Gamb!yarra

Gamb!yarra formed in Kingston in 1976, with Freddie McGregor as their singer and songwriter. They had a few other musicians in the lineup, including Vernon Coke on drums and Errol Holt on bass. Their debut album came out the following year, titled after their song 'Alma Reggae.' That track became something of an anthem in Jamaica, with a chorus people remembered.

Their sound mixed traditional Jamaican rhythms with bits of rock and funk, which didn't sit well with everyone in the reggae scene at the time. Some listeners thought it was too progressive. They kept at it anyway, putting out more albums like 'African Roots' and 'What a Boom.' Other songs from their catalog include 'Cidadão' and 'Manga Rosa.'

McGregor was the main voice in the group, writing much of their material. The band's recordings from the late 1970s have a particular energy, built around those rhythms and McGregor's delivery. They didn't have a long run, but 'Alma Reggae' stuck around in the culture.