Cornell Campbell
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Cornell Campbell (born 23 November 1945, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer, best known for his falsetto voice, and his recordings at Studio One in the late 1960s and his work with Bunny Lee in the 1970s.
Early career
Campbell's singing career began in his local church choir at the age of twelve. Aged fourteen, he was introduced to trombonist Rico Rodriguez, who took him to Clement Dodd's studio, where he recorded his first single, "My Treasure". Further singles followed as Jamaican music transformed from rhythm and blues to ska, with backing from The Skatalites. He later recorded for King Edwards backed by The Bell Stars, before moving on again to Duke Reid's Treasure Isle, where he formed The Sensations. When The Sensations split, Campbell emerged as leader of his own new vocal group, The Eternals, recording perennial favourites such as "Queen of the Minstrels" and "Stars".
Solo career
In 1971, now as a solo artist, he began a long association with Bunny Lee, initially working in the lovers rock genre, but soon working more roots songs into his repertoire. His self-titled debut album appeared in 1973, but his popularity peaked in the mid 1970s with the 'flying cymbals' sound, leading to major Jamaican hits with tracks such as "Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm", "Dance In A Greenwich Farm", "The Gorgon" and "Boxing" (the latter for Joe Gibbs), as well as reprised versions of his Eternals' hits. Throughout the 1970s he also recorded with other record producers such as Winston Holness ("I Heart Is Clean") and Winston Riley ("Them A Bad"). By the late 1970s, Campbell's popularity had begun to wane and he increasingly concentrated on love songs, and after the mid 1980s, new recordings were less common, although he has maintained a strong following.
In 2005 "King In My Empire" was released on the Burial Mix label billed as by Rhythm and Sound with Cornell Campbell. The song was produced by Moritz Von Oswald and Mark Ernestus.
See also
