Percy 'Percydread' McLeod made his name as a singer/songwriter whilst part of the Natural Ites, a roots reggae combo of international acclaim based in Nottingham, UK. Here's (some) of the story of his personal musical journey, from early days, through his time with Natural Ites and onto making his debut solo album 'Upside Downside'.
As far back as I can remember music has been there, my diet of music was broad, never realised at the time. From Blue beat,Mento, Ska, Rock Steady. I'd be listening to stuff by Nat King Cole and Burt Bacharach. I think its the Saturday radio especially. My parents always brought me to parties they would go to, and I'd dance out the peoples' carpet. I would run home from school to play tunes by singers such as, Linval Thomson,Horace Andy,Johnny Clarke..
Having moved to South West London from the now notorious City of Nottingham. I got into this music ting when a cousin of mine played in a band called the Cool Notes. Cousin Loxley asked me to go to one of his rehearsals with him so I did. I clicked with Charlie Keymis (bass) and Derrick and Roddy Shaw, Lead guitar and drums respectively. These guys were really good musicians theyd been playing from when they were at school.
I was a roadie for a while when they were backing Desmond Dekker. At that time Rasta levity was also becoming incumbent on them, this led to a difference of opinion in Cool Notes. Three left and started Blazing Sons. This was made up of Charlie Keymis band (Jah bless) on bass, Derrick Shaw lead guitars, Roddy Shaw drums, Paul Shaw keyboards and vocal and Donald (cant remember his surname) key boards and me on vocal and rhythm guitar. We rehearsed in Derricks mums cellar in Balham, which was being made into a studio. They were doing a few studio sessions for people. The man dem especially Charlie and Derrick showed show me nuff love. I used to write lyrics and go to Derrick (issachar) and say can you put some chords to this? Then one day when I asked him he grabbed the guitar and said you see this, this is a G, major. I did my first gig with this band(Blazin Sons)
Natural Ites first break occurred when they appeared on the television show Rockers Roadshow, hosted by Jamaican DJ Mikey Dread, which showcased Nottingham's finest talent. Their debut single, Picture On The Wall, penned by Ossie Samms (now known as Ossie Gad) was first released in 1983 on their own Realistics label, climbing to the top of the reggae charts and went onto become a roots anthem for years to come. Airplay on BBC Radio 1 in particular, widened the band's appeal and fan-base, combined with live sessions for top radio DJ's John Peel (aired on 13 June 1983 with Jah Love This, Jah Holy Hills, I Want Your Love and Suffer) and Janice Long. Further television appearances including Channel 4's The Tube, alongwith constant gigging around the country, helped the single to enter the mainstream British singles chart, no mean feat for an independent reggae outfit. The band's first album, also titled Picture On The Wall, was released to great critical acclaim in 1985.
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NATURAL ITES
Formed in 1981, the vocal trio of Percydread, Ossie Samms aka Ossie Gad) and Neil Foster headed a changing line-up of instrumentalists and players known as the Realistics.
NATURAL -ITES...(wheres the photo) (From left): Ossie, Percy and Neil. PERCYDREAD:
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Percydread continues to perform his material live, as well as vocal work with Highness and Sama Sound Systems.
UPSIDE DOWNSIDE :
Percydreads debut solo album Upside Downside, is reggae roots drawing on contemporary sounds with Rastafarianism at its spiritual core. For sample clips check the MUSIC section.
OTHER WORK
Working as a voice and performance tutor with young people using creativity to give life skills (Fallen Angels Project at the Art & Education centre) also The ACFF (Afro Caribbean Education Centre) on the MAPP programme. This is a music and performance programme for children who have difficulties, for one reason or another. Percy has also delivered a number of workshop performances for young children relating to the history curriculum.
Commissions to write a songs i.e for George Africanus,The first Known free black man in Nottinghm which subsequently became part of the Black presence exhibition featuring a plaque laid to commemorate Georges life.
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The Marcus Garvey Studio in Nottingham was home to the recording, again under the control of producer Johnny White, with the album released on the Realistics Record label. Another single, Cry For You was released, followed up by a Temptations cover version, I Wish It Would Rain and Happen All Over Again.
The band's third and final album, Naturalites in Ites, was released in 1989. . Within a year the band's members had gone their separate ways
the British and worldwide reggae fraternity had lost one of its finest exponents.
Thanks to Andy Brouwer for Natual Ites history.
Blessings to John Peel now past...Music makes us all one
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NUFF LOVE TO MY HOMIES AND THOSE SUPPORTERS
BIG SHOUT TO THE LINK MASSIVE : ITALY BOLOGNA FOR THE WAY THEY LOOKED AFTER ME. SOULEE RASPECT IS CONCRETE.
MY DAUGHTER (KIZZLE) STARTING MY SPACE FOR ME.....Yeah Im a techno-phobe
To Mel, Mags ,and Patrick Rose Nuff respect and love for backing vocals on stage and in studio not forgetting Ann and Sonia in studio
BIG SHOUT OUT TO MALTA AND SLY...INNA GAMBIA
China Dread BIG up youself along with Jah B...big thanks for your support
Nuff respect toStikz , Stikz n Stones production !!!
Not leavin you out (athall)
Man must do what he has to do, stay strong, in the knowlege that Rastafri will protec I & I ..
Percydread - single Is out Now !!!'s Friend Space (Top 24)
Percydread - single Is out Now !!! has 3119 friends.
Greetings and love , keep on blazing JAH fire, so we can go higher ...
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.
Hope all is well with de I. With de Guidance and Itection of de Most High we can nevah go wrong. Bless de I for all inspiration de I give to I always. It is always a joy to visit de I site and take part of de Positive Vibration from de I.
Check out I new recordings: Street Anthem and No More Suffering. Hope you like dem and can give some feedback to I
Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path.
Greetings from Tighten Up Radio Show, We wish to inform you about a brand-new 7 inch single from CARLTON LIVINGSTON and ECHO MINOTT published during this summer 2009, A wicked combination : CARLTON LIVINGSTON and ECHO MINOTT on the same 7 inch single !!!
Greetings and Blessings Irie Vibz over here! Love & Blessings Always...
Jah divine livity is the only way to stand inna babylon and to enter Zion gates on the day of I and I salvation, there is no other way to choose then to live righteous, conscious, clean and humble.
Ises unto the Most High Jah Ras Tafari...PEACE, LOVE AND INITY.
Part One 1.Taurus Riley - It Will Come 2.Turus Riley - Superman 3.Taurus Riley - Start A New - Nylon riddim 4.Shepard - Nah Go No Where - Nylon riddim 5.Percydread - Tell Me - Nylon riddim 6.Percydread - All I Wanna Do (dubplate) - Istanbull riddim 7.Ragga - Where Have You Gone - Istandbull riddim 8.King Ali Baba - Firm In A Earth - Truth & Rights riddim 9.Khari Kill - Truth & Rights riddim 10.Al Campbell - Take A Ride - Truth & Rights riddim ***Adverts*** 11.Singer Jah - Love Nurse 12.Ammoye - In Love 13.Ce'cile - Promise 14.Da'ville - Just Another Day 15.YT - My Woman 16.Bongo Chilli - Shes A Beauty - Shes A Beauty riddim 17.Mexican - Things & time - Shes A Beauty riddim 18.Anthony B - Survival 19.I-Wayne, Firestar & Buzhrock - Hot In Da Streets
Part Two. 1.Ras Fraser Jr. - Be Strong (dubplate) - Mama riddim 2.Taurus Riley - Living The Life Of A Gun 3.Don Yute - No Place In Babylon 4.Don Yute - Turn On Your Starlight 5.Rootz Underground - Victims Of A System 6.Revelation - Everyday - Patience riddim 7.Lyrikal & King David - Beg No Friends - Patience riddim 8.I-Sasha & Million Voice - I Know Jah - Patience riddim 9.Mr King - Boarderline - Patience riddim 10.Ras Pilot - One Night Stand - Patience riddim ***Adverts*** 11.India Irie feat. Gramps Morgan - Therapy (reggae mix) 12.Sophia Brown - I Am A Rose 13.Supa Neil - Lately 14.Redlyte - Come My Way 15.Tinga Stewart - Believe Me cont.
Love is the key to self happiness start spreading it now!!!!! What the world needs is Love♥!!!!!! We all have an unlimited capacity to love and the more love we share with others, the more love comes back to us... People respond to us whether we like it or not and it is much healthier to process loving thoughts filled with positive vibrations than it is to process hateful feelings filled with negative vibrations...When you become the love you wish to see in the world and begin to spread it all around it will continue to flow back to you... In giving you will receive... Love never fails Love is eternal... Love has no end... When Love is the answer there is no question!!!!!!! Love will always be with you I dear friend Love & Light
First, thanx for all de inspiration from de I. Always positive Vibes and conscious. Inspirational to I. Keep de fiyah burnin. If you have time check out I new song: "I am so sorry". A duet Igether with Sister Caro, additional instruments, mixed and mastered by Ras Bruno (Herb an Music), and music by Doobie Productions. Hope you will like it.
