The Ethiopians is a ska, rocksteady, and reggae vocal group, founded by Leonard Dillon (born 9 December 1942, Port Antonio, Jamaica), Stephen Taylor and Aston Morris. The group started out recording for Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd in 1966.
Dillon had previously released some mento songs under the name Jack Sparrow. Around late 1966, Morris left the Ethiopians. Having left Dodd, the Ethiopians started recording at Dynamic Studios for the W.I.R.L. label, releasing the ska classic song «Train to Skaville», which was their first success. In 1968 they recorded the song «Everything Crash», their first big hit. The song criticised the political situation in Jamaica at the time, such as water rationing and power cuts that led to unrest; such as an incident in which 31 people were shot by police. «Everything Crash» was later covered by Prince Buster. «The Whip» is another of their enduring songs from that period.
In 1969 they released the album, Reggae Power, and in 1970 the album Woman a Capture Man. Between 1970 and 1975, the Ethiopians switched from producer to producer, releasing songs such as «No Baptism», «Pirate», and «Good Ambition». In September 1975, Taylor was killed by a van while he was crossing a road, but Dillon continued to tour as The Ethiopian. In 1991, he recorded the solo album On the Road Again. Toward the end of the 1900s, Dillon formed a new Ethiopians lineup with female backing vocalists Jennifer Lara and Merlene Webber, who appeared on the 1999 album, Tuffer Than Stone.
[Album discography]
Engine ‘54: Let’s Ska and Rock Steady - (1968) - Jamaican Gold
Reggae Power - (1969)
Woman a Capture Man - (1970) - Trojan
Slave Call - (1977) - Heartbeat
Dread Prophecy - (1989) - Nighthawk
Let’s Ska and Rock Steady - (1990) - VP Records
Clap Your Hands - (1993) - Lagoon
Sir J.J. & Friends - (1993) - Lagoon
Owner Fer De Yard - (1994) - Heartbeat
Train to Skaville - (1999) - Charly
Tuffer Than Stone - (1999) - Warriors
Skaville Princess - (2000) - Dressed to Kill
Train to Skaville: Anthology 1965-1975 - (2002) - Trojan compilation
