Sly Dunbar obituary

"Sly Dunbar, who has died aged 73 after a long illness, was one of the most renowned Jamaican drummers, respected internationally for his precision timing and for the inventiveness with which he approached his instrument. Crafting non-standard reggae rhythms that drew on funk, soul and disco, Dunbar and his bass-playing partner, Robbie Shakespeare, backed nearly every reggae artist of note"

"Dunbar's powerfully driving beats resulted from a blur of action across the drum kit, harnessing the controlled chaos that contrasted his easy-going nature; a wiry, muscular man who kept garlic to hand to ward off colds while on tour, he was a counterbalance to the mercurial Shakespeare, the immense catalogue they left including many enduring hits. Born Lowell Dunbar, he was the youngest of three children whose parents both worked at Kingston's airport."

Sly Dunbar died aged 73 after a long illness and earned international renown for precision timing and inventive drumming. He crafted non-standard reggae rhythms that incorporated funk, soul and disco influences. Alongside bass partner Robbie Shakespeare he backed nearly every major reggae artist and collaborated with a wide array of musicians, including Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Madonna and the Fugees. He helped create the hits that brought Grace Jones to stardom. His driving beats arose from a blur of motion across the drum kit that harnessed controlled chaos. Born Lowell Dunbar, he grew up in Kingston, became obsessed with Skatalites songs and decided at 13 to pursue music professionally.

Read at www.theguardian.com