READING - A Letter From Tony Chin

Some words, and thoughts from Tony Chin.
These few words and thoughts are in response to a letter sent to me by Tony Chin
Reproduced by permission of the Author.

In his letter Tony Chin the rhythm guitarist from foundation band The Soul Syndicate, and Bunny Lee's studio band the Agrovators, confirms that indeed it was Earl Zero who wrote 'None Shall Escape the Judgement'. Tony didn't play on this particular tune, but recalls that the first tune he was involved with was, 'Move Out A Babylon', an early hit for Johnny Clarke.
He says, "The first track I did with him was 'Move Out A Babylon', the flyers guitar on most of Johnny Clarke's tracks I started that style with Dennis Brown's 'West Bound Train' and 'Cassandra', 'No More Will I roam' etc. etc on the Observer label".
This is a prime example of how the sought after musicians of the day would play for rival studios, shifting allegiance in a way that singers were not allowed by their producers to do.

Tony Chin goes on to desrcribe how Johnny Clarke admired Dennis Brown, "Johnny Clarke admired Dennis Brown a lot, and kinda copied his style a little, but he had his own style"
It's no wonder that Tony believes Clarke copied or borrowed from Dennis Browns style, Brown was the most popluar reggae singer at that time and it would have been nearly impossible to ignore his influence.

(other details to be found in the letter are included in Dave Hendelys biography and article and the Sleeve notes to Dreader Dread 1976-1978 by Steve Barrow, both available from the Reading material contents page)