R.I.P. Sly Dunbar

Drum legend Sly Dunbar died on January 26 at the age of 73 after a battle with cancer. Dunbar was one half of Sly and Robbie, the innovative Jamaican rhythm section that played for Peter Tosh, Grace Jones, Black Uhuru, Mick Jagger, No Doubt, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, The Fugees, Gwen Guthrie, Herbie Hancock, Mighty Diamonds, Sugar Minott, Simply Red and more. The two met as teenagers and played together in The Revolutionaries before they became two of the most sought after musicians in the industry. Their success gave them the means to start Taxi Records in 1978. Buju Banton and Elephant Man were just two of the artists to release music on Sly and Robbie’s Taxi imprint. Dunbar’s technique as a drummer was revered after his double tap contribution to The Mighty Diamond’s “Right Time” which became a standard reggae rhythm.

Dancehall changed when they produced “Bam Bam” and “Murder She Wrote” for Chaka Demus and Pliers. The passing of the microphone back and forth while Demus and Pliers toasted and sang would later be emulated by artists like Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest, and Shaggy. Dunbar did something else unusual when he added Indian tabla sounds to his drums. Their prolific recording schedule included albums as a duo and their Rhythm Killers is considered one of the most important of the ’80s. They remained active until Shakespeare’s passing in 2021. In 2008, they collaborated with Amp Fiddler on his Inspiration Information album. Dunbar had 13 Grammy nominations and won two times.