Toppa Top 10: Ten Essential Tunes From Reggae Gorgon Cornell Campbell

Words by Robin Hopcraft/Soothsayers—

Cornell Campbell is one of the unsung heroes of reggae. Sometimes referred to as ‘The Gorgon’ after his 1973 song by that name, Campbell is a product of early Studio One sessions—it’s said that his first recording for Coxsone Dodd was in 1956, at the age of eight— who went on to define the roots sound of the ’70s, and continues to be prolific in the modern era. In fact, Campbell has two albums out this summer. The first, New Scroll, was released last month on Zion High Productions. And Nothing Can Stop Us, a collaboration with London-based band Soothsayers, is out today on Strut Records. We asked Soothsayers’ Robin Hopcraft to weigh in on Campbell’s impact, and select 10 of the singer’s toppa top tunes.

I first heard Cornell’s voice on a record I bought on a stall in Brixton Market in 1983. The tune, I remember, was called “Investigator” and the voice was so distinctive and full of beauty and character that the moment always stayed with me.

Cornell has done so much recording with the great Jamaican producers like Coxsone Dodd and Bunny Lee. His legacy is massive but he remains somewhat low key as his name is not particularly widely known beyond Jamaican shores. To me, this is due to his humble and cool personality and genuine approach to music. He has been there for decades as a lead vocalist and writer as well as a session guitarist and backing singer. Respect for Cornell in the reggae world is universal, especially among the people who really know Jamaican music. As the great Bunny Lee says, from the long list of singers he has worked with during his extensive career, Cornell remains his all-time favorite.

10. “Blessed Are They”

Another memory that sticks in my mind is when I discovered ‘Blessed Are They’ while working in Kings College Hospital, when a friend gave me a compilation cassette. A beautiful, truthful song with an amazing melody and drum pattern, and righteous lyrics that I can believe.

9. “Stars” aka “The Sun”

Amazing gentle ’70s love song with a stunningly simple but immense horn melody and sweet sweet backing vocals. Performing this song with Cornell is such a joy.

8. “Queen of the Minstrels”

Like “Stars,” “Minstrel” has lovely horns and backing vocals, amazing lead vocals and a bubbling groove. A Jamaican classic which epitomizes a musical and social era.

7. “Two-Face Rasta”

Lovely King Tubby production on a sizzling minor riddim, with the Aggrovators band in full flow…

6. “My Country”(1978)

We used this at the end of our set on last year’s tour. Cornell hadn’t sung it in a long time but we persuaded him to get back into it. Great driving bass line and original lyrical content. Serious message with a heartfelt vocal. Makes you feel like you are on the island.

5. “The Gorgon”

This is Cornell Campbell, “The GORGON,” and when you hear it, the first thing you think is, who’s that singer? I mean what an individual—a tough message delivered by the voice of an angel!

4. “Natty Dread in a Greenwich Farm”

There’s a great intro to this. This song tells a real story about a real place. Reality!

3. “Natty Don’t Go”

History and culture on a Coxsone Dodd production that’s heavy and organic. “Natty Don’t Go” is 1970s Rasta music at its best.

2. “Jah Jah Me No Born Yah”

This song reminds me of Western movies that were so popular in Jamaica in the ’70s . Fantastic intro melody and bouncing piano, great lead guitar. “Jah Jah Me No Born Yah” tells the story of the real Jamaica — hard life for the poor and honest people.

1. “Mash You Down”

A Bunny Lee production, again with a tough message delivered with purity and sweetness. Bunny Lee helped us to reach Cornell and, even though they haven’t worked together for years, he still says that Cornell is his favourite singer.