Ten years ago today Prince Lincoln Thompson passed away in London from cancer aged just 49. The reggae and music communities were robbed of a truly unique voice and talent whose rich back catalogue included the classic albums Humanity, Experience and Unite The World.

Lincoln Thompson was born in Kingston in 1949. He first came to attention in the 1960s with the group The Tartans, which also included Cedric Myton, later of The Congos. His output in the 1970s with the Royal Rasses pushed the boundaries of roots music, including some fruitful experiments with disco rhythms, and at the centre of all his work was his high pitched mellifluous voice, with a timbre quite unlike that of anyone else.

Sadly, his ambitious double album Natural Wild, featuring the rock musician Joe Jackson, fell through the cracks dividing a highly segregated early 80s music scene and was a commercial failure. Nonetheless, he returned to the studio on several occasions to lay down more music in his inimitable style.

It would not be appropriate to celebrate the occasion of his death, but here at United Reggae, we have not forgotten his valued contributions as a musician and humanitarian, and shall be commemorating him later in the year on what would have been his sixtieth birthday, June 18th 2009.

In the mean time we invite you to listen to the Prince performing one of his greatest songs True Experience. Enjoy!