Count Lasher's Seven

Biography

Count Lasher, born Terence Parkins in 1921 in Saint Thomas, Jamaica, emerged as one of the most influential figures in the development of Jamaican mento music. Growing up in the mountainous parish, Lasher taught himself piano and guitar, and after leaving school, he moved to Kingston where he began performing for tourists on boats in Kingston Harbour. His early exposure to both rural and urban mento styles shaped his versatile approach to music, allowing him to blend traditional Jamaican folk elements with the emerging sounds of calypso, ska, and eventually reggae[1][2].

Lasher's career flourished throughout the 1950s and 1960s, marked by his prolific output and charismatic performances at hotels, beach parties, charity events, and cinemas. His debut recordings were produced by Stanley Motta, and he was frequently accompanied by his ensemble, Count Lasher's Seven, as well as other groups like the Royal Calypsonians and Calypso Quartet. Lasher participated in high-profile music competitions, such as the Federated Calypso Clash at Ward's Theatre in 1957, where he performed alongside Trinidadian calypso legends. Despite releasing over fifty singles, he never recorded a full-length album, which has contributed to his status as an overlooked yet foundational artist in Jamaican music history[1][2][3].

Musically, Count Lasher was celebrated for his storytelling and social commentary, often using colorful local dialect and humor in his lyrics. His songs, such as "Mango Time" and "Breadfruit Season," became anthems of Jamaican culture, reflecting everyday life and traditions. Lasher's innovative blending of mento with calypso and later ska and reggae helped pave the way for future generations of Jamaican musicians, and his legacy endures as one of the genre's greatest vocalists and writers[1][2][4].

Fun Facts

• Count Lasher never released a full-length album or compilation despite recording over fifty singles.
• He often performed in cinemas before movies started, entertaining audiences with live mento music.
• Lasher's lyrics are renowned for their use of Jamaican idioms and humorous storytelling, as seen in songs like "Mango Time" and "The Weed."
• He sometimes recorded under alternate names, such as Count Lasha, and was occasionally uncredited on releases.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Stanley Motta - Producer of Count Lasher's debut recordings and a key figure in early Jamaican music production. (Early singles on MRS label) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Count Lasher's Seven - Primary backing band for Lasher's early recordings, credited on singles such as "Mango Time." ("Mango Time", "Breadfruit Season") [1950s]
• Royal Calypsonians - Backing ensemble for later recordings, reflecting the trend of using calypso-related names for mento acts. (Various singles) [Late 1950s-1960s]
• Lord Messam - Fellow mento artist and competitor in music contests such as the Federated Calypso Clash. (Ward's Theatre competitions) [1957]

Artists Influenced

• Louise Bennett-Coverley - Count Lasher's song "Mango Time" is believed to have inspired Bennett-Coverley's folk song of the same name. ("Mango Time" (folk song)) [1960s]
• The Skatalites - Lasher's transition into ska and reggae influenced the sound and repertoire of foundational ska bands. (Ska singles and performances) [1960s-1970s]

Source: Wikipedia

Top Tracks

1. Mango Time (Jamaican Mento Music Hits (1952 - 1958))
2. Breadfruit Season (Jamaican Mento Music Hits (1952 - 1958))

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Mango Time (Early Jamaican Music - The Best Of Mento & Calypso)
2. Breadfruit Season (Jamaican Mento Music Hits (1952 - 1958))
3. Mango Time (Jamaican Mento Music Hits (1952 - 1958))
4. Breadfruit Season (Early Jamaican Music - The Best Of Mento & Calypso)
5. Breadfruit Season (Birth of Ska Vol. 2 / Jamaica Farewell)
6. Island Gal Sally (Jamaican Summer - Classic Artist Series, Vol. 9)
7. Mango Time (Soca Roots Summer - Mento, Claypso, Ska and More, Vol. 6)
8. Breadfruit Season (Soca Roots Summer - Mento, Claypso, Ska and More, Vol. 5)
9. Mango Time (Jamaica-Mento, Vol. 1)
10. Island Gal Sally (Jamaica-Mento, Vol. 1)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia