Sonny Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1931 Spice Grove,Manchester Parish,Jamaica |
| Died | (aged 89) |
| Genres | Ska,gospel,Afrobeat,Soca,Lovers Rock |
| Occupation | Record producer |
| Years active | 1961–1990s |
| Labels | Planetone, Sway, Tackle, Blessed, Affection,Sunburn, Orbitone |
Sonny Roberts (July 26, 1931 – March 17, 2021), often known asSonny Orbitone, was aJamaicanrecord producer who had success within the British ska, afrobeat, lovers rock and soca market in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with his Planetone, Sway, Tackle Sunburn and Orbitone record labels.
Born in 1931 in Spice Grove,Manchester Parish, Roberts, who was originally acarpenter, emigrated to London in 1953.[1] In 1961, he set up a recording studio in the basement of 108 Cambridge Road (a property owned by Trojan Records founderLee Gopthal), the first Black recording studio in Britain owned by a Jamaican.[2] He established thePlanetone label (and later the Sway label), sharing premises withIsland Records which provided distribution for the label, releasingska records by artists such asRico Rodriguez and alsogospel records. Roberts was also indirectly responsible for the subsequent growth of Island Records in Britain and the birth of its Trojan subsidiary; Sonny being a crucial catalyst. ref name="Campbell" />[3][4][5] The studio and record label operated until the late 1960s.[1] He also cut acetates, which he supplied to localsound systems.[6]
In 1970, he opened a record shop Orbitone Records inHarlesden, London and started the Orbitone label, which was one of the keylovers rock labels, with releases by artists such as Tim Chandell, Teddy Davis, Martell Robinson,Judy Boucher and Joyce Bond, as well as producing and releasing Afrobeat music. Sonny produced and released the first U.K Afrobeat album in 1972 - Destruction by the NkengasNigerian music.[1] After the successful release of the Nkengas album, Sonny produced and released other African artists such as the Rhythm Brothers, Peter King, Teddy Davis, and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley.
Roberts also ran the Lavender sound system in the 1960s.[1]
In 1987, his production of Judy Boucher's "Can't Be with You Tonight" reached number two in theUK Singles Chart.[1][7] This single holds the record for being the first Caribbean female singer to have the longest stay in the British national charts for 14 weeks. The hit record “ La Isla Bonita” by “global pop star”Madonna prevented Sonny from charting a No.1 record slot.
He returned to Jamaica in 1997, living inSaint Andrew Parish, where he ran a company producing natural mosquito repellent and natural spices.[1]
Roberts died in Saint Andrew of throat cancer on 17 March 2021, aged 89.[8]
