Carroll Thompson

b. 1960, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, England. Thompson’s voice was nurtured while singing in school and church choirs, but she studied for a career in the pharmaceuticals industry. In the mid-70s she provided backing vocals in a number of UK-based recording studios, following a successful audition to join the disco band Sugar Cane (the group was a further attempt at disco domination by Frank Farian, but was later abandoned). She sang on sessions for UK-based reggae performers, as well as Imagination and soca star Norma White. Thompson subsequently embarked on a solo career and by 1981 she had topped the reggae chart twice, with ‘I’m Sorry’ and ‘Simply In Love’, for the Itals. In 1982 she scooped two accolades at the GLR Reggae Awards. She was voted best female performer and ‘Hopelessly In Love’ was deemed the best song. She maintained a high profile with the release of ‘Smiling In The Morning’ for Excaliber, ‘Your Love’ and ‘Hopelessly Without You’ for S&G, with whom she also worked in a production role. Her prominence led to the release of a single by her harmony singer, Saffrice, ‘Dreaming Of Your Love’, through S&G. As they were unable to provide Thompson with the necessary promotion, the S&G group initiated an agreement with the Red Bus label to further her career. The releases of ‘Just A Little Bit’ and ‘A Happy Song’ were met with animosity from the media and the ballads faltered, resulting in a short-term agreement. Her prolific career continued, however, and in 1983 she secured further awards, including a citation from the Voice, and was voted top female vocalist for the second time by GLR listeners. She also recorded duets with Sugar Minott (‘Make It With You’) and Trevor Walters (‘Love Won’t Let Us Wait’). Her solo hits include ‘Honest I Do’, ‘Give Me A Chance’ and ‘You Make It Heaven’. By 1984 her recorded output had dwindled, although the release of ‘Baby Be True’ secured an acceptable chart placing. Thompson maintained her high profile with commendable performances at both the GLR Reggae Awards and fifth Black Echoes Awards ceremonies. In 1985 she worked with the funk group Total Contrast, resulting in the release of ‘Apple Of My Eye’. In 1990 she was invited to provide the lead vocals on a joint production with Aswad and Courtney Pine, for the release of a version of Diana Ross’ ‘I’m Still Waiting’, which sat at the lower end of the UK chart. She also entered the UK chart in the same year as a featured vocalist for Movement 98 with ‘Joy And Heartbreak’ and ‘Sunrise’. In 1994 Thompson joined Alton Ellis, Prince Lincoln, Justin Hinds, Dennis Alcapone and Owen Gray in a memorial concert for Gene Rondo.