b. Earl Lowe, 1953, Whitfield Town, Kingston 13, Jamaica, West Indies. Little Roy began his career in 1968 at Studio One, with Jackie Mittoo as the producer, initially recording “Cool It”. He retired for a time but returned and pursued his career performing as a member of an unsigned vocal group alongside Bunny Maloney and George Thompson. Following his departure from Studio One and the group, Little Roy recorded as a soloist with Prince Buster the singles “It’s You I Love” and “Reggae Soul”.
In the late 60s Little Roy achieved immense popularity with Lloyd Daley with the classic “Bongo Nyah”, and alongside Joy Lindsay as Roy And Joy, notably with “Keep On Trying” and “Righteous Man’. From the outset he wrote about Rasta themes – slavery, the wearing of dreadlocks and exile. By 1972 he had formed the Tafari label with the help of Lloyd Barnes and Munchie Jackson, and his records soon received simultaneous release in New York through Barnes” Aries label.
Often part of a trio alongside Ewan Gardiner and Anthony “Rocky” Ellis, he recorded some alluring and atmospheric tracks: “Tribal War”, “Blackbird” and “Prophecy”. Barnes put them together to form an album, Tribal War, which had a decidedly limited pressing. In 1978 he recorded Columbus Ship, a far less artistically successful set, and then dropped below reggae’s horizon altogether, though there were occasional sightings of him in New York. His business associate Munchie Jackson was shot by his own son in a bizarre Brooklyn domestic killing in 1977. However, in one of those twists unique to reggae, ragga rulers Steely And Clevie decided to remake the “Prophecy” rhythm in 1990, and it was an instant hit for Freddie McGregor. Not slow to spot an opportunity, Little Roy emerged from nowhere with a 10-track compilation of his now in-demand old material, Prophecy, and then recorded the excellent Live On the following year.
In 1994 he began residing in the UK and he was invited to record with On U Sound, releasing the results of the sessions in 1996. Another new set, More From A Little, was premiered by a re-recording of “Prophecy”.
