Echo Minott
<p>Echo Minott was born Noel Phillips in 1963 and grew up in the Maverley area of Kingston, Jamaica. He started singing from an early age, appearing in local talent contests and school concerts. His first break came in 1980 when he recorded the album "<em>Youthman Vibration</em>" for legendary producer <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2873">Prince Jammy</a>, at the age of 17 years. This album wasn't released in Jamaica and appeared on the Starlight label based in London, U.K. </p>
<p>In 1983 he recorded the tune "<em>Ten Miles</em>" for his cousin, producer Errol Marshall, and this was his first tune to be released under the name Echo Minott. He then recorded his first UK hit "<em>Man in Love</em>" (Oak Sound) for <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=62">Dillinger</a> and an album "Echo Minott meets Sly and Robbie" (Jam-Can) for famous producer George Phang. Four of these songs were later re-packaged on an album called "<em>Echo Minott meets <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=11">Frankie Paul</a></em>" (Powerhouse) and released in 1987. </p>
<p>Now in-demand as an increasingly popular dancehall singer, Echo began recording for many other producers and scored his first Jamaican No. 1 single with the song "<em>Love Problems</em>" produced by <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=239">Joe Gibbs</a>. He followed this with another hit, "<em>Farmer Man</em>" for the late Henry "Junjo" Lawes' <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=121">Volcano</a> Records label. </p>
<p>Now celebrating over twenty years as a successful reggae artist, Echo has now acquired veteran status. He hooked up with <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=236">The Rootsman</a> to record a selection of tough dubplate specials in 2000 and this led to the pair doing live shows together in Germany, Holland and Italy. In March 2002 he finally visited the <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=56">Third Eye Studio</a> to voice some new crucial tracks produced by Rootsman. Three tracks - "<em>How Could I</em>", "<em>Oh Jah</em>" and the dancehall anthem "<em>Sharpshooter</em>" (over a roughhouse revitalised Sleng Teng version) are the fruits of those sessions, which will be released on Third Eye Music in the future. </p>