Pablo Moses

An original voice from the classic era of roots reggae, Pablo Moses has been a socially conscious songwriter since the mid-70s and a firm stalwart of Jamaican music with a following that stretches across Japan, France and America. Born in rural Manchester, Jamaica, he grew up playing in school groups before forming The Canaries with Don Prendes and making a name for himself by competing in talent shows in Kingston. Producer Geoffrey Chung took a liking to Moses and arranged a meeting with the legendary Lee 'Scratch' Perry at Black Ark Studios, where they recorded his debut single 'I Man a Grasshopper'. Written about a drunk lodger who was staying at his mother's house and had taken a dislike to Moses, the track became a big hit in both Jamaica and the UK in 1975 and resulted in his first album 'Revolutionary Dream'.

Mixing Rastafari spirituality, social justice issues and skanking dubby rhythms, he spoke out politically on tracks like 'We Should Be in Angola' (where he decried gangster culture and urged his generation to be more conscious of the struggles going on across Africa). He didn't fit with the growing trend for carefree dancehall pop, but was signed to Island Records in 1980 for another highly regarded album 'A Song' and found more success with single 'Ready, Aim, Fire' in 1983. He became a regular favourite on the reggae scene, touring the world and releasing a string of albums in the 1990s, including 'We Refuse', 'Confessions of a Rastaman' and 'Mission'. Remaining a worldly, Rasta revolutionary, he returned to music after a 15-year absence in 2010 with 'The Rebirth' and continues to tour.