Rothadam, an obscure Canadian reggae artist, recorded the iconic "Rebel" 45s in Toronto around 1975/76. Initially known primarily to dedicated reggae collectors, this significant roots rediscovery has been reissued by Shella Records as a licensed, meticulously remastered release nearly four decades later.

“I WAS BORN TO BE A REBEL, AND NO ONE CAN EVER CHANGE ME.”

Rothadam's mid-70s releases are among the most profound and sought-after reggae tracks to emerge from Canada. Although only faint traces remain, Bathurst Street in Toronto served as a central hub for Black Canadians even before reggae's rise. Royson James recalls the area:

"The first time seeing snowflakes, tumbling like chicken feathers from the sky, in early October, and putting on my first winter shoes, slip-sliding down Bathurst, past Wong’s Restaurant with the best beef soup this side of Montego Bay, shuffling past Mascoll Beauty Supplies, Wisdom Barber, Joyce’s, and the nascent retail strip, Bathurst subway station, then the beckoning magical bargains of Honest Ed’s."

This vibrant street was lined with barber shops, jerk restaurants, Afro-centric newspapers, and numerous record shops, including Theo’s, Tropical, Joe Chin, Musicland, and The Record Nook, which was run by recent expats Jackie Mittoo and Lord Tanamo.

Lovejoy Music Productions, located at 917 Bathurst, was a record shop, label, and studio managed by musician and welder Sid Lovejoy. It was here that Rothadam, also a welder, entered the studio just once, resulting in the unforgettable "Rebel" on Lovejoy’s LMP label (Side A). Featuring Leroy Sibbles’ foundation-shaking bass and a cast of overlooked horn players, Rothadam’s soaring falsetto contributes to a piece of dark roots perfection.

Rothadam later reworked the track at Half Moon Studios under the erratic producer Oswald Creary, which was subsequently released on Ron Lew’s label. He became a regular at the basement studio on Weston Road, known for producing some raucous yet sublime roots recordings during the mid-70s.

Side B, "I Was Born to Be a Rebel," stands as a raw and intense roots scorcher, a hidden gem recognized for its powerful impact on sounds across the globe. Notably, neither 45 was released with a dub version, leaving fans to speculate on what might have been, while still appreciating this remarkable double-sider.

After years of searching, I located Rothadam, also known as Errol Gayle, living in North York. Although he has largely moved on from music, the art has certainly remained a part of him.

Rothadam spent his formative years in Trenchtown before relocating to Toronto in the early 1970s, following a wave of fellow immigrants and reggae musicians. Surrounded by music from a young age, he began as a dancer in talent shows at Kingston’s Majestic Theatre and sang for his uncle, who first recognized his talent:

"I used to sing for my Uncle to get my show fare, to go and see the movies, so he saw something, you know, young little guy, don’t really know anything yet, but he said, 'Come back, come back next week and sing for me again,' and so I kept doing it."

As he developed his craft, Rothadam landed a session with Bunny Lee, although nothing was ultimately released. Subsequently, he followed his brothers to Canada, leaving the turmoil of early 70s Trenchtown behind:

"That’s a bad area man, some guy, they just want to shoot people, some guy they want to sing, you know… I leave from there and I come here."

In Toronto, Gayle established himself as a formidable singer under the unique moniker Rothadam, performing live and recording a limited number of 45s for local Jamaican producers. While not prolific, he approached his craft with seriousness:

"If I’m gonna do a show, I rehearse for two weeks; when it comes to show business, I don’t play."

The message of "Rebel" is clear, yet it serves as more than just a rallying cry; it embodies a call for peace and unity, reflecting on his life in Jamaica and the community he left behind:

"Because where I was living, it’s hard to not get involved. It wasn’t easy to just live and be happy… Hard life man, hard life… most of my friends when they were doing things that aren’t right… Not me. So in other words, I was born to be a strong man."

Chris Flanagan Toronto 2017