Pama International

Pama International are a UK reggae collective active since 2001. Their music sits across dub, reggae and ska, and the group is associated with rocksteady and the Rockers Revolt label.

Style and line-up

The group is fronted by Sean Flowerdew, Finny and Lynval Golding of The Specials, with Horace Panter also part of the band. Their sound draws on King Tubby’s dub style and the southern soul of 1960s Stax recordings, while their lyrics keep a social focus in the present day.

Releases and labels

Pama International release six albums and record for radio sessions including BBC Radio 1, Xfm and BBC 6 Music. In 2006 they become the first new band in 30 years to sign to Trojan Records. In 2008 they launch their own Rockers Revolt label and release Love Filled Dub Band. Their 2009 album Highrise Campaign is an anti-knife and anti-gun version album, and Pama Outernational also features Lynval Golding and Horace Panter, with co-production from Sean Flowerdew and John Collins, who produces The Specials’ “Ghost Town”.

Collaborations and performances

The collective format of the band leads to collaborations with Billy Bragg, Lee Thompson of Madness, Mad Professor, Groove Corporation, Wrongtom and Mungos Hi Fi, as well as members of Style Council, Steel Pulse, Galliano, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Pop Will Eat Itself, Lord Large, The Selecter, The Specials and Michie One. They also work with reggae figures Derrick Morgan, Dave and Ansell Collins, Dennis Alcapone, Rico Rodriguez and Dawn Penn.

The group performs with The Specials, Toots & The Maytals, Prince Buster, Jimmy Cliff, Madness, Lee Perry, Mick Jones’ Carbon/Silicon, Mad Professor, the Levellers and The Skatalites, and appears at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Big Chill, Bestival, Beautiful Days and Wickerman.

Other work and recognition

Songwriter Sean Flowerdew’s songs appear on seven film soundtracks, including Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and Fool’s Gold. Love Filled Dub Band receives strong reviews from magazines including MOJO, Record Collector, Echoes and Touch, and Craig Charles of BBC 6 Music describes it as bringing funk, soul and dub close to perfection.