Draft:Brian Atkinson Studio One Bassie

Brian Atkinson (musician)

Brian Atkinson (born 1946) is a Jamaican bassist and composer who played a foundational role in the development of ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. Best known for his work as the house bassist at Studio One during the mid-1960s, Atkinson was an early innovator of electric bass in Jamaican popular music. He later performed and recorded with Lynn Taitt and the Jets, contributing to major reggae and pop crossover hits, including Johnny Nash's Cupid. He also played bass on early recordings by Bob Marley and the Wailers, as well as on Desmond Dekker's international hit 007 (Shanty Town).

Early Life

Atkinson was born in 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica. He spent part of his childhood in St. Mary Parish and grew up learning music from his family. His father was a church singer, and his mother played piano at home. As a teenager, Atkinson learned guitar and became musically active in high school, winning a national festival with his school band. After finishing school, he moved to Kingston to attend the Jamaica School of Arts and Crafts.

Studio One and the Soul Brothers

In 1965, Atkinson was introduced to Studio One through guitarist Hux Brown. Though originally a guitarist, Atkinson auditioned for the position of bassist and secured the role under the direction of bandleader Jackie Mittoo. He introduced the four-string electric bass to Studio One, replacing the previously standard upright bass.

Atkinson became part of Studio One's rotating house bands, including the Soul Brothers, Soul Vendors, and Sound Dimension. Alongside Mittoo, drummer Joe Isaacs, guitarist Hux Brown, and horn arranger Bobby Ellis, Atkinson played on dozens of tracks that helped define the Studio One sound.

He also played bass on some of the earliest recordings by Bob Marley and the Wailers, including sessions for songs such as One Love, Bend Down Low, and Jailhouse (Alt. Rudie), which were tracked at Studio One in the mid-1960s. These early ska and rocksteady tracks marked the beginning of Marley's career and featured backing from Atkinson and other members of the house band.

Notable songs featuring his bass lines include:

• I'm Just a Guy – Alton Ellis
• Home – Ken Boothe
• Love Me Forever – Carlton and The Shoes
• I'm Still in Love With You – Alton Ellis
• Pretty Looks – The Heptones
• One Love – Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Bend Down Low – Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Jailhouse (Alt. Rudie) – Bob Marley & The Wailers
• 007 (Shanty Town) – Desmond Dekker & The Aces

Johnny Nash and International Work

In 1968–69, Atkinson recorded with American singer Johnny Nash at Federal Records. He is credited as the bassist on Nash's hit singles Cupid and Hold Me Tight, both of which were recorded in Jamaica using local musicians. These recordings helped bridge Jamaican music with international pop, contributing to Nash's global success and exposing Jamaican rhythms to a wider audience.

Atkinson also played on other Johnny Nash recordings such as You Got Soul and the internationally successful single I Can See Clearly Now, which featured Jamaican musicians and drew heavily from reggae influences.

Lynn Taitt and the Jets

Around 1967–68, Atkinson left Studio One to join Lynn Taitt and the Jets, a studio band led by the Trinidadian guitarist and credited with inventing the rocksteady sound. The Jets served as the house band for Federal and Treasure Isle Records, backing a string of hits across the rocksteady era. Atkinson's bass lines helped define the new slower tempo of rocksteady, and he is credited as a co-writer on Desmond Dekker's international hit Israelites.

Later Life and Legacy

In the early 1970s, Atkinson migrated to Canada, where he continued performing with fellow Studio One alumni, including Jackie Mittoo, Joe Isaacs, and Lynn Taitt. He remained active in reggae music, performing in clubs and festivals, and mentoring younger musicians. In interviews, Atkinson has reflected on the global influence of his work, stating that his bass lines continue to be sampled and played around the world.

His role in shaping reggae's foundational rhythms is widely recognized. Many of the tracks he played on have become staples in sound system culture and continue to influence musicians today.

Selected Discography

Year	Title	Artist
1966	I'm Just a Guy	Alton Ellis
1966	Home	Ken Boothe
1967	Love Me Forever	Carlton and The Shoes
1967	Pretty Looks	The Heptones
1967	One Love	Bob Marley & The Wailers
1967	Bend Down Low	Bob Marley & The Wailers
1967	Jailhouse (Alt. Rudie)	Bob Marley & The Wailers
1967	007 (Shanty Town)	Desmond Dekker & The Aces
1968	Israelites	Desmond Dekker & The Aces
1968	Hold Me Tight	Johnny Nash
1969	Cupid	Johnny Nash
1969	You Got Soul	Johnny Nash
1972	I Can See Clearly Now	Johnny Nash

References

• The Music Diaries: The Musicians Behind the Hits. The Jamaica Gleaner, 8 July 2018
• Studio One Story (Documentary). Soul Jazz Records, 2005.
• Katz, David. Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae. Bloomsbury, 2003.
• AllMusic. "Brian Atkinson Credits."