Source Material: Cedric “Im” Brooks – “Silent Force”

Cedric “Im” Brooks was a Jamaican saxophonist, flautist, and composer who recorded in the ’60s and the ’70s.  In addition to playing the saxophone and the flute, Brooks also played the clarinet and the piano.  In fact, at the beginning of his career, Brooks primarily played the clarinet.  However, after joining a local Jamaican band called The Vagabonds, Brooks transitioned to the tenor saxophone.   For the rest of his career, he was known as a saxophonist.  After his time with The Vagabonds, Brooks performed with Kes Chin and the Souvenirs, and the Granville Williams band.

By the early ’70s, Brooks started making bigger moves. First, he formed a duo called Im and David with Jamaican trumpeter David Madden.  Then, they recorded a number of singles for Coxsone Dodd on his Studio One label.  (Coxsone Dodd and his Studio One label played a major role in the expansion of reggae in Jamaica and abroad).  Later, Brooks joined the Studio One house band Sound Dimension.  In 1974, Brooks formed his own band called The Divine Light.  They recorded their debut album, From Mento to Reggae to Third World Music, for the Institute of Jamaica, the most prestigious arts institution in Jamaica.  Two albums later, Brooks went solo.  In 1977, he released his debut album, Im Flash Forward, for Studio One.  In 1978, he released his second album, United Africa, on Water Lily Records.  My favorite song on United Africa is “Silent Force.”

Cedric “Im” Brooks – “Silent Force”