"I'm a member of the human race. Don't Jugde me by the color of my face. Either you're black or you're white, let's all Unite"
More than 20 years after his tragik death, the memory of Hugh Mundell keep on living in the heart of all reggae lovers.
Early attracted by the roots reggae music like other youths from his neigbourhood (Earl 16, Wayne Wade, Winston Mc Anuff...), his strong determination seducted the great Augustus Pablo who gave him a chance. As one of the favourites of the melodica King, he recorded at age 16 the mythic "Africa shall be free by 1983", at Black Ark and Channel One
On the path of Rastafari, Mundell joined the Rockers Sound System tribe as other talentive youths such as Jakob Miller, Delroy Williams, Jah Bull... around Pablo Swaby and The teaching of His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Gifted singer and premature producer, the one known as well as Jah Levi carried on his shoulders the hopes and proudness of jamaican music.
Precocious, conscious, rasta to the bone. So was Hugh Mundell. A blessed youth from Redhills who spent the largest part of his short life in the most famous studios with the greatest musicians of Kingston. With such a special and unique voice he began to conquer before his 21st anniversary a part of the reggae fans, orphans since the death of Brother Marley.
After the Pablo's years (75-78)Mundell built up his own label, Muni Musik (and the british MunRock), then produced himself Time&Place, recorded for Jah Fire for Pince Jammy and Mundell for Henri Lawes with the mighty Roots Radics. He launched at the same time young artists such as Jr Reid.
The year 1981, he left for a world tour to spread his faithful message. He was at this time a hero both in Jamaica, Europe and Africa.
Victim of the blind violence in the streets of Kingston in 1983, he disappeared brusquely while finishing records for his sixth album. But as brief as was his career, as bruptal was his death, we'll never forget the great work of this Son of Jah. Greetings.
H.MUNDELL & A.PABLO - ACOUSTIC IN THE HILLS
