Michael Palmer

b. 1964, Maxfield Park, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Inspired by his neighbour, Leroy Smart, Palmer began his career singing on the Echo Tone Hi Fi Sound. The sound system featured Big John, Flux and owner General Echo, who were all killed in 1980 following a shooting incident in Kingston. Working with producer Oswald Thomas, Palmer’s debut release, ‘Mr Landlord’, faltered and with the demise of the sound system he maintained a low profile. By 1983 he was back in the studio with Jah Thomas, who had enjoyed success with Triston Palma, resulting in the release of ‘Ghetto Dance’ with Jim Brown and ‘Different Love’. A number of recordings followed with a variety of producers, including King Jammy, Sugar Minott and Joseph ‘Joe Joe’ Hookim. Palmer’s career began to prosper and while Aswad were recording in Jamaica they utilized Palmer’s voice for the release of ‘Me Nah Run’. By the mid-80s his career was firmly established. He enjoyed a number 1 in Jamaica with ‘Lickshot’ and his appearance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival was one of the high points of the event. Numerous albums followed and those producers that did not have enough material to release a complete set compiled duo artist sets. As is often the case when a glut of material becomes available, interest began to dwindle and a lean period followed. He decided to test his production skills and enjoyed a smash hit with ‘Haul And Pull Up’ by Neville Brown. Palmer returned in fine style by the early 90s with a condemnation of licentiousness with the single ‘Juggling’, and alternatively, ‘Everyone Makes Love’.