Jimmy Riley

Martin James Norman Riley (b.22 May 1954, Kingston, Jamaica – d.23 March 2016, New York City, U.S.A.) better known as Jimmy Riley, was a Jamaican singer who started his career as harmony singer on [l=Treasure Isle] with producer [a=Arthur "Duke" Reid]. He joined [a=The Uniques] when [a=Slim Smith] decided to disband [a=The Techniques]. But after a brief run of hits Smith decided to go solo and Riley decamped to New York. He was persuaded to return to Jamaica in 1981 by Sly & Robbie with whom he made the classic "Rhydim Driven" album and had his biggest hit "Love & Devotion". This was followed by many other hits in the 80s before the advent of digital ragga ended the popularity of his style of vocal anthems After a brief spell with [a=The Wailers] in the late 80s Riley moved to Miami, opening a reggae shop, but in the 90s moved back to Jamaica starting his own [l=Love Promotions] label and appearing regularly on the reggae festival circuit Father of [a=Tarrus Riley].