About the blackstones

With original compositions of their own. The Blackstones have also covered some all-time classics on this album. Studio One muscians featuring Jackie Mittoo, Ernest Ranglin, Eric “rickenbacker” Frater, Vincent Morgan, Earl “Bagga” Walker, Don Drummond, Leroy Sibbles, Pablove Black, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace and many more.

In in order to raise funds for Africa famine, in 1985 Leon Leiffer and The Blackstones played a major role in writing a song entitled “Let’s Make Africa Green Again”. This was released on Island records in 1985, under the name of “BRAFA” – British Reggae Artists Famine Appeal. This raised funds in the amount of £8,000 for save the children charity.

Leon Leiffer and Jah Scorcher led the very first reggae award show in th UK in the early 70’s. Which was known then as the Black Echoe British reaggae award show. Once again The Balckstones were involved in the organisation. The show brought together artists from around the world and encouraged them to unite and reach out for their goals. The main aim of the show was to inspire artists- local and international to get together at an award ceremony to celebrate ska, rocksteady, reggae music. In effect this was the fore runner to the now famouse MOBO awards.

The Blackstones inspired the team song for the jamaica’s national football team

(The Reggae Boyz) for the 1998 world cup in France. “Go Jamaica Go” featuring artists from the UK, Jamaica and other regions of the Caribean which was released on jetstar records.

The Blackstones are regarded by many in the industry for bringing forward the traditional vocal style and sound that we have come to know from the likes of The Gaylads, Techniques, The Uniques, Wailers, The Melodians, The Paragons, The Pioneers,

The Heptones, The Royals, The Clarendoians, The Chosen Few, The Abyssinians andmany more. Who had helped to build the roots of Jamaican vocal style. These influence can be be heard in The Blackstones harmonies, powerful vocals, soulful melodies that will rock your soul. Tony mahoney, Junior Bailey and Leon Leiffer are three talented individuals who together creat the beautiful sounds of The Blackstones.

Mr. Dodd was so impressed with them, that they ended up recording two albums at studio one.

The Blackstones was formed by Leon Leiffer in 1974. Soon after releasing their debut single with Count Shelly (one of the pioneers of sound system) cover version of the Melodians “ Little nut tree” which was shortly followed by “ you gonna loose me” produced by Fatman, founder of fatman Hi-fi. Then the group went on to work with Daddy Kool and together released a track entitled “ we nah go suffer” which topped the new musical express reggae chats in 74. And later led to sessions with major producers like phill Pratt, Lloyd Charmers, Lindel Lewis, Winston Curtis, Jah Larry, Tony Owens, Fatman and the legendary Clement “Sir Coxson” Dodd.

The Blackstones were the last act to work at studio one with mr. Dodd, who sadly passed away in May,2004.

History was in the making whilst being produced by C.S. Dodd, this album,

The Blackstones Tribute to Studio 1 was recorded during the transformation of the world famous Studio One,13 Brentford road to 13 Studio One Boulevard, Jamaica.

In October 2004, The balckstones were presented with an achievement award on behalf of the community for their contribution to the British black Music & Arts Industry as part of the British Black History Day.

The Blackstones Tribute to Studio One is their 9th album and their strongest collection to date.

About the Blackstones

The blackstones album consists of 17 fabulous tracks and contains some of studio one’s greatest rhythms. Making it their strongest album to-date.