Bunny Lee's birthday in London

By Angus Taylor on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - Photos by Veronique Skelsey - Comment

The veteran producer celebrates at the Jazz Café.

"I'm still alive and still going strong" said Bunny Striker Lee, OD, of his 74th birthday party, his 3rd at London's Jazz Café, celebrating 48 years in reggae music. He had just been presented with a 22 carat gold disc by DJ Tony Williams, representing the now mobile British Reggae Industry Awards, and a fruit-machine-shaped cake, depicting his Jackpot label.

He was joined, on stage, by Jamaican High Commissioner Aloun Ndombet-Assamba and Jamaican Minister of Transport, Dr Omar Davies. “I knew him as a fan,” remarked Davies of the legendary yacht’s-captain-hatted producer “He deserves all accolades and this really a special night”.

The High Commissioner, who demonstrated quite a singing voice leading the crowd with Strikers sons in “Happy Birthday”, said she looked forward to 2016 when Bunny would be 75 and commemorating half a century’s work. The ever-sharp Striker corrected that she'd have to return the year after for the big 50.

Bunny Lee

It was cold outside but the musical family atmosphere was warm within. Pre-show “Strictly Striker” selections came via soundmen Lloydie and Festus Coxsone, Fatman and Peckings. Comperes were radio personalities Mikey Notch and Bobo El Numero Uno. The artists were backed by a revolving door of UK musicians under the name Rockers To Rockers band (featuring Tony Ruff Cutt and Black Steel on guitar; later, impressively augmented by drum and bass duo Mafia and Fluxy).

Veteran deejay General Saint dedicated True Survivors from his forthcoming album to Striker’s decades in the business. Alton Ellis’ son Troy shared his father's classics, his broken tone often obscured by the audience joining in. The Specials’ Neville Staple gave a typically rough and punky performance of Dandy Livingstone’s Message To You Rudie and the Maytals’ Monkey Man.

Sweeter melody was restored in the show’s second half, with harmony trio Black Stones recreating Striker protégés the Uniques’ My Story Of Love. Vivian Jones opted for his own silky lovers sides Sugar Love and Strong Love over Bunny sourced roots album 50^th. Susan Cadogan supplied swooning, impassioned renditions of Lee’s old rival Scratch Perry’s productions, Fever and Hurt So Good.

The ever effortless Earl 16 represented the mid-70s era Lee dominated with his Joe Gibbs/Derrick Harriott tribute to Malcolm X. Following shouts of “Studio 1” by record store owner Blacka Dread he changed the mood to his rocksteady hit for the aforementioned label, Love Is A Feeling. The evening’s surprise guest was prolific deejay Dennis Alcapone. He brought on singing partner Winston Reedy, to take John Holt’s place for a hugely received Stick By Me/Jumping Back, and Donna Marie during Wake Up Jamaica/Moonlight Lover.

The irrepressible Owen Gray, who almost upstaged Bunny mid-show 12 months before, had the final slot. Announced as having cut his first tune in 1959, he took full advantage of the opportunity to point out his debut 45 was “1956, August 11^th. I have 58 years in business” before adding “I set the standard. I set the foundation. I opened the gates to many passed and gone. Bob Marley was my pupil. Dennis Brown. Alton Ellis. I gave Striker the name Gorgon” referring to the nickname popularised in song by the absent Cornel Campbell (incidentally reaching his 70^th birthday that very night).

Gray still had the moves and hit the high notes as he pushed the official midnight curfew back to 12.30 with his Sea Cruise, Darling Patricia and Natty Bongo. It was testimony to his status and military command that he could stall at so late an hour and yet have artists of all ages dancing the ska when he did start to sing. “One of our path finders” said Bunny when the lights went up, suggesting Owen deserved an Order of Distinction like himself “I hope the government recognise you this year”.