In March 2020, Samuel Clayton Jr., son of Samuel Clayton of the mysterious Rastafari and brain damage revelation, left France for Jamaica, excited about their mission. The producers had a project with Big Youth on their radar and were happy to meet the dub manager for the recording sessions.
But an emerging virus called COVID-19 has also landed unwantedly. Both products contracted COVID-19 and he declared brain damage Sunday GlennerFrom there, things went quickly.
“It all happened very early in March 2020. At that time, we didn’t know anything about the virus. Sam and I traveled from France to Kingston and maybe we would have fallen ill together by then. I only spent two. days in Jamaica, where I had to get back in shape. Urgent in France after learning that my son was sick at home, ”recalls Brian Damage.
“I started to laugh on the way back. I immediately notified Sam and Stephen Stewart, the producers I worked with in Kingston. They had just finished playing with Big Youth at Anchor Studios. Then I started to feel really sick. Stephen and I got sick. ” [a] High fever, I had to stay in quarantine in my studio for weeks, but nothing too dangerous. Unfortunately, Sam Clayton failed. He was Jamaica’s second COVID victim, “Brain Devastation, real name Martin Nathan, sadly recalls.
Brain damage only encountered Big Youth for a while when he was forced to leave Jamaica, and Clayton Jr. decided to stay and record the vocals with the Big Youth. He was in the hospital for two weeks before his death.
Brain Damage, known as a patron of the French dub and reggae scenes, whose title actually comes from the song by Pink Floyd, said it was also the name of a radio show he was hosting in France . Clayton met over 20 years ago, and at one point they lived in the same town in France. Understandably, it took a while for the prolific producer to process the loss of his friend, especially in the midst of one of their dream projects, and he would have been forgiven had he decided to leave him. But Clayton Jr. asked him to finish the album, Beyond the blue.
He asked me to do that and his wife Annie too. I promised myself to finish the album. Once it got better, I spent the next few months doing it, with Sam somewhere above me to help me out. To make it more realistic, I have provided samples of his voice as intros and endings for most of the songs. So I had more with me here, ”explained the brain damage.
He noted that Clayton sparked his interest in the island by telling many stories about Jamaica and his legendary father, brother Samuel Clayton. We spent time on the road, worked in studios and so much more. The first time he brought me to Kingston, he introduced me to Stephen Stewart, his soul mate, head of Harry J.’s studio at the time. unforgettable moments during the production of the album, To walk, Along with conductor Michael, Willie Williams, Horace Andy and Winston McCannoff, Kiddos I. Sam was very good at connecting Jamaican artists with foreign producers, ”he said of his friend.
Describing Clayton’s work as “incredible,” “brain damage” pleaded for his production partner to be correctly identified. “Most people know about his father’s legacy, but I really think they should know what he’s accomplished as well. [He did] Many projects all over the world [a] Sound engineer, and more often with very talented and senior artists. Our work together over the years has gone so well that we decided to work on five parts. Jamaican brain damage Series of albums. This tough project with Big Youth was supposed to be the third. Unfortunately, it would be the last for Sam. What a loss! He lamented.
Sam Clayton’s soul clearly hovers in a tangible way Beyond the blue, A dubbing, jazz and toast project that consciously celebrates greatness rather than falling prey to the tragedy that threatened to corrupt its production.
Speaking of the song from the album that marked him personally, Clayton said Sunday Glenner it will be Wareika Hill.
” Wareika Hill You may be more valuable to me. Big Youth, incredible as always, tells us about the beginnings and bottlenecks of the Wareika Hills. A wonderful song dedicated to Brother Samuel and the mystical revelation of Rastafari. At the end, I added audio clips of Sam Jr, told about his father. very deep. All of these stories are invaluable to me. “We’re talking history here,” Brain Injury said.
And Brain Damage shared that choosing Big Youth for this project was really obvious.
“Young old people have always been one of the best! I asked Sam and Stephen for the opportunity to work with him. They immediately tell me about his best. Everyone I have met in Jamaica tells me about its best, in the past and now. This is what brings Jamaican artists to the rest of the world. It’s amazing, and the grown-ups take a big part of it. It was an honor for me to produce this album. “
He added in conclusion: “I hope to have more time to spend with him, as planned, and I share the stages together. But the virus came and changed everything, all plans, everywhere, for everyone, I think. ”
Beyond the blue By Brain Damage Meets Big Youth will be released on May 28 in CD, LP and digital format.
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