The Ethiopians

Under the name Jack Sparrow, Leonard Dillon recorded two ska tracks in 1965 with producer-arranger Coxsone Dodd. The following year, the duo formed with Stephen Taylor took the name Ethiopians and distilled a reggae nourished by committed lyrics tinged with a soft, danceable ska. After 1970, despite their highly committed stance, they recorded regularly with Jamaica's leading producers. In 1975, Taylor died in a car accident, and Dillon continued the Ethiopians' adventure on his own. Since then, Dillon has mainly exploited his old repertoire. Back in vogue recently, the Ethiopians are appreciated above all for the extreme delicacy of their music and the roots-style craftsmanship of their lyrics.