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The Ramong Sound

From Alfawiki
The Ramong Sound
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1965
Defunct1966
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
ProductsR&B, soul, ska music

The Ramong Sound was a British band from London specializing in R&B, soul, and ska, active between 1965 and 1966.

Background

The ensemble featured two black vocalists who delivered duets reminiscent of Sam & Dave: Raymond Morrison (also known as Ramong Morrison), who relocated from Jamaica to London in 1954, and Clem Curtis, who previously pursued careers in professional boxing and wrestling. Morrison had short stints with The Graham Bond Organisation and collaborated with Trev Thoms. Among the members was Mike Falana, a Nigerian-born jazz trumpeter recognized in the UK scene; he had performed with the African Messengers, the Johnny Burch Octet, and replaced Jack Bruce in the Graham Bond Organisation.

Before joining the band, Clem Curtis worked as a painter and decorator alongside his boxing career. Guitarist Alan Warner contributed significant experience and stayed with the group through its various evolutions until 1970, when he moved on to join the progressive rock outfit Pluto.

The band’s name evolved over time—from The Ramongs or The Ramong to The Ramong Sound by early 1967. Their discovery came through Ron Fairway during Raymond Morrison’s tenure.

History and career

Raymond Morrison, the band’s leader, sought additional vocal support, leading Clem Curtis—who had limited formal singing experience but often sang informally with his uncle—to join as a backing vocalist. Eventually, Curtis shared lead vocal duties with Morrison. The group built a strong reputation within London’s club circuit through their dynamic shows featuring duet performances by Morrison and Curtis. Despite his initial lack of experience, Curtis honed his vocal style.

In January 1967, original lead vocalist Ramong Morrison was incarcerated for six months due to assault charges. During this period, the band briefly considered Rod Stewart as a substitute vocalist; however, he declined the offer. Subsequently, Arthur Brown joined upon recommendation from a friend. Although Brown maintained a more reserved demeanor within the group than his usual flamboyant persona elsewhere, he and Curtis performed both solo and joint soul numbers. Brown later regarded his time singing alongside Curtis with pride but departed after a few months to concentrate on his own musical ventures.

The band underwent multiple renamings—from The Foundation Sound to The Foundation Squad—before finally adopting the name The Foundations. By early 1967, new members included Dominican trombonist Eric Allandale and Jamaican saxophonists Pat Burke and Mike Elliott, who replaced prior horn players. Tim Harris took over on drums from Lyndsay Arnold, while Clem Curtis assumed lead vocal responsibilities.

Initially residing in and operating out of a former gambling establishment called The Butterfly Club, the group was compelled to vacate due to pressure from protection rackets and subsequently moved into an abandoned mini-cab office nearby.

In February 1967, The Ramong Sound appeared at London’s All-Star Club where Ron Fairway discovered them and introduced them to manager Barry Class.

The Foundations went on to achieve several chart successes, notably "Baby Now That I've Found You" featuring Clem Curtis on lead vocals, followed by "Build Me Up Buttercup" with Colin Young as frontman.

Raymond Morrison

Following his six-month imprisonment, Raymond Morrison initiated legal proceedings against The Foundations aiming to secure a portion of the band’s income, asserting that he had been responsible for discovering their talent. However, the court determined that he held no rights over compositions produced after his exit from the group, including "Baby Now That I've Found You."

In January 1970, Morrison released a single titled "Girl I Want to Hold You" backed with "Money Can't Buy Life" on the Sugar label. The release received brief coverage in Melody Maker, which praised Morrison’s unique vocal delivery accompanied by lively instrumentation.

Hawk & Hyfan Records

In the late 1970s, Morrison, alongside his wife Tamara and co-director Carl Lewis, established Hawk Records in London. Together as the duo Ram & Tam, they released multiple singles under the Hawk and Hyfan labels. Their 1978 release "Hawk in Flight" (Part 1) received acclaim from Record Mirror for its compelling instrumental arrangement and vocal delivery. Another notable single, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (1979), achieved a peak position of number 25 on the reggae charts by December of that year.

Throughout this era, Ram & Tam frequently performed at the Black-owned Ramaras Club & Restaurant, a prominent venue for reggae music. By 1981, the act had expanded into a trio named Ram Tam & Jo, releasing the 12" single titled "Cherries." Additionally, Ram & Tam produced the album Love & Life in 1986.

The name Ramong appeared on "Reggae's Back in Town," an album by Owen Grey produced by Ramong and Totoman for the Hyfan label.

Clem Curtis

Around September 1968, Clem Curtis departed from The Foundations to embark on a solo path. In 1969, he was active in the United States collaborating with Cowsills Productions—associated with the group The Cowsills—and secured a contract with Liberty Records with the single "Marie Take A Chance" set for release. Throughout the 1970s, Curtis issued several singles across various labels, including a disco hit in 1975 featuring "Unchained Melody" and "On Broadway." His musical output extended into the 2000s, highlighted by the track "Stuck in a Wind Up" / "Move Over Daddy" recorded with Lord Large. Over time, Curtis also fronted different incarnations of The Foundations.

Deaths of members

Jazz musician and historian Anote Ajeluorou noted that Mike Falana experienced health challenges before passing away overseas; other accounts place his death in 1995.

Raymond Morrison died in Jamaica at age 81 in February 2013.

Clem Curtis passed away at age 76 in March 2017.

Former personnel

Personnel
Name Role Notes
Raymond Morrison aka Ramong Morrison lead vocals
Clem Curtis lead vocals
Arthur Brown lead vocals
Alan Warner guitar, backing vocals
Peter McBeth bass guitar
Con keyboards
Lyndsay Arnold drums
Mike Falana trumpet
Unknown other horns
  • Note In an interview conducted in 2023, Allan Warner confirmed that the Ramong Sound lineup included an Australian drummer and a South African keyboardist.

External links

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