Ijahman Levi

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Ijahman Levi
Ijahman Levi at Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2013
Ijahman Levi at Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2013
Background information
Birth nameTrevor Sutherland
Born (1946-06-21) 21 June 1946 (age 77)
Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica
GenresReggae
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar
LabelsIsland Records
Ijahman Levi with House of Riddim (2013)

Ijahman Levi (born Trevor Sutherland: 21 June 1946) is a Jamaican-British reggae musician. In his early years, Levi was tutored by musician and vocal teacher, Joe Higgs.[1] His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious conversion to Rastafari when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. It and his following records preach Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.

Biography[edit]

Levi moved with his parents to the United Kingdom in 1963.[2] In 1966 and 1969 he released two singles under the name of The Youth. The first one was in 1966 for Polydor 56121 "As Long As There is Love" c/w "Your One and Only Man", both covers of Jimmy Ruffin and Otis Redding songs. Ijahman has mentioned he is a great Otis Redding fan. They were cut in a typical mod R&B soul style. His second single was for Deram 226, released 17 January 1969, and featured "Meadow of My Love" c/w "Love Me or Leave Me". The B-side was self-written, being credited to 'Sutherland'. In 1985 Levi released "I Do", a duet he recorded with his second wife, Madge. The song performed well on the British reggae charts, reaching top position.[1] Ijahman’s most famous composition is "Jah Heavy Load" recorded and released in 1976.[citation needed]

Discography[edit]

  • 1978 - Haile I Hymn (Chapter 1)
  • 1978 - Haile I Hymn (Chapter 2)
  • 1979 - Are we a Warrior
  • 1982 - Tell it to the Children
  • 1984 - Lilly of my Valley
  • 1985 - Africa
  • 1986 - I Do (Ijahman and Madge)
  • 1987 - Forward Rastaman
  • 1987 - Culture Country
  • 1988 - Ijahman and Friends
  • 1988 - Over Europe Live
  • 1989 - Inside Out
  • 1991 - On Track
  • 1991 - Love Smiles
  • 1992 - Kingfari
  • 1993 - Entitlement
  • 1993 - Gemini Man
  • 1994 - Two Double Six
  • 1994 - Black Royalties
  • 1995 - Home Free by Madge
  • 1995 - Live in Paris 1994
  • 1995 - Ijahman Sings Bob Marley
  • 1996 - Ijahman & Bob Marley in Dub
  • 1997 - Live at Reggae on the River
  • 1997 - Beauty and the Lion
  • 1997 - Lion Dub Beauty
  • 1998 - Crocodile Man
  • 1998 - Monkey Man
  • 2000 - Arkart
  • 2001 - The Roots of Love
  • 2006 - Versatile Life

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Harris, Craig "Artist Biography by Craig Harris", Allmusic, Retrieved 28 July 2014
  2. ^ Ijahman Levi: I & Jah