Techniques

Techniques are a Jamaican rocksteady vocal group formed in 1962 by Winston Riley. The group begins as a school-era line-up and performs around Edward Seaga’s Chocomo Lawn club, where talent scouts from Columbia Records notice them. Their first single, “No One”, appears in the United Kingdom in 1963. In Jamaica, they make their debut in 1965 after being introduced to producer Duke Reid by Stranger Cole.

Line-up and development

The original line-up includes Slim Smith, Franklyn White and Frederick Waite alongside Riley. The group’s membership changes regularly, with Riley remaining the only constant member. Slim Smith leaves in 1966 to pursue a solo career at Studio One and later forms The Uniques with White. He is replaced by Pat Kelly. Other later members include Lloyd Parks, Bruce Ruffin and Dave Barker. In the verified line-up, members also include Marvin Brooks, Garth Evans and Junior Menz.

Recording career

The Techniques record with Duke Reid on singles such as “Don’t Leave Me”, “When You Are Wrong” and “Little Did You Know”, released on labels including Island Records, Duke and Treasure Isle. As the group moves from ska into rocksteady, it records a run of songs in 1967 and 1968 including “You Don’t Care”, “Queen Majesty”, “I Wish It Would Rain”, “It’s You I Love” and “Love Is Not a Gamble”.

After leaving Treasure Isle in 1968, Riley establishes his own Techniques label, which releases further recordings by the group as well as productions by other artists. Kelly later returns to sing lead on “What Am I To Do?”.

Later years and related work

Riley becomes one of the more successful Jamaican producers of the 1980s. Kelly and Bruce Ruffin each go on to solo success. Lloyd Parks works as a session musician and solo artist. Dave Barker later gains wider recognition as part of Dave & Ansell Collins. Frederick Waite moves to the UK and manages Musical Youth, a band that includes his sons.

The Techniques are briefly revived in 1982 with ex-Paragon Tyrone Evans on lead vocals, recording a new version of “Love Is Not a Gamble” and a new album.

Albums

Their albums include Little Did You Know (1967), Unforgettable Days (1981), I'll Never Fall In Love (1983), Come Celebrate (1993), Techniques in Dub (1997) and Queen Majesty (2007). Compilation releases include Classics, Classics vol. 2 and Rock Steady Classics.