Based in Britain, he has performed as the lead singer of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds since the mid 1960s.
James grew up and began performing in Kingston, Jamaica, where he recorded as a solo artist with producers Coxsone Dodd, Clancy Eccles, and Lyndon Pottinger. His most successful release was an early version of "Come To Me Softly", which found local success and persuaded James to give up a job with the Inland Revenue for a music career.
The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. James teamed up with them under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. "Ska-Time" (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK. It was reissued as Skatime in 1970 on Decca's Eclipse label.
After meeting manager Peter Meaden in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds supported The Who and Rod Stewart who was with his group The Steampacket at the Marquee Club in London. The band played the Shanklin Pier ballroom on the Isle of Wight in June 1965 and returned for two further sold-out concerts that summer. He and the Vagabonds shared several bills with Jimi Hendrix's band, The Experience, during the late 1960s when they were both trying to establish themselves. "We used to hang out a lot at clubs like the Bag O' Nails, the Cromwellian and Whiskey A Go Go. A great guy, very quiet and unassuming," James recalled.
The Vagabonds and the Experience also played the Ricky Tick and Upper Cut clubs in London in December 1966 and January 1967 respectively, and at the Beachcomber Ballroom in Nottingham.
They signed a recording contract with Pye Records and released their best known studio album, The New Religion in 1966.
The band also played as support for The Who, and Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart (who was also on Pye Records at the time), and The Rolling Stones. The band often used the Abbey Road Studios, once being there at the same time as The Beatles were recording.
Their live performance was captured in the album, London Swings – Live at the Marquee Club, also featuring The Alan Bown Set. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds were labelmates and rivals of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
The Vagabonds disbanded in 1970, but James, who owned the name, enlisted Alan Wood to form a band with a new, all white line-up in 1973. They had hits in the UK Singles Chart with " I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" and "Now Is The Time".
Side A
A1. I’ll Go Where Your Music Takes Me (5:17)
A2. Whatever Happened To The Love We Knew (2:55)
A3. Now Is The Time (6:08)
A4. I Want You So Much (3:01)
Side B
B1. Disco Fever (4:10)
B2. Never Had This Dream Before (3:22)
B3. Stay With Me (5:30)
B4. Your Love Keeps Haunting Me (3:42)
Credits
- Arranged By – Gerry Shury, Pip Williams
- Engineer – H. Cross, R. Dodd
- Producer, Arranged By – Biddu
Release: 1976
Format: LP
Genre: Disco
Label: PYE Records
Catalog# PYA 20221
Prijs: €10,00
Vinyl: Good
Cover: Good
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