Honours Overdue: The music icons Jamaica still hasn’t recognised

Recipients of the National Honours and Awards will be announced this week by the government of Jamaica. Today, we look at stalwarts of the country’s music industry whose contributions have never been recognised. Guitatist Earl 'Chinna' Smith Earl “Chinna” Smith Arguably the most prolific session musician in the history of reggae, Smith has played on classic songs by Dennis Brown (Westbound Train, Cassandra), Bob Marley (Rastaman Vibration), and Burning Spear (Marcus Garvey).

His licks can also be heard on Grammy-winning albums by Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers and Lauryn Hill, as well as Amy Winehouse’s first album. In October 2023, Rolling Stone Magazine named Smith at #182 on its 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Lynn Taitt Lynn Taitt The Trinidadian guitarist is credited with starting rocksteady.

He reportedly directed the 1966 recording session that resulted in Take it Easy by Hopeton Lewis, the song many musicologists believe launched that genre. Taitt played on numerous hit songs including the Shank I Sheck rhythm; (007) Shantytown and Israelites by Desmond Dekker and The Aces; Stop That Train by Keith and Tex; and Walk The Street at Night by Derrick Harriott. Lynn Taitt — who was named at #204 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2023 — died in 2010.

The Abyssinians: (from left) Bernard Collins, and brothers Donald and Lyndford Manning. The Abyssinians The legendary roots trio are best known for the seminal Sata Masa Gana, the 1971 song considered by many to be reggae’s official anthem. Bernard Collins, Donald Manning and Lynford Manning comprised the most famous version of the group, which still tours with Donald in its lineup.

Declaration of Rights and Forward On To Zion are other famous songs by The Abyssinians. Tenor Saw Tenor Saw Maybe the most original dancehall singer. His unique yodel made songs like Pumpkin Belly, Golden Hen and Ring The Alarm standards.

That sound influenced singers such as Anthony Redrose and King Kong. Sister Nancy Sister Nancy A pioneer female deejay who made her name on sound systems before rocking the mic for producer Winston Riley in the early 1980s. It was Riley who produced Bam Bam, the 1983 song that remains her signature.