My Woman / Woman Dub / Lovers Leap / Lovers Dub / My Brethren
Brethren Dub / It Is Raining / Raining Dub / Chancery Lane / Chancery Dub
Bim Sherman (whose aliases include Jarrett Tomlinson, Jarrett Vincent, Lloyd Vincent) was mostly better known as an ONU Sound artist, but before relocating to London in 1981, he had already recorded a fair sized body of work.
The ‘Lovers Leap’ LP from 1979 (re-released in 1987 on R.D.L.) Bim’s second long playing release is strictly speaking his debut LP, as the ‘Love Forever’ LP released originally on the South London Tribesman label in 1978, was a compilation of tracks from the Red Sea and Scorpio record labels that Bim owned in JA.
‘Lovers Leap’ was a critical success in reggae circles, ably backed by the Roots Radics and Soul Syndicate outfits, record at moody Channel One studios, and not so moody Randy’s studio in North Parade right where the buses turn around and scatter every which way.
Through this body of work, he released a few 12″ singles on Adrian Sherwood’s Hitrun Record label, and thus in 1982 released the majestic ‘Across The Red Sea’ LP, plus voiced several tracks for Singers And Players, an ONU Sound label reggae supergroup, on Adrian’s next label ONU Sound.
Bim would feel equally comfortable performing at Club Dog nights at The George Robey in Finsbury Park and the Culture Promotion nights at the Pied Bull in Islington, as he would in the many Reggae festivals throughout Europe that he was invited to play.
Bim even performed at my works christmas party at the Brixton Fridge in 1991 along with a host of other artists inc Chumbawumba and Babes In Toyland. Adrian and the ONU Sound System also performed that night. Gold ticket symbolises free drinks (and ?) all night.
Bim passed on in November 2000, a few years after successfully relaunching his ‘Century’ record label through our distribution service, and getting critical acclaim for his work, in the broadsheets as well as music press, with the 1996 LP ‘Miracle’.
I knew Bim very well, and remember him with great fondness, we would both giggle at the fact that at some of his gigs that I attended, I would end up with an Italian girlfriend during the show, no other country, just Italians – not that I am complaining! One of the Italians I met and hung out with for over a year was (for extra KYPP points) Andi Sex Gang’s ex squeeze…Sweet Lara L!
I was privileged (if that is the correct wording) to be invited to his funeral in New Southgate, and afterwards dining and a celebration of his life with family and friends at the African Caribbean Centre in Hornsey, London, N8.
A genuinely pleasant man who’s beautiful vocal stylings will be missed by many.
Stewart
August 13, 2008 at 11:25 pmAnd, of course, Bim Sherman was involved with Ari-Up from the Slits when she (and others from the band? can’t be bothered to go downstairs and check…) formed New Age Steppers – who brought out some fantastic albums in my opinion! x
Haven’t listened to this yet, Penguin – jesus, where do you find the time to do all this?!?!
Penguin • Post Author •
August 14, 2008 at 12:09 amPenguin – jesus, where do you find the time to do all this?!?!
With increasing difficulty Stewart!
stirmonster
August 14, 2008 at 12:57 ammy favourite bim sherman record, i could listen to the first two songs (plus versions) on a loop forever.
Phil R
August 14, 2008 at 8:22 am“Beef how low can you go?” Can anyone tell me what album its from?
Nic
August 14, 2008 at 9:02 amPhil – it’s a single by Gary Clail (and the On U Sound System) featuring Bim Sherman which was released in 1990…
It appears on the ‘Emotional Hooligan’ LP by Gary Clail…
Mmmmm, Golden Ticket, booze all night…
Phil R
August 14, 2008 at 11:23 amCheers Nic…I was living in a bender in 1990, squatting this old victorian walled garden in oxford, when i used to listen to this, and it brings back great memories x
Ian
August 14, 2008 at 11:38 ami think bim used to sing with tackhead in the late 80’s. saw them quite a few times in edinburgh…or was he just supporting? my memory isn’t so good.
‘some love’ by the new age steppers is one of my favourite songs, ari’s vocals are amazing.
Ian S
August 14, 2008 at 3:08 pmI saw Tackhead/On-U Sound System at the Edinburgh Venue, we must have gone to the same gigs Ian. Don’t recall Bim Sherman on stage, but he did perform as part of an On-U roadshow at the Glasgow Barrowland maybe 1991 or 1992, which featured African Headcharge and others.
Ian
August 14, 2008 at 3:35 pmyeah i’m not sure, i saw tackhead maybe 3 times at the venue, (and one at calton studios) i think it was the first time they played the venue, but i may be confused. perhaps he only sang one or two songs. i was at the barrowland show too. still have my ticket stub somewhere. oh wait, there it is on my kitchen wall.
stirmonster
August 14, 2008 at 3:39 pmi was at all the edinburgh on u shows and i’m certain bim never played. the only time i ever saw him was with lee perry and dub syndicate at the town and country club.
John Eden
August 18, 2008 at 10:57 amGreat write up Pengy!
Ian
August 18, 2008 at 11:43 amcheers strimonster. i’ve had it in my head for years that he played with tackhead at the venue, but of course as they say, if you remember the 80’s…eh, you weren’t there.