First original CD release from the late Fazal Prendergast, legendary Reggae musician, producer and studio engineer. Original member of Augustus Pablo’s, Rockers All Stars/ Rockers International session band, the first original Dub band. Former member from Earl China Smith’s, High Time Players, one of Jamaica's top session studio bands. Former member of Mutabraruka’s Sounds of Resistance Band. Band leader and creator of Yellow Wall Dub Squad,USA.
Fazal's discography is extensive. He plays guitar on scores of international hits and is featured on over 100 cds backing many of Reggae's Greatist Artists.The following is a partial list of artists Fazal has recorded with; Agustus Pablo’s, Rockers All Stars/Rockers International, Earl China Smith’s and the High Times Players, Mutabaruka’s, Sounds of Resistance Band, Tippa Irie, Frankie Paul & Cocoa Tea, Hugh Mundell, Delroy Williams, Norris Reid, Junior Walker, Johnny Osborne, Scientist, King Tubby and Prince Jammy.
However, this is the first cd release of Fazal music.
Shadows In The Storm is an instrumental album. It has a richness of sound with Reggae, Dub, Jazz, Razz and Mid Eastern influences. This beautiful work demonstrates the extensive expertise of Fazal’s guitar playing.
Fazal lived and breathed through his music. His legendary rhythm guitar style is innovative, exiting, haunting and transformative, a true expression of his unique spirit. He thanks the ''Creator for channeling the music through him''. Listen to this CD to release your own creative potential. Enjoy the depths of the journey as well as the peaks of elevation you will discover through this music.
If your Desire and Intent is to be transformed, transfixed, captivated and then released into a rich musical realm then this CD is for you.
Fazal Antonio Prendergast was born in Kingston, Jamaica on February 27, 1959. Born to Norma and Kenneth Prendergast, he was the oldest of four children, Michael, Angela, and Fabian Prendergast.
Of African and Indian decent he experienced a rich diverse cultural upbringing which influenced his musical style. A style that has a raw Jamaican flavour but innervates the spirit with Indian tones and pumps the heart with African beats. His musical style reflects of two ancient cultures living together, merging together, and yet expressing their cultural DNA in a unique way, a Kingston way, A Jamaica Way, A Fazal Way.
Fazal began his music career at age 13 when he received his first guitar from his step father, Horace. At first playing his native Jamaican folk, Rock steady, and Ska music which permeated his environment at that time, he then progressed to Roots Reggae and Dub. Later in his life, he included Jazz and an eclectic style which he termed as Razz into his personal music style. Of course, never leaving his roots behind, pure Dub and Roots Reggae filters through all his styles.
Fazal musical history is extensive! A legend in his own time. Whether playing his guitar, creating a track, producing or engineering he brought a vitality and rhythm to the project that touched the soul and heart of the listener. Always making it appear so easy he emanated a flow and rhythm that captivated and transfixed the listener..
Fazal's studio recording began as early as 1976 when he recorded with the legendary Augustus Pablo and the Rockers All Stars/ Rockers International session band. the first original Dub band. For the next several years Fazal was Pablo's main leading guitarist.. He recorded on over a dozen hit albums with Pablo.
From 1981 he linked up with Earl China Smith and The High Time Players, one of Jamaica's top session studio bands with whom he recorded numerous International hit tracks. He played with Israel Vibration in opening for Bob Marley at the Year of the Child Festival, Jamaica. He worked with producers and engineers such as; Bunny Lee, Jack Scorpio, Prince Jammy, Errol Brown, Joe Higgs, David Hamilton and The Scientist.
Studios he recorded in included Tuff Gong, Channel 1 Studio One, Harry J's, Kings Tubby's, Hope Road (original Bob Marley studio) Aquarius Studio, Halfway Tree Rd, and Dynamic Sound Studio.
In 1983, Fazal joined Mutabraruka and The Sounds of Resistance Band. For the next five years he toured extensively through out Europe and the States with Muta. He recorded on several hit albums with Muta.
The following is only a partial list of recordings that Fazal is on;
Fazal moved to New York in 1985 where he continued to play and tour internationally with Mutabruka and other leading Reggae artist such as Sister Carol, Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin, Alton Ellis and Bob Andy.
Fazal moved to California in 1993, shortly afterwards he met Colette McGeough from Ireland, and their relationship formed. With the birth of their daughter, Deardhrá in 1996, Fazal began to record his own original material while limiting his touring, so he could devote time to being at home with his family. In 1996, they started,Venus One Studio a.k.a DP Studio, (named after their daughter Deardhrá Prendergast). Venus One (DPStudio) has recorded many local California artist along with several of Fazal’s own recordings soon to be released.
At that time Fazal was very much in demand by the local based Jamaican reggae artists from the Bay Area and also by non Jamaican reggae artists. Fazal’s name is on scores of local projects either playing guitar, recording, mixing or engineering for bands such as; Don Carlos, Ras Midas, Mabrack, Sister I Live, Dennis The Menace, King Caleb, Ras Jacob, Raskidus, Wadi Gad, Ras Digital, I World, Reggae Angels, Dub Nation and Joseph 1.. Fazal also worked again with the legendary Scientist (previously they worked together in Jamaica and New York) on many local projects during that period.
Through Venus One they organized many reggae events through out California and the States with Fazal booking and backing up artists such as Judy Mowatt, Justin Hines, Yami Balo, Abyssinians, Congos, Don Carlos, Mikey Dread, Apple Gabriel, Linveal Thompson, Ras Midas, Sister Carol, Junior Jazz and Ishmael The Peacemaker.
After completing his independent project, Shadows In The Storm, Fazal then in conjunction with The Reggae Ambassador, Amlack Tafrai created the band Yellow Wall Dub Squad USA. The name was originally used by Amlack Tafrai who had created Yellow Wall Dub, UK. Amlack, the renowned bass player, originally from Pato Banton and currently with Steel Pulse, played with the band for a period in the States, before returning to the UK.
Venus One managed and booked the band until 2003, and then booking management was passed to Robert Uugui from Ujama in Colorado.
Upon completion of, Shadows In The Storm, Fazal chose not to release it at that time. In Fazal’s words “The time was not ready for this release”.
In 2005, Fazal and Colette planned to release the CD on September, 26th.
Fazal was killed in a very tragic accident, while on tour with Don Carlos,on April 1st 2005.The Music world lost a legend and a genius but his music still lives through his upcoming CD release
The tadegy occured directly opposite the site of Reggae on the River festival (Reggae Rising) Humboldt, CA. This was the 1st USA festivals that Fazal left Jamaica to play at back in the 80s.He subsequently played there many times as well as every other Reggae Festival through out the States.
