The Ethiopians
| Company type | Vocal harmony group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Founder | Leonard Dillon, Stephen "Tough Cock" Taylor, Aston "Charlie" Morrison |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Kingston , Jamaica |
| Products | Ska, rocksteady, reggae music recordings and performances |
The Ethiopians stood out as a key Jamaican vocal harmony ensemble throughout the late ska, rocksteady, and early reggae eras. From the mid-1960s through the early 1970s, they produced numerous chart successes and were pioneers among Jamaican artists in extensively touring the United Kingdom.
Origins
Established by Leonard Dillon (9 December 1942 – 28 September 2011) alongside Stephen "Tough Cock" Taylor and Aston "Charlie" Morrison towards the conclusion of the ska period, The Ethiopians emerged from a rich musical foundation. Dillon, originally a stonemason from Boundbrook near Port Antonio, was brought up in a strict Seventh Day Adventist family where his grandfather served as a church choir leader, instilling in him an early musical education. During his high school years, he performed with a local group called the Playboys (later renamed Ray and the Gladiators), earning the nickname "Sparrow" because of his smooth vocal style.
In his late teenage years, Dillon relocated to Kingston in search of employment, initially residing in the Back-O-Wall slum. In 1963, he spent a season working on farms in Fellsmere, Florida before returning to Kingston in 1964 and settling in Trench Town. There, he stayed with the aunt of sound system deejay King Sporty and met Peter Tosh, who introduced him to Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston of the Wailers. This connection led to an audition at Studio One where Dillon recorded his debut tracks backed by the Wailers. These included "Ice Water," a popular sound system tune known for its double meanings, alongside politically conscious songs such as "Suffering On The Land" and "Beggars Have No Choice." Another single, "Woman, Wine And Money," featured harmony vocals by Delroy Wilson. These early recordings were released under the pseudonym Jack Sparrow.
Soon after these releases, Dillon embraced Rastafarianism through the Ethiopian Reorganization Centre located in Waterhouse—founded by elders Nasser King and Daddy King—a faith he adhered to throughout his career.
Founding
The Jack Sparrow singles achieved limited commercial success, and with the Wailers focusing on their own projects, Dillon decided to leave Studio One. Recognizing the popularity of harmony groups in Jamaica at that time, he formed his own ensemble with Taylor, Morrison, and a young vocalist named Foresight. Their rehearsals took place primarily at the Ethiopian Reorganization Centre. After Foresight's early departure, the remaining trio returned to Studio One and deliberated between naming themselves Heartaches or Ethiopians. Ultimately, founder Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd selected Ethiopians for its unique identity and spiritual significance. Their initial Studio One sessions yielded tracks such as "Live Good," "Why You Gonna Leave Me Now," and the rocksteady staple "Owe Me No Pay Me," produced by Lloyd Daley as a pointed message to a debtor nicknamed Stampede. Morrison eventually left due to family obligations; however, Dillon and Taylor continued recording songs including "I'm Gonna Take Over Now" and "I Am Free," a late ska piece addressing infidelity.
Success
Although their popularity was growing, financial returns were insufficient for full-time dedication to music. Dillon maintained his masonry work until obtaining funding from real estate investor Leebert Robinson, who supported their self-produced single "Train to Skaville," released on WIRL (West Indies Records Limited). Subsequent singles such as "The Whip" and "Cool It Amigo," recorded at WIRL with top rocksteady musicians Lynn Taitt and the Jets alongside engineer Lynford Anderson, were licensed for distribution in Jamaica by Sonia Pottiger and in Britain by Graeme Goodall's Doctor Bird label; all three became major hits in 1967. The international success of "Train to Skaville" facilitated The Ethiopians' initial UK tours in 1968 and 1969 organized by Commercial Entertainment.
In Jamaica, Melvin Reid briefly joined for recordings at Federal studio before the group reverted to a duo format. They recorded "Cut Down (On Your Speed)" under Lee "Scratch" Perry's production but experienced greater commercial success with H. Robinson’s Carib Disco label through tracks like "Reggae Hit The Town" and "Engine 54." The latter celebrated an obsolete railway engine once used for countryside excursions and was featured on their debut album Engine 54, released by Doctor Bird in the UK.
A sustained collaboration with producer Carl Johnson resulted in numerous hits during the late 1960s and early 1970s beginning with "Everything Crash," inspired by widespread strikes across Jamaica in 1968 and recorded with backing band the Caribbeats. Other significant songs included "Feel The Spirit," "Hong Kong Flu," and "Woman Capture Man." This era produced acclaimed albums such as Reggae Power and Woman Capture Man, both issued by Trojan Records in Britain.
Throughout the early 1970s, The Ethiopians worked extensively with various producers including Lloyd "The Matador" Daley ("Satan Gal"), Duke Reid ("Pirate"), Derrick Harriott ("Good Ambition"), Rupie Edwards ("Hail Rasta Man"), Alvin Ranglin ("Love Bug"), Prince Buster ("You Are For Me"), Joe Gibbs ("Ring A Burn Finger"), Bob Andy ("The Word Is Love"), and Lee Perry ("Life Is A Funny Thing"). Dillon also played a role in constructing Perry’s Black Ark Studios during 1973-74. Following Stephen Taylor’s fatal road accident in 1975, The Ethiopians entered a period of inactivity as Dillon coped with the loss of his longtime partner.
New lineup and solo ventures
In 1977, Dillon reassembled The Ethiopians alongside fellow Rastafari members such as Melvin Reid, collaborating with Niney the Observer to produce the album Slave Call. During the period from 1976 to 1978, singles were also created for producers including Alvin Ranglin, Winston Riley, Joe Gibbs, and Rupie Edwards.
Leonard Dillon embarked on a solo path under the name The Ethiopian, issuing Open The Gate Of Zion through Ranglin in 1978 and Everything Crash via Studio One in 1980, which featured the track "Locust" set to a "Train to Skaville" rhythm. His later works encompassed Dread Prophecy (1986), recorded with The Gladiators on Nighthawk Records; One Step Forward (1992) released by Blue Moon in France; the Studio One collection Owner Fer De Yard (1994) under Heartbeat; Tuffer Than Stone (1999), a collaboration with Jahco Thelwell on Melodie (France); and Mystic Man (2002) through Studio One. A second album for Nighthawk remains unreleased.
Following Leonard Dillon’s passing on 28 September 2011, The Ethiopians officially disbanded.
Discography
Significant albums by The Ethiopians comprise:
- Engine '54: Let's Ska and Rock Steady (1968) – Jamaican Gold
- Reggae Power (1969)
- Woman a Capture Man (1970) – Trojan
- Slave Call (1977) – Heartbeat
- Open The Gate Of Zion (1978) – Channel One
- Dread Prophecy (1989) – Nighthawk
- Let's Ska and Rock Steady (1990) – VP Records
- The World Goes Ska (1992) – Trojan
- Clap Your Hands (1993) – Lagoon
- Sir J.J. & Friends (1993) – Lagoon
- Owner Fer De Yard (1994) – Heartbeat
- Train to Skaville (1999) – Charly
- Tuffer Than Stone (1999) – Warriors
- Skaville Princess (2000) – Dressed to Kill
- Train to Skaville: Anthology 1966-1975 (2002) – Trojan (compilation)
- Open The Gate Of Zion (2020) – Jamaican Art Records (deluxe reissue)