Courtney Melody “Just Like The Rain” (2007)

@LeoOReggio
E-Store: https://leosretroreggaestore.company.site/
Facebook: facebook.com/everoreggio

Dancehall singer Courtney Melody began singing while still in high school in St. Andrew, Jamaica. He woodshedded at Black Spider Records before hooking up with Stereo One Sound System, where he worked with Ricky Stereo, Boy Blue, Daddy Freddy, and had his first record, “Screechy Across the Border,” released.
It was played by reggae DJs worldwide and covered in the U.S. by Little Kirk. A stint with Technique Records produced the local hits “How Long Will Your Love Last,” “Key to Your Heart,” and “Exploiter.” Melody had one international charter, “Bad Boy,” in 1986, which started a run of dancehall hits (including “Turn Them Back”) and furthered Melody’s reputation as an influential figure in the dancehall scene.

It’s said his style and sound shaped the next generation of dancehall artists. Like many Jamaican artists, Melody recorded for virtually every producer and recording company on the island. He did “Ninja Mi Ninja” and “Tell Dem” for King Tubby; “Modern Girl” for Robert French; “Put It Down” for Harry J; “Downpressor” for Prince Jazzbo; “Rootsman” for Redman; and King Jammy benefited from “Can’t Get We Out” and “Wake Up Little Susie.” Melody’s Modern Girl (1989) is heralded as one of the best dancehall albums ever recorded in Jamaica.

A daring individual and renowned rough-house, Melody’s career paused after he suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident. Fans were fleeting, and by the time Melody has fully recovered, his followers had aligned their loyalties with newer dancehall masters. With the exception of the single “In the Street,” Melody was missing in action during the ’90s, although his waning career was rejuvenated when Mighty Crown, a Japanese recording company, reissued “Ninja Mi Ninja” in 1999. The 12-track album ‘Mr. Melody’ that same year with Jet Star Records. This was shortly complemented the next year with his collaboration with Luciano, Tristan Palmer, Beres Hammond, Papa Michigan, Marcia Griffiths & Delly Tanks with the uplifting track ‘God Love’, which speaks for itself.

Since then, he has continued to influence the next generation with consistent 7” inch Vinyl releases through various different labels over the years. He has been no stranger to collaborations either. Melody recorded for virtually every producer and recording company in Jamaica. In 2001, ‘Key To Your Heart’ with Anthony B was released the same year as the single ‘Down Presser’ released with Ujama. The next year, Courtney joined forces with Ninja Ford & Mr Flash/Burtlancaster with ‘Sound Boy Die/Politics’. In 2004, Melody released 7” singles ‘Armageddon’ with Clinch Records and ‘Coming In’ with Safire Music. His consistency in delivering quality music demonstrates that his journey as an influential performer doesn’t stop there. Never failing to empower his community, he released a number of collaborations with Danny English, Major Lloyd, Suzi & Trish and Elephant Man. This was followed by his 2 sided single ‘Stop Inform/Black Liberation in 2007. This 12′ was released on the Crat label out of Brooklyn New York, both cuts come with stripped down dubs.

In 2010, Courtney returned to Jamaica and released ‘No Darkness’ with Chopper productions and Digikiller Records. This includes a Black Roots Band version on the B side of the 7” single. In 2012, he joined them again for ‘Watching You’. In recent years the single, ‘She Say Yes’ was followed by his collaboration in 2016 with Little John and Conrad Crystal. This 4 sided 12” features ‘Run Around Girl’ on side B1. This proves that Courtney is not just an influential figure within the Reggae/Dancehall culture, but truly a legend in this genre.