Last revised: 6/19/14

Introduction

According to interviews given in 2004, Stanley Beckford never saw a great difference between mento and reggae. For the first part of his career, spanning the 1970 through the 1990s, he recorded mento-infused reggae. Stanley then greeted the new millennium by leaving reggae recording behind to record mento. It is interesting to note that while some mento performers went on to reggae (such as Lord Tanamo, Count Lasher and Count Sticky), Stanley Beckford is the only reggae performer to move to mento.

Stanley was born February 17, 1942 in the parish of Portland. He was orphaned as a child and wound up living in Kingston. Taking a path that other Jamaican recording artists followed, he began singing in church, and then gained prominence by winning on the Vere Johns radio talent competition. Stanley recorded reggae as Stanley & The Turbines, The Starlites, and, briefly, as Bellfied. Although clearly reggae, his music had a tinge of mento, displaying a country sound, especially due to Stanley's mento style vocals. (He sounded like the great mento singer Harold Richardson.) When the mento influence was stronger, his recordings could best be described as "mento-reggae".

Before moving to mento, Stanley Beckford released several reggae albums and numerous singles from the early 1970s to the late 1980s, enjoying hits such as "Soldering" and winning Festival three times.

In addition to original compositions, Stanley recorded reggae covers of a number of mento songs, such as "Balm Yard", "Big Bamboo", "Banana", "Sweet Jamaica" (with new lyrics), "Dip Dem", "Samfie Man", "Maintenance and Chi Chi Bud", "China Man From Montego Bay" and others mentioned below.

Late in 2008, I heard via DJ David Pablo of Colton California from Tony Chin, who offered the following information on the recording of Soldering:

Soul Syndicate band feat.
Tony Chin-rhythm guitar
Fully Fullwood-bass
Santa Davis-drums
Earl "Chinna" Smith -lead guitar
Keith Sterling -keyboards
Ansel Collins-organ
recorded at Randy's Studio,17 North Parade,Kingston JA

 

Reggae LPs and CDs Jamaican music fan Olivier Albot of France has provided two discographies of Stanley Beckford's reggae recordings. Fist is the one for LPs and CDs:   STANLEY AND THE TURBYNES:  Leaves Mi Kisiloo Dynamic 1978  Big Bamboo G. G. 1981  Big Bamboo (re-release) Jamaican Gold 1992  Brown Gal Hope Road / Tuff Gong ?  Africa (CD re-release of 1978 LP) Lagoon 1995  Wanted Man  Joe Gibbs 2000   THE STARLIGHTS:  Soldering (1974-1978)  Heartbeat 1993   STANLEY BECKFORD:  Gipsy Woman  G. G. 1979

Above, on the Tuff Gong label, is the Stanley and The Turbynes CD, "Brown Gal", produced by Barrington Jeffrey. This CD is recommended as an excellent example of reggae-mento. Piano is a dominant instrument, harkening back to mento's pre-electric sound. The rhythm is bouncy reggae, influenced by mento's proto-reggae beat that came before. Stanley's rural voice, as well as the lyrics add to the country feel. The back cover reveals that instrumentation is provided by Sly and Robbie and familiar cohorts such as Tommy McCook.

There are many fine songs, and no bad ones: "Brown Gal" stands out, as does "Dada Beg Your Pardon" and the original version of "Broom Weed". Better mento reggae would be hard to find. "In My Prime" and "Leave My Kisiloo" (based on Count Lasher's "Mobay Chinaman") are fun.

As far as mento covers go, "Leave My Kisiloo" is an adoption of the Count Lasher song released on Chin's , "Don't Fool Roun Me Gal", also known as "Mo Bay China Man". Another track, "Dumplings", I believe, is a Jamaican folk song. The mento-reggae track "Bredda Ram Puss" is a different song from mento song "Miss A Ram Goat".

"Africa" features an African music introduction, in which Stanley's singing lays bare the strong connection between African vocal traditions and the mento vocals of rural Jamaica. "A Little of Your Love" finds Stanley performing a soul song.

Above, on the Jamaica Gold label is the 1992 CD re-release of the 1981 "Big Bamboo" LP by Stanley and The Turbynes , produced by Alvin Ranglin.

This set is not nearly as strong as "Brown Gal". It is not distinctly mento-reggae. Many tracks have a calypso influence, resulting in a less interesting compromise between reggae, calypso and mento. This CD can be found very inexpensively. It features liner notes that put Stanley into context with calypso and mento. Boo Richards on drums, Lloyd Parks on bass, Willie Lindo, BoPe and Andy Bassford on guitar, Winston Wright on keys, Dave Madden, Dean Fraser and Glen DaCosta on horns, Ruddy Thomas on percussion, Barbara Jones and The Tamlins on backing vocals.

As far as mento covers go, there is the Harold Richardson and The Ticklers' "Healing In The Balm Yard" (written by E. F. Williams ), "Calypso On The Island" is adapted from the old mento "Banana", and "Carnival" is adapted from "Sweet Jamaica" by Lord Lebby.

 

To the right is the UK release of this CD on Charly Records with a different cover. a label from the vinyl release on GG Records. Below is the Jamaican LP release of Big Bamboo on GG Records .

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Here is the 1993 CD collection on the Heartbeat label, "Soldering" by The Starlites featuring Stanley Beckford.

This is a good collection of Stanley's singles, with liner notes that trace the success of his first single, "Wanted Man", the mixed success of his next six, and the monster hit "Soldering" that followed.

This collection is clearly not mento-reggae, but reggae proper, replete with 12" disco mixes and guest DJs. But as is almost always the case with Stanley's recordings, there is a rural feel. Two tracks lean towards calypso rhythms.

"Dip Them Jah Jah Dip Them" is a cover of the old folk/mento "Dip Dem". Other mento covers on this CD are less obvious from the song listing. "Don't Call Daddy (Chiney Baby)" is neither Derrick Morgan's ska song "Don't Call Me Daddy", nor is it "Chinese Baby" by The Hiltonaires. It's actually "Maintenance" with some additional lyrics first. "Boderation (Some A Weh A Bawl)" contains "Chi Chi Bud Oh".

The 1979 LP "Gipsy Woman" by Stanley Beckford (Starlight) on the GG Records label, produced by Alvin Ranglin. The Revolutionaries (Sly and Robbie, Tommy McCook, and others) provide the instrumentation which is primarily reggae more than mento-reggae. One track, "You Mother Never Know", has a calypso influence. 

There are two songs from the mento repertoire. "Back To Back" is one. "Chinese Baby" is a version of "Maintenance", not The Hiltonaires song of the same name. There are also a couple of songs that Stanley recorded on other releases, such as "Soldering". These are different versions.

Reggae Singles

Below is Olivier Albot's discography of Stanley Beckford's reggae recordings on 45 RPM singles. Along the right and bottom are some random samples of Stanley's many singles. THE STARLITES:  You Are A Wanted Man / Back To Dubwise  G .G .Records 1973  Sugar Plum / Version (Bellfield)  Volcano 1973  How You Gonna Get Control / Version  G .G Records 1973  Donkey Man / Dub Part Two  G .G Records 1973  All Day Working  G .G 1973  Slave  G .G 1973  Ja Ja Gone To Prepare  G .G 1973  Mr Softhand  G .G 1973  Hold My Hand /Hold My Hand ( Pt.2)  Volcano  1974  Mama Dee / Mama Dee (Pt.2)  G.G Records 1974  Soldering / Part Two  G.G Records 1975  Balm Yard / Balm Yard Skank  Hot Rod 1975  Healing In The Barnyard / Version  ? 1975  Healing   ( RUDY'S) 1975  Him Pon Top / Version  Tanya 1975  Some A Weh A Bawl / Pt.2 Dubwise  G .G Records 1975  Dip Them Jah Jah  / Jah Jah Dub  G.G Records 1976  Faithful Wife / Dub Wise  G .G' S Records Hit 1976  Born Again Rasta / Part Two Dub  G .G Records 1976  Samfie Man (Nov 1976)  G .G ' S Records 1977  Hold Them Natty Dread / Part 2 Dub  G.G ' S Records ?  Mr Walker  JAMA ?  Shame On You  STARLITE ?  When I Come Home  FEDERAL ?  Kingston Girl  BLACK & WHitE ?  Dragon Dance  (G.G ' S) ? STANLEY AND THE TURBYNES:  Weeping Slave / Bellinda  Barry's Hide Out 1976  Little Of Your Love / Disco Serenade  Dr. Komina 1977  Leave My Kisi-Loo / Dumpling  Dr. Komina 1977  Family Court / Family Court Dub   (G.G ' S) 1977  Your Mother Never Know (1977)  (G.G ' S)  ?  Chiney Baby (1977)  (G.G ' S)  ?  John's Lane Rock (1977)  (G.G ' S)  ?  Oh Jah Jah (1977-1978 ?)  (G.G ' S)  ?  Queen A Sheba (March 1978)  (G.G ' S)  ?  Big Bamboo (1978)  (G.G ' S)  ?  Richman  WATER HOLE 1978  Brown Gal / Version  Dr. Komina 1978  Broom Weed  Dr. Komina 1978  Bredda Ram Puss  ?  ?  A Pretty Face / Standing At My Window  Dr. Komina 1979  Jealousy / Dub Part .2  G.G ' S Records Hit 1980  Come Sing With Me / Part .2  G.G ' S Records Hit 1980  Come Sing With Me / Jealousy '12'  (Alvin Ranglin) 1981  St Thomas Chicken / Dub Part Two  G.G ' S Records Hit 1981  St Thomas Chicken / Dub Part Two '12'  G.G ' S Records Hit 1981  Nice Time / Part .2  THUNDERBOLT 1981  Dream Of Me '12'  ?  ?  Stanley No Idiot  MOVEMENTS 1986  Dem A Fi Squirm / Version  UHURU 1986  A Wah A Gwan  AMAZON 1992 STANLEY BECKFORD:  St Thomas Chicken / Dub Part Two  G.G ' S Records Hit 1981  Chunny Lover / Island In The Sun  ? 2002 BELLFIELD:  Sugar Plum / Version Volcano 1973  How You Gonna Get Control / Version  G .G Records 1973 The STARLIGHTERS (?):  What A Condition  ? 1969

From 1981, on the GG's Records label, produced by Alvin Ranglin is "St. Thomas Chicken" by Stanley Beckford in both 7" and 12" formats. The b-side is a dub version.
 

The melody is "Naughty Little Flea", but with new lyrics. The music has a country influence and a not-quite reggae rhythm that is the hallmark of late 70s - early 80s  mento-reggae.

 

From 1978, on the Dr. Komina label is "Brown Gal", backed with "Version". This is the same fine mento-reggae track found on the above LP of the same name. The version is only available on this single.

 

Another fine Stanley track from the late-1970s on the Dr. Komina label from the same recommended CD is "Broom Weed". The b-side is not a dub version as in the single above, but another good track from the CD, "Bredda Ram Puss".

 

Again on Dr. Komina from the late -1970s is the charming "Domestic Affair", credited to Stanley and Clover, backed with "Version". Also pictured is Stanley's less appealing dancehall remake on the Arietha label from 1978.

Recorded as a duet with a female vocalist, "Domestic Affair"  is a mento-reggae waltz -- the first Jamaican waltz recording that I'm aware of since those by Chin's Calypso Sextet two decades earlier. The lyrics have a mento richness -- complete with double entendres --  as Stanley and Clover debate their relationship. The playing is detailed and rich as well, with the musicians sounding excited to be participating. Guitar is the star until a sax appears and conjures the old-time sound of mento clarinet.

 

From 1974, on the Volcano label is "Hold My Hand", backed with "Hold My Hand, Part 2", a version that dubs the voice out for most of the song. Production and writing credit go to Alvin Ranglin. This is not the similarly named folk-mento song. Like many of Stanley's recordings, this is a reggae song with a country lilt.

Stanley's "Him Pon Top" not only is a cover of Baba Motta's signature mento song, "She Pon Top", but it also includes lines from another mento song, "Get Up Adina". For some reason, the single as released on Tayna, never seems to have the right information on the label, leading to pen corrections such as seen here.

Mento Recordings

In a series of audio interviews in Real format posted on the Mondomix web site, Stanley explained how in 2001, he was visited by promoters from France who asked him to record a mento record. Stanley considered the Rod Dennis Mento Band, but, after conferring with his wife, decided instead to work with The Blue Glaze Mento Band, who he believed was the best active mento band. (As Dan Neely's article in Global Rhythm magazine shows, Stanley had been performing for a time prior to this with the Rod Dennis Mento Band. See below for more on this article.) In 2002, he recorded, "Stanley Beckford Plays Mento", backed by Blue Glaze . It's the great mento album that Stanley was born to record, but did get to until he was 60! Along with a side order of Bob Marley covers, it's a fine collection of mento remakes of some of Stanley's self-penned hits (including a wonderful rendition of "Broom Weed", alone worth the price of the CD) and mento standards. This CD is recommended as an excellent example of the resurgence of mento releases that began in the late 1970s. This release can be purchased at better record stores and on-line retailers.
 

Stanley followed this CD with a tour of Europe with Blue Glaze.

1. Big Bamboo 2. Hold My Hand 3. Rich Man 4. Broom Weed  5. Dip Dem Jah Jah 6. Guava Jelly 7. Three Little Birds 8. Kisiloo 9. Brown Gal 10. Soldering 11. Fi Mi Gal 12. Hold Him Joe 13. One Love

In 2004, Stanley Beckford, again backed by The Blue Glaze Mento Band, released "Reggaemento", a follow up to "Plays Mento", on the Chrysalis/Calaloo label. Currently released only in France, it can be purchased from the French Amazon site: http://www.amazon.fr. The enclosed booklet includes some nice photos, plus lyrics of the 8 songs written by Stanley. The remaining tracks are mento versions of reggae favorites. Stanley is again touring Europe with Blue Glaze to promote Reggaemento. 1. Wanted Man 2. Israelites 3. Oh Jah Jah 4. Let The Devil Gwaan 5. 007 Shanty Town/U'll Never Grow Old Medley 6. Cause Way Road  [incorporates the "Back To Back, Belly To Belly" chorus ] 7. Sam Fi Man   [not the Count Lasher song of the same name.] 8. Telephone Calling 9. Feel Like Jumpin' 10. Donkey Man 11. Oh Jehovah

Video:

Here are five songs from a live 2003 performance by the late Stanley Beckford with The Blue Glaze Mento Band featuring the late Vincent Price at the "Festival Jazz à Juan" in Les Pines, France. Thanks again to David Pablo of Colton California for bringing this to my attention. Here is the full band lineup:

1. A song that I do not recognize:

2. Wheel and Turn Me (on which Stanley cuts loose):

3. Rich Man (lovely!):

4. Big Bamboo:

5. One Love (The Bob Marley song):

Also see:

• In the September 2004 issue of Global Rhythm magazine, Dan Neely has a two page article that discusses Stanley Beckford's career. It also reviews the history of mento with an emphasis on the start of Stanley Motta's MRS label. This article is well worth the small cost of a back issue. The magazine is bagged with a CD that includes Lord Messam's fine recording of "Linstead Market", from the Motta compilation CD, "Mento Madness".