Prince Far I

• Genre: DJ Toasting

About

Before his brutal slaying in a robbery, the peace-loving Prince Far I established a cult-like worldwide following for his two-faced style: spacey, psychedelic Dub explorations and prophetic DJ Toasting. He preferred being called a chanter rather than a toaster, and often quoted sections of the Bible in his characteristic deep, gravelly voice. There was a serious tone to his recordings, in contrast to the zany humor practiced by toasters like Dr. Alimintado and U-Roy, and the addition of ominous throbbing basslines and spiritual nyahbingi drumming further solemnized his tracks. He began his career with producers Bunny Lee, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and Joe Gibbs, and proceeded to form his own production company, which put out hundreds of slow, effect-laden Dub classics. His voice had such a deep, authoritative sound to it that modern producers, including the Dub Syndicate, continue to sample his sermons, adding a powerful edge to their own recordings.

- Jessy Terry