Mikey Spice

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1965, Mikey Spice began singing in his father's church at age seven. He then became a dazzling multi-instrumentalist, learning guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, piano, saxophone, flute, harp and clarinet before age 13. Seven years later, he decided on a reggae career.
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After working with several bands, Spice (whose voice has been compared to Lou Rawls) began recording in 1991. A successful live date at 1993's Reggae Sunsplash sparked his Ras Records debut, Happiness (1995), followed the next year by Born Again. Jah Lifted Me appeared in 1997. Harder Than Before was issued in early 2001. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide With the chart success of â??Born Againâ?? following his summertime hit, â??Practice What You Preachâ??, Mikey Spice has proven that his distinctive musical flavor is certain to remain with us for many moons. As a singer/songwriter/musician (proficient in 22 instruments), Mikey Spice is the embodiment of that rare musical phenomenon traditionally referred to as the â??one man bandâ??. Blessed with a uniquely broad, rich and resonant voice, Mikey was raised on the rousing spiritual music of the Church of God, in Kingston, Jamaica, where his father served as bishop. As a youth, Mikey picked up musical instruments the way other children picked up toys, and learned to play them one at a time â??â?¦from piano to banjo, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, harp, drums, bassâ?¦I had all the instruments to play around with, plus microphone and audienceâ?¦ all of it came about togetherâ??.
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Inspired also by international singers such as Lou Rawls, Barry White and Teddy Prendergrast, Mikey took up residency on Jamaicaâ??s north coast in 1984, and quickly established himself as a leading vocalist and guitarist for many of the bands on the cabaret circuit. The late â??80s also found Mikey Spice making a name for himself as a studio musician and harmony singer for many of Jamaicaâ??s leading artistes, including Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor, Frankie Paul and Tiger. In early part of 1991, Mikey teamed up with engineer/producer Barry Oâ??Hare at Grove Music Studios in Ocho Rios, and began recording his own compositions: â??â?¦I think my experience from singing other peopleâ??s songs taught me how to write and structure a song. I had these words and they just flowed into place. The first time I ever put a song together, it was one of those thrilling momentsâ??.
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In Jamaica, Mikey continued performing and producing tracks with other artistes, including Jack Radics, Capleton and Garnet Silk, with whom he recorded â??Mamaâ??. In 1993 he performed with Gregory Issacs and other artistes at Jamaicaâ??s annual Reggae Sunsplash and he roused a notoriously discriminating audience with his solo act at Sting â??93. Mikeyâ??s first single, â??You Caught Meâ??, released in Jamaica on the Roof label in 1991, garnered airplay in England as well as Jamaica. Several singles followed on the Ocho Rios based X-Rated label, including â??The Way We Wereâ??, â??Let Me Knowâ??, â??Chant Down Babylonâ?? and a very popular re-make of the Barry White classic â??Practice What You Preachâ??, which continues to receive enthusiastic airplay in Jamaica, the U.S., Canada and Europe.
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The release of Mikeyâ??s first CD, Happiness, on the X-Rated label (licensed in the U.S. by RAS Records), led to his first European tour in 1995, under the auspices of RUNNetherlands Music. Several singles followed with Bobby Digital, Big Ship and New Name Music, & Mixing Lab label CD. Since having such major response from fans and well wishers , Mikey Spice has been voted best new artiste â??95, song of the year â??95, â??Showers Of Blessingsâ??, also number one in Miami for three months, number ones in London, with â??Born Againâ??, â??When Youâ??re Lonelyâ??, â??Shake Your Boodyâ?? with the reknown Shaggy, and a cover version of Bob Marleyâ??s â??So Much Things To Sayâ?? released on the Big Ship Label. Mikey Spice also produces himself as well as other entertainers, his releases being â??More Than Wonderfulâ?? â??Iâ??m So Lonely, Home to Zion and the critically acclaimed album â??Harder Than Beforeâ?? released by VP Records. With this successful track record you can be sure that there are lots more in the making . with Mikey's New Album 'My Imagination' and the hit single 'Happy Hour' The world can once again enjoy the musical talent that Mikey Spice has to offer. and stay tuned for even more, with something for everyone, including Smooth Jazz, R & B, and Gospel.