Found in the Inbox: Mr. Easy Takes the Lead on “Gone a Lead”

Mr. Easy was born in the green hills of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country and moved to New York City at ten. The Rive Video Promotion campaign for “Gone a Lead” describes a hard transition, eased by music: helping “Sir Noel” set up a sound system, joining the crew of DJs and performing Dennis Brown songs at places like the Starlight Ballroom.

Winning the Apollo

The early influences were Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight and Eric B. & Rakim, and the dream was the Apollo Theater, where so many solo singers were booed off. Mr. Easy sang “Just Be a Lady,” written with Steel Pulse keyboardist Sidney Mills, and the crowd cheered. Patti LaBelle and Quincy Jones offered congratulations, and a record deal with Motown followed.

On the road with reggae royalty

The first album led to tours of the US, Japan and the Caribbean alongside Beres Hammond, Shinehead, Red Fox and Shaggy. A cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Caravan of Love” came early, and a later partnership with producer Dave Kelly followed work on an unreleased second album for Warner Brothers.

Why it was in the inbox

Named for a laid-back, easy manner, Mr. Easy has a voice that makes “Gone a Lead” sound effortless, which is the hardest trick in reggae.

Watch the official video

Release details from Rive Video Promotion’s campaign for “Gone a Lead.” This feature updates Exposed Vocals’ original March 2017 post.