Mighty Diamonds

Biography

The Mighty Diamonds were a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafari influence. The group was formed in 1969 and were best known for their 1976 debut album, Right Time, produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, and the 1979 release, Deeper Roots×deeper rootsStudio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Reality3:152Blackman3:483Dreadlocks Time3:164Diamonds and Pearls3:015One Brother Short3:456Bodyguard3:3174000 Years3:308Master Plan4:019Two by Two3:3510Be Aware2:4911Reality Dub3:1712Blackman Dub3:4213Dreadlocks Time Dub3:0914Diamonds and Pearls Dub3:0115One Brother Short Dub3:0616Bodyguard Dub3:30174000 Years Dub3:3318Master Plan Dub4:0119Two by Two Dub3:0420Be Aware Dub2:55.
On March 29, 2022, their lead singer, Donald "Tabby" Shaw, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting. On April 1, 2022, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson died. They disbanded shortly afterwards.

History

Formed in 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston, the group comprised lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw, and harmony vocalists Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson. They had become friends at school in the mid-1960s, and were originally called The Limelight, adopting 'Mighty Diamonds' after Shaw's mother started referring to them as "The Diamonds". Their smooth harmonies and choreographed stage show were inspired by Motown vocal groups of the 1960s, with Shaw listing The Temptations, The Stylistics, The Impressions, and The Delfonics as influences as well as Jamaican rocksteady artists such as John Holt and Ken Boothe.
Their early recordings were produced by Pat Francis, Stranger Cole ("Girl You Are Too Young" (1970), "Oh No Baby"), Derrick Harriott ("Mash Up"), Bunny Lee ("Jah Jah Bless the Dreadlocks", "Carefree Girl"), Lee "Scratch" Perry ("Talk About It"), and Rupie Edwards, but it was in 1973 that they had their first hit single with the Francis-produced "Shame and Pride", recorded at the Dynamic Sounds studio. It was their mid-1970s work with producer Joseph Hoo Kim that gave them their real breakthrough. "Country Living" and "Hey Girl" were recorded and released by the Channel One label. "Right Time" followed, on Hoo Kim's Well Charge label, and cemented their status as one of the top Jamaican groups of the time.
Virgin Records signed them and the group's début album, Right Time, was released in 1976, including most of their early Channel One hits. The album was an international success and for the follow-up, Virgin sent them to work with Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, with local musicians providing the backing. The resulting Ice on Fire album sold poorly, the production not appealing to reggae fans, and the album later described as "an attempt by New Orleans soul musicians to play reggae".
Back in Jamaica, they continued to record for Channel One, with the Stand Up to Your Judgment album released in 1978, and continued to produce a string of hit singles. They also released records on their own 'Bad Gong' label. The group's Deeper Roots, released in 1979, was their next big album success, again released by Virgin, on its Front Line label.
In 1978, The Mighty Diamonds made a brief cameo in the film Rockers, directed by Ted Bafaloukos.
In the early 1980s, they recorded with producer Gussie Clarke, largely using old Studio One tracks as the basis for their recordings, and dubplates of these sessions became popular on sound systems in Jamaica, New York, and London, particularly "Pass the Kouchie×Pass the Kouchie1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1ProverbsA2World SituationA3Big ManA4TribulationA5Pray Unto TheeB1Pass the KouchieB2SocietyB3ChancesB4KinarkyB5Fight It Out There", recorded on the "Full Up" riddim. Their work with Clarke produced the 1981 album Changes×Changes1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Pass the Kouchie3:34A2All I Have Is Love3:15A3Revolution3:08A4Love Is Never Hard to Find3:45A5Wanna Be With You3:55B1No Crying, No Bawling3:48B2Fancy Lady3:02B3Party Time3:48B4Your Heart’s Desire3:44B5I’m Hurting Inside3:43.
"Pass the Kouchie", written by Ferguson and Simpson, became an international hit twice, when first released (on their 1982 album Changes) and again when it was covered by Musical Youth with the lyrics altered to remove the drug references, and released as "Pass the Dutchie" (1982).
Their performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1982 was released on an album later that year, paired with the performance from Mutabaruka.
The group continued to release albums regularly, adapting successfully to the prevailing digital rhythms of the 1980s and beyond. Tabby, Bunny and Judge issued over 40 albums in their long career.
In 2021, the group was honoured with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in the National Honours and Awards, on the occasion of Jamaica's 59th Anniversary of Independence.
On 29 March 2022, Donald “Tabby” Shaw was shot dead, along with one other person, on McKinley Crescent in St Andrew, Kingston, Jamaica. Three others were injured in the shooting. The following Friday, 1 April, co-singer with the group, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson died whilst in an undisclosed Kingston hospital.

Studio albums

Right Time (1976), Free World Music
Ice on Fire (1977), Free World Music
Planet Mars Dub (1978), Front Line – The Icebreakers and the Diamonds, dub version of Planet Earth
Stand Up to Your Judgment (1978), Channel One
Tell Me What's Wrong (1978), Hit Bound
Planet Earth (1978), Virgin
Deeper Roots (1979), Free World Music
Deeper Roots Dub (1979)
Changes (1981), Music Works
Dubwise (1981), Music Works – six dub versions from Changes and four other dubs
Reggae Street (1981), Free World Music
The Roots Is There (1982), Music Works/Shanachie
Indestructible (1982), Alligator (similar to the album Changes×Changes1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Pass the Kouchie3:34A2All I Have Is Love3:15A3Revolution3:08A4Love Is Never Hard to Find3:45A5Wanna Be With You3:55B1No Crying, No Bawling3:48B2Fancy Lady3:02B3Party Time3:48B4Your Heart’s Desire3:44B5I’m Hurting Inside3:43 with two extra songs)
Heads of Government (1982), Jah Guidance
Leaders of Black Countries (Showcase Album) (1983), Mobiliser
Backstage (1983), Music Works
Kouchie Vibes (1984), Burning Sounds
Diamonds Are Forever (1984), Woorell Japan – Eight songs exclusive to Japan plus two singles
Pass the Kouchie (1985), Free World Music
Struggling (1985), Free World Music
If You Looking for Trouble (1986), Live & Learn
The Real Enemy (1987), Greensleeves
Never Get Weary (1988), Live & Learn
Get Ready (1988), Rohit International/Greensleeves
Ready for the World (1989), Overheat Japan – Eight songs exclusive to Japan plus two singles
Jam Session (Remastered), Free World Music
Tour the World (1991) – contains five new songs and five old songs
Patience (1991), Free World Music
The Moment of Truth (1992), Free World Music
Bust Out (1993), Free World Music
Paint It Red (1993), Free World Music
Speak the Truth (1994), Free World Music
Stand Up (1998), Gone Clear
Rise Up (2001), Free World Music
Thugs in the Streets (2006), Nocturne
Inna De Yard (2008), Makasound – acoustic versions of classic songs performed with nyabinghi drums

Collaborations and split albums

Vital Dub Strictly Rockers (aka: Vital Dub – Well Charged) (1976) – includes five dub versions from the Right Time album
Trinity Meet the Mighty Diamonds (1979), Gorgon
Disco Showcase (1979), Gussie Roots Sounds – Leroy Smart feat. The Mighty Diamonds
Right Time Rockers (The Lost Album) (1998) – recorded in 1976, U-Roy deejaying on the riddims from the Right Time album

Compilations

Vital Selection (1981), Virgin – 1976–1979 Joseph Hoo Kim produced material
Ebony and Ivory (1983), Woorell – Japanese compilation of Augustus Clark productions
Go Seek Your Rights (1990), Front Line – 1976–1979 Joseph Hoo Kim produced material
Mighty Diamonds Meet Don Carlos & Gold at Channel One Studios (1993), Channel One – includes the complete Right Time album
Paint It Red (1993), RAS – compilation of singles from 1985 to 1990, overdubbed with new instruments
Works (1994), JVC/Victor – 1981–1988 Augustus Clarke material
From the Foundation (1996), Gone Clear – The Mighty Diamonds & The Tamlins, 1978–1981 Augustus Clarke material
Heads of Government (1996), Germain – Donovan Germain-produced material, different from the 1983 album
Maximum Replay (1997) – 1981–1988 Augustus Clarke material
The Best of the Mighty Diamonds: 20 Hits (1997) – contains two full albums: Stand Up to Your Judgment×Stand Up to Your Judgment1978 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Jah Will Work It Out3:35A2Just Another Man2:33A3Payaka2:28A4Cho Me Brethren2:53A5Stand Up to Your Judgement3:32B1I Want to Know3:27B2Fools Rush In3:10B3Back Whey3:34B4Stoned Out of My Mind3:15B5Country Living4:15 and Tell Me What's Wrong×Tell Me What's WrongStudio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Brothers & Sisters2Party3Have A Little Mercy4Tell Me What's Wrong5Know Your Culture6You Better Beware7No Opportunity For The Youth8I Don't Mind What You Are Saying9Love Me Girl10Still In Love
RAS Portrait (1997), RAS – recordings from 1993 to 1994
Right Time Come (1998) – includes the complete Right Time album and nine songs from 1978
Indestructible: Anthology Volume 1 (1999)
Natural Natty Reggae (2000), Simon – compilation of singles produced by Bunny Diamonds between 1976 and 1997
The Classics Recordings of Jamaica's Finest Vocal Trio (2000), Music Club
Gold Collection (2000), Grayland
Everlasting: 30th Anniversary (2000), D-3
Rise Up (2001), Jet Star
Unconquerable (2003), Reggae Road
Revolution (2003), NYC Music
The Best of the Mighty Diamonds (2004), Seymour – features two albums: Pass the Kouchie×Pass the Kouchie1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1ProverbsA2World SituationA3Big ManA4TribulationA5Pray Unto TheeB1Pass the KouchieB2SocietyB3ChancesB4KinarkyB5Fight It Out There and Tour the World
Back2Back: Tamlins & Mighty Diamonds (2007)
Reggae Legends (2008), VP – four-CD boxset that contains the four albums issued on Greensleeves: The Real Enemy×The Real Enemy1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1The Real Enemy2Gang War3Play Girl4Babylon Is Dangerous5Dem a Worry6Free Africa7Right Feeling8I Say No9Mr. Botha10Chant Down War11Dread Out Deh, Get Ready×Get Ready1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Schoolmate4:07A2Another Day Another Raid4:50A3Tonight I'm Gonna Take It Easy4:19A4Idler's Corner3:46A5Cannot Say You Didn't Know3:42B1Sensemilla4:14B2My Baby4:24B3Get Ready3:40B4Up Front3:40B5Modeller3:57, Live in Europe×Live In Europe1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracksA1Party TimeA2The Real EnemyA3Country LivingA4I Don't MindA5Mr. BothaA6Right TimeA7Have MercyB1AfricaB2I Need A RoofB3Keep On MovingB4My BabyB5Heavy LoadB6Putting On The Ritz and Bust Out
Kings of Reggae (2009), Nocturne – material issued on RAS records in 1993–1994
Leaders of Black Countries (2011), Kingston Sounds

Live albums

Live in Tokyo (1985)
Live in Europe (1989)
Live at Reggae Sunsplash (1992), Genes – recorded in August 1982, eight songs from Mighty Diamonds and seven songs from Mutabaruka
The Best of Reggae Live (2001) – Frankie Paul & Mighty Diamonds
Live in Europe: Nice, France (2002) – recorded in 1997