finetune artist: Garnett Silk

b. Garnett Smith, 2 April 1966, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies, d. 9 December 1994, Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies. Silk began his career in music at the age of 12 as a DJ under the name Little Bimbo, and went on to become an important Jamaican singer-songwriter. He spent his early years on sound systems such as Destiny Outernational, Pepper's Disco, Stereophonic and Soul Remembrance. His first recording, "Problem Everywhere" for Delroy "Callo" Collins, followed in 1987. He moved to Kingston in 1988 and recorded one song for Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion label, "No Disrespect". He recorded sessions with King Tubby, King Jammy's and Penthouse Records before signing a two-year contract with Steely And Clevie. He recorded an album's worth of material with them but only "We Could Be Together", a duet with Chevelle Franklin, was released. He returned to the country parish where he was raised and concentrated on songwriting, collaborating with his childhood friend Anthony Rochester. He was introduced to Courtney Cole by Tony Rebel. Cole owned Roof International studio, based in Ocho Rios, and many of Silk's hits were cut here. "I Can See Clearly Now", a duet with dub poet Yasus Afari, and "Seven Spanish Angels" were among the most popular. During 1992 he recorded material for Bobby Digital who produced his debut set It's Growing, released at the end of the year. The album was declared a masterpiece of roots music and showed an original and profound lyricist. Comparisons were made with Bob Marley, owing to his emphasis on cultural themes ("I Am Vexed", "The Rod" and the title song) and a vocal style that gave his music a quasi-religious atmosphere. Signed to Atlantic Records in mid-1993, he saw many of his past recordings reissued or released for the first time. These included tracks for Roof, Steely And Clevie, Danny Browne, Black Scorpio, Philip Smart, Top Rank, Jahmento, Star Trail (for whom "Hello Africa' reached number 1 on the UK reggae charts), and Sly And Robbie. In 1994, Garnett took a six-month break from recording but this did not affect his popularity, and he even developed an international following which was boosted by shining performances at 1994"s Sunsplash and Sunfest festivals. He also signed to a major US label. Considering the pacifist themes of some of his lyrics, it is somewhat ironic that a weapon was involved in his death. According to some of the Jamaican media, he had borrowed two guns from his lawyer, following a burglary at his home. Someone was showing Silk how to use one of the guns when it went off. The bullet hit a gas tank and the resulting explosion killed Silk and his mother, and severely burned two of his brothers.

Listen to Garnett Silk at Finetune.

Oh Me Oh My
Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders
Fill Us Up With Your Mercy
Love Me Or Leave Me
Nothing Can Divide Us