Freddie McGregor

When Freddie McGregor first hit the heady heights of reggae stardom with his roots classic Big Ship in 1981, it was a musical milestone in a career that had begun at the tender age of seven. Yet it wasn’t until the mid-70s that his distinctive mix of Rastafarian reggae and lovers rock began to make an impact on the Jamaican scene. His eponymous debut in 1977 was followed by his first Studio One offering, the classic Bobby Babylon (1980). This album and the subsequent Big Ship earned him a permanent place in reggae music history. The 80s dancefloor revolution saw McGregor diversify with crossover hits Push Come to Shove and the UK Top 10 Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely. Still a prolific ambassador of roots reggae, he remains today one of its most soulful and enduring icons.