COMING off a strong performance at Rebel Salute, The Mighty Diamonds are scheduled to perform in the United States this week, their first dates in that country for 18 months.

The trio of Judge, Bunny and Tabby Diamond will kick off a five-date trek on Friday with a show at Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, followed by a gig in St Louis, Missouri, the next day. Their remaining dates are in Colorado.

Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson told the Jamaica Observer that “a likkle problem” has kept him and his colleagues from touring since 2013. With that issue rectified, he says they are looking forward to working overseas for most of 2015.

“Nuh food nuh deh a yard yuh nuh, so it good fi be out on the road regular, ’cause yuh can work every night,” he said.

Because of their extended absence, Simpson said demand for the Diamonds is high, especially in Europe where they have toured consistently for the past 35 years. There are also calls from promoters in Brazil and Japan.

Simpson, Lloyd ‘Judge’ Simpson and lead singer Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw started The Mighty Diamonds out of Trench Town in 1969. They were one of the many harmony groups that emerged during the roots-reggae craze of the 1970s, scoring with a number of memorable songs at the Channel One studio.

Those include Right Time, I Need a Roof and Africa. In the 1980s, they continued that trend with songs like Heads of Government and the monster hit, Pass the Kutchie.

Like Burning Spear, Culture and The Gladiators, their contemporaries from the 1970s, the Diamonds are popular throughout Europe where they play the biggest summer festivals. They also have a strong base on the United States west coast.

— Howard Campbell