Cynthia Richards (born Sinthia Richards, 1944) is a Jamaican singer whose career began in the 1960s.

Biography

Born in Duhaney Park,

Kingston, Jamaica Kingston is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long spit (landform), sand spit which connects the town of Por ...

, in 1944, Richards attended the Denham Town Primary School where after impressing teachers with a performance at an end-of-term concert she was encouraged to appear on the Vere Johns Talent Show.Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, , p. 250-251 While working as a magistrate's clerk, she continued her career, working in the 1960s with Bobby Aitken's Carib Beats band and later the Falcons (with a young

Dennis Brown Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD (1 February 1957 – 1 July 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of l ...

), Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, and the Mighty Vikings. She recorded her debut single, "How Could I", in 1969, produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd for his Studio One label. Although this wasn't a success, it brought her to the attention of Clancy Eccles, who produced "Foolish Fool", which became a major hit in Jamaica. She also recorded as one half of the duo Cynthia & Archie.Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , p. 343 She moved on to work with several producers, including

Duke Reid Arthur "Duke" Reid CD (21 July 1915 – 1 January 1975) was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and record label owner. He ran one of the most popular sound systems of the 1950s called Reid's Sound System, whilst Duke himself was known as The Tr ...

, for whom she recorded "Jungle Fever", "Sentimental Reason", and "Aily I", the latter a hit with UK reggae audiences in 1972. Other producers she worked with included Alvin Ranglin and Larry Lawrence, before moving into self-production with singles such as "Mr. Postman", and had further chart success in Jamaica with her version of

The Staple Singers The Staple Singers were an American Gospel music, gospel, soul music, soul, and Rhythm and blues, R&B singing group. Pops Staples, Roebuck "Pops" Staples (December 28, 1914 – December 19, 2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group w ...

' "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)". She was voted Top Female Artist of 1973 in Jamaica and toured with Elmo and

Toots and the Maytals The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. ...

. Later in the 1970s she worked as a backing singer, contributing to Beres Hammond's 1976 album ''Soul Reggae'' and Pat Kelly's 1978 album ''Lonely Man''.Cynthia Richards
at Roots Archives

Discography

*''Foolish Fool'' (1969), Clan Disc (

Trojan Trojan or Trojans may refer to: * Of or from the ancient city of Troy * Trojan language, the language of the historical Trojans Arts and entertainment Music * '' Les Troyens'' ('The Trojans'), an opera by Berlioz, premiered part 1863, part 18 ...

) *''Conversation'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Promises'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Can't Wait'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''I Was Just Thinking About You'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''United We Stand'' (1970), Pressure Drop (Trojan) *''Stand By Your Man'' (1971), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Is There A Place in Your Heart For Me'' (1971), GG Records (Trojan) *''Moving On'' (1971), Big Shot *''Aily I'' (1973), Attack (Trojan) *''Sentimental Reason'' (1973), Lord Koos *''If You're Ready Come Go With Me'' (1974) *''Think About Me'' (1974), Cactus *''Keep It in the Family'' (1974), Cactus *''I Shall Not Remove'' (1977), Grove Music

As ''Clancy and Cynthia''

*''Tomorrow'' (1971), Clan Disc (Trojan)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards, Cynthia 1944 births Living people Singers from Kingston, Jamaica 20th-century Jamaican women singers