Ernest Ranglin (1932 - )
Related: reggae - Studio One
Ranglin and Alexander were young session players at Studio One for some of the most legendary names in the burgeoning Jamaican music scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
"Now with the King Sporty album, I was living in New York at the time when he asked me to Florida to record that album. That was around the early Eighties. t'Sporty and I have known each other for a long time. He used to be e Coxson's Studio One when I first went there.
"Now Chris Blackwell used to visit that hotel, as well as familiarise himself with staff at JBC, so one day after a brief acquaintance he asked me to work with him. "From the very start he treated me fair. So I cut an album called 'Guitars With Ernest'. Moving on from there Chris got me more involved with stuff he was choosing for a label he was trying to form, so I worked along-side him as A&R man, working on tracks with Wilfred (Jackie) Edwards, Boris Gardiner, who was then known as the Rhythm Aces. We also recorded Keith & Enid plus Owen Grey. But Millie Small came way afterwards. That is to show you how long I've known Chris." --http://www.rayx.freeserve.co.uk/ernest%20ranglin%20by%20john%20williams.htm
Biography
Ernest Ranglin (born 1932) is an important Jamaican musician.As a child, Ranglin played ukelele, then guitar in his teen years. Charlie Christian was an early influence. Ranglin played on many classic recordings, with Jimmy Cliff, Monty Alexander, Prince Buster The Skatalites and others. Ranglin toured extensively with the Eric Deans Orchestra, one of the top bands in the Caribbean.
In 1958, Chris Blackwell recorded a Ranglin single; it was the first Island Records release. Later recordings, in the late 1950's and early 1960s are often regarded as important in the early development of ska. In 1964, Ranglin, with Coxson Dodd and singer Millie recorded "My Boy Lollipop," the first Jamaican song to achieve international success.
Ranglin has continued recording, often blending jazz with reggae. In 1997,Ranglin was reunited with the skatalites, for the album "Ball of Fire" --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Ranglin [Apr 2005]
CDs
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In Search of the Lost Riddim (1998) - Ernest Ranglin [Amazon US]
From the time he toured Senegal with Jimmy Cliff in the late '70s, Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin wanted to return and record with local musicians. He finally got his wish in 1997, and the fruit produced by the journey was this collaboration with Senegalese star Baaba Maal. They're joined here by Maal's band, Daande Lenol, which translates as "nomad soul"--a fitting description for an album that is a restless blend of jazz sophistication and African syncopation. Restless is a dirty word when applied to roving husbands or spooked horses, but Ranglin's insatiable desire to explore is a treasure to behold. --Keith Moerer for amazon.comJamaican jazz guitarist Ernest Ranglin, at 66 years old, is more adventurous than most musicians half his age. Few could travel to Senegal and record with Baaba Maal and his band, Daande Lenol. Fewer still could make such a successful melding of styles. The secret is that Ranglin becomes a part of the band, trading licks with the kora, letting the others speak loudly, then adding his own distinctive voice to the proceedings. This is very definitely an "African" album, highlighted... --amazon.com
- Ernest Ranglin - Below the bassline [1 CD, Amazon US]
The man who taught Bob Marley how to play the guitar may finally get his just rewards. "BELOW THE BASSLINE" is a brilliant example of Jamaican Jazz in it's purest form. Ernest Ranglin has fast fingers for someone in his 60's. He has also mastered the technique of feathering the guitar strings with beathtaking precision. Add to this; an uncanny ability to comunicate such rich emotion through his music, and you have one sensational piece of music. This disc is testimony to his great love of Jazz, and his birth right Jamaica. Smooth, charming, and rhythmic. This is music you can either kick back and listen to, or get up and dance to. With "Below the Bassline", Ernest Ranglin has demolished any generation gap he may have had with the young or the old. This music is for everyone. Contagious to the last note. BRILLIANT!!!! -- : Dan Swan for Amazon.com
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