Eek A Mouse

Eek-A-Mouse has been singing since primary school, developing a natural style which was immediately recognised as different, imaginative and innovative. By age 15 he had established himself in his Kingstown community of Trench Town as one of the most talented singers in his 'area'. By age 21, he had begun to make a name for himself, performing at small functions throughout Kingston.He soon attracted the attention of record producers, and in particular one of Jamaica's leading record producers, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes. Prior to this he has recorded only a few singles under his real nmae of Ripton Hylton in 1974 on his own label. <br><br> His uniqueneess as a performer comes from his strong, uncommon vocal style and the ability to roll his voice into an additional instrument. Eek-A-Mouse is the originator and finest exponent of that perticular form of reggae which has come to be known as "sing-jay". <br><br>

Sing-jay is a combination of singing and dee-jaying, referred to in Jamaica as 'toasting', embellished with an assortment of unusual vocal sound effects. In the percussive and nasal aspects of his vocalizations, Eek-A-Mouse is reminiscent of African and Brazilian singers, with intimations of Eastern tonalities. The Boston Globe calls him "the Al Jarreau of reggae".