Before joining forces, Sly was drumming for the Skin Flesh and Bones band and Robbie was the bass player for the Aggrovators. They also used to play in clubs (Sly at Tit for Tat and Robbie at Evil People), and used to check each other out. They found out that they had the same ideas about music in general (both are huge fans of Motown, Philly Sound and Country & Western, in addition to Jamaican legendary labels Studio One and Treasure Isle), and Reggae production in particular. They first worked together for the newly created Channel One label and studio, operated by the Hoo Kim brothers.
They changed the face of Reggae several times: in 1976, they introduced a harder beat called "Rockers", which quickly replaced the then prevalent "One drop" style, then introduced the "rub a dub" sound in the early 1980s. Sly and Robbie were important in developing the trend towards computer assisted music and programmming in the mid 1980s.
Also in the early 1990s they introduced a novel sound with the hits "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers. Chaka Demus' rough DJ vocals were matched with Pliers' sweet, melodic, soul-influenced singing; this unusal vocal pairing was championed by Sly and Robbie. This formula has since been used with great success by the likes of Shaggy (who teamed up with singers Rayvon or Rik Rok), Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest and others. This predates and may have influenced the recent trend in some rap music where a song's "hook" or chorus is sung by a guest, while the verses are rapped.
Sly & Robbie continued to innovate during the 1990s and early 2000s, fusing Dancehall and Latin music sounds (La Trenggae) or Dancehall and hip hop/R&B (their 2004 Big Up riddim). In 2001, their "Strip to the Bone" album paired them with electro producer Howie B, and together they explored new dub territories.
Far from restricting themselves to the Jamaican scene, (in which they have played for virtually every prominent Jamaican musical artist from Beenie Man to Sean Paul to Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and others), they have been one of pop music's most sought after rhythm sections, playing for and producing superstars such as Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones, Grace Jones, Joan Armatrading, Gilberto Gil, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, Simply Red, Michael Franti, Sting, Khaled, Tricky, Doug E. Fresh, Carlos Santana, Sinéad O'Connor, and many more.
They have produced No Doubt's hits 'Hey Baby' and 'Underneath it All'. They also produced some tracks off Suggs first album 'The Lone Ranger' including the hit version of Cecilia featuring Louchie Lou and Michie One which sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.
After 30 years together, they still tour and record relentlessly. Their last US tour was with Tony Rebel and Half Pint, during the Spring of 2005. During the Summer of 2005, they toured Europe and the UK with Bunny Rugs, lead singer for Third World. During the Fall of 2005 they were on the road with Sinéad O'Connor and in August 2006, they appeared with Don Carlos at the Reggae on the River Festival, while they backed Cherine and Queen Ifrica in 2007 and early 2008.
They have produced several new Jamaican artists for their TAXI label, including Kibaki, Mynimoo and Zennlocc, as well as confirmed superstars such as Elephant Man. They have also recorded with their original group, the Revolutionaries, to produce Horace Andy's new album "Livin' it up" (2007). They recently signed the lovers rock sensation Bitty McLean to their TAXI label and are planning to release "MOVIN' ON", Bitty's new album, during 2008.
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Foundation
Sly & Robbie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glorious be to the most high, Jah, Rastafari
Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nigh
Hey, you see Sly and Robbie
[Chorus]
A just Selassie send them, well
Play music fi heathen, well
Dut just di devil control them, Sly
A Selassie send dem, well
Cause music a fi play them, yeh
Mr. Robbie him bass them, well
Taxi Gang come tell them that
[Verse 1]
Well Mr. Sly, well
Music we al play an we a trample over jungle
trample down a TG, rema man we a talk to
All rema man unuh fi cool an unuh fi humble
Put down all di guns an leave di chain an all di bangle
Cause Selassie, well we ready fi di people
All rastaman an bogo man we all a talk to
Sly them a play, we licking out di devil
Come Taxi Gang come play fi di people
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Long time we a tell them fi louh all di band
Dem want mix rastaman in them Bachanal
Chu Missa Sly him a foundation
thats why we play di music fi each and everyone
[Verse 3]
Music we a play yes a we run di route
Music we a play fi all them down a south
Easy Mr. Sly and Taxi Gang run di route
Yuh nuh hear music them a bawl out
Mission Impossible and a teach people
Play fi all di dumb, di deaf, di blind and all di cripple
Oh Mr. Sly how yuh humble, nah rumble
Because we too comfortable so we tell them
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
Well, trample di Christian, di beast a albashan
Dis rastaman don't yuh know seh yuh ever wrong
Mr. Sly play di music from 19 how long
Dem a play fi Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, how much
How them fi dis we when yuh know seh we nuh nervous
A foundation, a we dig di land
A wi set di plan, an a wi buy, oh na
[Chorus]
[Verse 5]
Dis yah one yah pass January morning
From now mi a give out di warning
Some bwoy a fi try do some farming
Mr. Sly a music wi playing
Well from now bad man I talking
Well Taxi Gang don't you know them run di tune
And don't yuh know sehh a we have di engine
Well follow Beenie Man and sing
The song "Foundation" by Sly & Robbie is a powerful ode to the power of music, seen through the lens of spirituality and faith. The song is introduced with a call to Jah, Rastafari, setting the tone for the lyrics to come. The chorus emphasizes the idea that Selassie has sent Sly and Robbie to play music, as it is meant to be played, for everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. Sly's bass and the Taxi Gang's musicianship are all meant to bring the power of the music to the people, and lift them up.
The verses describe the power that music has to heal, to bind people together, and to create a sense of community. Music is meant to be played for everyone, and the song calls out those who try to use religion or other means to divide people. Sly and Robbie embrace their role as foundation players, setting the stage for others to take up the mantle and continue to spread good music far and wide. The song is a reminder that music is a universal language that can transcend any barriers and bring joy and connection to people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Glorious be to the most high, Jah, Rastafari
Praises to God, the Almighty, Jah, Rastafari
Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nigh
Sounding the call to attention and warning
A just Selassie send them, well
Sly and Robbie are divinely sent by Selassie to play music
Play music fi heathen, well
Their music is for everyone, including non-believers
Si di Christian we call them, yeh
Christians are present, but not the main focus
Dut just di devil control them, Sly
However, it seems like they are being controlled by the devil, according to Sly
Mr. Robbie him bass them, well
Robbie's bass playing is instrumental in their music
Taxi Gang come tell them that
The Taxi Gang will spread the message that Sly and Robbie's music is for everyone
Music we al play an we a trample over jungle
Sly and Robbie's music is strong and confident, rising above the chaos and trials of life
trample down a TG, rema man we a talk to
They are speaking to members of the Rema community who are connected to the TG gang
All rema man unuh fi cool an unuh fi humble
The Rema people need to calm down and be humble
Put down all di guns an leave di chain an all di bangle
They need to leave behind their weapons and material possessions
Cause Selassie, well we ready fi di people
They are ready to spread their message of love and unity in the name of Selassie
All rastaman an bogo man we all a talk to
Everyone, including Rastafarians and marginalized people, are being addressed with their message
Sly them a play, we licking out di devil
Sly's music is fighting against evil influences
Come Taxi Gang come play fi di people
The Taxi Gang are invited to share their music with the people
Long time we a tell them fi louh all di band
They have been urging others for a while to appreciate all types of music
Dem want mix rastaman in them Bachanal
But some want to involve Rastafarians in worldly indulgences
Chu Missa Sly him a foundation
Sly is a crucial and respected figure in their music
thats why we play di music fi each and everyone
And they are playing music for all to enjoy
Music we a play yes a we run di route
Sly and Robbie are in charge of their music and its message
Music we a play fi all them down a south
Their music is reaching all corners of the world
Easy Mr. Sly and Taxi Gang run di route
Sly and the Taxi Gang are leading the way with their music
Yuh nuh hear music them a bawl out
People are moved and inspired by their music
Mission Impossible and a teach people
Their mission, though tough, is to teach and enlighten people
Play fi all di dumb, di deaf, di blind and all di cripple
They are providing music for everyone, including those who are struggling
Oh Mr. Sly how yuh humble, nah rumble
Sly is praised for being humble and not causing trouble
Because we too comfortable so we tell them
They are comfortable with their message, and will continue telling it
Well, trample di Christian, di beast a albashan
Their message sometimes goes against conventional Christian teachings and the influence of the devil
Dis rastaman don't yuh know seh yuh ever wrong
Some people are questioning Rastafarians and their beliefs
Mr. Sly play di music from 19 how long
Sly has been making music for a long time
Dem a play fi Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, how much
They are carrying on the legacy of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh
How them fi dis we when yuh know seh we nuh nervous
They won't be intimidated, because they are confident in their beliefs
A foundation, a we dig di land
They are the foundation, building their music and message from the ground up
A wi set di plan, an a wi buy, oh na
They have the plan and the resources to carry out their mission
Dis yah one yah pass January morning
This is a new year, with a fresh start for their mission
From now mi a give out di warning
They are warning people to listen to their message
Some bwoy a fi try do some farming
Some people need to start working hard and pursuing positive goals
Mr. Sly a music wi playing
Instead of wasting time, they are playing music for everyone
Well from now bad man I talking
They are addressing all types of people, including those with a bad reputation
Well Taxi Gang don't you know them run di tune
The Taxi Gang is responsible for spreading the message of their music
And don't yuh know sehh a we have di engine
But Sly and Robbie are the driving force behind their music and its message
Well follow Beenie Man and sing
They are urging people to follow their lead and sing along to their music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Derek Murphy, Lorenzo Dechalus, Miles Davis, William Brewster Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind