Michael Buckley

Michael Buckley was born and grew up in the Waterhouse area of Kingston, Jamaica. He began singing in church and as a youth used to spar with future stars like <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=652">Half Pint</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=148">Junior Reid</a> and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=25">Wayne Smith</a>. Not surprisingly he made his first record at <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2734">King Jammys</a> Studio which was "Dance Gate", a tune that released as the flip-side to Wayne Smith's anthem "Under Me Sleng Teng" in 1985. 
Blessed with a deep baritone voice, you could almost expect Michael to be singing soft soul in the mode of Luther Vandross or Barry White, so his vocal style was quite unique in the 80s dancehalls. In fact his style was a massive influence on the young <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=759">Bushman</a>, who was often labelled a "Michael Buckley copyist" in the earlier part of his career. 
In the 1980s, Michael was a regular member on both the King Jammys and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=774">Stereo One</a> sound systems, as well as also featuring on Black Scorpio and Killamanjaro. Not surprisingly, he freelanced around the Kingston recording scene, working with many different producers. Notable tunes in this era included "Shaky Shaky Love" (Jammys); "Sweet Child" and "Pupa Lick" (Heatwave); "My Love Won't Wait" (Supreme); "Strong Musician" (<a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=1372">Sunset</a>); and "It Nuh Easy" (Razam). 
During the 1990s, Michael continued to record and make an impression on the world wide reggae scene. His biggest tune came with a re-lick of "Sweet Child" for Stone Love, and this was accompanied by other songs like "My Selector" (2B); "Send Another One" and "Can't Live" (<a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=252">Shocking Vibes</a>); "World Without End" (<a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=90">Digital-B</a>) and "Jack and Jill" (Big Ship). Michael also produced himself on his own Mr Buck label with the cut "Politician". 
In the sound clash arena, Michael Buckley is best known for his Killamanjaro dubplate "Send Another Sound Home" - a tune that has killed many a sound system. He has also voiced specials for all the big sounds in Jamaica, the USA, Canada and the UK. 
Michael's long term friend <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2295">Wayne Lonesome</a> also produced a couple of 45s with Michael - "Angel Around Me" and "How Poor People Ago Live" (both Run Things); and it was Wayne who introduced Michael to <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=236">Rootsman</a>. A visit to the <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=56">Third Eye Studio</a> followed in July 2002 and Michael sung one song "One Hundred Ways", produced by Rootsman. 
Michael Buckley is currently working on setting up his own distribution company as well as compiling his wholly self-produced debut album which he will release on his own Mr Buck imprint.

Michael Buckley on BigUp Radio ● Listen Live

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