General Smiley / Members

General Smiley

General Smiley was one-half of Jamaica's number one Dee Jay duo Papa Michigan and General Smiley.  General Smiley (born Errol Bennett) was among the first dual-toasters on the Jamaican scene.  Beginning in the late '70s while still in school, the humorous duo (Smiley got his name because he rarely smiles)  They first recorded at Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One in Jamaica, pressing their first number one hit single, "Rub a Dub Style", which featured their call and response style vocals, overdubbed on the Studio One riddim, "Vanity" (the instrumental alias given to Alton Ellis' Rocksteady classic, "I'm Just A Guy").[1] Their next single, perhaps a larger hit, "Nice Up the Dance" was a version of the quintessential Studio 1 rhythm, "Real Rock". These singles, with four other tracks, also versions of Studio One rhythms, were released as their first album, Nice Up the Dance. The names of these two singles were quickly incorporated into the lexicon of dancehall phraseology. Their call and response style was likewise influential on the future developments of the music, blending together straightforward singing styles and toasting. By 1982, they caught the attention of Henry "Junjo" Lawes, who recorded their biggest hit, "Diseases" over the "Mad Mad" riddim. This track was featured on their second LP, Downpression. They went on to cut an album for Channel One Records, Step by Step. The last of their hit records was "Sugar Daddy", pressed on RAS Records, which featured yet another reworking of "Mad Mad". The duo continues to record and make appearances at festivals and has both released solo recordings. Throughout the 80s Michigan And Smiley sustained attention in the album charts with the releases Step By Step, Sugar Daddy, Back In The Biz, and Reality Must Rule Again. The duo enjoyed a revival in the 90s when some of their earlier hits resurfaced through VP in the USA.  Presently Michigan and Smiley are no more as they both are involved in their respective Projects within the realms of the art. General Smiley has since completed his first solo CD entitled "Aim Goal Plan" recorded at the Kingston Studio, produced by Jillian Wess for upful One Records now available for download on Itunes and CD Baby "Stages" Is the General's second solo CD but the first produced inside the RuffCompany Studio is now available for download on iTunes Since 2005 General Smiley has been touring northern California, the northeast U.S, northwest U.S, and the southeast U.S with some young artists such as Part One Tribe Band from Cocoa Beach Florida, Soul Medic from Nevada City California along with Jah Works of Big Island Hawaii, Mr. Kali from New Mexico alongside Ken Serious from Clarendon JA touring with many top DJs. In 2008 when he passed through Austin, Texas on tour, General Smiley linked up with McPullish at Dub Compound Studio for a late-night dub session after a show. When Smiley heard the music McPullish was working on he was inspired to record some new lyrics he had been carrying around in his head, thus creating their first collaboration: Natty Natty. Smiley also recorded some fiery dub specials that evening and these two have been collaborating ever since. Charlie is happy to report that a full-length album and full dub companion album have been completed and are now available. General Smiley Meets McPullish At Dub Cove The music on this album is a fresh take on roots reggae, dub, and more, drawing from a wide palette and many diverse influences. https://www.facebook.com/The.O.G.Smiley/