Smokey Starr

If you like reggae music, you'll love SMOKEY STARR and the Fabulous Suga-Cane Band. Smokey and the Suga-Cane boys take reggae to a brand new level that is accessable to everyone. Whether your taste runs to 'roots' or to mainstream, Smokey and Suga-Cane are sure to satisfy. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Smokey Starr spent his childhood haunting the local dancehalls and recording studios. Smokey rose to popularity in the islands at an early age and later toured Europe and Indonesia as the lead singer for the popular recording group, 'One Love'. With a couple of minor hits under his belt, 'Wanted Man', and 'Happy Are We', Smokey decided to take the next step in his career. So, like so many reggae recording artists before him, Smokey Starr left his island home of Jamaica behind and ventured forth to America. Filled with a sense of excitement and hope, Smokey made his new home in Las Vegas, Nevada. To his surprise and dismay 'Vegas' did not turn out to be a wise move. The popularity Smokey enjoyed back home in Jamaica carried no weight in Sin City. Local agents, not understanding his music, or his message, billed him as a novelty act and Smokey quickly found himself playing summertime pool parties and corporate events at most of the major hotels and casinos that lined the famous Las Vegas Strip. His tourist audiences were far more interested in tan lines, slot machines, and cocktails than what Smokey Starr had to say with his music. Finally, forced to take a day job at a local car rental agency, Smokey resolved to form a new band and make a new start. Undaunted by his lack of success in America, Smokey pushed on. He continued to write music and he performed every chance he got. In early 2003 his efforts finally paid off. Keyboardist, Richie Lamar, had the opportunity to play a few shows with Smokey and was impressed with his talent and his command of the stage. Richie brought in drummer, Lorenzo Shaw (of Rick James' Stone City Band) and veteran manager Marc Sterling (Banner Entertainment). Both men were immediately excited by Smokey Starr's music, and his performance. Within a few short months, The Fabulous Suga-Cane Band was formed, studio time booked, and a tour planned for late 2003. Finally, after two long years of struggle, Smokey Starr was on the rise again. Smokey's new 'pre-release' single, 'Eat Sum Food' is the heartfelt personal saga of Smokey's two years of struggle in Las Vegas. The song, and his new album, 'Rise Above It All' will be released in late 2003 on the Nuclear Records label. Smokey Starr and the Fabulous Suga-Cane Band are proud to offer this pre-release version here on SoundClick, free of charge. Enjoy! Jah Love!

Smokey Starr (born Raphael Robinson) grew up in Kingston, the music capitol of Jamaica. While some boys spent their childhood days hanging out in the local marketplace, or playing stickball in empty neighborhood lots, Smokey and his closest friends, Jacob Miller (Inner Circle), Freddie MacGregor, Desi Roots and Benji Myaz were already working on their music careers. Influenced by the popular artists of that time, Bob Andy, Dennis Brown, Jackie Mitoo, Ken Boothe, The Heptones, and Carlton and The Shoes, Smokey embarked on a journey that would lead him around the world and back again, and ultimately to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he resides today. During high school, Smokey spent his days writing and practicing with local reggae bands, and hanging out at local recording studios hoping to get a break. For Jacob Miller, one of Smokey's closest friends, that break came from musician and producer, Augustus Pablo. Jacob's connection to Pablo eventually led him to the famous Red Hills Road, and an audition with up and coming band, Inner Circle. Jacob recorded with Inner Circle until his untimely death in an automobile accident on March 23, 1980. As Jacob was emerging as one of the worlds premier reggae artists, Smokey was finding success in another direction. Smokey Starr loved reggae music as much as the rest of the boys his age, but he also had an affinity for other popular Caribbean styles. And so, as many of his comrades were gaining popularity in the reggae world, Smokey was becoming quite well known in the islands as a soca, calypso and later a 'dancehall' artist. Shortly after high school, Smokey began touring through the Caribbean with his own variety show. His popularity grew steadily and soon he was performing regularly in almost every major city in the Caribbean. In the early 80's, Smokey joined the touring group, 'One Love', and recorded their first two albums, 'Get up & Reggae", and 'Coffee'. From 1981 to 1984 he toured extensively with One Love all over Europe and Indonesia. After returning to Jamaica, Smokey fell back into 'island hopping' and reformed his Caribbean variety show. The show was a sensation in Aruba where Smokey and his troope spent three years from 1989 to 1991. From 1991 to 1999, Smokey performed at most of the first class resorts in Jamaica from Negril to Ocho Rios, including, Sandals, Jack Tar Village, Couples, Breezes Runaway Bay, Wyndham Rosehall, Shaw Park Beach, Half Moon, and many more. During that same period he also brought his show aboard many of the popular cruise ships which ply the Caribbean including the Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and German Lines. His enormous popularity as a variety/show artist in the Caribbean prompted Smokey to take his career to the next level, ...Las Vegas, Nevada. From early 2000 to 2002 Smokey Starr has performed at most of the hotels and casinos on the famous Las Vegas Strip, including the House of Blues exclusive 'Foundation Room' at Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, The Mirage, The Flamingo Hilton, and The Paris. In early 2003, after reaching what many considered the pinnacle of his career, Smokey grew weary of playing the tourist venues and decided to return to his roots, and the beloved reggae music he grew up with on the streets of Jamaica. In his own words, 'I have to do what I feel, and reggae music is what this Jamaica boy feels in his heart. I don't regret where I have been, or what I have done, but Jah knows I am meant to travel a different road. I don't know where that road will lead me, but wherever that place is, that's where I'll be, doing what I was always meant to do, playing tha' reggae, and spreading One Love to the people.' So in February of 2003, Smokey Starr began building a new band, a new sound, and a new show. Thus, the Fabulous Suga-Cane Band was born. Manager, Marc Sterling (Banner Entertainment) says, 'Smokey is one of those guys who was born to be a star. He has that certain indefineable magic that affects everyone he meets. When he performs, there is not an eye in the house that's not focused on him. He's the real thing. I wouldn't care what he wanted to sing, and believe me, he can sing it all, but if reggae is what Smokey feels, and where he wants to go, then I'm going with him, and I can tell you this..., if you love reggae music, you're going to be very happy Smokey Starr made this decision to return to his roots'. As for the future, as Smokey would say, 'Only Jah knows'. Having recently signed on with Sterling's own indie label, Nuclear Records, Smokey and Suga-Cane are in the studio recording their first reggae album, titled, 'Eat Sum Food'. They are scheduled to begin touring in November of 2003 and at the time of this writing, plans are being drafted to perform in the U.S., Japan, Australia, Russia, Europe, and of course, Jamaica. The lineup in Smokey's Fabulous Suga-Cane Band is extraordinary. Smokey, never satisfied with second best, set out to find the best musicians and entertainers available, and that is precisely what he accomplished. With Richie Lamar on keys, Elson Payne on guitar, Bobby Sirkin on Bass and Lorenzo Shaw on drums, Suga-Cane is a world class band with a combined track record that reads like the 'Who's Who' of modern music. Keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Richie Lamar, from Buffalo, New York, has been a favorite on the R&B scene for quite some time. He is best known for his time spent recording and performing with T- Funk (Terry Johnson) and the Never Say Never band. Richie is an accomplished and versatile entertainer and has written, recorded and produced jazz, R&B, funk, pop and reggae. Richie is the official Music Director and band leader for the Suga-Cane Band. He is also co-producer of Smokey's first reggae album release, 'Rise Above It All' on the Nuclear label. Guitarist extraordinaire, Elson 'The Doctor' Payne, originally from New Orleans, has been on the Las Vegas scene for some time. He has recorded and performed with many of the most popular jazz and R&B artists up and down the Strip, most notably the famed Billy Nunn. The Doctor is known for his moving and emotional style which comes straight from the 'big man's' heart. Smokey caught one of Dr. Payne's performances in Las Vegas and could not walk away from his uncanny and unique six string ministrations. Elson Payne is now the permanent guitarist in the Suga-Cane lineup. Bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, vocalist, writer, Bobby Sirkin is the newest member to join the Fabulous Suga-Cane. This bass virtuoso is known as one of the greatest innovators of all time. His amazing work with midi triggered samples (on bass) has brought him recognition the world over. Bobby has been featured and interviewed in industry trade magazines (Peavey Monitor) for his serious and respected contributions to the art. It is also worth mentioning that Bobby Sirkin teaches music theory and bass technique, and is Peavey's official spokesperson for their midi bass guitar line. Drummer / Percussionist Lorenzo Shaw has worked with many of the worlds greatest R&B and Jazz artists but is best known for his time spent touring and recording with the undisputed funk-master, Rick James. Who can forget the infamous 'Super Freak'? Throughout his career, Lorenzo has enjoyed working in one capacity or another with such noteworthy artists as Shades of Soul, Opus, The Billy Nunn Trio, Ronnie Foster, The Delfonics, The Coasters, The Eagles, Robert Nunn, Gene Copeland, Tito Jackson, Emil Palami, The Brecker Brothers, The Jets, Johnny Graham and Phillip Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fire), Nathan Watts (Stevie Wonder), Bobby Rose, Syd the Kid, and many, many others. He has performed extensively in every corner of the world and is a well known and highly respected artist in the highest circles of the industry.

Absolutely! Smokey has been performing live all his life. He has performed all over the world. Most recently he has performed at most of the major hotels in Las Vegas, including the House of Blues 'Foundation Room' at Mandalay Bay, The Venetian Hotel and Resort, the world famous Mirage Hotel and Casino, The Flamingo Hilton, The Paris, and many others. But Smokey Starr is not a lounge - cabaret artist. Not happy with the tourist/vacation atmosphere of the hotels, Smokey and the band have recently started performing their new show at the larger nightclubs in Las Vegas, far from the sterile corporate atmosphere of the 'Strip'. Their first performance was at Moose McGillyCuddy's (a favorite stop for UNLV students) on July 3rd. The show was a smashing success and the response from the crowd was enthusiastic. Smokey and the boys are planning to begin touring in late November of 2003, so watch for them in your town!

Smokey and the Fabulous Suga-Cane boys have a wide variety of influences, but of course, reggae is the primary fountain from which they draw musical food. Of course, Bob Marley would have to be at the top of any true reggae artists' list, and you will find that Smokey and Suga-Cane perform most of Marley's more popular songs in their show. Naturally, Inner Circle is a favorite for Smokey himself. He grew up with lead singer Jacob Miller on the streets of Kingston, and had as much influence on Jacob's music as Jacob has had on his. As for the rest of Suga-Cane, they have recorded and performed with some of the great jazz, funk and R&B artists of all time, and their influences reflect that too. Other than reggae, Motown is the common denominator. A Suga-Cane show is reggae. That's what you should expect. While many would argue that Suga-Cane's music is not truely 'roots' reggae, no one could deny that Smokey Starr was born with as many roots as the next guy. His performance is authentic, and from the heart. Suga-Cane's music is the next generation of reggae, and it is for everyone. Just listen to Eat Sum Food, ...you'll hear what we mean.

Gibson, Peavey, Roland, Korg, Pearl, Zildjian, Sabian, SURE... to name a few.

Red Stripe! It's Beer! Hooray Beer!