Matumbi

Matumbi is a British reggae group from London, active from 1971 to 1982. It is remembered as the first successful band of guitarist and record producer Dennis Bovell, and as one of the earliest and most influential British roots reggae acts. The group develops a soulful, melodic style within reggae.

Formation and early line-up

Matumbi forms in south London in 1971, when roots music in Jamaica is entering its peak period. Early members include Tex Dixon on vocals, Euton Jones on drums, Dennis Bovell on guitar, Errol Pottinger on guitar, Eaton “Jah” Blake on bass guitar, Bevin Fagan on vocals, and Nicholas Bailey on vocals, who later becomes known as Nick Straker. At first, the group functions as a backing band for touring Jamaican musicians.

Career and recordings

In 1973, Matumbi opens for The Wailers at the Ethiopian famine relief concert in Edmonton. Later, the group experiences line-up changes after its record label objects to some members’ outside musical activity. Bailey and Dixon leave and are replaced by Webster Johnson on keyboards. Pottinger and Jones also depart, and Glaister Fagan and Lloyd “Jah Bunny” Donaldson join the band. The new line-up signs to Harvest Records and tours with Ian Dury & the Blockheads.

Matumbi records two sessions for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 show in 1978. That same year, it records the theme song for the BBC television series Empire Road. The debut album Seven Seals appears in 1978. The follow-up album Point of View proves more successful, and its title track becomes a top 40 hit in 1979. The group releases further albums between 1980 and 1982, but they do not match the earlier commercial success. Its final album, Testify, is recorded in Jamaica and co-produced by Bevin Fagan and drummer Euton Jones.

Legacy and later work

After the group splits, its members continue with other projects. Dennis Bovell goes on to release solo material and becomes known as a producer. Lloyd “Jah Bunny” Donaldson joins The Cimarons, while Bevin Fagan and Eaton “Jah” Blake record as The Squad.