Tad’s Record Celebrates
63 Years of Jamaican Independence with Reggae Music
Jamaica’s independence is a big deal to management at Tad’s International Record. For the past three years, the company has issued a compilation series marking the country’s sovereignty, which it gained from Great Britain in August 1962.
Co-produced by Tad Dawkins and Tad Dawkins Jr., Celebrating Jamaica 63 — Various Artists is the latest instalment in this popular series. The 16-song set is scheduled for pre-release on July 11, 2025 with its official release on August 1, five days before the country’s independence.
Celebrating Jamaica 63 contains covers of classic reggae songs as well as originals by top artists such as Josey Wales, The Mighty Diamonds, Jesse Royal, Anthony B, Glen Washington and Sanchez.
The Mighty Diamonds collaborate with Josey Wales and Singer J on their 1976 standard, I Need A Roof, while Jesse Royal puts a fresh spin on The Tide is High, originally done by The Paragons.
Leroy Sibbles, driving force behind The Heptones, does justice to Party Time, one of that legendary trio’ biggest hits, while Sophia Squier covers Hello Carol, a big hit in the late 1960s for The Gladiators.
Anthony B’s Reggae Gone Pon Top and Riot by saxophonist Dean Fraser and trumpeter Okeil McIntyre are two of five original songs on ‘Celebrating Jamaica 63’.
According to Dawkins Senior, the production procedure was similar to previous projects.
“We have a core stable of artists that we work with throughout the years. The selection was a spontaneous process by myself and TJ from these artists,” he said.
Bassist Flabba Holt and Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, drummer Kirk Bennett, keyboardist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul and Carol “Bowie” McLaughlin and guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin are some of the musicians who played on Celebrating Jamaica 63 — Various Artists.
Written by: Howard Campbell
Produced by – Tad A. Dawkins Junior exclusively for Tad’s Record
STREAM NOW: https://album.link/celebrating-jamaica-63npd
