Rico Rodriguez (musician)

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Rico Rodriguez

Rico Rodriguez (actually Emmanuel Rodriguez ; born October 17, 1934 in Havana , Cuba ; † September 4, 2015 in London ) was a Jamaican trombonist and composer and is one of the founders of Jamaican popular music.

With roots in jazz as well as in the African-inspired sounds of the Burru drum, the so-called Rasta chants , the musician took part in the development from rhythm & blues to ska to reggae . He developed his own connection between ska, reggae and jazz, which reached its first high point with his album Man From Wareika . Jazz trumpeter Don Cherry is said to have once said to him: “How can you play like that? ... So that I could play like you, I had to go to Africa to study there. "

Rodriguez gained an international audience over many years and worked with musicians all over the world.

Childhood and adolescence: 1940–1954

Rodriguez was born in Havana , Cuban and moved to Kingston , Jamaica at a young age . Here he attended the Alpha Boys School , an institute run by Catholic nuns, where predominantly single mothers sent their children to school who, due to the living situation, could not take care of the upbringing of the children. In this school, known for its musical training, Rodriguez also received instrumental lessons. His instrument became the trombone. According to the school concept, his tutor was an older student, Don Drummond , who in turn became the most famous Jamaican trombonist. From 1952 to 1954 this was followed by training as a mechanic.

First professional experience: Musician in Jamaica: 1954–1961

From 1954 to 1957 Rodriguez completed his musical training at the Stoney Hill Music School. He named the jazz trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding as the musical influences of those years .

His first engagements as a studio musician fell during this time, including the first recording session organized by the later leading producer CS Dodd in 1956: Various titles were created with the group Clue J And The Blues Blasters , of which Theo Beckford's Easy Snappin in particular became popular.

As a member of Eric Deans Orchestra and with profits at Vere John's Opportunity Hour, Rico Rodriguez began to make a name for himself in the local music scene. At the same time, life squeezed the subsistence level and led him into the Rasta community that had formed in the Wareika Hills near Kingston around percussionist Count Ossie . About this encounter he later said: “You are more advanced, both mentally and musically, than the average musician. When you play with them, you can really explore. Most of what I know I learned from playing with them. ”(Quoted from Williams, 1981)

In the spirit of this movement, Rodriguez played the trumpet against food. In 1973 he said in an interview: “Because you were poor and had to eat, you stayed where the fishermen were tensioning their nets; because there you had to eat every day. Fishermen always gave fish because they wanted to hear you play. ”(Quoted from Cane-Honeysett, 1995)

From 1958 to 1961, Rico Rodriguez's engagements increased steadily. The development of the Jamaican music and entertainment scene away from the big dance orchestras to record discos with first American R'n'B, and then, since the emerging rock'n'roll in Jamaica was not liked, with self-produced records, led to the fact that originated in Kingston Studios, disc jockeys became producers and good musicians were no longer needed live but in the studio.

Rico Rodriguez was one of those musicians who accompanied soloists and performers under various names. He can be heard from this time with the aforementioned Clue J, then with Count Ossie's Group, with the Smith All Stars, with Drumbago And His All Stars and others. In addition to Dodd, Duke Reid , Vincent Chin , Lloyd Daley and Prince Buster are among the most important producers . As for Dodd, he also played in the first productions of Reid ( Derrick Morgan's Lover Boy ) and Chin, which confirms his excellent reputation as a musician.

With Vincent Chin he also had the first opportunity to publish a production under his own name. Rico Special was released in Jamaica in 1961 and a year later in England on the then young label Island Records . With the release of Rico Farewell , Rodriguez said goodbye, bitterly disappointed by the poor income opportunities as a musician from Jamaica and emigrated to London.

Established in the British music scene: 1962–1969

As his name was known for records and the large number of Jamaican emigrants who had to use the period up to independence for this step, he quickly found a connection to the flourishing London club scene, played several months with Georgie Fame's Blue Flames and took records for Emil Shallitt and Siggy Jackson (Melodisc / Blue Beat). Excellent solos are on records of the time by Laurel Aitken (e.g. on Daniel Saw The Stone ) and by Prince Buster (Barrister Pardon) .

The story goes that Rico Rodriguez, who came to London as a Rasta with long hair, inspired the Beatles to let their hair grow out. Clement Dodd said in an interview that the Beatles attended many so-called "West Indian" parties where Rico played where he caused "real storms".

At the end of the decade, several long-playing records were released under his name on the Trojan Records and Pama labels . But even in England music did not bring an income to support a living. Odd jobs and assembly line work were a part of life.

Consolidation and first high point: 1970–1977

After taking part in the transformation of Jamaican music in England, Rico Rodriguez played with a now unknown group, The Undivided , which he says were among the most talented reggae musicians in England. Rodriguez's breakthrough came in 1975 when he was hired by Island Records as a studio musician and was allowed to record trombone solos for records by rock and reggae stars, including ( Jim Capaldi , Toots & the Maytals and Burning Spear ). This was followed by the first own record deal with an established record company: Island Records made it possible to travel to Jamaica, the first since emigration, and to work with the island's best studio musicians.

In 1976 Man From Wareika appeared , which is still considered a pioneering and excellent example of Jamaican instrumental music. It created a new connection between reggae and jazz influences. It is therefore not surprising that the record was already released in the USA by the famous jazz label Blue Note .

Rico then toured Europe supporting Bob Marley . Rodriguez ended up becoming a full-time musician when he was over 40.

International success with two tones and retreat: 1978–1985

In 1979 Rodriguez suddenly became known to a very young audience when he was invited by the Specials to take part in the re-recording of a piece by Dandy Livingstone , "Rudy, A Message to You". A development followed that no one could foresee. The 2 Tone Records label moved the pop world for the next three years and brought ska, reggae and later African sounds to English and European pop music.

Together with Dick Cuthell , an English flugelhorn and cornet player, with whom he had worked closely since around 1975, he formed the wind section of this group and was given the opportunity to travel to Jamaica and publish more of his own albums. Studio assignments brought him together with countless pop and reggae artists, including Linton Kwesi Johnson , John Martyn , Paul Young , Joan Armatrading and Ian Dury .

The 2 tone groups knew how to combine Jamaican ska music with the energy of punk. Rodriguez brought authenticity and soul to this music. His solos, especially on the track "Ghost Town", have become icons of popular music.

In 1982 Rodriguez retired to Jamaica and turned his back on the music business.

Return to Europe, cooperation all over the world: since 1985

It was not until around 1988 that Swiss musicians visited Rico Rodriguez in Jamaica to support a Swiss reggae project with the Heart Beat Band and Fizzé . Because reggae and ska had meanwhile become part of the international music world; Bands emerged everywhere who referred to the Jamaican musical tradition and wanted to recruit as experienced instrumentalists as possible for their projects. He then returned to London via Switzerland and played from there as a sought-after studio musician and member of various band projects.

His work with the group Jazz Jamaica by Gary Crosby and Jools Holland brought him a regular employment and the opportunity to realize further solo projects and perform with his own band.

Concerts in Germany and Argentina are documented on CD, numerous recordings were also made in Japan, where he stayed several times.

Rico Rodriguez regularly played concerts on small stages and supported young music groups with solo support.

On September 4, 2015, Rico Rodriguez died in a hospital in London.

Selection discography

Until 1969 only singles appeared under his own name, the focus was on solos in recordings that were published under a different name. A detailed discography is available on the Internet at Rico's Music ( Memento from December 8, 2007 in the Internet Archive ).

1961 (recordings in Jamaica):

  • Rico Special (7 ″ -side: Randy's 45CR61-4), Jamaica
  • Rico Farewell (7 ″ -side: Randy's 45 CR-62-6 / JA); released as: Reco & Happy: Reco's Farewell b / w Skitter: A Little Mashin (7: Island WI 022 / UK)

1962: (recordings in England):

  • Rico's Combo: Midnight In Ethiopia b / w London Here I Cone (7 ″: Planetone RC-1A; -1B), UK
  • Rico's Combo: Youth Boogie b / w Planet Rock (7 ″: Planetone RC-5), UK
  • Rico's Combo: Gees Boogie b / w Hitch And Scramble (7 ″: Planetone RC-7), UK

1963:

  • Reco & His Blues Band: This Day (7 ″ -side: Blue Beat BB 192-B), UK
  • Rico & The Blue Beats: Soul Of Africa (7 ″ -side: Blue Beat BB 200-B), UK

1964:

  • Reco & The Creators: I'll Be Home (7 ″ -side: Blue Beat BB 231), UK

1967:

  • Rico & His Band: You'll Be Lonely And Blue on The Train (7 ″ -side: Blue Beat BB 383-B), UK
  • Rico & The Invaders: Invaders At Carnival (7 ″ -side: Columbia Blue Beat DB 106-B), UK

1968:

  • Rico's All Stars: Wise Message (7 ″ -side: Blue Cat BC 109-B / UK); Prod .: Joe Mansano
  • Reco & His Rhythm Aces: Return Of The Bullet (7 ″ -side: Blue Cat BC 148-B / UK); Prod .: Joe Mansano
  • Reco & His Rhythm Aces: ZZ Beat (7 ″ -side: Blue Cat BC 150-A / UK); Prod .: Joe Mansano
  • Reco Rodriguez: Blue Socks b / w Solas Market (7 ″: Nu Beat NB 015 / UK); Prod .: R. Rodriguez (cf. Schoenfeld, p. 377)
  • Reco Radregez: Tenderfoot Ska b / w Memories (7 ″: Pama PM 715 / UK), Prod .: Jeff Palmer

1969:

  • Singles
  • Reco In Reggaeland (LP: Pama ECO 14 / UK); Re-release as Tribute To Don Drummond (CD: Trybute TRRCD 001 / US)
  • Rico & The Rudies: (LP: Trojan TTL 12 / UK)
  • Joe's All Stars: Brixton Cat (LP: Trojan TBL 104 / UK)

1973:

  • The Undivided: Listen To The World (LP: Decca / UK); Rico is a member of the band; Singer: Gene Rondo

1976:

  • Rico: Man from Wareika (LP: Island ILPS 9485 / UK; LP: Blue Note / US); Dubversion appeared in the smallest edition as a PRE-LP

1977:

  • Rico: Wareika Dub (LP: Ghetto Rockers - PRE LP 1)

1979:

  • The Specials: The Specials (LP: 2Tone / UK etc.); Rico as a band member

1980:

  • Rico: Sea Cruise b / w Caroline (7 ″: 2Tone / Chrysalis CHSTT 15 / UK)
  • The Special AKA: Too Much Too Young (7 ″ EP: 2Tone CHSTT 7 / UK)
  • The Specials: More Specials (LP: 2Tone / Chrysalis / UK)

1981:

  • Rico: That Man Is Forward (LP: 2Tone CHRTT 5005 / UK)

1982:

  • Rico: Jama Rico (LP: 2Tone CGRTT 5006 / UK)
  • Rico And The Special AKA: Jungle Music b / w Rasta Call You (2Tone CHSTT 19; 12 ″ 2Tone CHSTT 1219 / UK)

1994:

  • Jazz Jamaica: Skaravan (Quattro QTCY 2036 / Japan); republished in 1996 on Hannibal HNCD 1397 / UK; Rico as a band member
  • Jazz Jamaica: Jamaican Beat Vols. 1 & 2 (CD: EMI / Japan); Rico as a band member

1995:

  • Rico: Wonderful World (CD: Parco / Quattro QTCY 2074 / Japan)
  • Rico: Rising In The East (CD: Jove: JOVECD 3 / UK); released in Japan as Return From Wareika Hill (CD: Alpha Enterprise YHR 1102)

1996:

  • Rico: Roots To The Bone (CD: Reggae Refreshers / Island); CD documents the years with Island Records, 1976–1979
  • Rico: Blow Your Horn & Brixton Cat (CD: Trojan); Re-release of the two Trojan LPs from 1969

1997:

  • Rico: Rico's Message-Jamaican Jazz (CD: Jet Star)

2001:

2003:

  • Rico Togetherness (CD / Argentina)

2004:

  • Trombone Man (double CD: Trojan / UK); Retrospective focusing on the years 1962 to 1970

2006:

  • JapaRico (CD: Sony / Japan); Collaborations with Japanese ska and reggae bands
  • Wareika Vibes (CD: Jamdown / UK); Production of JA-13

bibliography

Information about Rico Rodriguez can usually only be found through hardly documented articles in sometimes short-lived music magazines, interviews published on the Internet, references in books with a broader content or as texts on record sleeves or CD booklets. The most detailed presentation and at the same time one of the few in German appeared in 1981:

  • Frederking, Klaus: incorruptible: the man from Wareika. In: Rock Session Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag, Reinbek bei Hamburg 1981, pp. 231–243.

Articles and interviews in chronological order (unless otherwise stated in English):

  • Reggae Reggae Reggae, by Colin Mc Glasham, The Sunday Times Magazine, Feb. 4, 1973; The UK's first front page and color feature on reggae. “Trombonist Rico Rodriguez is presented in detail both in the text and in photos. "Richard Williams (reporter for the Sunday Times) came to see me and he also went to a Rasta party with us," recalls Rico. 'He stayed all night - I think he was one of the first [to report on the scene].' ”(Quoted from Koningh 2004, p. 70)
  • The Man From The Hills, by Richard Williams , in: Melody Maker , April 2, 1977
  • Man From Wareika, by Carl Gayle, in: Black Music (?), Ca.1977, p. 49
  • That Man Is Forward, sleeve notes by Richard Williams for the LP of the same name, 1981
  • Sufferer's Heights with the Man From Wareika, interview conducted in London, 1991, by Dave Hallworth and David Katz; the interview is available on the Internet at Jovemusic Rico's Music ( Memento from October 25, 2004 in the Internet Archive ).
  • Roots To The Bone, Linernotes by Steve Barrow for the CD of the same name, 1995
  • Interview, by Tero Kaski (Black Star Liner), 1995; the interview is available on the Internet at Jove Music
  • Rico & The Rudies, liner notes by Laurence Cane-Honeysett for the CD re-release of Blow Your Horn / Brixton Cat, 1995
  • Mi noh play jazz o 'funk, but Jamaican, y'know rasta ..., by Voice of Silence, Koichi Hanafusa, written on Feb. 17, 1998; “Beware of the man with the horn, Rico. After spending more than a week writing just a few lines about Rico, a great trombonist, I realized that writing in English is hard work. ... you should enjoy my photos with the smile and learn a little about the story behind his latest album, Wonderful World ”; on the Internet at Lovepeace.org
  • Interview with Olivier Malaponti, 2001; on the Internet at Reggae.fr in French language
  • Interview, by Ras C. and Alan Salvi, 2001/2002; on the Internet under Rootsconnection
  • Trombone Man, liner notes by Mike Atherton for the CD of the same name, 2004; on the Internet under Trojan Records
  • Interview with Sebastien Jobart, 2004; on the Internet at Reggaefrance.com in French language
  • Interview by UPfront (Swiss reggae magazine) from May 2004; on the Internet under Upfront in French language

Literature related to Rico Rodriguez (unless otherwise noted in English):

  • Barrow, Steve and Peter Dalton: Reggae. The Rough Guide, London: Rough Guides, 1997
  • Katz, David: Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Jamaican Music, New York; London: Bloomsbury, 2003
  • Koningh, Michael de and Laurence Cane-Honeysett: Young Gifted And Black: The Story of Trojan Records, London: Sanctuary Press, 2003
  • Koningh, Michael de and Marc Griffith: Tighten Up: The Story Of British Reggae, London: Sanctuary, 2004
  • Marshall, George: The Two Tone Story, Bonnie: ST Publishing, 1990, repr. 1993
  • Turner, Michael and Robert Schoenfeld: Roots Knotty Roots: The Discography of Jamaican Music. Sec. ed. 78 & 45 rpm Records 1950–1975, 2003

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Obituary in The Guardian
personal data
SURNAME Rodriguez, Rico
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Rodriguez, Emanuel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Jamaican popular musician
DATE OF BIRTH October 17, 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH Havana , Cuba
DATE OF DEATH 4th September 2015
Place of death London