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Singer Spanner Banner, a member of the talented Bonner brothers, which includes Pliers (of Chakademus and Pliers fame) and Richie Spice, says he is ready to reclaim his heritage.
Spanner, who was one of the acts signed to Island Records during the 90's, has certainly made his mark on popular Jamaican music, but has been a background figure in recent years, even as he has thrown his full support behind the career of Richie Spice. In an interesting turn of events, when Richie was a fledgling act, it was elder brother, Spanner, who - with his slew of hits making him in demand - used to call him on stage, then the tables turned.
The artiste strongly believes that after nearly two decades his music is still as potent as when he stormed onto the scene in 1998. His recently released full-length project I'm A Winner is laden with the kind of music for which the dreadlocked artiste is renowned. Among the tracks are the noteworthy Rolling Stones, Solid As A Rock, One Love, She Groove Me and the title track I'm A Winner. The album was produced by his management and production company Bonner Cornerstone Music, along with producers Don Carleone, Donovan Germain and Kemar 'Flava' McGregor. The album is being distributed by Bonner Corner Stone music, VP Records, Zojak Worldwide and Tads Records International.
The album has already spawned a hit in the form of the lead single Rolling Stones, which along with its supporting music video, which was directed by Nardia Rose is enjoying great rotation both at home and abroad.
Spanner Banner, whose real name is Joseph Anthony Bonner, began his musical career during his formative years, as a singer on the Bidia sound system in his hometown of Rock Hall, St Andrew, in the late 1980s. The response that he received from the audience whenever he performed served as good encouragement for him to do all he could to realise his musical ambitions. Therefore, he spent a great deal of time writing lyrics and seeking out studios for recording.
In 1988, Spanner Banner finally got a chance to display his vocal skills in the studio when he recorded his very first single Life Goes On, for legendary producer Winston Riley. This song was an instant hit and was only the first in a plethora of hits to come over the next two decades such as Michelle, Live and Learn and Tease Me which reached top of the British pop charts in the 1990s after it was re-recorded by Chaka Demus & Pliers. He also recorded his debut album for Winston Riley.
This new-found success opened up many doors for Spanner Banner in the music biz, and pretty soon he was being sought to record for several other topflight producers such as King Jammys, Donovan Germain, Bobby Digital and Philip 'Fattis' Burrell. In 1993, Spanner Banner signed a contract with Island Records and collaborated with famed Jamaican record producers Sly & Robby record an album titled Chill for Island. This album cemented his reputation as a top-class reggae singer both locally and internationally. It spawned several hit singles such as Cheater, Universal Love, You Gotta Be, What We Need is Love & the title track Chill. Spanner Banner supported the release of Chill with tours of Europe, United States and Africa Great Britain this resulted in a great amount of international exposure for him.
SOURCE
Published: Thursday | July 14, 2009 | Jamaica Observer
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Entertainment/
html/20090713T200000-0500_155346_OBS_SPANNER_
BANNER_STILL_MAKING_HITS_.asp
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