Sonia Pottinger Passes Away

Jamaica’s first female record producer, Sonia Pottinger OD, who had been ailing for some time has passed away.
She was probably the most important woman involved in the Jamaican music business having opened the Tip Top Record shop in 1965. She was married to music producer Lyndon Pottinger and in the following year proceed to produce local acts herself.
Her first single as a producer was ‘Every Night’ by Joe White and Chuck. Then throughout the rock steady and early reggae eras, she became very prolific producing hits for The Ethiopians ("The Whip"), Delano Stewart, The Melodians ("Swing And Dine"), Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis and Toots & the Maytals, which were released on her Gay Feet, Tip Top, Rainbow, and High Note labels, then in 1974 she acquired Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label shortly before his passing.

During the 1970s, she started producing albums and worked with Bob Andy, Marcia Griffiths, U Roy and Big Youth. Her most well known album production though is Culture's ‘Harder Than The Rest’, released in 1978.
She continued working into the 1980s dancehall era and produced Archie & Lynn's "Rat in the Centre" before finally retiring from the music business in 1985.
Are thoughts are with her family and friends at this unfortunate time, but we give thanks for the wonderful musical legacy Sonia left behind.