Years active 1974 (1974)–present Albums Reggaenomics | Active from 1974 Genres Reggae, Funk | |
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Origin Brooklyn, New York, United States Members Errol Moore, Larry McDonald Record labels Easy Street Records, A&M Records, Vanguard Records Similar Booker Newberry III, Cultural Vibe, Enois Scroggins, Philip Smart, Positive Force | ||
Monyaka band rocking time 1977 may dawn records
Monyaka is a reggae band formed in Brooklyn, New York that was most active during the eighties and early nineties.
Contents
History
Monyaka was founded in 1974 by guitarist/singer Errol Moore as the Soul Supersonics, the members originally from Jamaica. The band spent most of their time backing up visiting reggae stars before setting up their own record label, Hevyaka, in 1977 and releasing single "Rocking Time" and album Classical Roots.
It took five years for further releases to come out of the group, by which time the group had renamed to Monyaka (Swahili for "good luck"); in 1982, they released "Stand Up Strong". This itself was not particularly successful, however follow-up single "Go Deh Yaka" was a #14 hit in the UK and #48 on the Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles. They then released Reggaenomics, which while unsuccessful spawned Monyaka's final appearance on any chart; "Reggaematic Funk", which made no. 83 in the UK.
Monyaka is highly respected as one of the promulgators of the Brooklyn reggae sound and during the late seventies and early eighties were the most requested backing band, backing the likes of Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Black Uhuru, Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty Diamonds, Culture, The Meditations, Ken Boothe, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff.
Albums
Singles
Songs
Reggaematic Funk1983
Go Deh Yaka1983
Garvey Was Right1984