Prince Far I

Michael James Williams, known to the music world as Prince Far I, had a unique style. His voice and lyrics made him different from other Jamaican DJs.

Prince Far I to me was a chanter with a message from Jah to the people of the world. His deep husky voice shouting from the Hills of Zion made men tremble. There may never be another vocal warrior like him.

This recording represents the final chapter of Prince Far I's career. We were working on this album when, like all Jah's chosen messengers whose time with us is short, he delivered his message and Jah called him home to rest.

From the start of this CD the vibes were good. Prince said to me that his voice had returned to form and sounded like his early works. Everyone at the studio felt a togetherness, we completed three tracks on the first day and three tracks the day after. Prince felt so confident he wanted to finish the whole album but I told him no as I wanted him to be fresh on all the tracks. Destiny is strange, in our last session he did a track called "Special Request" which felt like he was saying goodbye.

The next day I went to meet Prince at the studio but Jim Brown stopped me at Randy's Record Shop and told me that Far I was shot last night and passed away. I was shocked and could not believe it, so I went to his home in Edgewater and found a large crowd, everyone was filled with grief.

I treasure these six tracks as Prince Far I was a friend and professional artist. We often met on journeys to London or Kingston, at the studios and in dance halls. He may not be with us now, but his spirit and works live on. The talent of Far I is heared on this CD in tracks like "Stop The War" which has a message to political leaders, "Survival" about a way of life in the ghetto, "Ask Ask" is every poor man's problem and "African Queen" a tribute to all black mothers.

RC (Roy Cousins)

All tracks written by Michael James Williams & Roy Cousins
All rhythhms by Roots Radics Band
Rhythms recorded at Channel 1
Engineer Overton (Scientist) Brown
Voiced and mixed at Harry J Studio
Engineer Sylvan Morris
Backing vocals Jah Lioyd, Winston Jarrett and the Viceroys

Produced & Arranged by Roy Cousins
Executive producer Norma L. Cousins

All tracks published by Laul Music

Recorded September 1983

Spiritual Guidance Anesta Brown
This is the original recording of this album
Dedicated to Prince Far I Wife & Family

A TAMOKI WAMBESI PRODUCTION JA LTD
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TAMOKI WAMBESI UK LTD