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Steely and Clevie - Digital Revolution

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Steely and Clevie - Digital Revolution

Steely and Clevie - Digital Revolution

By Erik Magni on Thursday, February 10, 2011 - Comment

Steely & Clevie revolutionized reggae.

Sampler

Steely & Clevie are two of the most gifted musicians and producers coming from Jamaica. They are responsible for numerous hits spanning over three decades and their musicianship has been utilized by producers such as King Jammy and Augustus “Gussie” Clarke.

Steely and Clevie Now VP Records has bestowed them with a three disc compilation containing 42 of their own productions and a DVD with almost two hours of material.

Steely, who sadly passed away in June 2009, and Clevie, have been in the music business since the 70′s. Their first recording together was Hugh Mundell’s classic Africa Must be Free (by 1983) produced by Augustus Pablo.

Afterwards, Steely & Clevie went different ways – Steely joined the famous Roots Radics band and Clevie joined In Crowd, led by producer, singer and song writer Fil Callender.

They met up again in the mid 80’s and from then on they’ve played on countless of hit songs coming out of Jamaica – both as session musicians at King Jammy’s studio as well as on their own after they opened their own facilities in 1988.

The 42 songs on 'Digital Revolution' showcase an era in reggae, an era when technology and computers reigned in the studio and in the dancehalls. And Steely & Clevie were masters of handling drum machines and keyboards. Their innovative style paved the way for digital, percussion driven and groundbreaking riddims such as Punany, Duckand Cat’s Paw.

'Digital Revolution' includes plentiful of hits spanning over growling deejay Tiger’s Whenand soulful singer Garnett Silk’s Love is the Answer to more contemporary sounds in Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas’ smash hit Haffi Get da Gal Yah (Hot Gal Today).

Steely & Clevie’s importance in reggae music cannot be exaggerated and this anthology certainly shows the minds of geniuses.