Echo Minott

b. Noel Philips, c.1962, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Philips began his career in 1981 with King Jammy when he recorded ‘Youthman’ and an obscure album under his own name. He decided to start afresh with Michael ‘Myrie’ Taylor and Marshall who had set up the Sunset label. Owing to confusion over the Harry J. label of the same name, the duo discontinued Sunset and resurfaced with the Reggae Sting logo. The result of Philips’ association with the team was ‘Ten Miles’, recording as Echo Minott. He performed in the ‘sing-jay’ style that was immensely popular in the early 80s. In 1982 he recorded ‘Emilio Bimbo’ with Prince Hammer, who took control of Minott’s career on his own Berris label. Minott’s popularity grew when he performed ‘What The Hell The Police Can Do’, a reference to the security forces’ reluctance to become involved in domestic disputes. With producer Jack Scorpio he recorded ‘Lazy Body’, an early product of the digital age, as the rhythm was accompanied with a drum machine, considered sacrilegious by the purists. The result of the song’s popularity was the release of two one-rhythm albums, Lively Body and Lively Move. At the 10th Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, Minott virtually stole the show at the dancehall night when he performed alongside Peter Metro, Red Dragon, Leroy Smart, Lovindeer and General Trees. Minott continued to record irregular hits through to the 90s, including ‘Wherever You Go’, ‘Cool And Deadly’, ‘Jealousy Fe Done’, ‘When My Little Girl Is Smiling’ and ‘New Dimension’. In 1993 he enjoyed a dancehall success with ‘Murder Weapon’, which used similar vocal phrasing to Burning Spear and led to various dance remixes. In 1995 Minott had a minor hit with ‘Girl Of My Complexion’, which reaffirmed his enduring talent.