Susan Cadogan

Biography

Susan Cadogan, born Allison Anne Cadogan on November 2, 1951, in St. Andrew, Jamaica, grew up in a musical family where her mother sang Negro spirituals and her sister introduced her to records by The Platters, fostering her early love for soul music. Initially working as a librarian, her singing talent was discovered by JBC radio DJ Jerry Lewis, who took her to record 'Love My Life.' There, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, impressed by her voice, renamed her Susan and produced her debut album's worth of material, including the cover 'Hurt So Good' featuring Boris Gardiner and Zap Pow horns, which topped the UK reggae chart after UK release.[2][3][5]

Cadogan's career peaked in the mid-1970s with lovers rock and reggae hits blending soul influences, described as 'soulful reggae' or 'sophisticated reggae,' setting her apart from rootsier artists like Ken Boothe. She released albums like Doing It Her Way (1975) and Susan Cadogan aka Hurt So Good (1976), but returned to her library job amid career fluctuations. She resurfaced in 1981 with Jamaican hits covering 'Tracks of My Tears' and 'Piece of My Heart,' and continued recording, including Chemistry of Love (1989, self-produced), Soulful Reggae (1992, Mad Professor), and Stealing Love (1998, with Ruddy Thomas).[2][3]

Cadogan has toured internationally with bands like The Slackers, The Ratazanas, Debonaires, Magic Touch, and The Magnetics, though rarely in Jamaica. Recent works include the 2016 EP Take Me Back and album The Girl Who Cried produced by Mitch Girio, and a 2017 duet 'Love Story' with Ken Boothe. She remains active in the UK at festivals, pioneering romantic reggae.[2][1]

Fun Facts

• Originally named Allison Anne Cadogan, she was renamed 'Susan' by Lee 'Scratch' Perry upon discovering her voice at the Black Ark studio.
• She worked as a librarian and resigned four times to pursue singing, balancing her civil service job with music.
• Her style is called 'soulful reggae' due to heavy soul influences like The Platters and Millie Jackson, distinguishing it from roots reggae.
• Despite UK and international success, she feels disconnected from both Jamaican and UK lovers rock scenes, unsure of her exact belonging.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Discovered her talent, renamed her Susan, produced debut recordings and album ('Hurt So Good', first album material) [1974-1970s]
• Jerry Lewis - JBC DJ and boyfriend of her school friend who introduced her to recording ('Love My Life' single) [Early 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Ruddy Thomas - Frequent collaborator on covers and albums ('You Know How to Make Me Feel So Good' (UK Black chart #1), Stealing Love album) [1980s-1998]
• Mad Professor - Producer for Ariwa Records album (Soulful Reggae) [1992]
• Mitch Girio - Producer for recent EP and album (Take Me Back EP, The Girl Who Cried) [2016]
• Ken Boothe - Duet partner (Reggae version of 'Love Story') [2017]
• Boris Gardiner and Zap Pow - Musicians on key single ('Hurt So Good') [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #lovers-rock, #reggae, #rock-and-indie