Important Information

Knowledge

HistoryThe group formed in the Rema area of Kingston, in 1974, the line-up including Anthony Doyley (lead vocals and main songwriter), Delroy Fowlin (vocals) aka Bronco Knowledge, Earl MacFarlane (vocals), Michael Smith (guitar), and Michael Samuels (vocals). Doyley had previously been a member of The Classics, who had recorded for Lee "Scratch" Perry in the late 1960s. Paul Freeman joined the group later in their career. They recorded for deejay and producer Tapper Zukie, first on the "Make Faith" single, with several releases on his "Stars" label. These led to a major label deal with A&M, who issued the group's debut album, Hail Dread (produced by Zukie), in 1978. The deal with A&M proved to be short-lived, with the group's second album, Judgement, issued on the Roach label in 1980. Samuels subsequently embarked on a solo career, and Freeman set up his own 'Sunshine' label, along with Trevor "Leggo Beast" Douglas.In the early 1980s, the group worked with producer Roy Cousins, achieving reggae hits with "Na Buy Apartheid", "Chant Rasta Man", and "Fire Burn" on Cousins' Tamoki-Wambesi label. They used musicians including keyboard player Pablove Black, Winston Wright, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, and Sowell Radics. These recordings were collected on the Stumbling Block album in 1982.The group split up, with Doyley emigrating to England. He died on 26 February 2011, aged 55. Delroy Fowlin also emigrated to England in 2001, and released his own albums, Tell Me Something and More Knowledge for the People.