Don Hartley Music

• About
• Music
• Press

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Reggae Vibes Online Reggae & Dancehall Magazine - Jan 5

BLACK MOSES OUT NOW - PRESS RELEASE

“Black Moses is an extremely pleasant surprise from Hartley and all involved. Lush, well-arranged, and extremely well-mastered, the musical arrangement is compelling – with very keen attention to detail and a smorgasbord of instruments all working in perfect harmony. Hartley’s vocal performance is urgent but controlled, as he glides around his register with ease. Overall, Black Moses is exciting and pleasing in equal measure” – Mr Topple for Pauzeradio

• Read more

IRIE MAGAZINE cover story - NOVEMBER 2022

• Read

• << home

The Journey

Reggae artist, Don Hartley is Jamaican born and raised. He’s also a Rastafarian convert to Orthodox Christianity. His music, conveyed aptly by a sweetened baritone that comes with a gravelled edge - a sort of Dennis Brown/Beres Hammond hybrid - is a reflection of this spiritual reality.Now UK-based, Don's career which has spanned three decades as a recording and performing artist, is entering into a new phase. Notwithstanding, his first venture as an independent producer/artist in 1990 was a lovers rock single 'That Lady' on his own Rising Son label recorded at Penthouse Studios in Jamaica. The track featured contributions from the likes of Obeah on bass & keyboards, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace on drums and Dean Fraser on saxophone under the watchful eyes of engineer Ruddy Thomas.About two years later after meeting up with Junior Dan, the well-known Studio One bassist called Left Hand Bassie, at 12 Tribes where Don had become a member they both ventured into producing a couple more tracks but a series of unfortunate events put a stop to the project. Years later they met up again in Manchester, England and recorded some more tracks but again circumstances did not allow them to see the project through to completion.Don realised more success with Manchester's Nucleus Roots and featured on their first and follow-up compilation cd projects (2000-2007) whereby he achieved notoriety as a serious contender in the dub arena. His first two singles, Deep Roots and Run Come Quick, on Nucleus Roots' compilation cd album in 2000, became instant favourites with Deep Roots becoming one of Jah Shaka's and Aba Shanti's anthems. Follow-up tunes with Nucleus Roots like Irie Meditation and Step it up Rasta along with Deep Roots also appeared on Partial Records and Universal Egg labels respectively.After a seven-year break exploring spirituality even deeper, is when Don converted to the Orthodox Christian Faith. He re-emerged in 2012-13 as an independent vocalist, while still collaborating with different producers. The first of these was an online collab with a group called Unidade MRT as far away as Brazil. Although the group seems to have split up, the works still remain posted on YouTube, a self-reflective number entitled, Lord Help MeAmong other producers that Don has worked with since then are the likes of Lewis Bennett Dub, Roll & Record out of Paris, Katy Selecta and I Love Sound, Fat Bird Recordings and Apocalypse Dub Faction of MessenJah Music Sound System & Record Label [see list of releases below].Despite Jamaican musical styles coming and going, Don has remained true to his particular brand of conscious reggae that uplifts fans everywhere. His music is available on all digital platforms, including Bandcamp, where he hopes to return to releasing tunes on vinyl soon.Don is currently churning out singles every four to six weeks whether as a collaborative effort with producers or personal projects, all the time expanding his catalogue (available on Spotify and YouTube under the heading, "Don Hartley Music")."Follow "Don Hartley Music" playlist on Spotify.” here"Follow "Don Hartley Music" playlist on YouTube.” here

• Releases

• << home

RELEASES

• Press

• << back

• Spotify
• YouTube
• Deezer
• Bandcamp
• Apple Music

• << back

• << back

contact

• << home