“Open the Gate” by The Ethiopian

In 1962, at the age of nineteen, Leonard Dillon moved from the small coastal town of Port Antonio to Kingston Jamaica in search of work. After living in a shack there, and then struggling as a migrant worker in Florida, Dillon found find his way back to Jamaica where he met Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston. With their help and vocal backing, he recorded sides for legendary producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd and his Studio One label.

Dillon then formed the Ethiopians, after spending time and rehearsing at the Ethiopian Reorganization Centre. The group went on to become one of the most popular vocal groups of the ska, rocksteady and early reggae periods.
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“Open the Gate” was one of his solo recordings for Coxsone Dodd and features the Sound Dimension as the backup band. I love this track, not just for his understated vocal performance and harmonies, but for the driving bassline, deep sense of spirituality and head bobbing rhythm. This is a classic, spiritual song that deserves so much more attention. ​