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Echo Minott - Reggae Foundation Singer

Photo de Echo Minott Echo Minott is a veteran singer; he is among the first ones who introduced Raggamuffin into Jamaica and the rest of the world. Pioneer on Dancehall style with his incomparable voice, he is an inspiration to several musicians, singers and music writers. He performed in the 'sing-jay' style that was immensely popular in the early 80s.

Biography

Echo Minott was born Noel Phillips in 1963 and grew up in the Maverley area of Kingston, Jamaica. He started singing from an early age, appearing in local talent contests. His first break came in 1980 when he recorded the album "Youthman Vibration" for legendary producer Prince Jammy.

Now in-demand as an increasingly popular dancehall singer, Echo began recording for many other producers and scored his first Jamaican No. 1 single with the song "Love Problems" produced by Joe Gibbs. He followed this with another hit, "Farmer Man" for the late Henry "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Records label.

It was in 1985 that Echo Minott finally became an international reggae star with the monster hit "Lazy Body", released on the Black Scorpio label. It was a number one all over the reggae world.

At this time, Echo was a regular member of two of Jamaica's top sound systems Black Scorpio and King Jammys. His next singles "Original Fat Thing" and "Put Your Hands Pon The Key" were both enormous hits on Jammys' new revolutionary Sleng Teng rhythm track.

Echo hits again in 1986 with the extraordinary track "What The Hell", which remained top of the Jamaican charts for three whole months. This song was the first ever to use the raggamuffin beat of today's dancehall and was an extremely controversial song. This led to Echo recording his own second part .

Many other hits like "Mr Ruddy" (Witty), "Follow Me" (Music Master), "Been Around The World" (Jammys) and "Whip Appeal" (Black Scorpio), ensured that Echo Minott remained a household name within the reggae scene for the rest of the eighties, and into the early 90s.

In 1992, Echo left Jamaica to live in New York and immediately had a massive international number one reggae hit with "Murder Weapon". When the jungle explosion hit the UK in 1993/94, Murder Weapon was re-worked in the new style and became another enormous hit again.

Returning to Jamaica in 1994, Echo had more dancehall hits with songs like "I Am Back", once again for Jammys and "Sensitive" for Mafia and Fluxy. He then took a break from the business for a few years.

He expects to reissue some oldies and produce new tracks still in collaboration with the French producer, MAGUARI PRODUCTIONS. In 2005, he came back to the spotlight in Jamaica & Europe, with his new album 'Roots of Dancehall' on MAGUARI Productions label and several European tours with sound systems (Soul Stereo, Guiding Star) .

Celebrated over twenty years as a successful reggae artist, Echo has now acquired veteran status. He tours backed by sound systems and backing bands and he is still cutting hundreds of Dub Plates. He envisages lots of projects in the next months with MAGUARI PRODUCTIONS such as some oldies reissues, new tunes and a European tour.


Echo on stage

  • Walliser Summerise festival (Paris, France)
    With Errol Dunkley, Norris Man, Jah Mason, Fantan Mojah backed by Botanical Roots band - July 2006
  • European tour (Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy )
    Backed by Guiding Star, Soul Stereo sound system and Riddim Force band May 2006
  • Les Zicalizes festival - Paris (France)
    With Lone Ranger, U Brown and Soul Stereo May 2006
  • Swiss Tour (Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne...)
    December 2005
  • Dub Live Show, Fete de la Musique (Paris - France)
    With Mad Professor, Aisha, Jayzik & Winston Mc Anuff June 2005
  • Digital Reggae - Barcelona (Spain)
    With John Wayne June 2005
  • 20 Years Sleng Teng Celebration - Berlin (Germany)
    With John Wayne and Soul Stereo June 2005
  • 10 Giants of the 80's - Mas Camp (Jamaica)
    Reggae festival with Sugar Minott, Ninjaman, Pinchers, General Trees, Buru Banton, Black Scorpio, Little John, Yellowman... May 2005
  • Dancehall Reggae Bash - Geneva (Switzerland)
    May 2005
  • Magnum Sting, Stars of Portmore - Portmore (Jamaica)
    With Vybz Kartel, Frisco Kid, Admiral Bailey, Anthony B, Captain Barkey... 2003

Echo Minott European Tour 2006

  • 05/05 Les Zicalizes Festival - Paris (France)
  • 11/05 Batofar - Paris (France)
  • 13/05 Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
  • 14/05 Rub A Dub - Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • 15/05 Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • 19/05 Milan (Italy)
  • 24/05 Molodoi - Strasbourg (France)
  • 06/06 Geneva (Switzerland)
  • 07/06 Zurich (Switzerland)
  • 08/06 Amiens (France)
  • 09/06 Djoloff - Lille (France)
  • 10/06 Orleans (France)

Discography

Echo Minott : Roots of Dancehall - Anthology 1982-2005

First CD album ever released including all his greatest tunes inna rub a dub and early digital style (limited edition)



(P) 2005 Maguari productions

Price 15.00 EUR

Frankie Paul meets Echo Minott


Master 12inch






(P) 1987 Powerhouse

Echo Minott: Familiar Face

Master 12inch



(P) 1986 Skengdon

Echo Minott: Rock and Calypso

Master 12inch produced by Noel Phillips





(P) 1986 Sunset

Echo Minott along with Sly and Robbie: Showcase

Master 12inch with legendary artists Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare produced by G. Phang.



(P) 1984 Jam Can

Noel Phillips: Youthman Vibrations


First and last album produced under Noel Phillips name. Produced by Prince Jammy's.




(P) 1982 Shajam (Jammy's)

+ several vinyls 7inch such as : Judge and Jury (Kikstok, 2006), Safe Sex (2006), How Could I (Third Eyes Music, 2003), I Am Back (Jammy, 1994), Murder Weapon (Signet, 1992), Been Around The World (King Jammy's, 1989), One Two Bogle (Executive Music, 1987), What The Hell (King Jammy's, 1986), Lazy Body (Black Scorpio, 1985), Put Your Hands Pon The Key (King Jammy's, 1985), Love Problems (Joe Gibbs, 1985), Farmer Man (Henry 'Junjo' Lawes label 'Volcano', 1982)... And Special Dub Plates for hundreds of sound systems all over the world.


Press Quotes

"One the of greatest voices of the 80's" Ragga Magazine (France)

"Echo was on top a top form, a true entertainer, mixing his classic cuts with the odd sing-along crowd pleasing pop cover." Massa - Copenhagen (Denmark)

"Echo Big artist of Jamaican Reggae Dancehall." Reggae.fr (France)

"Don't miss this Early Dancehall King and tune." Darktales Radio Show (Germany)

"Rootsman will be performing alongside the legendary dancehall superstar Echo Minott, straight from Kingston, Jamaica." Dainty Crew

"Artist with a huge talent too much ignored. 20 years of Big Big hits!" Guiding Star (France)

"An example for all a generation." Rod Taylor (Jamaica)

"Echo Minott, one of the dancehall dons who achieved prominence in the mid-eighties." Reggae Vibes (the Netherlands)

"Echo Minott is one star of the Digital reggae of the end 80's." Les Zicalizes festival (France)

"No one can imitate Echo with his unique voice." Don Carlos (Jamaica)



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