Source Material: Freddie McGregor – “Big Ship”

Freddie McGregor is a Jamaican singer and producer from Clarendon, Jamaica.  At seven years old, McGregor performed as a backup singer with the ska duo The Clarendonians.  The Clarendonians included Fitzroy “Ernest” Wilson and Peter Wilson.  The duo recorded a number of singles at Studio One, but they ultimately split in the mid-60s.  After the split, McGregor stayed at Studio One, and he formed a new duo with Wilson; they became Freddie and Fitzroy.

In the ’70s, McGregor worked as a session drummer and a backup singer at Studio One, but he was also the lead singer for two additional groups: Generation Gap and Soul Syndicate.  During this time, McGregor recorded a number of solo singles as well.  In 1979, he released his debut album, Bobby Babylon.  Three years later, he was four albums deep, and he released Big Ship (1982).  The title song, “Big Ship,” became one of his first hits as a solo artist.

Freddie McGregor – “Big Ship”