FLASH MUSIC
RECORDS
Independent Reggae label: Flash Music
started out as Flash International Music. It managed one single. It issued
singles in FM-000 numerical series. Distributed By Jet Star. Janet-Lee
Davis was born in1966, London, Lee Davis moved to Jamaica at the age of three
and was raised in the Old Harbour Bay area of St. Catherine. Following the
customary path of many Jamaican singers, her vocals were nurtured singing in the
local church choir. Although a competent chorister, she was influenced by the
country, R&B, pop and reggae hits that she performed in neighbourhood shows.
In 1981 she progressed into the sound system circuit, forming an allegiance with
the St. Catherine-based Ghetto Sound, performing both as a vocalist and in the
DJ style. Her versatility gained her notoriety and she proved that she was
equally proficient at performing in stage shows. Lee Davis relocated to the UK
and her initial recording session came when she met up with DJ Jah Walton
through soundman Vego Wales. She was asked to chat on the massive number 1 hit
for Fashion Records, ‘No Touch The Style’, with the DJ performing as Joseph
Cotton. Although Lee Davis was not credited for her performance on the hit, she
quickly gained recognition with her solo hit for Flash, ‘Never Gonna Let You
Go’. In 1987 she returned to Fashion for ‘Two Timing Lover’, while the b-side,
‘Call Me An Angel’, featured her DJ skills, recorded under the name of Shako
Lee. The song was written by Philip Leo who also worked with her for the
vocal/DJ release ‘I’m Gonna Make You Happy Again’ and ‘I’m In Love’. She also
worked with High Power, resulting in the concurrent release of ‘Prisoner Of
Love’. In 1990 she topped the reggae charts in combination with C.J. Lewis,
performing a version of the 60s hit from Keith And Enid, ‘Worried Over You’. Lee
Davis’ success led to a four-album contract with Island Records, and although no
album surfaced, the label released ‘Spoilt By Your Love’ and ‘Pleasure Seekers’.
The Island sessions were supervised by Barry Boom, who released ‘Just The Lonely
Talking Again’, ‘Love Is Alive’, ‘Never Say Never’ and the classic ‘Hello
Stranger’. Following from his success with Deborahe Glasgow, Gussie Clarke
recruited Lee Davis to perform backing vocals on Cocoa Tea’s Authorised and
released her solo hit, ‘Oops There Goes My Heart’. Following from her
disappointing brush with the majors she returned to Fashion, secure in the
knowledge that she could compete on the wider market while maintaining her
credibility within the reggae community. By 1992 she dominated the UK lovers
rock scene with a continuous profile on the reggae chart, including the hits
‘Ooh Baby Baby’, ‘Big Mistake’, ‘Ready To Learn’ and another chart-topper, in
combination with Tippa Irie, ‘Baby I’ve Been Missing You’. Another DJ
combination came with General Levy for a version of the Joya Landis Treasure
Isle hit, ‘Moonlight Lover’. In 1994 her series of Fashion hits surfaced on
Missing You, alongside an array of self-composed new tracks and has proved to be
an all-time classic in the lovers rock genre. In 1995 she was awarded a number
of accolades including Best Female Singer and Best UK Album by the British
Reggae Industry and the Bob Marley Award for Best Female Singer by the Black
Arts, Sports And Enterprise Awards. By 1997 her quest for international
recognition was almost complete, having been described as the ‘queen’ of
contemporary lovers rock. Her collaboration with Mr. G Spot, Wayne Marshall and
Barry Boom highlighted her songwriting, singing and DJ skills, as well as
consolidating her reputation for sheer hard work and
professionalism.
87
Nicky
Dread
Caravan Of Love
(12")
FLASH INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC
FID
001
87
Everton Fray
Coolie Lover
(12")
FLASH INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC
FID
002
87
Not Traced
FLASH INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC
FM
003
87
Sanchez
The Greatest Love
(12")
FLASH INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC
FID
004
88
Bunny Lie
Lie
Margret
(12")
FLASH MUSIC
FMD
005
88
Tinga
Stewart
One Way Street
(12")
FLASH MUSIC
FMD
006
88
Janet Davis
Never Gonna Let You
Go
FLASH MUSIC
FM
007
88
Bunny Lie
Lie
Brown Eye Baby
(12")
FLASH MUSIC
FMD
008