A Jamaican Seal of Approval for Black Slate

Formed in London in 1972, they received the award during the Excellence In Music Ceremony staged at Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. It was staged by Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd, a company based in London.

Black Slate did a half-hour set that included songs like ‘This is Reggae Music’. Between songs, founder and keyboardist Anthony Brightly gave the audience snippets about their history.

For Brightly, who was born in East Hackney, London to Jamaican parents, the recognition is something to savour.

“To receive an award in Jamaica is like the parent saying to the child, ‘well done’. It’s an honour and an absolute privilege,” he said.

Guitarist Chris Hanson and drummer Desmond Mahoney, who started Black Slate with Brightly, were also part of the happy occasion. So too Mensah, the band’s bass guitarist.

Hanson is originally from Trench Town, while Mahoney was born in rural St. Thomas parish in eastern Jamaica.

Also known for songs like ‘Sticks Man’ and ‘Amigo’, Black Slate have never attained the commercial success of Aswad and Steel Pulse, British bands they preceded. But Brightly says there is no doubting their impact as trailblazers.

“We play music because we love it, not because we have to,” he said. “We’ve always worked in between, so we’ve never been reliant on record sales or shows.”

During the early and mid-1970s, Black Slate made their reputation as a show band. They backed Jamaican artistes touring the UK, including Dennis Brown, Errol Dunkley, Dennis Alcapone, Prince Jazzbo and Johnny Clarke.

One of Black Slate’s biggest accomplishments, Brightly believes, is breaking ground for reggae in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific region. They toured New Zealand in 1981, playing 12 shows.

It was the third ceremony staged in Jamaica by Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd, which is operated by British music publisher Kennedy Mensah. The event, previously known as the Grammy Certificate Ceremony, was organised by Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd, saw 95 artistes, producers, musicians and studio engineers who contributed to Grammy-winning or nominated projects, being acknowledged with certificates and plaques.

(Photo contributed)