Knowledge

Knowledge were based in the Rema area of Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, where they established a solid reputation. The group began their career in the late 70s under the guidance of DJ Tapper Zukie. The line-up included Anthony Doyley, Delroy Folding, Earl MacFarlane, Michael Smith, Michael Samuels, and later, Paul Freeman. The group’s debut, ‘Make Faith’, featured Zukie introducing the band as his protégés, and proved a winning combination. They released a number of hits through Zukie’s Stars label, which culminated in a major label signing in 1978. The contract was short-lived and in the early 80s the group went through a period of anonymity. During this unproductive time, Freeman, under the pseudonym of Jah Showie, linked up with Trevor Douglas to set up his own Sunshine label. In 1981, Samuels, under the guise of Michael Knowledge, attempted a solo career with the release of ‘Dreadlock Time’. In the early 90s the band began recording for Roy Cousins, resulting in the hits ‘Na Buy Apartheid’, ‘Chant Rasta Man’ and ‘Fire Burn’, for his Tamoki-Wambesi label. The group avoided the digital sound, preferring to use real musicians, and enlisted some of Jamaica’s top players including Pablove Black, Winston Wright, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace and Sowell Radics. After a lengthy delay, the sessions eventually appeared on a CD compilation in 1995.