Sunday, August 28, 2011

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Horace Andy

Artist:Horace Andy
Song:Skylarking
Album:Skylarking





Skylarking was Horace Andy's breakthrough hit in Jamaica in 1972. He has been mostly unknown outside Jamaica until recently when the British group Massive Attack sampled his music and then had him record with them. That exposed him to a new generation. He was born Horace Hinds Feb. 19, 1951 and is cousin of Justin Hinds of Justin Hinds & The Dominoes. So when Justin had success in the 60s, Horace wanted to follow in his footsteps. At first he recorded with producer Phil Pratt. But that was not successful. In 1970, he auditioned as a duo with Frank Melody for Studio One owner Coxsone Dodd. Dodd didn't like the duo but he liked Hinds. He signed him and had him change his name so he wouldn't be compared to his cousin. It's a tribute to reggae star Bob Andy. After a few singles, Skylarking became Horace Andy's first big hit in 1972. It also established Andy as a songwriter. He soon left Studio One and worked with different producers. A 1977 rerecording of Skylarking produced by Bunny Lee was also a hit. Andy moved to Connecticut in 1977 and continued to have hits in Jamaica. He got together with the group Massive Attack in 1993 and has worked frequently with them. They also released this comp on their own label. So today Horace Andy is busier than ever touring and it doesn't look like this Jamaican music legend plans to slow down anytime soon. Here's Horace Andy performing Skylarking in Sydney, Australia 2008.

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