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Niney the Observer

August 31, 2023

Winston Holness, better known as Niney the Observer (born George Boswell, 1951 in Montego Bay, Jamaica),[1] is a Jamaican record producer and singer who was a key figure in the creation of many classic reggae recordings dating from the 1970s and early 1980s.

Niney the Observer
Birth nameGeorge Boswell
Born1951 (age 71–72)
Jamaica
OriginMontego Bay, Jamaica
GenresReggae
OccupationsProducer

Biography Edit

Holness gained his nickname "Niney" after losing a thumb in a workshop accident.[1] In the latter half of the 1960s he worked as an engineer at KG records, where he began producing. His first release was his own composition "Come on Baby" issued on his Destroyer label.[1] He moved on to work with Bunny Lee in 1967, then for Lynford Anderson's studio, then working for Joe Gibbs as chief sound engineer, replacing his friend Lee "Scratch" Perry. While working for Gibbs he produced Dennis Alcapone and Lizzy's "Mr. Brown", and played a major role in launching the career of Dennis Brown.[1]

After leaving Gibbs' setup, his first major success as a producer was "Blood & Fire" in December 1970, initially released in a pressing of 200 on his Destroyer label, but reissued the following year on his Observer label, and going on to sell over 30,000 copies in Jamaica.[1][2] Inspired by Perry's nickname of "The Upsetter", Holness adopted "The Observer", using the name for his new Observer label, and the name of his house band, The Observers (actually the Soul Syndicate).[1] Several singles followed, some reusing the "Blood & Fire" rhythm, including Big Youth's "Fire Bunn".

In the early 1970s, Holness became one of Jamaica's most sought after producers, with Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, The Heptones, Johnny Clarke, Slim Smith, Jacob Miller, Junior Delgado, and Freddie McGregor all using his services.[1] He also continued to record himself, on collaborations with Dennis Alcapone, Max Romeo, and Lee Perry. By the mid-1970s, he was also working with Ken Boothe, Junior Byles, Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, I-Roy, and Dillinger.[1] The late 1970s saw him still active as a producer, but his output in the early 1980s was significantly less after relocating to France. He re-emerged in 1982 with the Ital Dub Observer Style album and returned to Kingston in 1983, taking on the role of house producer for the Hitbound label at Channel One Studios.[1] In this capacity he was one of the first to work with Beenie Man, and also produced Third World and Sugar Minott.

In the mid-1980s, he relocated to New York City, returning to Kingston again in 1988, and working with Yami Bolo, Frankie Paul, Andrew Tosh, and Junior Byles. He began an association with Heartbeat Records, working on reissues of much of his back catalogue, as well as new recordings. He continued to produce new material through the 1990s.

In March 2013, he opened his own Observer Soundbox studio on Lyndhurst Road in Kingston.[3]

Holness, who has a child with autism, recorded the single "Children" in 2015 with Jimmy Cliff, Sly and Robbie, and Errol "Flabba" Holt, to raise funds for Cliff's foundation and a school for autistic children.[4]

In August 2015, it was announced that he would be awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.[5]

Discography Edit

Albums Edit

  • Bring the Dub Come (1975)
  • Observer All Stars and King Tubby's – Dubbing with the Observer (1975)[6]
  • Nuclear Jammin' (1986)
  • King Tubby's Special 1973–1976 (with King Tubby, Observer All Stars & The Aggrovators) (1989)
  • Space Flight Dub (1989)
  • Freaks (1992)
  • Observer Attack Dub (1994)
  • Niney & Friends: Blood & Fire (1997)
  • Niney Featuring Soul Syndicate – Present Dub (1999)
  • @ Channel One (2001)[7]
  • Station Underground Report (with Lee "Scratch" Perry) (2001)
  • At King Tubby's – Dub Plate Specials 1973–1975 (2002)
  • Dennis Brown in Dub (2002)[8]
  • Head Shot: Reggae Instrumentals, Dubs and Other Oddities (2002)[9]
  • Sledgehammer Dub in the Streets of Jamaica (2003)
  • Niney Presents The Uniques (2007)
  • Channel One Presents: 100 Tons Of Dub (2009)
  • Observer All Stars and King Tubby's – Dubbing with the Observer (Re-release) (2013)

Singles and EPs Edit

  • Lloyd Willis / Niney & The Destroyers – Mad Rooster / As Far As I Can See (7") (1970)
  • Niney & The Destroyers – No Money, No Honey / This Message To You (7") (1970)
  • Blood And Fire (1971)
  • Maxie & Niney – Coming of Jah (1971)
  • Blood And Fire (7") (1971)
  • International Pum (7") (1972)
  • In The Gutter (1972)
  • Everyday Music (7") (1972)
  • Niney & Ken Elliott – Honey Baby (7") (1972)
  • Niney & The Observers – Hiding By The Riverside (7") (1972)
  • Niney And Max – Aily And Ailaloo (7") (1972)
  • Hi Diddle (7") (1972)
  • Niney / Niney All Stars – Get Out Of My Life / Get Out (Version) (7") (1972)
  • Wet Panty / Discharge No 2 (7") (1973)
  • I Soon Know (1975)
  • Niney & The Observers – Bring The Kutchie Come (1975)
  • Youth / Observer Strike – 6 Dead Nineteen Gone To Jail / Head Line (7") (1977)
  • Tyrone Taylor / Observer – Sufferation / Shot From The Pistol (7", Single) (1978)
  • Niney & The Morwells – Mix Up (7") (1978)
  • Cornell Campbell, Observer – Stars / Lotion (7") (1997)
  • Carnel Campbell & The Unique / Observer – My Country / Lotion (7") (1997)
  • Freddy McGregor / The Observer – Warn The Nation / New World Order Rhythm (7") (2001)
  • Cocoa Tea / The Observer – Dance Inna Parliament Square / New World Order Rhythm (7") (2001)
  • At King Tubby's – Dub Plate Special 1973–1975 (10") (2002)
  • Christine / Niney, Observer All Stars – Saturday Night (7") (2005)
  • Delroy Wilson / Observer All Stars – Halfway Up The Stairs / Dub Stairs (2005)
  • Dillinger / Niney The Observer – Flat Foot Hustling / Lotion Here I Come Again (7", Single, Re-Release) (2005)
  • I-Roy / Niney & The Observer All Stars – Sister Maggie Breast / Wolf & Lotion (7", Single, Re-Release) (2005)
  • Follow This Ya Sound (7") (2005)
  • Austarr / Observer – We're Over / The Bullett (7", Single) (2005)
  • Thief (7", Single, Re-Release) (2005)
  • Mutiny (7", Single, Re-Release)
  • Razor Blad Dub (7") (2005)
  • Japanese Dub Basket / Observer Punchin' Dub (7") (2005)
  • U-Roy / Niney & Observer All Stars – Train From West (7", Single, Re-Release) (2005)
  • Quiet (7", Single, Re-Release) (2010)
  • Maxie, Niney & Scratch / Jah T. – Babylose Burning / Lion of Judah
  • Niney & Maxie / Niney, Observer – Pum Pum / Reggaematic (7", Single)
  • Niney The Observer, Niney & Maxie – Reggaematic / Pum Pum (7")
  • Power to the King (7")
  • Another Pum / Big Hole (7")
  • Beardmen Feast (7")
  • Pass The Pipe (7")
  • Gray Beard / Preasure Locks (7", Single)
  • You Better Know / Moaner's (10")
  • Maxie – Niney – Scratch / Max Romeo – Babylon Burning / Public Enemy Number One (7", Single, Re-Release)
  • Joseph Cotton & The Observer – Fit & Ready / Iron Fist (12", Maxi)
  • The Observers / Observer – Bearded Man Feast / Episode
  • Field Marshall Buckas / Observer Style – Amrbic / Hammering (7", Single)
  • "Child Abuse" (2015) - with Jimmy Cliff

Compilations Edit

  • Ital... Observer Style (1983)
  • Observation Station (1990)
  • Niney The Observer Presents The Observer All Stars – Turbo Charge (1991)
  • Truth And Rights, Observer Style (1994)
  • Microphone Attack 1974–78 (2001)
  • Niney & Friends: Blood & Fire (2005)
  • Roots With Quality (2009)
  • Born in Jamaica (2009)
  • Sing It Wicked Style (2012)

Miscellaneous Edit

  • Grievous Angel Vs. Niney The Observer – Blood And Fire (Twist-Up Jungle Mix)

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998), The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9.
  3. ^ Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013), "'Soundbox' booms this Wednesday", Jamaica Observer, 19 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  4. ^ Bonitto, Brian (2015), "Cliff, Niney Bat for Autistic Kids", Jamaica Observer, 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  5. ^ Campbell, Howard (2015), "Ronnie Burke heads field of distinction", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015
  6. ^ "Observer All Stars* And King Tubbys* - Dubbing With The Observer". Discogs.com.
  7. ^ "Niney The Observer - @ Channell One". Discogs.com.
  8. ^ "Dennis Brown in Dub - Dennis Brown | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  9. ^ "Head Shot: Reggae Instrumentals, Dubs and Other Oddities - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.

External links Edit

  • Biography at Allmusic website
  • April 2009
  • Article
  • WMC: article

August 31, 2023
niney, observer, winston, holness, better, known, born, george, boswell, 1951, montego, jamaica, jamaican, record, producer, singer, figure, creation, many, classic, reggae, recordings, dating, from, 1970s, early, 1980s, birth, namegeorge, boswellborn1951, jam. Winston Holness better known as Niney the Observer born George Boswell 1951 in Montego Bay Jamaica 1 is a Jamaican record producer and singer who was a key figure in the creation of many classic reggae recordings dating from the 1970s and early 1980s Niney the ObserverBirth nameGeorge BoswellBorn1951 age 71 72 JamaicaOriginMontego Bay JamaicaGenresReggaeOccupationsProducer Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Singles and EPs 2 3 Compilations 2 4 Miscellaneous 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditHolness gained his nickname Niney after losing a thumb in a workshop accident 1 In the latter half of the 1960s he worked as an engineer at KG records where he began producing His first release was his own composition Come on Baby issued on his Destroyer label 1 He moved on to work with Bunny Lee in 1967 then for Lynford Anderson s studio then working for Joe Gibbs as chief sound engineer replacing his friend Lee Scratch Perry While working for Gibbs he produced Dennis Alcapone and Lizzy s Mr Brown and played a major role in launching the career of Dennis Brown 1 After leaving Gibbs setup his first major success as a producer was Blood amp Fire in December 1970 initially released in a pressing of 200 on his Destroyer label but reissued the following year on his Observer label and going on to sell over 30 000 copies in Jamaica 1 2 Inspired by Perry s nickname of The Upsetter Holness adopted The Observer using the name for his new Observer label and the name of his house band The Observers actually the Soul Syndicate 1 Several singles followed some reusing the Blood amp Fire rhythm including Big Youth s Fire Bunn In the early 1970s Holness became one of Jamaica s most sought after producers with Dennis Brown Delroy Wilson The Heptones Johnny Clarke Slim Smith Jacob Miller Junior Delgado and Freddie McGregor all using his services 1 He also continued to record himself on collaborations with Dennis Alcapone Max Romeo and Lee Perry By the mid 1970s he was also working with Ken Boothe Junior Byles Gregory Isaacs Horace Andy I Roy and Dillinger 1 The late 1970s saw him still active as a producer but his output in the early 1980s was significantly less after relocating to France He re emerged in 1982 with the Ital Dub Observer Style album and returned to Kingston in 1983 taking on the role of house producer for the Hitbound label at Channel One Studios 1 In this capacity he was one of the first to work with Beenie Man and also produced Third World and Sugar Minott In the mid 1980s he relocated to New York City returning to Kingston again in 1988 and working with Yami Bolo Frankie Paul Andrew Tosh and Junior Byles He began an association with Heartbeat Records working on reissues of much of his back catalogue as well as new recordings He continued to produce new material through the 1990s In March 2013 he opened his own Observer Soundbox studio on Lyndhurst Road in Kingston 3 Holness who has a child with autism recorded the single Children in 2015 with Jimmy Cliff Sly and Robbie and Errol Flabba Holt to raise funds for Cliff s foundation and a school for autistic children 4 In August 2015 it was announced that he would be awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government 5 Discography EditAlbums Edit Bring the Dub Come 1975 Observer All Stars and King Tubby s Dubbing with the Observer 1975 6 Nuclear Jammin 1986 King Tubby s Special 1973 1976 with King Tubby Observer All Stars amp The Aggrovators 1989 Space Flight Dub 1989 Freaks 1992 Observer Attack Dub 1994 Niney amp Friends Blood amp Fire 1997 Niney Featuring Soul Syndicate Present Dub 1999 Channel One 2001 7 Station Underground Report with Lee Scratch Perry 2001 At King Tubby s Dub Plate Specials 1973 1975 2002 Dennis Brown in Dub 2002 8 Head Shot Reggae Instrumentals Dubs and Other Oddities 2002 9 Sledgehammer Dub in the Streets of Jamaica 2003 Niney Presents The Uniques 2007 Channel One Presents 100 Tons Of Dub 2009 Observer All Stars and King Tubby s Dubbing with the Observer Re release 2013 Singles and EPs Edit Lloyd Willis Niney amp The Destroyers Mad Rooster As Far As I Can See 7 1970 Niney amp The Destroyers No Money No Honey This Message To You 7 1970 Blood And Fire 1971 Maxie amp Niney Coming of Jah 1971 Blood And Fire 7 1971 International Pum 7 1972 In The Gutter 1972 Everyday Music 7 1972 Niney amp Ken Elliott Honey Baby 7 1972 Niney amp The Observers Hiding By The Riverside 7 1972 Niney And Max Aily And Ailaloo 7 1972 Hi Diddle 7 1972 Niney Niney All Stars Get Out Of My Life Get Out Version 7 1972 Wet Panty Discharge No 2 7 1973 I Soon Know 1975 Niney amp The Observers Bring The Kutchie Come 1975 Youth Observer Strike 6 Dead Nineteen Gone To Jail Head Line 7 1977 Tyrone Taylor Observer Sufferation Shot From The Pistol 7 Single 1978 Niney amp The Morwells Mix Up 7 1978 Cornell Campbell Observer Stars Lotion 7 1997 Carnel Campbell amp The Unique Observer My Country Lotion 7 1997 Freddy McGregor The Observer Warn The Nation New World Order Rhythm 7 2001 Cocoa Tea The Observer Dance Inna Parliament Square New World Order Rhythm 7 2001 At King Tubby s Dub Plate Special 1973 1975 10 2002 Christine Niney Observer All Stars Saturday Night 7 2005 Delroy Wilson Observer All Stars Halfway Up The Stairs Dub Stairs 2005 Dillinger Niney The Observer Flat Foot Hustling Lotion Here I Come Again 7 Single Re Release 2005 I Roy Niney amp The Observer All Stars Sister Maggie Breast Wolf amp Lotion 7 Single Re Release 2005 Follow This Ya Sound 7 2005 Austarr Observer We re Over The Bullett 7 Single 2005 Thief 7 Single Re Release 2005 Mutiny 7 Single Re Release Razor Blad Dub 7 2005 Japanese Dub Basket Observer Punchin Dub 7 2005 U Roy Niney amp Observer All Stars Train From West 7 Single Re Release 2005 Quiet 7 Single Re Release 2010 Maxie Niney amp Scratch Jah T Babylose Burning Lion of Judah Niney amp Maxie Niney Observer Pum Pum Reggaematic 7 Single Niney The Observer Niney amp Maxie Reggaematic Pum Pum 7 Power to the King 7 Another Pum Big Hole 7 Beardmen Feast 7 Pass The Pipe 7 Gray Beard Preasure Locks 7 Single You Better Know Moaner s 10 Maxie Niney Scratch Max Romeo Babylon Burning Public Enemy Number One 7 Single Re Release Joseph Cotton amp The Observer Fit amp Ready Iron Fist 12 Maxi The Observers Observer Bearded Man Feast Episode Field Marshall Buckas Observer Style Amrbic Hammering 7 Single Child Abuse 2015 with Jimmy CliffCompilations Edit Ital Observer Style 1983 Observation Station 1990 Niney The Observer Presents The Observer All Stars Turbo Charge 1991 Truth And Rights Observer Style 1994 Microphone Attack 1974 78 2001 Niney amp Friends Blood amp Fire 2005 Roots With Quality 2009 Born in Jamaica 2009 Sing It Wicked Style 2012 Miscellaneous Edit Grievous Angel Vs Niney The Observer Blood And Fire Twist Up Jungle Mix See also EditList of Jamaican record producersReferences Edit a b c d e f g h i Thompson Dave 2002 Reggae amp Caribbean Music Backbeat Books ISBN 0 87930 655 6 Larkin Colin 1998 The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae Virgin Books ISBN 0 7535 0242 9 Campbell Livingston Cecelia 2013 Soundbox booms this Wednesday Jamaica Observer 19 May 2013 Retrieved 15 June 2013 Bonitto Brian 2015 Cliff Niney Bat for Autistic Kids Jamaica Observer 11 February 2015 Retrieved 11 February 2015 Campbell Howard 2015 Ronnie Burke heads field of distinction Jamaica Observer 7 August 2015 Retrieved 15 August 2015 Observer All Stars And King Tubbys Dubbing With The Observer Discogs com Niney The Observer Channell One Discogs com Dennis Brown in Dub Dennis Brown Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic AllMusic Head Shot Reggae Instrumentals Dubs and Other Oddities Various Artists Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic AllMusic External links EditBiography at Allmusic website Niney the Observer interview April 2009 Article United Reggae WMC article Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Niney the Observer amp oldid 1152191610, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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