Yabby You

Vivian Neville Jackson (14 August 1946 – 12 January 2010), His physical condition meant that he was unable to return to his previous work, and he was forced into hustling for a living on the streets of Kingston. earning him the nickname 'Jesus Dread';

Another spell in hospital meant that finding money for recording was difficult, but eventually, the "Conquering Lion" single was released late in 1972, credited to 'Vivian Jackson and the Ralph Brothers'. Cut for King Tubby, the popularity of the song and its distinctive introduction (the chant of "Be-you, yabby-yabby-you") earned Jackson the nickname "Yabby You", which remained with him during his entire career. Jackson continued to record, produce and perform (often with the aid of crutches) until the mid-1980s.

He re-emerged in the early 1990s, issuing both new and old material, and his recordings were the subject of several reissues including the acclaimed Jesus Dread set on the Blood and Fire label.

In 2000, Germany's Select Cuts label released remixes of "Conquering Lion" by Smith and Mighty and Groove Corporation, followed in 2001 by a remix of "Run Come Rally" by Apollo 440.

Death Jackson died on 12 January 2010, aged 63, after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Legacy An obituary by David Katz in The Guardian newspaper stated: "he produced a series of sublime devotional recordings from the mid-1970s onwards. The apocalyptic spiritualism of his lyrics, the superb musicianship of his backing band, and the uncommon arrangement of his material, kept his output among the most compelling roots reggae releases ever issued."

King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub features in both Reggae on CD: The Essential Guide and Reggae: 100 Essential CDs, with the latter also including Jesus Dread.

In 2014 Shanachie Records released a three-CD box set titled Dread Prophecy (The Strange And Wonderful Story Of Yabby You) and a Willi Williams/Yabby You project titled Unification: From Channel One To King Tubbys, which included tracks recorded in the late seventies and never released.

Discography Conquering Lion (1975) Vivian Jackson (released as Ram A Dam in the UK, by Lucky) King Tubby Meets Vivian Jackson (1976) Prophet (also known as Walls Of Jerusalem, released as Chant Down Babylon Kingdom in the UK by Nationwide) Deliver Me From My Enemies (1977) Grove Music Beware (1978) Grove Music (reissued (1991) ROIR) Jah Jah Way (1980) Island African Queen (1980) Clappers Fleeing from the City (1985) Shanachie Yabby The You Man (1995) Jah Will Be Done (1997) Prophet Records

Compilations One Love, One Heart (1983) Shanachie Jesus Dread 1972–1977 (1997), Blood and Fire Deeper Roots (2012), Pressure Sounds – Yabby You & Brethren Deeper Roots Part 2 (2014), Pressure Sounds – Yabby You & the Prophets

Compilation appearances The Rough Guide to Reggae (1997), World Music Network The Rough Guide to Dub (2005), World Music Network

Collaborations King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub (1976) Prophets (reissued (1994) Blood and Fire) Vocal & Dub (1979) Prophet (Yabby You and Michael Prophet) Yabby You Meets Trinity at Dub Station (circa 1979) Yabby U (with Trinity) Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist at the Dub Station (1981) Prophet (with Michael Prophet and Scientist) Time to Remember (1982) Prophet (with King Tubby) Prophecy (1982) WLN (with Michael Prophet and Wayne Wade) Yabby U Meets Sly & Robbie Along With Tommy McCook (1982) WLN (with Tommy McCook) Yabby You Meets Mad Professor & Black Steel in Ariwa Studio (1993)