It’s ironic that my last post was about Lincoln “Sugar” Minott. The veteran Jamaican singer-songwriter-producer and DJ passed away this past Saturday July 10 at the age of 54. No real details have emerged concerning the cause of his death although speculation centers around his recent bout with heart problems that prevented him from performing at recent shows. Sugar’s death has brought out many heartfelt tributes from his friends and fans. He was a tireless promoter of Jamaican music and JA youths — indeed his sound was called Youthman Promotion. His greatest legacy, however, will be the many many LPs he released including his first, 1977’s Live Loving on Studio One. He was one of the first if not the first reggae singer to perform lyrics over established Studio One rhythms, a move which changed the direction of reggae forever. Echoes of his distinctive vocal style can be heard in many artists who followed in his footsteps including Barrington Levy and Triston Palmer.
Here’s a taste of the genius of Sugar: