Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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ALPHONSO, Roland

Jamaican tenor saxophonist and founder member of the Skatalites instrumental outfit, with whom he was featured soloist on scores of records in the '60s, mostly at Studio One but also for Treasure Isle and others. Some of his best known sides are "Hully Gully Rock', "Blackberry Brandy', "Blockade', "Sandy Gully', "The President', "Crime Wave', "Hot Rod', "Nuclear Weapon', "Downbeat Special', "VC10', and the big club hit "Phoenix City' '66. In addition he sessioned for virtually every Jamaican artist who cut a record during the ska and rock steady eras. He brought a revamped Skatalites to UK to play at Sunsplash '84. His solo work can be heard on Studio One albums Best Of and King Of Sax, as well as his Brighter Shade Of Roots and the later Roll On session for NYC reggae specialist label Wackies.