Monyaka – Questions Of Life (Do You Know)
Feeling in a rootikal mood and I just really like this track. Lyrics are so simple but meaningful. If you don’t know, get to know. Originally formed in 1974 as the Soul Supersonics, this six-piece, Jamaican-born reggae act, based in Brooklyn, New York, USA, was led by guitarist/vocalist Errol Moore and other group members included Beres Barnet (guitar, vocals), Paul Henton (bass, vocals), Richard Bertram (drums, percussion), William Brown and John Allen (keyboards). They backed visiting reggae stars and released their first single, “Rocking Time”, in 1977. They followed this with Classical Roots, both records being released in the USA on their Hevyaka label. Under the new name Monyaka (Swahili for “good luck”), they recorded “Stand Up Strong” in 1982. A year later, with just three original members left, they had a UK Top 20 hit with “Go Deh Yaka” (patois for “go to the top”), which cleverly fused reggae and contemporary R&B. The follow-up, “Reggae-matic Funk”, failed to sustain the interest and this unique band joined the ranks of reggae one-hit-wonders. In a short time, Monyaka gathered a sizable following becoming known around the area as key progenitors of the Brooklyn reggae sound. As a result, the group became the number one most requested backing band for any and all of the reggae musicians coming over from Jamaica to Brooklyn during the late 70s and early 80s. Monyaka backed the likes of Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Black Uhuru, Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty …
