Stanley Stevens (left), Alkebu-lan (centre) and Ansel Collins at work in Stevens' studio. - Contributed

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Few artistes have contributed more to Jamaican music than Ansel Collins. Behind the scenes, Collins has paved his way in music as a keyboardist, producer, drummer and singer. He played on countless recordings for some of reggae's most well-known artistes during the '70s and '80s. He can lay claim to two U.K. top 10 records, being one of the musicians who have helped form the music over the last 40 years. Born in Jamaica, in 1949, Collins began his music career in the '60s as a singer, but soon switched to first drums and then keyboards soon after.

He first rose to prominence in 1971 with Double Barrel, a song he and Dave Barker recorded for the Trojan label. The song scaled the British singles charts and it was the first ever all-male duo to top the U.K. pop charts. The duo's follow-up, Monkey Spanner, did nearly as well, entering the top ten.

Following these hits, Collins made Stalag 17 for producer Winston Riley at the Techniques label. He spent the rest of the '70s busily working as a studio musician, as a member of the Bunny Lee house band, The Aggrovators, and (with a young Sly and Robbie) the keyboardist for the Channel One house band, The Revolutionaries. When Sly and Robbie set up their own Taxi label, he became part of their house band. He turned his hand to production and produced an album, Save Our Planet Earth with the single Jimmy Jimmy, for Jimmy Cliff, which became a bit of a signature tune for him. The Sunday Gleaner recently caught up with this monarch of music.

Did you always want to do music?

Yeah man, from birth. I love singing and doing drums, then I got involved wid the keyboard. I was in a group as the lead singer, Bobby Aiken and the Caribeats. Conrad Cooper was the keyboard player, he left. I did a likkle self-teaching and I just end up play the keyboards. It was straight keyboard after that.

Did you have any musical training?

No, self-taught, just play by ear."

What was your first big break?

A song I done wid the Upsetters called Night Doctor. It was the first big hit. It was done by my RHT Invincible band. I was band leader there. I produced the record myself and gave it to Lee 'Scratch' Perry to put out."

Why did you switch from singing to playing an instrument?

It wasn't a switch. As I said earlier, it just happen. I just never had time to go back to singing. Mi still love singing, then drums, mi do a likkle of everyting. Singing and drums mi love ova everyting.

How did the song 'Double Barrel' come about?

I did dat song myself and gave it to Winston Riley to put out. I did the rhythm and melody . It just run weh, number one in Bristol England, in America it went to number 10 on the Billboard charts.

Did you expect it to be such a success?

Yeah man. The music itself good from birth, anyting go pon it good. I was in my early teens when I did that. I was estactic over the success.

After such a major hit, why didn't you stop playing keyboards and go back to singing?

I didn't get the chance to, I have played on like 90 per cent of Jamaican music. I back up every artiste, from Marcia Griffins, Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru. I just ended up being a studio musician. I did Monkey Spanner, which was number one on the British charts. I also did Night of Love, Cotton Candy, and more ... So I had a lot of hits.

What was 'Stalag 17'?

Stalag 17 was an instrumental track. Then DJ Big Yute came on it wid All Nations Band and then tons of artistes started voicing it, such as Super Cat.

Whom did you work with who was the most memorable to you?

Jimmy Cliff. He was a good show man. When I play for Jimmy I feel good, 'cause he's a good performer. Me and him produced a lot of songs together, such as Rebel in Me.

Do you think many persons are as aware of the behind-the-scenes aspects of music?

No sah. Things different now. Those times you neva get nuting out of the business, still don't. I made some of the biggest hits out of Jamaica and don't get nuting. Mi neva think bout publishing and dem ting. We pave the way for people today. Back then you don't know the business and so stayed down; nobody don't tell you.

Have you still not received money for the hits you did?

Yes man, I'm fine now. I know a likkle bit more what's going on. It wasn't me alone; a lot of artistes didn't know what was going on.

Which producer do you most fondly remember?

Miself yuh know. I normally do it and give the people to put out. The biggest tings I do myself and give people. I neva had the money to put out the tracks. Now it even worse; now yuh haffi have enough money or yuh can't come in the business. As a producer yuh don't make money, the artistes mek money. Nowadays yuh haffi sign di artistes to get back money.

Tell us about the Revolutionaries.

Revolutionaries that started around 1975, we used to do tings for Channel One. We did so many songs, that's when we started backing Mighty Diamonds, worked with Sly and Robbie.We put out a lot of sounds. I was the first one to put Sly in the studio.

How so?

I had the band RHT Invincible, he came in one day and fool fool round the drums. I saw that he would turn out great. The first song he played on was Night Doctor. Him play good and clean. Jamaica has produced a lot of great musicians.

What would you say is your contribution to music?

I can put it many ways ... But I think I just do music and mek people happy. But yuh know yuh get more recognition abroad. It's rough. It turn yuh off when yuh do tings and don't get nuting.

You don't think musicians get as much recognition locally?

The music nuh tek serious out here. People just do music. Him have a talent and do a ting. Nobody don't know who start reggae ... trust mi. Everybody seh a dem start it, but nuting nuh record, nuting nuh write down. Abroad, it will (be) documented.

What are your thoughts on the synchronised music of today?

Mi do likkle of dat, but original is the best, where everyone play together the acoustic sound."

Is there anyone whom you ever wanted to play with and didn't get the chance?

Mi play fi everybody, even the new ones, I Wayne, Perfect all of dem. In di last year me do some tings for I Wayne, Bascom X, even the dancehall people.

What's next for you?

I have an album coming out called Sounds of Reggae. It an instrumental, 12 tracks produced by Alkebulan. Musicians like Prince Manning, Keith Francis on it. The diversity of reggae is represented on the album. It features songs such as Khemet. It's all original music and a major record company may be interested in it.

What is your most memorable experience in the business?

I can't pinpoint one ... I have so many, good and bad. I been doing music from 1960. Reggae is a good music. Wid good yutes like John Holt, Bob Marley. Can't underrate the music.