Al Campbell is a Jamaican reggae singer from Kingston, Jamaica, also known as Alphonso Campbell. Born in 1954, he is active from the late 1960s and is associated with reggae, roots reggae, dub, and rub-a-dub.

Early life and beginnings

Campbell starts singing in church, where his father is a preacher, and he sings to help raise funds. As a schoolboy he goes to school with Lloyd James, later known as Prince Jammy, and as a teenager he forms a vocal group called The Thrillers with friends. The Thrillers record in the late 1960s for Studio One.

Career

After a brief period singing with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, Campbell works with Prince Lincoln Thompson’s Royal Rasses and the Mighty Cloud band. He then begins a solo career, while also contributing vocals to two Heptones albums. During the 1970s he becomes a popular roots reggae singer and records for producers including Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee, and Joe Gibbs. He also records at Lee Perry’s Black Ark studio.

His song “Gee Baby” becomes a major hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. In the late 1970s and 1980s he adapts to early dancehall and lovers rock styles, working with producers such as Linval Thompson. His recording of “Late Night Blues” from 1980 becomes a regular feature at blues parties.

In the early 1980s Campbell performs with the Stur-Gav sound system. Later recordings include work for King Jammy, Philip “Fatis” Burrell, and Mafia & Fluxy.

Albums

Campbell’s albums include Gee Baby (1977), Ain’t That Loving You (1978), Jamaica Sound, later reissued as Sly & Robbie Presents The Soulful Al Campbell (1994), Loving Moods of Al Campbell (1978), Ital, Mr. Music Man (1978), Manic, No More Running (1978), Terminal Showcase (1978), Rainy Days (1978), Hawkeye (1979), Burning Sounds, More Al Campbell Showcase, Mr. Lovers Rock (1980), Late Night Blues (1980), The Other Side of Love (1981), Dance Hall Stylee (1982), Bad Boy (1984), Freedom Street (1984), Forward Natty (1985), Shaggy Raggy (1985), Reggae ’85 (1985), Fence Too Tall (1987), Live & Love, Bounce Back (1990), The Soulful Al Campbell (1994), Selection (1998), 22 Karat Solid Gold (1998), 22 Karat Gold Volume 2 (1998), Rock On (1998), Hit Me With Music (1998), Roots & Culture (1999), Deeper Roots (2001), Higher Heights (2002), Love From a Distance (2003), Tribute to Clement Coxsone Dodd (2004), Always In My Heart, Artists Only, Today, Tomorrow, Forever, 24/7 (2006), Road Block (2007), Rasta Time, Lagoon, and Talk About Love.