Prince Lincoln Thompson

Prince Lincoln Thompson, affectionately called 'Socks' ('Sax' in Jamaican patois) due to his fondness for red socks, was born June 18, 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica. He began his musical career in the mid '60's, when he joined rocksteady vocal group the Tartans. The band also consisted of Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Lindberg Lewis. They recorded for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label, releasing 'Far Beyond the Sun', 'Dance All Night' and 'What Can I Say', as well as doing six tracks for Ken Lack's Caltone label: 'Awake The Town', 'Coming On Strong', 'It's Alright', 'Making Love', 'Save a Little Bread' and 'Solid as a Rock'. Their biggest hit of these was "Dance All Night", released in 1967, but despite this success the group soon disbanded, with Myton going on to form the Congos.
The early seventies saw Lincoln going it alone recording three singles for producer Coxsone Dodd at Studio One: "True Experience", "Live Up To Your Name" and "Daughters Of Zion". On the strength of these tracks many hoped for an entire album of Studio One recorded songs from Lincoln and Dodd, but for whatever reason it never did happen. It could have been because Prince Lincoln was one of the first Jamaican singer/songwriters to embody the Rastafarian faith in his music. Parts of Jamaican society at this time did not like Rastafarians and viewed them with caution at best, and although Dodd tolerated them, in an after all if it sells kind of way, perhaps a complete album was a step too far. This did not stop Lincoln though and he went on to form the Royal Rasses in 1975 (consisting of various harmony singers including former partner Cedric Myton plus Keith Peterkin and Clinton 'Johnny Kool' Hall. He also founded his own "God Sent" label and recorded and released the “Humanity” album from which "Love The Way It Should Be" and then "Kingston 11" were issued as singles. These tunes are by some considered the finest expressions of Rastafarian consciousness ever released, and put the name of Prince Lincoln & The Royal Rasses up where it belonged.
A fine songwriter and an arranger he was blessed with a remarkable lead vocal style and "All Time Friend" and "San Salvador" gave further testimony to his talent. Together with Junior Murvin's "Police And Thieves", "San Salvador" and "Humanity" were some of the most played reggae records of 1976.
Off the back of these impressive releases the boss of Ballistic Records, based in London flew out to Jamaica in 1979 and signed him to his label and as a part of the "United Artists" deal they sunk a lot of money into promoting of the band. The "Humanity" album came out, then a massive European tour in 1979 followed to launch the "Experience' album, which was then followed by “Ride With The Rasses". At some point in 1980 Ballistic Records, perhaps looking to broaden Lincolns appeal persuaded him to embark upon an experiment that was to have far reaching effects for both him and the label. It was suggested that he should record new album with singer/songwriter Joe Jackson, who had emerged during the new-wave boom of the late 70s. Jackson was said to have confessed a strong interest in reggae and the result was the album "Natural Wild" aka "Roots Man Blues". The cost of this admirable venture was borne entirely by Ballistic Records, who went out of business as the album bombed in the process of failing to bring the desired crossover success. Lincoln who was a shy, unassuming man and perhaps not best suited to the part of stardom retreated from recording business and essentially returned to Jamaica.
His hiatus was short lived and he returned to England soon and set up the Rasses Fish & Grocery Store in Tottenham, North London; a co-operative venture run on strictly "ital" lines. He did also venture back in to the studio from time to time and in this culminated with the release in 1996 of "21st Century". An album I am unfortunately not familiar with.
Three years later things changed very dramatically as at the beginning of 1999 Lincoln was diagnosed with lung cancer and within a matter of days he was gone.Last year on June 18th he would have reached his sixtieth year on while on the 23rd of this month sees 10 years since the passing of yet another reggae great whose vital contribution is not forgotten.