Earl Sixteen & The Co-Operators – Concrete Rockers (2025) Showcase LP

Label: Waggle Dance Records
Recorded, produced & mixed by: Eeyun Purkins at Waggle Dance Studios, Bristol
Lead and BVs by: Earl Daley
BVs 1, 2 & 4 by: Joe Yorke
Guitar 1-3 by: Ian Upsettah
Keys 3 by: Adrian Plewniok
Flute 2 by: Katy La K
Horns 3-6 by: Cornerstone
Trombone by: Jacob Zoob
Tenor Sax by: Piers Tamplin
All other instruments by: Eeyun Purkins
Executive producer: Martin Poole
Additional BVS recorded by: Nick Manasseh at The Yard, Ladbroke Grove.
Mastered b: Pressure Mastering
Cover artwork and photographs by: Eeyun.
Release date: 05/09/2025

To describe Earl Sixteen as a veteran would imply that his days of active service to the Jamaican musical cause are long done. The truth, however, is quite the contrary. Earl remains a formidable force on the global reggae scene, his voice instantly recognizable in cadence and tone. Despite beginning his career five decades ago he continues to inspire audiences and producers around the world with his music. His résumé is a tour de force. He is a Studio One artist, a Black Ark artist, he has worked with Junjo Lawes, Boris Gardiner and Herman Chin-Loy to name but a few. After moving to the UK in the late 1980’s he then went to help define a whole new sound with the likes of Nick Manasseh, Leftfield and Dreadzone. The list of his achievements could go on for ever, even those brief mentions alone are enough to vouch for his talent and skill as a singer. On reflection maybe a better term to describe Earl is ‘Foundation Artist’.

In the summer of 2024 Earl‘s long time friend and spar Martin Poole invited him to Bristol to make a record with his friend Eeyun Purkins, whose studio band The CoOperators have been making waves of their own with their unique take on reggae music.

The result, ‘Concrete Rockers‘, is a showcase that takes us on a journey. Beginning in the early days we trod through Kingston and Jamaica’s rural parishes then forward on to New York and London. All the while discussing the all important truths and rights. Rhythmically it is backed by The Co-Operators, warm and organic it is reminiscent of the music coming from Jamaica in the late 1970s. However it possesses that distinct feel and sound that Eeyun has become known for. Horn heavy and layered with smokey flute it features five tracks and their relevant versions.

Listen out because it’s coming in HOT!!