Morgan Heritage initially comprised eight of Denroy Morgan’s children. The line-up featured Denroy Junior (1970, Jamaica, West Indies; drums) and Jeffrey (b. 1971, Jamaica, West Indies; lead guitar). The other six siblings were born in New York, USA: Una (b. 1973; vocals/keyboards), David (b. 1974; bass), Roy (b. 1976; vocals/keyboards) and Peter (b. 1977; vocals/keyboards), Nakamyah (b. 1977; rhythm guitar) and Memmalatel (b. 1981; percussion). The Morgan family were based in Brooklyn, New York, although the children were educated in Springfield, Massachusetts, returning home at weekends to practise in their father’s studio. In 1992, Denroy introduced his family band on the international night at the Jamaican Reggae Sunsplash Festival, where they caused a sensation. The family group had spent time supporting Sister Carol and Judy Mowatt, appearing at prestigious venues including the Apollo theatre, the Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy Of Music, but the media hype surrounding this performance resulted in the band securing a major label contract. Recording sessions were greeted with indifference, however, in spite of the collection featuring guest performances from Nona Hendryx, and Donald Kinsey (of Kinsey Report) alongside Sly And Robbie performing ‘Love Police’, ‘Mother Africa’ and the title track. The band attracted increased interest with a series of popular singles including ‘Rasta Know Seh’, ‘Chant We A Chant’ and ‘Return Of Jah Son’.
By early 1997 the group’s line-up had reduced to five, but success continued when they released further hit singles, including the King Jammy -produced collaboration with Lady Saw, ‘Ladies’, and ‘Gimme A License’, while Bobby Digital released ‘Let’s Make Up’, ‘Mama And Papa’, ‘Set Yourself Free’ and ‘People Are Fighting’. In 1997, the group embarked on a tour of Africa and Europe and also secured a hit in the UK reggae chart with ‘Pray For Love’. The group enjoyed further reggae and mainstream success into the new millennium with hits such as ‘Down By The River’. Their popularity on the US skate-punk scene led to a collaboration with alt rock band Good Charlotte on ‘Jump Around’, the opening track on 2003’s Three In One. The 2005 follow-up Full Circle included some misguided dabbling in hip-hop.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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Morgan Heritage initially comprised eight of Denroy Morgan’s children. The line-up featured Denroy Junior (1970, Jamaica, West Indies; drums) and Jeffrey (b. 1971, Jamaica, West Indies; lead guitar). The other six siblings were born in New York, USA: Una (b. 1973; vocals/keyboards), David (b. 1974; bass), Roy (b. 1976; vocals/keyboards) and Peter (b. 1977; vocals/keyboards), Nakamyah (b. 1977; rhythm guitar) and Memmalatel (b. 1981; percussion). The Morgan family were based in Brooklyn, New York, although the children were educated in Springfield, Massachusetts, returning home at weekends to practise in their father’s studio. In 1992, Denroy introduced his family band on the international night at the Jamaican Reggae Sunsplash Festival, where they caused a sensation. The family group had spent time supporting Sister Carol and Judy Mowatt, appearing at prestigious venues including the Apollo theatre, the Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy Of Music, but the media hype surrounding this performance resulted in the band securing a major label contract. Recording sessions were greeted with indifference, however, in spite of the collection featuring guest performances from Nona Hendryx, and Donald Kinsey (of Kinsey Report) alongside Sly And Robbie performing ‘Love Police’, ‘Mother Africa’ and the title track. The band attracted increased interest with a series of popular singles including ‘Rasta Know Seh’, ‘Chant We A Chant’ and ‘Return Of Jah Son’.