Junior Murvin

Junior Murvin

Junior Murvin, born Murvin Junior Smith, is a Jamaican reggae singer from Saint James, Jamaica. Born in 1949, he dies in 2013 in Port Antonio, Jamaica. He is best known for Police and Thieves, a single produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry and released in 1976. The record becomes an international hit and later peaks at number 23 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. Its melodic vocal style and rhythm make it one of Murvin’s best-known recordings.

Career

Police and Thieves gains wider recognition when The Clash record it on their debut album in 1977. Murvin later records albums for several producers and labels, including Bad Man Possee for Mikey Dread in 1982, Muggers In The Streets with Junjo Lawes and the Roots Radics in 1984, and Apartheid with King Jammy in 1986. He also records a string of singles for Joe Gibbs and The Mighty Two.

His later releases include an acoustic album of his songs for Earl Chinna Smith in the Inna de Yard series, and the single Wise Man on the London-based Dubwise label in 1998. Murvin continues to tour regularly. His song Cool Out Son appears on the soundtrack to the video game Skate 3.

Legacy

Paul Kelly refers to Murvin in the Christmas song How To Make Gravy. Murvin’s voice and the success of Police and Thieves secure his place as a notable figure in reggae, particularly within roots reggae and dub-associated circles.