Record producer Henry 'Junjo' Lawes was shot dead by two gunmen in Harlesden, London on the 14th of June 1999, he was 51.

Lawes first entered the music business in 1978 producing a few sides with Linval Thompson, but it was in 1979 that he really made the Jamaican public sit up and take notice.

The sessions he held at Channel One with a young Barrington Levy were released as the classic 'Bounty Hunter' album. The single 'A Yah We Deh' sold reasonably well, but three Jamaican number ones followed in the form of 'It's Not Easy Looking My Love', 'Shine Eye Gal' and 'Collie Weed', the latter one of the best recuts of 'My Converstaion' you're likely to hear.

Working with The Roots Radics band, Junjo proceeded to dominate the Jamaican music scene over the next 4 years with hits on his Arrival and Volcano labels. Amongst those to benefit from Junjo's Midas touch were Johnny Osbourne, Michael Prophet, the late General Echo (shortly before his murder), and Michigan & Smiley.

Whereas roots music had been the staple diet of reggae fans in the '70's, the early '80's saw dancehall music dominating the scene. Junjo produced a series of killer cuts and albums, many of which were issued in the UK on Greensleeves Records, as well as releasing a series of dub albums mixed by engineer Scientist.

The hits flowed, 'Diseases' for Michigan & Smiley, 'Ice Cream Love' for Johnny Osbourne, 'Gunman' for Michael Prophet and 'How The West Was Won' by the late Ranking Toyan. Eek-A-Mouse, the unmistakeble six foot six singjay, struck with 'A Wa Do Dem', and Junjo also lent his hand to a number of sides by veterans John Holt, Ken Boothe and Alton Ellis. The Wailing Souls released the anthemic 'Fire House Rock', which remains one of Lawes greatest achievements, and he continued his work with Barrington Levy, culminating in the monster hit 'Prison Oval Rock' in 1984.

Having set up his own Volcano sound system sometime around 1983, Junjo also produced a flurry of hits for the top deejays of the day.Lawes is also widely credited as instigating the 'clash' album, where two artists are given a side each, usually with the same rhythm tracks, and was also among the first producers to release a live dancehall session on vinyl.

He produced some of the best records for albino deejay Yellowman, including 'Mr. Chin', a recut of 'I'm Getting Married' and the massive 'Zungguzungguguzungguzeng', which was also the title track of possibly the deejays' finest album.

Towards the end of 1983, Junjos' supremacy was being challenged by producer Prince Jammy. Lawes wouldn't relinquish his crown easily, however, and he retaliated by releasing hits from Frankie Paul ('Pass The Tu Sheng Peng' & 'Curfew In The Dance'), and Cocoa Tea ('I Lost My Sonia', 'Rocking Dolly') before moving his Volcano operation to New York in 1985.

6 years passed, in which time the digital revolution swept through Jamaica like a hurricane. Lawes eventually returned to the island in 1991, and was soon back in the producers chair, recording artists such as Yellowman, Cocoa Tea and Josey Wales. He also worked with the new generation of stars, including Ninjaman, Shaka Shamba and General TK, although some of these later productions didn't always meet the standard of his earlier work.

At the time of his death, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes was no longer at the forefront of Jamaican music, but with such a great track record, it would be foolish to think that he could not have regained some of his former glory. He will be sadly missed by all lovers of quality dancehall music.

Recommended Albums:

Barrington Levy: Bounty Hunter
Barrington Levy: Robin Hood
Toyan: How The West Was Won
Eek-A-Mouse: Wa Do Dem
Eek-A-Mouse: The Mouse & The Man
Johnny Osbourne: Fally Lover
Johnny Osbourne: Never Stop Fighting
Michael Prophet: Gunman
John Holt: Police In Helicopter
Frankie Paul: Pass The Tu Sheng Peng
Clint Eastwood & General Saint: Two Bad DJ!
Michigan & Smiley: Downpression
Yellowman: Mister Yellowman
Yellowman: Zungguzungguguzungguzeng!
Wailing Souls: Fire House Rock