Horace Andy was born Horace Hinds on 19 February 1951 in Kingston. Also known as “Sleepy”, the gifted singer and songwriter struck a chord with the massive and signature hit “Skylarking”, released 20 April 1972.
On the Skylarking Studio One album, Andy voiced the 2.26 minute gem, “See A Man’s Face.” The tune is an assertion not to take all things at face value and is backed by Leroy Sibbles and Sound Dimension.
“You see a man’s face
But you don’t know his heart.
You see a man’s face
But you don’t know his thoughts.”
Andy went on to produce hits upon hits through the 70s and 80s, working with Derrick Harriott, Joseph Hoo Kim, Gussie Clarke, Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee and Tapper Zukie to name a few.
He then further found his calling and international stardom in the 90’s, with Bristol pioneers of trip hop, Massive Attack, and UK dubmaster Mad Professor.
The version of this tune I have comes courtesy of Soul Jazz Records, on the sublime Studio One Showcase double LP from 2016.
Al Rankin
Whakatū / Waimea based dub reggae dancehall selector. Original badman, blat blat.
