THE early days of dancehall music are among the most dynamic in reggae. The raw sounds of artistes like Sugar Minott and Barrington Levy, complemented by colourful fashions and characters, made the 1980s memorable.

Singer Little John was part of that era. He plans to revisit his heyday as well as introduce new songs at his Birthday Party, which takes place at St Elizabeth Peace Club in Black River, March 24.

Now a bulky 52, Little John chuckles when talk of the current ’80s revival comes up. Neo-roots singer Iba Mahr hails the period’s fashions on his hit song Diamond Sox; a book on dancehall’s embrace of Clarks footwear featured Little John’s 1985 hit Clarks Booty.

“Wi (he and his contemporaries) get a lotta torture back inna the day, but wi fight on an’ do wi thing. Wi do some great works, so mi nuh surprised sey people still love it,” he told the Observer.

Some of Little John’s ‘sparring partners’ from the 1980s will be in attendance at his Birthday Party including Tristan Palmer, General Trees, Pad Anthony and Tiger. Typical of the decade, there will be a sound clash.

Little John (real name John McMorris) and Palmer started their recording careers during the late 1970s, under the mentorship of their boyhood friend and singer/producer Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott.

It was Minott who produced Little John’s first song, 1 one Storm, in 1979. Driven by heavy sound system rotation, he had several hit songs in the new decade, including 1Confession and Clarks Booty

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His days as a hitmaker are behind him, but Little John still records. His latest songs, The Veteran Nuh Gone Nuh Wey and At Last, are done for his John House Production.

— Howard Campbell