Lehbanchuleh, whose name means to build upon a solid foundation in Swahili, has certainly done just that with several dynamic projects in the works including his current release on the Stone Tiger label, produced by Banchu Muzik, Claim the Joy. As Lehbanchuleh's debut solo album, it promises to be a spiritual treat which has already received stellar reviews from the promotional release of several singles.
Lehbanchuleh will also be appearing with Sugar Black on a release later this year from Beres Hammond's Harmony House label. The already-released singles "Everybody Needs Love" and "Fight On" are creating waves in Jamaica and the UK. The duo's professionalism and strong vocal content are evident in the songs written by Sugar Black, Lehbanchuleh, and Beres Hammond.
Lehbanchuleh also appears on individual tracks on two recently released Madacy Entertainment albums from the Reggae Rocks series -- tributes to Bob Dillon and to The Beatles. He also appeared on the 2001 "Reggae Rocks, The Tide Is High" release which placed on the Billboard Reggae Charts
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Born Norberth Clarke in St. Mary, Jamaica, Lehbanchuleh first gained international recognition as part of the dynamic singing duo of Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh. Their extraordinary blend of lovers and cultural songs, and their energetic performances on Reggae Sun Splash, Sumfest, Rebel Salute and a 1999 European & North American tour have made these two artists, both jointly and individually, a melodic force with which to be reckoned.
In 1976, during his school years, Lehbanchuleh aka Norberth Clarke, while performing "Don't Throw It All Away" as a solo artist, won the famous Tastee Talent Contest, an annual performance competition in Kingston, Jamaica that has been the springboard for many famed reggae careers. Lehbanchuleh than performed as a member of "The Heralders," a quartet comprised of fellow classmates attending Kingsway High School.
In 1979, the young artist appeared on the Show of the Year in Jamaica with Leroy Smart, Sanchez, Pinchers, and others. Throughout the 1980s, Lehabanchuleh, still known as Norberth Clarke, recorded a number of songs for various labels including the original "Oh, Mama Africa" for the Black Scorpio Label. In 1989, Lehbanchuleh attended an audition at Donovan Germain's Penthouse Studios. Cultural DJ Tony Rebel, was conducting the auditions and came up with the idea of Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh, both powerful singers, coming together to form a duo.
The duo, with Lehbanchuleh still known as Norberth Clarke, went on to perform together on numerous shows as well as to record numerous tracks together and individually. Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh's first recording together was a remake of El Debarge's single "Donna," which was released on the Soljie label in 1990. Other singles released that year by Lehbanchuleh on the Penthouse label were "Andrea & Sophia" and "Endlessly" which made it to number three on the British charts. In 1991, Lehbanchuleh appeared on the Penthouse Celebration compilation with that same single.
In 1993, Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh officially became members of Flames Production Company. It was at that time that Lehbanchuleh first took his new name as a symbol of his faith and the fact that his life would, from that time forward, be founded upon the foundation of the Almighty. It was a professional set-back for the young singer as he had placed on the Black Echoes Charts in the UK several times with various lover's rock ballads and had developed quite a following but he felt that he must be true to himself and to his faith.
Lehbanchuleh's first release under his new name was the single "Let it Be," a remake of The Beatles' classic. This was he and Sugar Black's first official recording on the Flames label and became one of the most requested dubplates for reggae sound systems internationally, establishing their standing amongst their more famous counterparts.
Other Flames releases include "Jordan River" in 1996, the remarkable "Oh Jah", on the famous LALaBella rhythm and "Precious Souls," both released in 1997. Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh released the popular "A Change is Gonna Come" produced by Henry Karyo and Flames Productions in 1998. The artists also appear on the Essence CD with the uplifting track, "A Chance."
Lehbanchuleh's 2003 release, Claim the Joy promises to be both uplifting and soul stirring with guest appearances by Luciano, Mikey General, Terry Ganzie, Sugar Black, and Anthony B. With his remarkable talent and noble vision "to use music to spread the word of the Almighty," Lehbanchuleh will continue to soar to new heights carrying his listeners with him.
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