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#jahthomas #vinyl #vinylrecords
Jah Thomas, born Nkrumah Thomas in Kingston, Jamaica, emerged as a pivotal figure in the reggae and dancehall scenes during the 1970s. Named after the Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah, Jah Thomas began his musical journey as a deejay, quickly gaining recognition with his distinctive style and sharp lyrical delivery. His breakthrough came with the single “Midnight Rock,” released in 1976, which topped the Jamaican charts and solidified his reputation as a rising star in the reggae world. This early success set the stage for a prolific career that would see Jah Thomas not only dominate as a performer but also as a visionary producer who helped shape the sound of dancehall.
Throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s, Jah Thomas transitioned from being a deejay to becoming a formidable producer. He established the Midnight Rock label, which became one of the most influential platforms for reggae and dancehall music of the era. Under this label, Thomas worked with a host of legendary artists, including Anthony Johnson, Barrington Levy, and Johnny Osbourne. His production style often featured collaborations with the Roots Radics band and the mixing expertise of Scientist, resulting in a sound that was both innovative and deeply rooted in Jamaican musical traditions. Tracks like “Cricket Lovely Cricket” became emblematic of his ability to blend rhythmic innovation with cultural commentary.
The 1980s saw Jah Thomas further expanding his influence with the release of major hits like “Dance Inna New York” featuring Super Cat, a track that later gained renewed attention when it was sampled by hip-hop artist Nas for his hit single “The Don.” This period also saw Thomas’s rhythms being revisited and sampled by contemporary reggae artists like Protoje and Kabaka Pyramid, underscoring his lasting impact on the genre. Jah Thomas’s versatility as both a deejay and a producer is highlighted in his work, where he crafted tracks that not only defined the sound of an era but also transcended it, influencing generations of artists to come.
In recent years, Acid Jazz’s Roots Records has compiled a collection of Jah Thomas’s most essential vocal tracks, showcasing the breadth of his talent. This compilation, titled Music Maker From Jamaica, includes remastered versions of classic cuts such as “Dance Hall Connection” and “Dance On The Corner,” along with his iconic versions of “Cool Profile” and “Joker Smoker.” These tracks reflect the dynamic and innovative spirit that Jah Thomas brought to the reggae and dancehall scenes, making him a true pioneer whose contributions continue to resonate. As a father to artists like Da’Ville and Dwight Thomas, Jah Thomas’s legacy extends beyond his own career, cementing his role as a foundational figure in the evolution of reggae music.
