An important figure in the history of reggae, Lincoln Barrington Minott is credited with being the instigator of the Dancehall style that took over from roots reggae in the early Eighties.
But I first came across him when Jamaican friends began talking about a new style of roots reggae called Lovers Rock around 1979 and the name Sugar Minott kept coming up – especially from the lips of lay-deez charmed by his sweet name and sweeter sounds.
In truth, Lovers Rock (aka love songs) had always been there but now it was given a name – a name later co-opted for a different style of music by female reggae artists, mostly from London. Sugar Minott had nothing in common with them.
He started out in a harmony group (African Brothers) and began his solo career at Studio One, and went on to enjoy a UK pop hit with the catchy Good Thing Going – but I prefer his rootsier material; before he introduced the devil’s instrument – “syn-drums” – and the harsher beats of Dancehall to his sound.
This is the tune that did so well in UK reggae circles that he relocated to the UK in 1979, teaming up with Captain Sinbad, the toaster making (I believe) his debut on the dub version.