Born Alphonso Campbell on 31 August 1954 in Three Miles, Kingston, Jamaica, Al’s soulful singing career began early on, raising funds in a church where his father was a preacher. His childhood friend was none other than Lloyd James (aka Prince Jammy). As a teenager in the late 60’s, he recorded at Studio One with The Thrillers before briefly teaming up with a young Freddie “Captain” McGregor and Ernest Wilson. He then joined the Royal Rasses.

Al’s long and fruitful solo career took off, as he contributed vocals to two Heptones albums and recorded for producers such as Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs and Lee “Scratch” Perry at the infamous Black Ark.

His breakthrough 1975 hit “Gee Baby” was a success in Jamaica and in the UK. But times were changing and the dances were changing. Enter the first wave of early dancehall and lovers rock. The golden era of deejays and singers had begun and Al was stamping his mark on the reggae genre itself. He adapted well to these riddims, with producers such as Linval Thompson in the late 70’s and early 80’s and hits such as “Late Night Blues”.

What sets Campbell’s 1983 “Last Dance” apart is the absolutely thumping Roots Radics drum and bass pattern, well placed production effects and a very convincing plea for companionship. It’s catchy.

“The last dance is over, everyone is going home
and I feel so lonely, with no-one to call my own…”

More recently Campbell has recorded for King Jammy, Philip “Fatis” Burrell and Mafia & Fluxy. In 1997 he joined forces with Cornell Campbell and Jimmy Riley in a newly rebooted version of The Uniques, with the group releasing a self-titled album in 1999.

Release details

Original imprint on Greensleeves Records (GRED 121), 12″ 45 RPM, UK, 1983 – “All Kind of People” / “Last Dance”

  • Backed by Roots Radics
  • Engineer – Soldgie
  • Producer – Henry “Junjo” Lawes
  • Plated by PAG
  • Recorded at Channel One Recording Studio

My copy comes care of:

  • Henry “Junjo” Lawes – Volcano Eruption – Reggae Anthology (two LP compilation) (2010)
  • VP Records, 17 North Parade (VP 4162)

(All killer, no filler album)

Al Rankin

Whakatū / Waimea based dub reggae dancehall selector. Original badman, blat blat.