About Earth and Stone
Genre
Reggae
Vocal duo comprising Albert Bailey and Clifton Howell. In 1972, Howell and Bailey attended one of the weekly auditions at Studio One. They worked at the celebrated Brentford Road studio for a year but decided to abscond as they were disillusioned with the lack of progress with Coxsone Dodd. In 1973, the duo began working with brothers Ernest and Joseph ‘Joe Joe’ Hookim at the Channel One studio. Earth And Stone recorded a mix of lovers and roots orientated tunes, including the classic ‘Jah Will Cut You Down’ and ‘Three Wise Men’. Channel One released the duo’s output on the Hitbound label, but came under criticism from purists that they were simply copying old Studio One rhythms. The producers made no secret that they were reviving earlier rhythms and have since proved to have been innovators as the practice continues to the present. Bailey and Howell took turns to perform lead vocals while the other provided harmonies. Their style proved particularly popular and inspired the Hookims to compile Kool Roots in 1978. The compilation featured the duo’s singles recorded at the Maxfield Avenue studio from 1973 onward and topped the specialist charts worldwide. Notable inclusions were ‘Jail House Set Me Free’, ‘Free Black Man’ and ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’. By 1980 the Hookims had relocated to New York and Earth And Stone consequently languished in obscurity. In 1997, the revival label Pressure Sounds reissued the duo’s album, duplicating the earlier release by including the dub versions. While Earth And Stone were unable to achieve the success of the Mighty Diamonds and the Jays their contribution to Channel One’s success is considered equally as important.
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