Hopeton Lewis
Hopeton Lewis (1947-2014) was a pioneering Jamaican singer, songwriter, and producer, instrumental in launching the Rocksteady era with his 1966 hit "Take It Easy," a smooth, soulful track bridging ska and reggae. Known for his rich baritone, he won Jamaica's Festival Song Contest in 1970 with "Boom Shaka-Laka," recorded "Cool Collie" (Jamaica's first "herb" song), and later transitioned to a successful gospel music career, becoming a prominent figure in Christian reggae before his passing in Brooklyn, New York.
Born October 3, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica, Lewis grew up singing in church, where his talent was first noticed at age si.x He formed his first group, The Regals, in his teens, and began recording at Studio One, becoming a key player in Jamaica's evolving music scene.
In 1966, Lewis recorded "Take It Easy" at Federal Recording Company, a track considered one of the first major Rocksteady hits, characterized by its relaxed tempo and soulful vocals. He worked with producer Duke Reid, also serving as an arranger and backing vocalist.
Lewis won the prestigious Festival Song Competition in 1970 with "Boom Shaka-Laka," released on the Treasure Isle label. He later worked with Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, achieving gold status with "Grooving Out On Life" in 1973.
After a spiritual conversion, he shifted to gospel music, releasing albums like "This Is Gospel" and hosting radio shows in Brooklyn, New York, where he eventually settled.
Hopeton Lewis is celebrated as a legend of Jamaican music, influencing generations with his smooth voice and pioneering sound, from the birth of Rocksteady to inspirational gospel. He passed away in Brooklyn from kidney failure on September 4, 2014, at the age of 66, leaving behind an iconic catalog.
Dynamic Hopeton Lewis
Written-By – Mentor Williams
A2 Pied Piper
Written-By – Kornfield, Duboff
A3 Keep On Singing
Written-By – Hopeton Lewis
A4 Working It Down To The Bone
A5 Pick Yourself Up
Written-By – R. D. Livingstone
A6 God's Little Children
B1 Show Me Some Loving
B2 Goodbye Yesterday
Written-By – G. Bright-Plummer, J. Cliff
B3 Leaving Babylon
Written-By – Hopeton Lewis
B4 Take My Heart
Written-By – B. Kaempfert
B5 Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me
Written-By – Mac Davies
B6 City Of New Orleans
Written-By – S. Goodman
Label: Dragon – DRLS 5008
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Reggae
Style: Reggae, Rocksteady
The album Dynamic Hopeton Lewis, released by Dynamic Sounds Records in 1974, showcases Hopeton Lewis's smooth Jamaican soul and rocksteady style, produced by Byron Lee with crossover appeal, featuring tracks like "Drift Away," "Working It Down To The Bone," and "Pied Piper," blending soul influences with classic Jamaican sounds for a broad audience.
The album represents Lewis’s transition from his early rocksteady roots into the 1970s reggae era. It is often praised for the track "Leaving Babylon," which is considered a highlight of the release. Lewis’s style on this record combines the traditional Jamaican sound with global pop appeal, a hallmark of Byron Lee's Dynamic Sounds productions.
The album is a great example of Hopeton Lewis's ability to blend his foundational rocksteady roots with more soul-influenced sounds, making his music accessible beyond Jamaica while retaining its authentic flavor, making it a sought-after release for fans of classic Jamaican soul and reggae.