Aston Barrett
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Aston Barrett
- Genres: Reggae
Biography
The role of the bass guitar in reggae was established by bassist, producer, arranger, and engineer Aston "Family Man" Barrett. With his brother, Carlton "Carlie" Barrett, on drums, Barrett provided the essential rhythmic foundation for the recordings and performances by Bob Marley from 1969 until Marley's death in 1981. The undistorted but melodic, baritone tones of Barrett's bass has also been heard on recordings by artists who range from Alpha Blondy and Burning Spear to late pop singer John Denver.Barrett launched his career in the Kingston nightclubs, playing guitar in a group, the Hippy Boys, that he shared with his brother. In the late '60s, the Barrett brothers recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry as the Upsetters. The high point of the group came in 1969 when their instrumental single, "Return of Django," became an international hit. The same year, the brothers recorded several singles by the Wailers including "Duppy Conquerer," "Soul Rebel," and "Small Axe." They continued to collaborate with the Wailers, remaining with Marley after the departure of Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston. In addition to co-writing the tune, "Rebel Music (3 O'clock Roadblock)," Barrett co-produced 11 albums with Marley. Barrett also became one of the first to incorporate a drum machine on a reggae tune when he and the Wailers recorded "No Woman No Cry," "So Jah Seh," and "Johnny Was." On February 26, 1997, Barrett performed with Al Anderson, the Marley family and the Fugees at the internationally televised Grammy Award ceremonies at Madison Square Garden.
In 1999, PGD/Heartbeat released two albums of material spanning Barrett's musical career -- Cobra Style: Lost Productions from the Wailers Musical Director and an instrumental dub version, Family Man in Dub. Tracks included one of the earliest tunes that Barrett recorded with the Wailers, "Distant Drums," an instrumental interpretation of Yabba You's "Love Thy Neighbor." ~ Craig Harris, Rovi
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Aston Barrett
| Aston Barrett | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aston Francis Barrett |
| Born | 22 November 1946 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Bass |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Associated acts | Bob Marley & The Wailers and The Wailers Band |
Aston Barrett (born Aston Francis Barrett, 22 November 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a Jamaican bass player and Rastafarian.
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Contents
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Biography
He was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being Carlton "Carly" Barrett) who played with Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Hippy Boys, and Lee Perry's The Upsetters.[1] It has been stated that Aston was the 'leader' of the backing band and responsible for many, if not all bass lines on Bob Marley's greatest hits, as well as having been active in co-producing Marley's albums and responsible for most overall song arrangements. He was the mentor of Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie, and is considered one of the elder statesmen of reggae bass guitar playing.
Barrett continues to tour with and lead The Wailers Band, who carry Marley's torch in the music world by Emmett and Cliodhna performing his songs with several original band members. Barrett has support from Marley's fan base to this day, despite his legal wrangling with the Marley family.
Equipment
Barrett plays a Fender Jazz bass guitar.
Legal battle
In 2006 Barrett filed a lawsuit against Island Records, the Wailers' label, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties allegedly due him and his now deceased brother. The lawsuit was dismissed.[2]
Nickname
Family Man's name was given to himself before he had any kids of his own. He felt he was the band leader/organizer and therefore called himself "family man".
Discography
- The Sound of Macka Dub (Carlton Barrett & Family Man) [aka Macka Dub] [197X]
Compilations
- Familyman in Dub [197X]
Productions
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. [1980]
- Horace Andy & Winston Jarrett & Wailers - The Kingston Rock' [1974]
- Keith Hudson - Pick A Dub [1974]
- Various Artists - Cobra Style [197X]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Albums engineered by Aston Barrett Mixing engineer
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Confrontation [1980]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Exodus [1977]
- Judy Mowatt - Black Woman [1980]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Recording engineer
- Various artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Engineer
- Aston Barrett - Familyman n Dub [197X]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Catch A Fire' [1973]
As a musician he appears on:
Bass
- African Brothers - Want Some Freedom [1970-78]
- African Brothers & King Tubby - The African Brothers Meets King Tubby in Dub [197X]
- Aggrovators - Dub Justice [1975-76]
- Aggrovators - Kaya Dub [197X]
- Aggrovators - Reggae Stones Dub' [1976]
- Aggrovators & King Tubby's - Dub Jackpot [1974-76]
- Aggrovators & Revolutionaries - Rockers Almighty Dub [1979]
- Al Campbell - Gee Baby [1977]
- Al Campbell - Loving Moods of Al Campbell [1978]
- Alpha Blondy & Wailers - Jerusalem [1986]
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Augustus Pablo - Dubbing With The Don [197X]
- Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptow [1972-75]
- Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers [1972-75]
- Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers Vol. 2 [1989]
- Augustus Pablo - The Definitive Augustus Pablo Box Set [197X-8X]
- Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry and The Wailers Band - Rare Dubs [1970-71]
- Augustus Pablo & Various Artists - Augustus Pablo Presents DJs From 70s to 80s [197X-8X]
- Big Joe - African Princess [1978]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Uprising [1980]
- Bunny Wailer - Black Heart Man [1976]
- Burning Spear - Dry and Heavy [1977]
- Burning Spear - Garvey's Ghost [1976]
- Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. [1980]
- Burning Spear - Marcus Children [1978]
- Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey [1975]
- Burning Spear - The Fittest of the Fittest [1983]
- Carlton Barrett & Family Man - The Sound of Macka Dub [197X]
- Delano Tucker - Gather Israelites [197X]
- Delroy Wilson - True Believer in Love [197X]
- Dillinger - 24 Karat Gold Ragnampiza [197X]
- Dillinger - CB 200 [1976]
- Don Carlos - Just A Passing Glance [1984]
- Donald + Lulu With Wailers - Beautiful Garden [1982]
- Errol Thompson & King Tubby - Holy War Dub [197X]
- Glen Brown & King Tubby - Termination Dub [1973-79]
- Heptones - Unreleased Night Food and Rare Black Ark Sessions [1976-77]
- Horace Andy & Winston Jarrett & Wailers - The Kingston Rock [1974]
- I Roy - Truths and Rights [1975]
- Impact All Stars - Randy's Dub [1975]
- Iya Karna With Wailers - Inkarnation [1986]
- Jackie Mittoo - Show Case Volume 3 [1977]
- Jacob Miller - Who Say Jah No Dread [1974-75]
- Jimmy London - Hold On [1977]
- Jimmy London - It Ain't Easy Living in the Ghetto [1980]
- Jimmy London - The Jimmy London Collection [197X]
- Johnny Clarke - Originally Mr. Clarke [1980]
- Johnny Clarke & Delroy Wilson & Doreen Shaffer - Lovers Rock Vol. 2 [197X]
- Josh Heinrichs - Josh Heinrichs & Friends [2010] [3]
- Justin Hinds - Travel With Love [1982-84]
- Keith Hudson - Pick A Dub [1974]
- Keith Hudson - Torch of Freedom [1975]
- Keith Poppin - Envious [1975]
- Keith Poppin - Pop Inn [1977]
- King Tubby - African Love Dub [1974-79]
- King Tubby - King Tubby's Lost Treasures [1976]
- King Tubby & Errol Thompson - The Black Foundation in Dub [197X]
- King Tubby & Friends - Rod of Correction Showcase [197X]
- Knowledge - Straight Outta Trenchtown [1975-80]
- Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers With Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]
- Larry Marshall & King Tubby - I Admire You in Dub [1975]
- Lee Perry - Soundz from the Hotline [1976-79]
- Linval Thompson - I Love Marijuana [1978]
- Linval Thompson - Negrea Love Dub [1978]
- Linval Thompson & Friends - Whip Them King Tubby [197X]
- Little Roy - Tafari Earth Uprising [197X]
- Lloyd Willis - Gits Plays Bob Marley's Greatest Hits [1977]
- Max Romeo - Revelation Time [1975]
- Negril - Negril [1975]
- Nuroy & Uroy - The Originator [1976]
- Pablo Moses - In The Future [1983]
- Paragons - Now [1982]
- Pat Kelly - Lonely Man [1978]
- Peter Tosh - Equal Rights [1977]
- Peter Tosh - Legalize It [1976]
- Rita Marley - Who Feels It Knows It [1980]
- Robert Marcey and Familyman with The Wailers - "Wailin' For Justice" [2010]
- Royals - Dubbing with The Royals [197X]
- Royals - Pick Up The Pieces [1977]
- Rupie Edwards - Ire Feelings [1975]
- Scientist - Scientific Dub [1978-80]
- Scratch and Company - Chapter 1, The Upsetters [1970-76]
- Slim Smith - The Very Best Of [196X-7X]
- Sly & Robbie Meet King Tubby - Reggae Rasta Dub [1974-77]
- Sons of Jah - Bankrupt Morality [1978]
- Sons of Jah - Reggae Hit Showcase [1980]
- Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
- Sydney Rogers - Miracle Worker [1974]
- Tennors - Moods [196X-7X]
- Twinkle Brothers - All The Hits Vol. 2 [1971-91]
- Upsetters - Blackboard Jungle Dub [1973]
- Various Artists - 17 North Parade [1972-75]
- Various Artists - Aquarius Rock [197X]
- Various Artists - Clocktower Presents Conquerors in Dub [197X]
- Various Artists - Down Santic Way [1973-75]
- Various Artists - Every Mouth Must Be Fed [1973-76]
- Various Artists - Java Java Dub [1972]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
- Various Artists - Kingston All Stars Meet Downtown at King Tubbys [1972-75]
- Various Artists - Reggae Jeggae [1968-69]
- Various Artists - Rite Sound Reggae Story [1980]
- Various Artists - Santic and Friends [1980]
- Various Artists - Sound System Rockers [1969-75]
- Various Artists - Treasure Isle in Dub [1970-78]
- Various Artists - Wonderman Years [1971-76]
- Vivian Jackson - Ram A Dam [1976]
- Yabby You - The Yabby You Collection [197X]
- Yabby You & King Tubby - King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub [1976]
- Yabby You & Various Artists - Jesus Dread [1972-77]
Rhythm guitar
- Aggrovators & King Tubby's - Dub Jackpot [1974-76]
- Aggrovators & Revolutionaries - Rockers Almighty Dub [1979]
- Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries - Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries Part II [197X]
- Bunny Wailer - Black Heart Man [1976]
- Cornell Campbell - Dance in a Greenwich Farm [1975]
- Delroy Wilson - For I and I [1975]
- Johnny Clarke - Moving Out [1975]
- Johnny Clarke - Put It On [1975]
- Johnny Clarke - Rockers Time Now [1976]
- Johnny Clarke - Sings in Fine Style [1975]
- King Tubby - Dub from the Roots [1974]
- Owen Gray - Forward on the Scene [1975]
- Scientist - Scientific Dub [1978-80]
- Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
- Tommy McCook & Aggrovators - Cookin [1975]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Keyboards
- Bunny Wailer - Black Heart Man [1976]
- Sons oOf Jah - Universal Message [1982]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Organ
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Burning Spear - Farover [1982]
- Sylford Walker - Lamb's Bread [1978]
- Vivian Jackson - Ram A Dam [1976]
- Yabby You - Conquering Lion [1977]
- Yabby You & King Tubby - King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub [1976]
- Yabby You & Various Artists - Jesus Dread [1972-77]
Lead guitar
- Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Guitar
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Uprising [1980]
- King Tubby - The Roots of Dub [1975]
- Rita Marley - Who Feels It Knows It [1980]
Synthesiser
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
Percussions
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Uprising [1980]
- Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. [1980]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Piano
- Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
- Bob Marley & Wailers - Uprising [1980]
- Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers with Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Syndrums
- Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
Melinoco
- Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers with Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]
Bass drum
- Burning Spear - Farover [1982]
Clavinet
- Burning Spear - Farover [1982]
References
- ^ Campbell, Howard (2012) "Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett: Rockstone Wailer", Jamaica Observer, 20 April 2012, retrieved 2012-04-29
- ^ "Marley bassist loses royalty bid", BBC News, May 15, 2006.
- ^ "Josh Heinrichs – Josh Heinrichs & Friends « The Pier Magazine". Thepier.org. http://www.thepier.org/products-page/featured/josh-heinrichs-josh-heinrichs-friends/. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
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