Two-time Grammy Award-winning reggae drummer Sly Dunbar, who fueled numerous tracks from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan and was one-half of the influential reggae rhythm part Sly & Robbie, has died. He was 73.
Dunbar’s spouse, Thelma, announced the death to the Jamaica Gleaner.
Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare — Sly & Robbie, also referred to as “The Riddim Twins” — performed on reggae classics by Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh and would garner consideration removed from Jamaica, from the likes of Grace Jones and the Rolling Stones.
Sly & Robbie performed on three of Jones’ albums — “Heat Leatherette,” “Nightclubbing” and “Residing My Life” — in addition to 4 albums by Serge Gainsbourg and three by Dylan, 1983’s “Infidels,” 1985’s “Empire Burlesque” and 1988’s “Down within the Groove.”
“Phrases can not describe how heartbroken I’m to listen to of the passing of my pal and legend,” singer Ali Campbell of UB40 posted on Fb. “Modern-day beats merely wouldn’t be what they’re with out the affect of reggae and dancehall riddims that Sly single-handedly pioneered.”
“Sly & Robbie have been undisputed masters of the artwork, bringing a nuanced, unhurried and rock-solid rhythmic method,” Rolling Stone journal wrote in tribute. Shakespeare died in 2021.
Dunbar performed with the Revolutionaries, the home band for Jamaica’s Channel One studio, whereas additionally touring, and performed on Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves,” Maxi Priest’s “Simple to Love,” Dave and Ansell Collins’ basic “Double Barrel” and Marley’s “Punky Reggae Celebration.”
Nominated 13 occasions for a Grammy, he received twice — when Black Uhuru’s “Anthem” nabbed the inaugural Grammy for greatest reggae recording in 1985 and when Sly & Robbie’s “Associates” received greatest reggae album in 1999.
In 1980, Sly & Robbie co-founded Taxi Information, which has nurtured such artists as Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Skip Marley, Beenie Man and Purple Dragon.
“While you purchase a reggae document, there’s a 90% likelihood the drummer is Sly Dunbar,” producer Brian Eno advised the New Music New York pageant in 1979. “You get the impression that Sly Dunbar is chained to a studio seat someplace in Jamaica, however in actual fact what occurs is that his drum tracks are so fascinating, they get used time and again.”
