Desmond Dekker— At the crack of dawn on Labor Day earlier this week, thousands of Jamaicans embarked on their various chores, totally oblivious of the fact that one of the most iconic musical figures – Desmond Dekker, who labored incessantly to develop and internationalize Jamaica’s popular music – had passed away on that same date back in 2006. Dekker, perhaps, had very few equals insofar as it relates to bringing Jamaica’s music to the attention of an international audience. He was the first to have created a real impact with the reggae recording Israelites (originally titled Poor Mi Israelite), even before Bob Marley’s forays of the early 1970’s for producer Chris Blackwell. Millie Small, some five years before Dekker made his mark, had set the stage with the ska-oriented piece My Boy Lollipop. Although considered Jamaican, it … Read entire article »