Born in Cuba of mixed Cuban and Jamaican descent, Aitken and his family settled in Jamaica in 1938. After an early career working for the Jamaican Tourist Board singing mento songs for visitors arriving at Kingston Harbour, he became a popular nightclub entertainer. His first recordings in the late 1950s were mento tunes such as "Nebuchnezer", "Sweet Chariot" (aka the gospel classic "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot") and "Baba Kill Me Goat". Aitken's 1958 single "Boogie in My Bones"/"Little Sheila" was one of the first records produced by Chris Blackwell and the first Jamaican popular music record to be released in the United Kingdom. Other more Jamaican rhythm and blues orientated singles from this period include "Low Down Dirty Girl" and "More Whisky" both produced by Duke Reid.
Aitken moved to Brixton, London, in 1960 and recorded for the Blue Beat label, releasing fifteen singles before returning to Jamaica in 1963. He recorded for Duke Reid, with backing from the Skatalites on tracks such as "Zion" and "Weary Wanderer", before returning to the UK, where he began working with Pama Records. He recorded hits such as "Fire in Mi Wire" and "Landlord and Tenants", which led to a wider recognition outside of Jamaica and the UK. This cemented his position as one of ska's leading artists and earned him the nicknames The Godfather of Ska, and later Boss Skinhead. He gained a loyal following not only among the West Indian community, but also among mods, skinheads and other ska fans. He had hit records in the United Kingdom and other countries in the 1950s through to the 1970s on labels such as Blue Beat, Pama, Trojan, Rio, Dr. Bird, Nu-Beat, Ska-Beat,Hot Lead and Dice. Some of his singles featured B-sides credited to his brother, guitarist Bobby Aitken. Aitken also recorded a few talk-over/deejay tracks under the guise of 'King Horror', such as "Loch Ness Monster", "Dracula, Prince of Darkness", and "The Hole". Aitken settled in Leicester with his wife in 1970. His output slowed in the 1970s and during this period he worked as an entertainer in nightclubs and restaurants in the area including the popular 'Costa Brava Restaurant' in Leicester under his real name Lorenzo. In 1980, with ska enjoying a resurgence in the wake of the 2 Tone movement, Aitken had his only success in the UK Singles Chart with "Rudi Got Married" (#60) released on I-Spy Records (the label created and managed by Secret Affair. Aitken's career took in mento/calypso, R&B, ska, rock steady, and reggae, and in the 1990s he even turned his talents to dancehall. He performed occasional concerts almost until his death from a heart attack in 2005. After a long campaign, a blue plaque in his honour was put up at his Leicester home in 2007. Punk band Rancid cover's Aitken's Everybody Suffering on their 2014 LP Honor Is All We Know
Laurel Aitken (April 22, 1927 - July 17, 2005) became famous as one of the originators of Jamaican ska music in the late 1950s.
Aitken was born as Lorenzo Aitken in Cuba, and is the brother of singer Bobby Aitken. He moved to England in the 1960s, and had a loyal following among Skinheads and other ska fans. He had massive hits in the 1950s through 1970s, while recording for Blue Beat Records, Pama Records and Trojan Records. He recorded one of the earliest ska records, the double A-sided Boogie in My Bones / Little Sheila (1958). It was the first record on producer Chris Blackwell's Island Records label.
Aitken, who is known as "The Godfather of Ska", made his home in Leicester UK and performed live almost until his death. He suffered from a serious illness following a heart attack about a year before he died. He died from a heart attack in Leicester, UK on July 17, 2005.
Mass Charlie
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please say Charlie oh
Everybody go to try Mas charlie
Lawyer, Jury, barrister, judge
Me say lawyer, Jury, barrister, judge
Hello to charlie ???
Everybody go to try Mas charlie
????
????
Cha, me say cha me say cha me say cha
Gone to the river to work at the quarry
What a man did, like mas charlie
Everybody go to try Mas charlie
Charlie charlie charlie charlie
Everybody go to try Mas charlie
Gone up the river to work at the quarry
Cha, me say cha me say cha me say cha
In Laurel Aitken's song Mass Charlie, he sings about a man named Charlie who seems to be quite notorious in some way. The lyrics go on to say "Please say Charlie oh, Everybody go to try Mas Charlie". This suggests that people are seeking out Charlie for some reason, perhaps for his services. The next line mentions "Lawyer, Jury, barrister, judge" which implies that Charlie may have some involvement with the legal system or is needed in some sort of legal matter. It's possible that Charlie is some sort of fixer or mediator.
The next line, "Hello to charlie ???" is a bit unclear, but it could be interpreted as someone calling out to Charlie or greeting him. The lyrics then repeat "Everybody go to try Mas Charlie" which reinforces the idea that Charlie is in high demand. The use of the term "Mas" could be a nod to Jamaican culture and refer to a person who is highly skilled, respected and sought after.
The following lines "Gone to the river to work at the quarry, what a man did, like mas Charlie" imply that Charlie is a hard worker or has a reputation for being tough. It's possible that the reference to "the quarry" is symbolic and implies that Charlie is a rock of sorts, dependable and strong.
Line by Line Meaning
Charlie oh
Addressing a person named Charlie
Please say Charlie oh
Asking Charlie to respond
Everybody go to try Mas Charlie
Everyone is trying to experience something with Mas Charlie
Lawyer, Jury, barrister, judge
Referring to legal personnel who handle justice in society
Me say lawyer, Jury, barrister, judge
Reiterating the reference to legal personnel
Hello to Charlie ???
Greeting Charlie, but the rest is unclear or inaudible
Gone to the river to work at the quarry
Leaving to work in a quarry near a river
What a man did, like mas Charlie
Comparing something a man did to an experience with Mas Charlie
Charlie charlie charlie charlie
Repeating the address to Charlie
Cha, me say cha me say cha me say cha
Saying 'cha' repeatedly, which has no clear meaning or significance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: AITKEN, LAUREL ANTONIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind