Wailing Souls

Wailing Souls

Wailing Souls are a Jamaican reggae group that begins in 1968 and continue performing and recording. The core members are Winston Matthews and Lloyd McDonald, who are known as Winston “Pipe” Matthews and Lloyd “Bread” McDonald. Their music spans reggae, rocksteady and roots reggae, with work across dub-influenced and roots styles.

Early line-ups and first recordings

The group first appears under the name the Renegades in the late 1960s. That line-up includes Winston “Pipe” Matthews, Lloyd “Bread” McDonald and George “Buddy” Haye, and it records backing vocals for an Ernest Ranglin album before the group breaks up in 1968. Matthews and McDonald then join with Oswald Downes and Norman Davis and record the single “Gold Digger” for producer Lloyd “Matador” Daley.

Studio One, Tuff Gong and changing names

The Wailing Souls go on to work with Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label, where they record several singles and are also billed as the Classics. In the early 1970s they record for Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong label under the name Pipe and The Pipes, and score hits with “Harbor Shark” and “Back Biter.”

1970s development

In 1974, Downes and Davis leave and George “Buddy” Haye returns. In the mid-1970s, Joe Higgs also works with the group before leaving to tour as Jimmy Cliff’s musical director. The group then works with producer “Jo Jo” Hookim and the Channel One label, recording songs including “Things and Times,” “Joy With Your Heart” and “Very Well.” In 1976, Rudolph “Garth” Dennis, one of the founding members of Black Uhuru, joins the group.

Independent label and 1980s recording

In 1977, the Wailing Souls start their own label, Massive, and release the singles “Bredda Gravilicious” and “Feel The Spirit.” In the early 1980s, the group records with several producers, including Sly and Robbie for “Old Broom” on the Taxi label, “Fire House Rock” for Junjo Lawes’ Volcano label, and sessions for Linval Thompson. Their touring and recording continue through the decade.

Later work

After recording with King Jammy in 1988 and 1989, the group breaks up again, but Matthews and McDonald continue as Wailing Souls through the 1990s, recording two Grammy-nominated albums and touring internationally.