Jimmy Riley

Martin James Norman Riley (b.22 May 1954, Kingston, Jamaica – d.23 March 2016, New York City, U.S.A.) better known as Jimmy Riley, was a Jamaican singer who started his career as harmony singer on Treasure Isle with producer Arthur "Duke" Reid. He ran the Pee, Yes and Civic labels. He formed The Sensations with Buster Riley with which they will have big hits, he was also a member of the The Three Tops (some sources say yes and others say no) and after that, he joined The Uniques when Slim Smith decided to disband The Techniques. But after a brief run of hits Smith decided to go solo and Riley decamped to New York. He was persuaded to return to Jamaica in 1981 by Sly & Robbie with whom he made the classic "Rhydim Driven" album and had his biggest hit "Love & Devotion". This was followed by many other hits in the 80s before the advent of digital ragga ended the popularity of his style of vocal anthems After a brief spell with The Wailers in the late 80s Riley moved to Miami, opening a reggae shop, but in the 90s moved back to Jamaica starting his own Love Promotions label and appearing regularly on the reggae festival circuit Father of Tarrus Riley.