WOMAD

Pato Banton and The Reggae Revolution

From Jamaica, United Kingdom

2000 biography supplied by Pato Banton's management:Pato Banton started his career as an MC on his father, Patrick Murray's, reggae sound system, called V-Rocket. He then joined a band called Crucial Music (now a top Bob Marley tribute band called Buffalo Soldier) for a short while. On going solo he renamed himself Pato Banton - Pato was a name given to him by his stepfather, after a type of owl in Jamaica which is said to be wise, staying up all night calling 'Patoo, Patoo'. In DJ circles, the name 'Banton' referred to someone who was a heavyweight DJ and hence Pato was known as 'The Banton' - leading to the full Pato Banton title.Pato's first big break came when he won a talent contest judged by fellow Birmingham resident Ranking Roger of The Beat. They became great friends and joined forces to form the duo 'Pato & Roger A Go Talk' that appeared on The Beat's album. Roger also produced a single for Pato at that time called 'Hello Tosh, Got A Toshiba', which climbed to number 3 on the independent Reggae Charts. This success led to up and coming reggae act UB40 asking Pato to feature on their 'Little Baggariddum' album with 'Hip Hop Lyrical Robot'.After several singles and a few more collaborations, Pato recorded his first album 'Never Give In'. This album included the title track anthem, as well as a song with Ranking Roger on 'Pato and Roger Come Again'. They worked together on 'Private Domain' from 'Absolute Perfection' which became a number 1 in Peru. Pato's live following grew strongly over the next five years.In 1989 Pato's second album 'Vision of the World' was released, and this, coupled with constant touring, ensured that his popularity continued to grow throughout the world. He opened Ziggy Marley's North American tour; then began work on his third album 'Wize Up (No Compromise)'. This album featured the production talents of Aswad's Drummie Zeb and guest vocalist David Hind from Steel Pulse.The next album 'Alive and Kicking All Over America' was released in 1992, a record which spotlighted the ferocious loyalty of his fans. This was followed up by the album 'Universal Love', featuring the track 'Go Pato', a song inspired by the chanting at Pato's shows. The song became an international hit.In 1994 Pato released his 'Collections' album, teaming up again with old friends Ali and Robin Campbell of UB40 to record 'Baby Come Back' which became a worldwide hit and stayed at number 1 in the UK for four weeks. It also turned out to be one of the biggest selling records in Brazil's history. It went top five in over 30 countries, ranging from Europe to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Russia.The next single was 'Bubblin' Hot', another duet with Ranking Roger, which went top twenty in the UK charts. He then collaborated with Sting on 'This Cowboy Song', which featured Pato's inimitable toasting style. Another collaboration with Sting followed on 'Spirits in the Material World', featured in the Jim Carey movie 'Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls'.There then followed a new album 'Stay Positive' - a cocktail of summer fun, blending classic reggae sounds with messages of universal love, unity and peace. The single 'Groovin' came from this album, reaching the top 5 in the UK and in many other countries.Pato Banton and his band The Reggae Revolution took to the road, honing their stage skills and sounds. From clubs to stadiums they continue to win over thousands of fans every year. They have toured the world as reggae ambassadors, from the Americas to the Middle East.After a well-earned break to write a new album, plus a change in management and record company, Pato and the Reggae Revolution are back and ready to hit the airwaves with the latest release 'Time Come'. The title track has been remixed as a single for commercial dance play, and is already going down well in Europe. Pato will be supporting the release with a non-stop promotional tour around Europe. 'Legalise It' is due to be released in October 1999, and is sure to attract a lot of attention.Pato continues to tour the world, and also has several new projects up his sleeve, including acting in a Hollywood film. He also encourages and works with local artists in Birmingham, helping them to get their first big break in the music industry.Biography from WOMAD Rivermead programme 2000by Andy Morgan:Pato Banton and the Reggae RevolutionBirmingham and the Midlands have a proud reggae tradition that has produced artists of global repute like UB40, Steel Pulse, The Beat and Pato Banton. Nurtured on the sounds of his father’s sound system, V-Rocket, the young Pato Banton, aka Patrick Murray, came to the attention The Beat’s Rankin’ Roger at a local talent contest. The two struck up a lasting relationship and Roger produced a track for Pato called ‘Hello Tosh, Got A Toshiba’ which reached the number 3 spot in the reggae charts. This early success led to work with UB40 and the recording of Pato’s first solo album ‘Never Give In’. Touring, a number 1 hit in Peru and more solo albums followed and as Pato’s popularity grew he was invited to support Ziggy Marley on a US tour. In 1994 Pato released ‘Collections’ which featured his collaboration with Ali and Robin Campbell of UB40, ‘Baby Come Back’, a worldwide hit and UK No 1. It also sold container loads in Brazil. Since then Pato has collaborated with Sting, released more albums including last years ‘Legalise It’ and toured the hide of an elephant with his band the Reggae Revolution. Live reggae rarely gets better than this! 2001:Riding high at the peak of his career, and with a string of international hits behind him, Pato Banton is a premier world-reggae artist.He started out as an MC on his father’s reggae sound system, and this young talent soon realised he had a consummate ability to entertain people. It wasn’t long before his Christian name (Patrick Murray) was dropped in favour of Pato Banton, given to him by his stepfather. Pato is the name of a Jamaican owl that is said to be wise and stays up all night saying ‘Patoo Patoo’. Banton in DJ circles means ‘heavyweight’. Together they form his moniker, which matches his far-reaching reputation.Banton got his first break in winning a Birmingham talent contest, where he met Rankin Roger of The Beat. They became firm friends and it wasn’t long before they began producing music. Roger produced a single for Pato called, Hello Tosh, got a Toshiba’, which climbed to number 3 on the independent reggae charts. This led to work with UB40 and his first album, Never Give in.Pato had truly captured attention and in 1989 he was asked to open for Ziggy Marley on his North American tour. A string of albums and his popular Kicking All Over America live recording, catapulted him to the heights of the reggae music industry.He has worked with artists like Peter Gabriel, Sting, The Police and renowned producer Trevor Horn and this year received his very first Grammy nomination for the album Life Is A Miracle (Time Come).Pato is still touring extensively and consolidating his position as one of the foremost reggae artists in the world.If that isn’t enough, he recently opened the Music technology School at a leading Birmingham college, to ensure that young people get the opportunity to learn all of the skills needed to work in the music business.