Doctor Alimentado’s signature song Born For A Purpose, based on the true story of his near-death experience, is another of the quintessential reggae tunes.

There’s a story behind this classic tune from Doctor Alimentado (not a real doctor), which he wrote after being run over and nearly killed by a bus in Kingston, Jamaica, on Boxing Day 1976.

Equally adept at singing and deejaying, the philosophical lyric of the sung A-side articulates how his Rasta faith sustained him during his recovery, while the deejay version – Still Alive – showcases his production skills and toasting talent, picked up while working with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry in the early Seventies.

Doctor Alimentado (real name Winston Thompson, aka The Ital Surgeon) came to attention with his 1977 debut album, rejoicing in the splendid title Best Dressed Chicken In Town, which collected several Jamaican singles.

Championed in the UK by Johnny Rotten, eagle-eared punk historians will note that the Doctor gets a namecheck in the lyric of the Clash song Rudie Can’t Fail. This Channel One recording remains his biggest tune.

I’m pleased to learn that Thompson, who currently resides in Holland, is still working – though not as a doctor.