Jr. Murvin

Junior Murvin was born Murvin Junior Smith. His father was a tailor and singer of ballads from St. James in Montego Bay. When he died Junior's mother relocated the family to Port Antonio in the parish of Portland, where she was originally from. Junior Murvin began his singing career after going to school in Port Antonio and then in Montego Bay. He sang on stage shows in Montego Bay backed by either A.J. Brown or E.T. Webster. He remembers his first show was at Christmas promoted by Fanso.
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He graduated to do mechanics at the Montego Bay Technical High School but "changed the vibe - music take over. From mi born me start sing y'know, when mi small me just have a talent, when I was growin' up reach all 7 or 9 years old, used to sing Billy Eckstein songs and those big songs. Me find myself singing all different kind of voice - bass, treble y'know". Junior's main influences in his youth were ballads and soul classics by the likes of Billy Eckstein, Nat King Cole, Curtis Mayfield, Ben E. King, Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Roy Hamilton and others.
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He began his recording career as Junior Soul recording first for Sonia Pottinger's Gayfeet label with "Miss Kushie" in 1966, and then "Slipping" and "Jennifer". Derrick Harriott's Crystal imprint also showcased this new talent with tunes like "Solomon" (written by Junior, re-recorded it became a hit for producer/singer Derrick Harriott), "One Wife", "Hustler", "Magic Touch", "Big Boy", "Glendevon Special", "Chatty Chatty", "Yellow Basket" and "Rescue Children" (which he later recorded for Lee Perry along with "Solomon"). While he was recording he also joined several live bands touring Jamaica playing to both locals and tourists, attracted by the fledging tourist industry. He was at one time part of the Hippy Boys singing with Max Romeo and backed by the riddim of Carlton and Familyman Barrett, and later the Mighty Falcons doing covers of the Stylistics, Chi-lites and Curtis Mayfield tunes. Other members of this last band included Dennis Brown, Noel Brown (of the Chosen Few) and Cynthia Schloss.