Throwback 45s: Bonnie Gayle – I Can’t Change My Skin

ARTIST: Bonnie Gayle
TITLE: I Can’t Change My Skin
LABEL: Black World
YEAR: 1975

Jamaican multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and producer Clive ‘Azul’ Hunt is responsible for some of the finest roots reggae recordings of the 1970s. Over the years, he’s worked with an impressive range of artists, from household names to gifted singers whose talents never received the recognition they deserved.

One of those singers was Bonnie Gayle, the solo recording alias of Linval Williams, best known as an original member of The Viceroys. During the mid-1970s, Hunt brought Williams into the studio to cut several tracks, including the outstanding Mellow Up Yourself, which remains one of his most celebrated recordings.

Another standout from those sessions was I Can’t Change My Skin, recorded at Errol T Recording Studio. It’s a heavyweight roots tune that perfectly captures the spirit of the era. Over time, the record became one of the rare gems collectors were always hunting for, and finding an original Jamaican pressing usually meant spending serious money.

Originally released in Jamaica on the Black World label, the track was later included on the 2020 compilation Clive Hunt Presents: Bad Bad Bad. Six years later, this roots classic returned to 7″ vinyl courtesy of Jah Fingers Music under licensed release.

Bonnie Gayle’s solo career appears to have been relatively brief. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he left behind only a small discography, which has contributed to the rarity and collectability of his records.