Reid was born in the Tower Hill area of Kingston, and had a tough upbringing in the city’s Waterhouse district, notorious for being one of the most dangerous places in Jamaica. It was there in the politically turbulent late ’70s that he recorded his first-ever single “Speak the Truth” at the age of 13 for the late Hugh Mundell, released in Jamaica on Augustus Pablo’s Rockers International label, and popular as an import single in the United Kingdom.  UK label Greensleeves Records followed this with “Know Myself” in 1981.  With the guidance of Black Uhuru’s Garth Dennis, who honed his talents and vocal stylings, he then went on to form his own band, the Voice of Progress, and after a local hit with “Mini-Bus Driver” the group scored local success with an album of the same name.

To read more about Garth Dennis’ role in Jr. Reid’s development, click HERE to read my recent interview.

Here is a high quality rip of my own vinyl 7″ 45.

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