Samantha Rose

b. Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Rose left Jamaica for the UK when she was 15, although she began singing prior to her departure. She made her recording debut when she was 21 with the UK-based producer Les Cliff, ‘Your Tender Lips’. The single was released through Dennis Harris, whose independent Eve organization spawned the lovers rock label and genre. Rose continued recording with Cliff, who had established his own Saturn label, releasing the classic ‘Undying Love’ alongside ‘My Only Chance’, ‘Could This Be True’ and ‘How I Need You’. By 1978 she began recording with Winston Curtis, who released her debut, In Person, which included remakes of her earlier hits alongside the chart-topping ‘Kiss You All Over’ and ‘Hello I Love You’. Also on the album was a cover version of ‘Angel Of The Morning’ which, although originally an R&B hit, has become a reggae standard. In 1980 she released ‘Angel In Your Arms’ and ‘Stay With Me Baby’, as well as notable duets with Ray Mondo, which included a version of the Heptones’ ‘Book Of Rules’ and ‘Easy Loving’. By 1981 Rose was reunited with Les Cliff, who not only produced, but also performed on, the duet ‘Together In Love’. Other examples of her work in this period surfaced on the popular Reggae For Lovers compilation. In 1982 her distinctive vocals were recorded by Count Shelly who released ‘Go Away Little Girl’, ‘You’ll Never Get Your Hooks In My Man’ and her second album of lovers tunes. By the early 90s she was reputed to have relocated to Miami where she joined the growing number of South Florida Reggae Artists celebrated at a concert that included appearances from Wayne Wade and Jimmy Riley.