Eric “Bongo Joe” McDonald (1934 – 2021)
Another very talented musician who participated in the band Inna de Yard left us on September 5, 2021. He was 86 years old.
TRIBUTE to the late Master Drummer BONGO JOE
Eric “Bongo Joe” McDonald was born on 13 of November 1934, in the district of Martin Castle,Lucea Hanover, Jamaica, but he spent most of his life in the Maxfield Avenue area of Kingston.
He started as an entrepreneur making shoes for many years to provide food and shelter for his family. In 1957, he found the Rastafari faith and started playing the Nyabinghi drums. In no time he mastered it and the rest was history.
His career began in the 1960s at Studio One, where he played on songs by keyboardist Jackie Mittoo, that studio's musical director. Among them were ‘Evening Time’, ‘Darker Shade of Black’, and ‘Drum Song’.
He met Ras Michael in the early 1970’s. He was a stalwart percussionist and founding member of Ras Michael And The Sons of Negus. He was one of the first drummers to put Kete drum on a reggae recording.
Later Bongo Joe departed from the Sons Of Negus to develop his solo career. Thereafter, he formed his own band “Brother Joe and the Rightful Brothers “. This band produced a number of great Artistes such as: Lloyd Brevett from the Skatalites, Junior Byles, Yabby U, some members from the Congos and the Gladiators and many others.
The band took a break for many years due to the 1980’s election.The members could not move around freely and this affected the band tremendously.
This pause led him back to shoemaking. During that time he also worked at Channel One, Sir Coxson Dodd’s studio1 and many others. Sir Coxson Dodd’s recognized him as one of his best drummers at Studio 1.
He worked with the best performing musicians from Jamaica and abroad, including the great Jackie Mitto, Sly and Robbie and Lee Scratch Perry. He performed on many hit records for many top artistes like: Dennis Brown, the Congos, the Gladiators, Marcia Griffiths, the Heptones and many others.
In a 2014 interview, Cedric Myton recalls the memories of his meeting with Bongo Joe which was decisive for the birth of the Congos : « Well I knew Ashanti Roy from when we used to go to a brethren called Bongo Joe who was called the Righteous Brother. He was one of the leaders in Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus. He was the main drummer there.
I don’t know if you ever heard of Bongo Joe but he was the one that played Darker Shade of Black and some more songs for Studio 1. Ashanti Roy used to come round Bongo Joe’s so that was how we got involved by knowing Bongo Joe and we used to sing with Bongo Joe. So eventually he asked Bongo Joe if he could do some work with me and that’s how we got to link up »
Here are 2 legendary albums (among others) on which Bongo Joe is credited:
- the Congos ‘Image Of Africa’ (1977) on 3 songs: ‘Only Jah Knows’, ‘Music Maker’ and ‘Stay Alive’ credited under the name ‘Br. Joe’.
- the Gladiators’ album ‘Presenting the Gladiators’ (Studio One 2Lps deluxe edition 2018 release) Eric ‘Bongo Joe’ MacDonald is credited (for percussion)
During that time while working at Studio 1, he completed his own recording and produced his first songs : ‘Go to Zion’ and ‘Hail the Children’ (1972).
One year later he recorded “Freedom of Life” (1973) :
Here are the members of the backing band of Brother Joe : WOW ! Reggae legends !
Albert Griffiths (Gladiators) Cedric Myton (the Congos) Clinton Fearon (Gladiators), Michael George Henry (Ras Michael), Vivian Jackson (Yabby You).
Video:
Bro Joe & The Rightful Bros - Going To Zion
Video:
Brother Joe And The Rightful Brothers - Freedom of Life + Version:
Hail the Children’ / ‘Go to Zion’ - 2020 reissue :
Tracklist : A/ Hail The Children B/ Go To ZION
7’’ record reissue 2020 on released on Blue Vinyl, red vinyl & marble vinyl
Label : African Music - AR7028 - UK 2020
Produced by E. Morgan. Distributed by Archive Recordings Under License.
Notes : Two Nyabinghi tunes from Brother Joe and the Righteous Brothers, ' Hail The Children ' being the first recorded appearance of the legendary Vivian Jackson, aka Yabby You, from circa 1972.
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In more recent years, Bongo Joe was associated with guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith's Inna de Yard. He played on several acoustic albums by artistes from that group, including The Congos.
His unique style of playing was entertaining. As a drummer, group player and singer, he toured France with Inna de Yard in May/June 2012.
Bongo Joe toured numerous countries such as France, Italy, Panama, Venezuela, with his last being in Brazil in 2015.
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Bongo Joe took part in Inna de Yard ‘Chapter Two’ experience ; he played on some recordings (album ‘the Soul of Jamaica’) and performed with the band.
He was also a regular member of Inna de Yard Binghistra Movement (I.B.M.), leaded by Earl Chinna Smith. Aged 85, he played his drum and recorded some tracks as well!
BINGHISTRA MOVEMENT - MADE IN JAMAICA - DIGITAL RELEASE
Release date: 08/28/2020
Tracklist :
01. Sense Of Direction feat. Earl Chinna Smith
02. Africa Must Be Free feat. Addis Pablo
03. Any Way Perfect One feat. Brian Anu Gold Thompson
04. Tribute To Leonard P. Howell feat. Kai Wakeling & Bongo Joe
05. Sticky feat. Uzziah Sticky Thompson
06. Wash Wash feat. Brian Anu Gold Thompson & Natty Pablo
07. Cool River Water feat. Hugh Ilabash Bromfield & Orville Itralites Edghill
08. Judgement feat. Addie Culture Foster
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Bongo Joe, the multi-talented and creative entrepreneur, carved out and created ‘Congo drums’ specifically used for the Nyabinghi style of playing. He sold his drums locally and internationally as a self taught craftsman, who learnt by observation from older master Congo drummers of Jamaica in the early 1990’s.
He said he sat down one day and the idea “popped” up into his head about making a drum. He spotted a mahogany tree, started digging it out, it was hard work but he persisted. He completed his task and had made his first drum.
His unique style of playing was entertaining. Bongo Joe went down in history as one of Jamaica’s greatest musicians recording artiste, builder and designer of the Congo drums and developer of the Congo drums of Jamaica.
Video link :
Cedric "Congo" Myton - HANDS OFF (2019)
Feat. Kiddus I, Winston McAnuff, Sista Carol, Anthony B on vocals + musicians :
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