Mighty Diamonds
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Kingston , Jamaica |
| Products | Roots reggae music, albums |
The Mighty Diamonds were a Jamaican vocal trio celebrated for their roots reggae style deeply rooted in Rastafarian culture. Established in 1969, they rose to fame with their 1976 debut album, Right Time, produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, followed by the 1979 release Deeper Roots.
On March 29, 2022, the group's lead singer Donald "Tabby" Shaw was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting. Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson passed away shortly thereafter on April 1, 2022. The ensemble disbanded soon after these events.
History
Hailing from Trenchtown, Kingston, the trio included lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw alongside harmony singers Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson. Having been friends since their school days in the mid-1960s, they initially performed under the name The Limelight before adopting Mighty Diamonds.
Their vocal arrangements and performance style drew inspiration from Motown groups such as The Temptations and The Stylistics, as well as Jamaican rocksteady artists like John Holt and Ken Boothe.
Their early recordings involved collaborations with prominent producers including Pat Francis, Stranger Cole, Derrick Harriott, Bunny Lee, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Rupie Edwards. Their first charting single was "Shame and Pride" in 1973, produced by Francis. Their major breakthrough occurred in the mid-1970s working with Joseph Hoo Kim at Channel One Studios, producing hits like "Country Living," "Hey Girl," and "Right Time," which cemented their place in Jamaica's music industry.
After signing with Virgin Records, their debut album Right Time (1976) compiled these successful tracks and gained international acclaim. Virgin then arranged for them to work with Allen Toussaint in New Orleans on their follow-up album Ice on Fire, which saw less success due to its deviation from classic reggae sounds.
Returning to Jamaica, they resumed recording at Channel One and released Stand Up to Your Judgment in 1978. The 1979 album Deeper Roots, issued through Virgin’s Front Line label, also achieved commercial success.
In the early 1980s, the group teamed up with producer Gussie Clarke for the acclaimed album Changes (1981), which included the hit "Pass the Kouchie." This track became an international sensation and was later adapted by Musical Youth into "Pass the Dutchie."
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, The Mighty Diamonds remained relevant by embracing digital rhythms and released over 40 albums over their extensive career.
In recognition of their significant impact on reggae music, they were honored with Jamaica’s Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in 2021.
Following the deaths of Shaw and Simpson in early 2022, the group ceased all activities.
Studio albums
- Right Time (1976), Free World Music
- Ice on Fire (1977), Free World Music
- Planet Mars Dub (1978), Front Line – dub interpretation of Planet Earth
- Stand Up to Your Judgment (1978), Channel One
- Tell Me What's Wrong (1978), Hit Bound
- Planet Earth (1978), Virgin
- Deeper Roots (1979), Free World Music
- Deeper Roots Dub (1979)
- Changes (1981), Music Works
- Dubwise (1981), Music Works – dub renditions from Changes
- Reggae Street (1981), Free World Music
- The Roots Is There (1982), Music Works/Shanachie
- Indestructible (1982), Alligator – similar to Changes with additional tracks
- Heads of Government (1982), Jah Guidance
- Leaders of Black Countries (Showcase Album) (1983), Mobiliser
- Backstage (1983), Music Works
- Kouchie Vibes (1984), Burning Sounds
- Diamonds Are Forever (1984), Woorell Japan – Japan-exclusive tracks plus singles
- Pass the Kouchie (1985), Free World Music
- Struggling (1985), Free World Music
- If You Looking for Trouble (1986), Live & Learn
- The Real Enemy (1987), Greensleeves
- Never Get Weary (1988), Live & Learn
- Get Ready (1988), Rohit International/Greensleeves
- Ready for the World (1989), Overheat Japan – Japan-exclusive tracks plus singles
- Jam Session (Remastered), Free World Music
- Tour the World (1991) – a mix of five new songs and five earlier tracks
- Patience (1991), Free World Music
- The Moment of Truth (1992), Free World Music
- Bust Out (1993), Free World Music
- Paint It Red (1993), Free World Music
- Speak the Truth (1994), Free World Music
- Stand Up (1998), Gone Clear
- Rise Up (2001), Free World Music
- Thugs in the Streets (2006), Nocturne
- Inna De Yard (2008), Makasound – acoustic renditions featuring nyabinghi drums
Collaborative Projects and Split Releases
- Vital Dub Strictly Rockers, also known as Vital Dub – Well Charged (1976) – features dub renditions derived from the Right Time album
- Trinity Meet the Mighty Diamonds (1979), released by Gorgon
- Disco Showcase (1979), Gussie Roots Sounds – Leroy Smart accompanied by The Mighty Diamonds
- Right Time Rockers (The Lost Album) (1998) – sessions from 1976 with U-Roy toasting over riddims originally from the Right Time album
Compilation Albums
- Vital Selection (1981), Virgin – a collection of Joseph Hoo Kim productions from 1976 to 1979
- Ebony and Ivory (1983), Woorell – a Japanese compilation showcasing productions by Augustus Clarke
- Go Seek Your Rights (1990), Front Line – Joseph Hoo Kim produced tracks recorded between 1976 and 1979
- Mighty Diamonds Meet Don Carlos & Gold at Channel One Studios (1993), Channel One – includes the entire Right Time album
- Paint It Red (1993), RAS – singles spanning 1985 to 1990 with added instrumentation overdubs
- Works (1994), JVC/Victor – features material produced by Augustus Clarke from 1981 to 1988
- From the Foundation (1996), Gone Clear – collaboration between The Mighty Diamonds and The Tamlins, covering Augustus Clarke productions from 1978 to 1981
- Heads of Government (1996), Germain – Donovan Germain-produced tracks, differentiated from the 1983 album
- Maximum Replay (1997) – a compilation of Augustus Clarke’s work from 1981 through 1988
- The Best of the Mighty Diamonds: 20 Hits (1997) – includes full-length albums: Stand Up to Your Judgment and Tell Me What's Wrong
- RAS Portrait (1997), RAS – recordings dating from 1993 to 1994
- Right Time Come (1998) – contains the complete Right Time album plus nine additional songs from 1978
- Indestructible: Anthology Volume 1 (1999)
- Natural Natty Reggae (2000), Simon – singles produced by Bunny Diamonds between 1976 and 1997
- The Classics Recordings of Jamaica's Finest Vocal Trio (2000), Music Club
- Gold Collection (2000), Grayland
- Everlasting: 30th Anniversary (2000), D-3
- Rise Up (2001), Jet Star
- Unconquerable (2003), Reggae Road
- Revolution (2003), NYC Music
- The Best of the Mighty Diamonds (2004), Seymour – featuring the albums: Pass the Kouchie and Tour the World
- Back2Back: Tamlins & Mighty Diamonds (2007)
- Reggae Legends (2008), VP – a four-CD box set compiling Greensleeves releases including: The Real Enemy, Get Ready, Live in Europe, and Bust Out
- Kings of Reggae (2009), Nocturne – selections originally released on RAS Records in 1993–1994
- Leaders of Black Countries (2011), Kingston Sounds
Live Recordings
- Live in Tokyo (1985)
- Live in Europe (1989)
- Live at Reggae Sunsplash (1992), Genes – recorded in August 1982; features eight tracks by The Mighty Diamonds and seven by Mutabaruka
- The Best of Reggae Live (2001) – a joint live album featuring Frankie Paul and The Mighty Diamonds
- Live in Europe: Nice, France (2002) – recorded during a 1997 performance