Biography
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Born
1949
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Born In
Saint James, Jamaica
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Died
2 December 2013 (aged 64)
Junior Murvin (born Murvin Junior Smith, circa 1949, Port Antonio, Jamaica; died 2 December 2013, Port Antonio, Jamaica) was a Jamaican reggae musician. He is best known for the single "Police and Thieves", produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry in 1976. Murvin's soaring voice and the infectious rhythm made "Police and Thieves" into an international hit during the summer of that year. It peaked at No. 23 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. The song was influential, and it was recorded by the punk rock pioneers The Clash on their debut album, released in 1977. Australian musician Paul Kelly made a reference to Murvin in his Christmas song, "How To Make Gravy".
Since then Murvin recorded other albums for Mikey Dread, 1982's Bad Man Possee; Junjo Lawes & the Roots Radics, 1984's Muggers In The Streets and King Jammy, 1986's Apartheid, as well as a string of singles for Joe Gibbs and The Mighty Two. More recently he has released an album of acoustic versions of his songs for Earl Chinna Smith in the Inna de Yard series.
Murvin continued to tour regularly. His most recent released recording was a single entitled "Wise Man", released on the London-based Dubwise record label in 1998. His song "Cool Out Son" was featured on the soundtrack for the video game, Skate 3, which was released in 2010.
For a comprehensive biography, go to: http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/juniorm/juniormu.htm
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