Buccheri, whom he only got to meet every Sunday amidst heavy touring and recording. Musically, the song differs from most of band's previous output, leaving the garage rock genre for Latin American influences, such as baião. Lyrically, "Groovin'" tells the tale of a narrator spending time with his partner on a Sunday afternoon. The song was arranged and recorded at the Talentmasters Studios, New York City in March of 1967.
"Baby, Come Back" is a song by English band the Equals from their 1967 album Unequalled Equals. Written by Eddy Grant, the song was originally released as a B-side in 1966 and was later released as a single in continental Europe before being released as a single in the UK in 1968. "Baby, Come Back" charted in multiple countries, including number 1 on the Belgian, Rhodesian and UK charts in 1967 and 1968.
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Alistair Ian Campbell is an English singer and songwriter who was lead singer and co-founder of the British reggae band UB40.
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Beshara were a British reggae band from Moseley and Washwood Heath, Birmingham, that formed in 1976. The band are most notable for their 1981 lovers rock hit "Men Cry Too", which reached number 2 in the British reggae charts. Although known for their lovers rock singles, they were also very capable of recording roots reggae. This can be heard in the hymnal recording, "Glory Glory".
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