Hugh Mundell

Hugh Mundell (14 June 1962 – 14 October 1983) was a Jamaican roots reggae singer.

Biography Mundell was born the fourth child and only boy to Theresa and Alvin Mundell. Alvin Mundell was a successful lawyer. He attended St. Margaret's Preparatory School, Kingsway Preparatory School and the Ardenne High School before pursuing a career in music. Mundell grew up just houses away from three other youth who would also go on to become reggae singers: Winston McAnuff, Earl Sixteen Daley, and Yabby You protogé Wayne Wade. Mundell was introduced to reggae by singer and producer Boris Gardiner who was a friend of the family. Mundell was at Joe Gibbs' studio the day that Winston McAnuff recorded the song "Malcolm X." Joe Gibbs offered Mundell the opportunity to record and they laid down a track titled "Where Is Natty Dread?" The track was never pressed to vinyl. and was included in Tom Moon's 2008 book, 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. He was a major influence on Junior Reid, who was three years younger, and Mundell was the first to record Reid.

Hugh Mundell only performed publicly several times throughout his career. While he may have performed a number of shows in Jamaica and the UK, only the following shows have been confirmed:

Mundell performed at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) 14th anniversary show on Wednesday, 25 May 1977 at the Queens Theatre in Kingston. Also on the bill were the Twelve Tribes of Israel Players composed of Junior Dan on bass, Sangie Davis on guitar, Albert Malawi on drums, and Pablo Black on keys; and Generation Gap, which included a very young Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson on keys and Dalton Brownie on guitar. Many of the players at this event were the same musicians who play on Mundell's [Africa Must Be Free By 1983. They were also part of the Rockers All-Stars, who played on Augustus Pablo's productions. 29 October 1979, Ward Theatre, Kingston, JA w/Augustus Pablo, Junior Delgado, Dave Robinson, Tallawah Dancers, Tivoli High School Dancers, Horace Andy, Little Junior, Jaba Tate, Shaolin Kid. The show was backed by the Seventh Extension and the Roots International Band. June 1980, Bermuda. Hugh performed on a ferry boat cruise. Mundell stayed in the apartment of Bermudian Rastafarian soccer legend Cyril "Dago" Steede while in Bermuda. 20 October 1980, Palais Des Arts, Paris, France with Brimstone 12 December 1980, London Theatre, London, UK with Aswad (cancelled) 17 February 1981, Top Rank Suite, Dale End, Birmingham w/ sound systems Sir Coxsone, Fatman, Studio City, Quaker City. 17 March 1981, Hammersmith Palais, London, UK with Matumbi, Tribesmen, Brimstone, and Bumble & The Bees. Mundell cancels just days before the show. It is rescheduled for 6 April 1981. 6 April 1981, Hammersmith Palais, London, UK with Matumbi, Tribesmen, Brimstone, and Bumble & The Bees. July 1981, The Stone, San Francisco. 4 October 1981, Reggae Sunblast Festival, Greek Theatre, Berkeley, California. Also on the bill are Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Joe Higgs, The Wailers Band, and Wailing Souls. Mundell appeared in the Bay area in December 1981 where he played a reggae roots festival along with Wailing Souls, Raskidus, Joe Higgs & Unity, and Uprising at the Oakland Auditorium on 11 December and the Japan Center Theater on 12 December. 30 May 1982, Keystone, Berkeley, California, backed by I-DREN, an all-Jamaican band hailing from the bay-area.

In reviewing Mundell's performance in the local city paper, music journalist Bruce Dancis wrote the following:

"Nineteen year old Jamaican singer Hugh Mundell, backed by Ras Kidus Roots Connection, contributed a brief set that was marred by the fact that he was obviously feeling the effects of a cold. This was a disappointment, because the angelically voiced singer possesses one of the purest voices in popular music. Ironically, in Mundell’s prior Berkeley appearance this past July, his glorious vocals were impeded by poor communication with his support band; this time around, Mundell and the band were more connected, but the singer’s illness prevented him from launching into the spirited performance of which he is capable".

Trial and conviction of Ricardo Codrington for the murder of Mundell On 22 November 1985, Mr. Justice Downer sentenced 25-year-old Ricardo Codrington, labourer of Above Rocks, St. Andrew, to ten years imprisonment at hard labour for the murder of Hugh Mundell. The sentencing occurred after a Home Circuit Court found Codrigan guilty of manslaughter, arising out of the fatal shooting of Mundell on 13 October 1983. Codrington was charged with murder, but the jury convicted him of the lesser offense. The judge said Codrington had already served two years and that was taken into account when sentencing him.