Monyaka is an American reggae band formed in Brooklyn, New York that was most active during the 1980s and early 1990s.

History

Monyaka was founded in 1974 by guitarist/singer Errol Moore as the Soul Supersonics, the members originally from Jamaica.^[3] The band spent most of their time backing up visiting reggae stars before setting up their own record label, Hevyaka, in 1977 and releasing single "Rocking Time" and album Classical Roots.^[3]

It took five years for further releases to come out of the group, by which time the group had renamed to Monyaka (Swahili for "good luck");^[3] in 1982, they released "Stand Up Strong". This itself was not particularly successful, however follow-up single "Go Deh Yaka" was a No. 14 hit in the UK, with then current bass player Paul 'Computer Paul' Henton^[4] and #48 on the Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles.^[5] They then released Reggaenomics, which, while unsuccessful, spawned Monyaka's final appearance on any chart; "Reggaematic Funk", which made No. 83 in the UK.^[4]

Monyaka is highly respected as one of the promulgators of the Brooklyn reggae sound and during the late 1970s and early 1980s were the most requested backing band, backing the likes of Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Black Uhuru, Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty Diamonds, Culture, The Meditations, Ken Boothe, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff.

Discography

References