The Tamlins: Derrick Lara (left), Carlton Smith (centre) and Junior Moore

The singing trio of Carlton Smith, Junior Moore and Derrick Lara, better known as the Tamlins, want to dispel speculations that the group is (at best) in limbo or (at worst) defunct.

In an effort to clear the air, all three members of the group told Splash that they wish to assure their many fans, promoters and producers that, though they are rarely in Jamaica, the Tamlins are still together, but due to their hectic tour schedule, they are absent from the local music scene.

"Most promoters don't see us and think more or less that wi break up or a cool out," Smith said. "But," he explains, "we are busy on the road. Couple weeks ago, we had a fantastic tour of England. London was a boom; we mesmerised the whole audience. The second show in Birmingham, murder! Ken Boothe, Pat Kelly and Errol Dunkley joined us on stage."

The leader of the group widely regarded as one of reggae's best harmonising trios, which since the 1970s, has at different times provided vocal harmony for Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Delroy Wilson, Pat Kelly and Beres Hammond, was quick to point out that the group still tours with Rita Marley as her support team of vocalists.
"We've just returned from Tahiti, in the South Pacific, along with Rita Marley," Smith said, while confirming that their next appearance with the reggae queen will be shortly, in the Bahamas.

"I don't want the people dem feel seh because dem hear the individual work of Derrick Lara or a Junior Moore or a Carlton Smith," Lara cautioned, "we still experiment because it's music same way, y'know. We're still together," was his assurance.

Dispelling some local show promoters' belief that the Tamlins were no longer together, especially because colleague Junior Moore had spent some time in the United States recently, Lara reiterated that it was not so.

"The fact is, he (Junior Moore) was in the United States, but just for a little while, and even then, we would still come together whenever a show came up. So I'm appealing to the promoters and producers, don't leave us out because we're here to stay," he said.

The Tamlins' repertoire includes some of Jamaica's golden releases, including Eighteen With A Bullet; their biggest hit; Randy Newman's Baltimore; Stars, Go Away Dreams and Ting-A-Ling, released in 1979 on the Hawkeye label in London.

"We've also been working in the studios, and we're now doing some songs for the Tamlins' new album coming out soon," revealed Smith, a former operator with the now defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation.

"If I should have a solo hit, Carlton and Derrick would be on it same way, because I don't want my songs without harmonies. And if any of my songs become a hit, it's Tamlins same way," said Junior Moore, who is doing some individual work produced by old school deejay Junior Breamer, formerly Trinity, the producer of rising star Natty King.

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