There are few Jamaicans with such an impressive career as George Dekker (born George Agard). The career of the half brother of hitmaker Desmond Dekker gained momentum in the late 60ies when he joined the Kingstonian vocal group The Pioneers. The Pioneers is a name you may take literally: at a time when reggae and rocksteady were new and as yet unknown genres, The Pioneers scored hit after hit internationally. Thanks to their record deal with Trojan Records they were one of the first Jamaican acts with hit singles in Europe.
Next to his work with The Pioneers he also released material as Johnny Melody, under this stage name he scored a big hit with the song ‘Foey Man’. Throughout his career George Dekker worked with major producers like Leslie Kong, Bunny Lee, Byron Lee, Joe Gibbs, Sydney Crooks and others.
Throughout 2023 George Dekker and producer and songwriter Boss Capone have been working on a new album called ‘Blackfire’. On the new album, the two are supported by vocalist Patsy who also joined Boss Capone on his previous album ‘Kings & Queens’ (Aggrobeat Records, 2023).The album is now available through all major streaming services. The vinyl edition will be available at the first of May.
The album is released by the Dutch recordlabel Aggrobeat Records which previously issued rocksteady and reggae releases by Laurel Aitken, The Gladiators, Junior Byles and Winston Groovy. The official ‘Blackfire’ album launch takes place on Friday 19 April at the Freedom Sounds festival in Germany.
Over the last twenty years Boss Capone has built an international reputation through his work with The Upsessions and his solo albums. With The Upsessions he released five albums including one with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and as a solo artist he released three albums to date.
The album launch at the Freedom Sounds Festival is also the start for a 16 date European tour by The Pioneers (feat. George Dekker) and Boss Capone & Patsy:
19 april Germany, Köln – Freedom Sounds
20 april Netherlands, Amstelveen – P60
21 april Germany, Hamburg – Monkey’s
24 april Austria, Vienna – FLUC
25 april Austria, Linz – Stadtwerkstadt
26 april Germany, Gumpersdorf – Workshop Orange
27 april Italy – Venosta, Basis
2 May Germany – Freiburg, Café Atlantik
3 May Switzerland – Winterthur, Gaswerk
4 May Austria – Salzburg, Rockhouse
8 May Germany – Zweibrücken, Gasthaus Sutter
10 May France – Festival Zickenstock, Le Cateau
17 May France – Ivry Sur Seine, Le Hangar
18 May France – Toulouse, Detroit Club
19 May France, Marseille – Le Molotov
