Any discussion of the greatest reggae producers of all time will surely include Edward “Bunny” Lee, often known as “Striker.” Born August 23, 1941, Lee’s career as a producer and contributor to the musical output and cultural legacy of Jamaica is nearly unrivaled, with a catalog of more than 2,000 recordings. Beyond the music, his personality became legendary; an archetype for the Jamaican record producer.
In terms of relevance, Lee was part of reggae from its inception, flowing from the rocksteady era of his first recordings in 1967 with the Uniques, Roy Shirley, Derrick Morgan, and Glen Adams to the seminal reggae of 1968 with Stranger Cole and Lester Sterling’s “Bangarang,” and Max Romeo’s “Wet Dream.” Lee moved with and often ahead of every phase and development of reggae, including dub, fliers, rockers, roots, and steppers, establishing the core catalog of artists Slim Smith, Delroy Wilson, Cornell Campbell, Johnny Clarke, Linval Thompson, Horace Andy, and scores of others.
His close association with soundmen, engineers, and studio proprietor Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock played an essential role in the development of dub, and opened the door for the next generation of producers, Lloyd “King Jammy” James chief among them.
Lee passed away in 2020, leaving one of the largest bodies of recorded reggae and a legacy standing alongside Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd, among reggae’s true pioneers and elite hit-makers.
Stream Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee on Spotify