Don Hartley

Struggle

My musical journey begun with struggles within and without. In many ways it mirrors the biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den where the lions symbolized my internal fears and insecurities, that constantly threatened to overwhelm and silence me into retreat and surrender. At the outset, these fears—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of inadequacy—roared loudly, intimidating and immobilizing me.

Initially I did not pursue my dreams of recording and performing live, limiting myself to garage rehearsals with friends. We would record our sessions, then listen to the tapes and share them with others. Despite the positive feedback, I lacked the confidence to take the next step. My desire to remain independent, coupled with limited funds, also made the dream seem even more unattainable given the daunting obstacles. However, I’ve learned since then that every great journey begins with a single step. The lions cannot harm Daniel if he holds faith.Like Daniel who had to face the lions for his unwavering faith, my dedication to mission led me into a confrontation with these personal demons. Daniel's story is one of steadfastness, prayer, and divine intervention. Similarly, I turned to prayer and spiritual discipline, seeking solace and strength beyond myself embarking on deep soul-searching, confronting the root causes of my anxieties.

Turning Point

Things took a dramatic turn in 1989 when I rallied some funds and plunged into my first production, "That Lady." With high hopes and a heart full of ambition, I made my way to Penthouse Studios in Kingston and approached the legendary Donovan Germaine. It was there that I had the privilege of collaborating with industry luminaries: the renowned drummer Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace of Rockers fame, the enigmatic Obeah on keyboards, and the masterful Dean Fraser on saxophone. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of an exhilarating journey, surrounded by the very best in the business.

I recorded four vibrant tracks that year: "That Lady" and "Reggae Organizer" at the illustrious Penthouse Studios and "You've Done Me Wrong" and "Come To Me" at Mikey Reuben's studio in Mountain View Avenue. From these dynamic sessions, I decided to release "That Lady" and "Come To Me" on my new Rising Son label, presenting them as A & B sides of a 7-inch vinyl. With the support of the late, great Castro Brown at Juju Music, these tracks made their way into the world. The same year, 1990, I took it a step further by releasing a 12-inch mix of said tracks, capturing the essence of my musical vision.

This accomplishment filled me with an overwhelming sense of achievement and pride. Holding that vinyl in my hands, knowing it represented countless hours of creativity, hard work, and collaboration with some of the industry's finest, was a moment of profound realization. I had turned my dreams into reality, producing music that resonated not only with me but also with listeners. This milestone marked the beginning of a promising journey, fuelling my passion and determination to continue creating and sharing my musical legacy.

Ascendency

Fast forward a decade, from 2000 to 2005, during my UK travels, I had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with Manchester’s own Nucleus Roots. Our creative synergy gave birth to a series of philosophical roots anthems, solidifying my reputation as a serious artist in the genre. Together, we crafted timeless classics such as "Run Come Quick," "Deep Roots," "Irie Meditation," "Step It Up Rasta," and "State of Mind" (2016), each track adding a rich layer to my musical legacy.

I have graced several notable stages throughout my career, including Band on The Wall in 2001 and Club Sauvage in Paris in 2013 with Nucleus Roots. In 2015, I performed at Hootananny in London, followed by a memorable set at The Klondyke in Manchester with the local reggae band Ruff Trade in 2016. Most recently, I brought my energy to the Manchester Carnival in 2018, adding to the vibrant tapestry of my live performance history.

After a seven year hiatus to pursue deeper spiritual longings I have returned with my debut EP, 'Song of Creation' (May 2024). It has since been enjoying international airplay and media coverage, thanks to the promotional efforts from Explorations in Dub. This exposure has garnered a growing fan base that resonates with my music. Excitingly, I plan more releases and collaborations for 2024 and into 2025.