R.I.P. Leonard Dillon

Ethiopians founder Leonard Dillon passed away last week at 68. Dillon emerged as one of the earliest Jamaican singers to use social commentary and Afro-centric themes in his work, long before Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were credited for doing the same. Employing styles ranging from mento to ska, rock-steady to reggae, Dillon became of one the most hailed voices in Jamaican music. He paved the way for socially conscious bands like Burning Spear and Culture. Here is a remarkable song entitled “Everything Crash” recorded in 1968 when everything was indeed crashing as an economic crisis led to strikes across the public sector. I can’t help but think how relevant this song is today with all the people down at Occupy Wall St.

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