Bim Sherman

Always rooted and grounded in profoundly spiritual reggae, his music developed in later years in many directions, combining influences from all around the world, notably India. Sherman was also hailed as "reggae's sweetest voice". In the mid 1970s, he recorded a highly influential clutch of intensely spiritual roots and dub tunes in Jamaica, backed by Lloyd Parks Skin Flesh and Bones band, Soul Syndicate and Sly and Robbie, and notably, he also provided backing vocals on Dr Alimantado's Born for a Purpose, a record which introduced British punk rockers to reggae when John Lydon played the record on Capital Radio whilst in The Sex Pistols.[3]

Sherman also recorded a number of cover versions of standard blues and Rhythm and blues tunes, as well as incorporating elements of hymn and folk-rooted melodies into his compositions, such as When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder, referencing The Book of Life, and Wings of a Dove. He also recorded versions of Valley of Tears, made famous by Fats Domino, and Bewildered, a standard popularised by Mickey and Sylvia, Doo Wop artists The Ink Spots, jump blues singer Amos Milburn and James Brown.

Sylvia Robinson of Mickey and Sylvia later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.[4] Robinson is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the hip hop genre: Rapper's Delight (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang,[5] and The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, both of which she produced. Bim Sherman went on to work with members of The Sugarhill Gang later in his career in the 1980s when he diversified his sound after the death of Prince Far I.

In 1981, Bim Sherman also did a re-working of The Abyssinians Satta Massagana composition, with only the dub version released by New Age Steppers and Creation Rebel on the Threat to Creation album under the title of Ethos Design. The album was recorded at The Manor Studio and Berry Street Studio. The drumming was provided by Eskimo Fox, who had been trained at the renowned Alpha Boys School, the academy led and mentored by Sister Mary Ignatius Davies, recognised as a major factor in the strength of Alpha's programme and that of Jamaican music more broadly.[6]

Bim Sherman later moved to London where, as part of the post-punk reggae infatuation, he made a name for himself recording with Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound label. He became part of various musical collectives associated with On-U Sound, such as New Age Steppers alongside Ari Up, formerly of The Slits and Neneh Cherry, daughter of Don Cherry, and Bruce Smith, now drummer with Public Image Ltd, Singers & Players, with Congo Ashanti Roy, and the late Prince Far-I, Dub Syndicate and Justice League of Zion. Sherman also worked consistently throughout his career with Style Scott of the Roots Radics and Jah Woosh, as well as releasing work with Mad Professor, Crucial Tony Philips and Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie, both prolific composers, producers and sound engineers from the UK reggae bands Creation Rebel, Ruff Cutt and Undivided Roots.

Sherman's Devious Woman track, recorded with Singers & Players and Keith Levene of The Clash and Public Image Ltd, featured on the soundtrack of Richard Hell's Smithereens (film) in 1982, the dub version of which was released by New Age Steppers and Creation Rebel on the Threat to Creation album, and in 1983, Sherman released music on the Jah Shaka label, producing the Happiness discomix.[7]

In 1989, Sherman recut Must be a Dream (originally recorded with Prince Jammy for Jah Woosh's record label) for WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings and Sound Iration, engineered by Nick Manasseh. In 1992, he recut the Niney the Observer Freddie McGregor tune, We Need More Love (In The Ghetto) for The Groove Corporation, who were an ambient and drum and bass collective made up of previous members of Rockers Hi-Fi and Electribe 101. Sherman also featured on Clear (Bomb the Bass album) with the track Sleepyhead, released on 3 April 1995 by 4th & B'way Records.[8] Sherman also recorded a handful of solo reggae LPs. Towards the end of his life, Sherman took a whole new musical direction. He went to India and re-recorded his classic 70s roots tunes alongside a full Indian classical orchestra in Bombay, creating his masterpiece LP, Miracle. This opened Sherman up to an entire new audience. It Must Be A Dream, an entire remix of Miracle was released with dance mixes by top UK DJs, followed by another notable Indian/reggae crossover LP What Happened? Sherman was diagnosed with cancer and died in November 2000, within weeks of his diagnosis. He received an obituary in The Times, a rare accolade for an underground reggae singer.

• Discography at unofficial On-U Sound website
• Profile at unofficial On-U Sound website
• Discography at discogs.com
• Interview with Adrian ONU Sherwood discussing Bim Sherman's work