The Philistines (, , , or ; , ''Plištim''), Pleshet or Peleset, were a people who appeared in the southern coastal area of Canaan at the beginning of the Iron Age (circa 1175 BC). According to the Bible, they ruled the five city-states (the "Philistine Pentapolis") of Gaza, Askelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath, from the Wadi Gaza in the south to the Yarqon River in the north, but with no fixed border to the east. The Bible paints them as the Kingdom of Israel's most dangerous enemy. their population was around 25,000 in the 12th century BC, rising to a peak of 30,000 in the 11th century BC, of which the Aegean element was not more than half the total, and perhaps much less.

Etymology

The etymology of the word into English is from Old French ''Philistin'', from Classical Latin ''Philistinus'' found in the writings of Josephus, from Late Greek ''Philistinoi'' (''Phylistiim'' in the Septuagint) found in the writings by Philo, from Hebrew ''Plištim'', (e.g. 1 Samuel 17:36; 2 Samuel 1:20; Judges 14:3; Amos 1:8), "people of Plešt" ("Philistia"); cf. Akkadian ''Palastu'', Egyptian ''Parusata''.

Biblical scholars often trace the word to the Semitic root ''p-l-š'' () which means "to divide", "go through", "to roll in", "cover", or "invade". The name of the Philistines in their own language is not known; however, the Bible also relates them as the people of "Kaftor" (כפתור in Hebrew, see for example the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 47, Verse 4). "Kaftor" is not of Hebrew or Semitic origin, which supports the possibility that this word is similar to the name they called themselves.

Another theory, proposed by Jacobsohn and supported by others, is that the name derives from the attested Illyrian locality ''Palaeste'', whose inhabitants would have been called ''Palaestīnī'' according to normal grammatical practice.

Another historian suggests that the name Philistine is a corruption of the Greek "phyle histia" ("tribe of the hearth", with the Ionic spelling of "hestia"). He goes on to suggest that they were responsible for introducing the fixed hearth to the Levant. This suggestion was raised before archaeological evidence for the use of the hearths was documented at Philistine sites.

Timeline

''(Dates are approximate)''

1475 BC: Thutmose III conquers Canaan; beginning of Egyptian domination of southern Canaanite plain.

1175 BC: Ramses III defeats the Sea Peoples including Philistines and settles captives in fortresses in southern Canaan (alternatively, Philistines invade and settle the coastal plain for themselves).

1150 BC: final Egyptian withdrawal from southern Canaan.

10th–7th centuries BC: Philistines lose most of their distinctive culture and absorb that of surrounding peoples.

History

Canaan and the Late Bronze collapse (1550–1200 BC)

Canaan (meaning the area covering roughly modern Israel, the Palestinian territories, and southern Lebanon) in the Late Bronze Age was a collection of city-states under the authority of the Egyptians. The cities were very small, really no more than towns, and were concentrated along the coast and in a few inland valleys. They were ethnically diverse, so far as can be judged, but they spoke languages of the West Semitic language family (probably mutually intelligible) and shared a common culture in many respects, including religion, diet, and economic and political organization.

This common Late Bronze culture collapsed at the end of the Late Bronze period. The collapse was gradual rather than sudden, extending over a century or so between 1250 and 1150 BC. Many, but not all, of the Canaanite cities were destroyed, international trade collapsed, and the Egyptians withdrew. At the end of this period a new landscape emerges: the northern Canaanite cities still existed, more or less intact, and became the Phoenicians; the highlands behind the coastal plains, previously largely uninhabited, were rapidly filling with villages, largely Canaanite in their basic culture but without the Bronze Age city-state structure; and along the southern coastal plain there are clear signs that a non-Canaanite people had taken over the former Canaanite cities while adopting almost all aspects of Canaanite culture.

Settlement in southern Canaan (c. 1175–1100 BC)

In about 1175 BC, Egypt was threatened with a massive land and sea invasion by the "Sea Peoples," a coalition of foreign enemies which included the Tjeker, the Shekelesh, the Deyen, the Weshesh, the Teresh, the Sherden and the ''PRST''; the last group are commonly regarded as identical with the Philistines. They were comprehensively defeated by Ramses III, who fought them in "Djahi" (the eastern Mediterranean coast) and at "the mouths of the rivers" (the Nile delta), recording his victories in a series of inscriptions in his mortuary temple at Medinet Habu. An additional Egyptian source, Papyrus Harris I, records how the defeated foe were brought in captivity to Egypt and settled in fortresses. The Harris papyrus can be interpreted in two ways: either the captives were settled in Egypt and the rest of the Philistines/Sea Peoples carved out a territory for themselves in Canaan, or else it was Ramses himself who settled the Sea Peoples (mainly Philistines) in Canaan as mercenaries. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Philistines originally settled in a few sites in the south, such as Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron. It was not until several decades later about 1150 BCE, that they expanded into surrounding areas such as the Yarkon region to the north (the area of modern Jaffa, where there were Philistine farmsteads at Tel Gerisa and Aphek, and a larger settlement at Tel Qasile). Most scholars therefore believe that the settlement of the Philistines took place in two stages. In the first, dated to the reign of Ramses III, they were limited to the coastal plain, the region of the Five Cities; in the second, dated to the collapse of Egyptian hegemony in southern Canaan, their influence spread inland beyond the coast.

Iron Age (8th–5th centuries BC)

The Bible paints the Philistines as the main enemy of the Israelites prior to the rise of Assyria in the 8th century BC, with a state of almost perpetual war between the two peoples. The Philistine cities lost their independence to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria by 732 BC, and revolts in following years were all crushed. They were subsequently absorbed into the Babylonian and Persian empires, and disappear as a distinct group by the late 5th century BC.

The Philistine pentapolis were ruled by ''seranim'' (סְרָנִים, "lords"), who acted together for the common good, though to what extent they had a sense of a "nation" is not clear without literary sources.

Origins

It has been suggested that the Casluhite Philistines formed part of the "Sea Peoples" who repeatedly attacked Egypt during the later Nineteenth Dynasty. Though they were eventually repulsed by Ramses III, he finally resettled them, according to the theory, to rebuild the coastal towns in Canaan. Papyrus Harris I details the achievements of the reign of Ramses III. In the brief description of the outcome of the battles in Year 8 is the description of the fate of the Sea Peoples. Ramses tells us that, having brought the imprisoned Sea Peoples to Egypt, he "settled them in strongholds, bound in my name. Numerous were their classes like hundred-thousands. I taxed them all, in clothing and grain from the storehouses and granaries each year." Some scholars suggest it is likely that these "strongholds" were fortified towns in southern Canaan, which would eventually become the five cities (the Pentapolis) of the Philistines. Israel Finkelstein has suggested that there may be a period of 25–50 years after the sacking of these cities and their reoccupation by the Philistines. It is quite possible that for the initial period of time, the Philistines were housed in Egypt, only subsequently late in the troubled end of the reign of Ramses III would they have been allowed to settle Philistia.

Mycenaean archaeology

The connection between Mycenaean culture and Philistine culture was made clearer by finds at the excavation of Ashdod, Ekron, Ashkelon, and more recently Gath, four of the five Philistine cities in Canaan. The fifth city is Gaza. Especially notable is the early Philistine pottery, a locally made version of the Aegean Mycenaean Late Helladic IIIC pottery, which is decorated in shades of brown and black. This later developed into the distinctive Philistine pottery of the Iron Age I, with black and red decorations on white slip known as Philistine Bichrome ware. Also of particular interest is a large, well-constructed building covering , discovered at Ekron. Its walls are broad, designed to support a second story, and its wide, elaborate entrance leads to a large hall, partly covered with a roof supported on a row of columns. In the floor of the hall is a circular hearth paved with pebbles, as is typical in Mycenaean megaron hall buildings; other unusual architectural features are paved benches and podiums. Among the finds are three small bronze wheels with eight spokes. Such wheels are known to have been used for portable cultic stands in the Aegean region during this period, and it is therefore assumed that this building served cultic functions. Further evidence concerns an inscription in Ekron to PYGN or PYTN, which some have suggested refers to "Potnia", the title given to an ancient Mycenaean goddess. Excavations in Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath reveal dog and pig bones which show signs of having been butchered, implying that these animals were part of the residents' diet. Among other findings there are wineries where fermented wine was produced, as well as loom weights resembling those of Mycenaean sites in Greece.

It has been theorized that the latter Philistines originated among the "Sea Peoples". Modern archaeology has also suggested early cultural links with the Mycenaean world in Greece. Though the Philistines adopted local Canaanite culture and language before leaving any written texts (and later adopted the Aramaic language), an Indo-European origin has been suggested for a handful of known Philistine words that survived as loanwords in Hebrew.

Philistine language

Nothing is known for certain about the language of the Philistines.). Some of the Philistine names, such as Goliath, Achish, and Phicol, appear to be of non-Semitic origin, and Indo-European etymologies have been suggested. Recently, an inscription dating to the late 10th/early 9th centuries BC with two names, very similar to one of the suggested etymologies of the popular Philistine name Goliath (Lydian Alyattes, or perhaps Greek Kalliades) was found in the excavations at Gath. The appearance of additional non-Semitic names in Philistine inscriptions from later stages of the Iron Age is an additional indication of the non-Semitic origins of this group.

Culture and religion

Philistine culture was almost fully integrated with that of Canaan and the Canaanites. The deities they worshipped were Baal, Astarte, and Dagon, whose names or variations thereof appear in the Canaanite pantheon as well.

Extrabiblical inscriptions

Inscriptions written by the Philistines have not yet been found or conclusively identified; however, their early history is known to scholars from inscriptions in other ancient documents, such as Ancient Egyptian texts. Another was composed in the period immediately following the death of Ramses III (Papyrus Harris I).

The Harris Papyrus which was found in a tomb at Medinet Habu also recalls Ramses III's battles with the Sea Peoples, declaring that the ''Peleset'' were "reduced to ashes." Egyptian strongholds in Canaan are also mentioned, including a temple dedicated to Amun, which some scholars place in Gaza; however, the lack of detail indicating the precise location of these strongholds means that it is unknown what impact these had, if any, on Philistine settlement along the coast. They are mentioned over 250 times, the majority in the Deuteronomistic history (the series of "history" books from Joshua to 2 Kings), and are depicted as the archenemies of the Israelites, a serious and recurring threat before being subdued by David.

The following is a list of battles recorded in the Bible between Israel and the Philistines:

The Battle of Shephelah.

Israel defeated at the Battle of Aphek, Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:1–10)—see Eben-Ezer; Aphek.

Philistines defeated at the Battle of Eben-Ezer (1 Samuel 7:3–14).

Skirmish at Michmash, Philistines routed by Jonathan and his men (1 Samuel 14).

Near the Valley of Elah, David defeats Goliath in single combat (1 Samuel 17).

See also

Archaeology in Gaza

References

Citations

Sources

Further reading

External links

List of Biblical References to Philistines or Philistia

Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project Website

Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project Blog

Penn State University - The Sea Peoples and the Philistines

Neal Bierling, ''Giving Goliath his Due: New Archaeological Light on the Philistines'' (1992)

The Center for Online Judaic Studies: Ramesses III and the Philistines, 1175 BC

Biblical Archaeology Review - Yavneh Yields Over a Hundred Philistine Cult Stands

Category:Ancient Near East Category:Ancient peoples Category:Hebrew Bible nations Category:History of Crete Category:History of Israel Category:Minoan civilization

ar:فلستيُّون be:Філістымляне bg:Филистимляни ca:Filisteu cs:Pelištejci cy:Ffilistiaid de:Philister et:Vilistid el:Φιλισταίοι es:Filisteos eo:Filiŝtoj fa:فلسطینی‌های باستان fr:Philistins hr:Filistejci id:Orang Filistin it:Filistei he:פלשתים la:Philistaei hu:Filiszteusok nl:Filistijnen ja:ペリシテ人 no:Filistere pl:Filistyni pt:Filisteus ro:Filisteni ru:Филистимляне sk:Filištínci sr:Филистејци sh:Filistejci fi:Filistealaiset sv:Filistéer tr:Antik Filistinliler uk:Філістимляни yi:פלשתים zh:非利士人

Name	Gregory Isaacs
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Alias	Cool RulerLonely Lover
Birth date	July 15, 1951
Birth place	Kingston, Jamaica
Death date	October 25, 2010
Death place	London, England, UK
Genre	Reggae
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1968–2010
Website	}}

Gregory Anthony Isaacs (15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010) was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in the ''New York Times'', described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae". His nicknames include Cool Ruler and Lonely Lover.

Biography

In his teens, Isaacs became a veteran of the talent contests that regularly took place in Jamaica. In 1968, he made his recording debut with a duet with Winston Sinclair, "Another Heartache", recorded for producer Byron Lee. The single sold poorly and Isaacs went on to team up with two other vocalists (Penroe and Bramwell) in the short-lived trio The Concords, recording for Rupie Edwards and Prince Buster. The trio split up in 1970 and Isaacs launched his solo career, initially self-producing recordings and also recording further for Edwards. In 1973 he teamed up with another young singer, Errol Dunkley to start the African Museum record label and shop, and soon had a massive hit with "My Only Lover", credited as the first lovers rock record ever made. He recorded for other producers to finance further African Museum recordings, having a string of hits in the three years that followed, ranging from ballads to roots reggae, including "All I Have Is Love", "Lonely Soldier", "Black a Kill Black", "Extra Classic" and his cover version of Dobby Dobson's "Loving Pauper". In 1974 he began working with producer Alvin Ranglin, and that year he had his first Jamaican number one single with "Love Is Overdue". Isaacs recorded for many of Jamaica's top producers during the 1970s, including Winston "Niney" Holness, Gussie Clarke ("My Time"), Lloyd Campbell ("Slavemaster"), Glen Brown ("One One Cocoa Fill Basket"), Harry Mudie, Roy Cousins, Sidney Crooks and Lee "Scratch" Perry ("Mr. Cop"). By the late 1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, and only challenged by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs again teamed up with Alvin Ranglin, recording a string of hits including "Border" and "Number One" for Ranglin's GG's label.

International stardom seemed assured in 1978 when Isaacs signed to the Virgin Records offshoot Front Line Records, and appeared in the film ''Rockers'', in which he performed "Slavemaster". The ''Cool Ruler'' (which became one of his nicknames) and ''Soon Forward'' albums, however, failed to sell as well as expected, although they are now considered among his best work. In 1981, he made his first appearance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival (returning annually until 1991), and he moved on to the Charisma Records offshoot Pre, who released his ''The Lonely Lover'' (another nickname that stuck) and ''More Gregory'' albums along with a string of increasingly successful singles including "Tune In", "Permanent Lover", "Wailing Rudy" and "Tribute to Waddy". He signed to Island Records and released the record that finally saw him break through to a wider audience, "Night Nurse", the title track from his first album for the label (''Night Nurse'' (1982)). Although "Night Nurse" was not a chart hit in either the UK or US, it was hugely popular in clubs and received heavy radio play, and the album reached #32 in the UK. This success for Isaacs coincided with drug problems with cocaine which saw him serve a six-month prison sentence in Kingston in 1982 for possession of unlicensed firearms. Isaacs claimed that he had the weapons only for protection, but it emerged that this was his 27th arrest and that Isaacs had become involved in drug dealing and had become addicted to crack cocaine. He celebrated his release from prison with his second album for Island, ''Out Deh!'' (1983). Isaacs was featured in the 1982 documentary ''Land of Look Behind''.

When his contract with Island ended, Isaacs returned in 1984 with the "Kool Ruler Come Again" single, and began a period of prolific recording, working with producers including Prince Jammy, Hugh "Redman" James, Bobby Digital, Tad Dawkins and Steely & Clevie, maintaining a consistent standard despite the volume of work produced. Isaacs then built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. They began with Isaacs' 1985 album ''Private Beach Party'', and had a massive hit with "Rumours" in 1988, which was followed by further popular singles including "Mind Yu Dis", "Rough Neck", "Too Good To Be True" and "Report to Me". The association with Clarke continued into the early 1990s, teaming up with singers including Freddie McGregor, Ninjaman and JC Lodge. He dueted with Beres Hammond on the 1993 Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced "One Good Turn", Burrell also producing Isaacs' 1994 album ''Midnight Confidential''.

In the 1990s the African Museum label continued to release all of Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. In 1997 Simply Red covered "Night Nurse" and had a hit with it. Isaacs continued to record and perform live in the 2000s. In 2005 Lady Saw produced another version of "Night Nurse" with her toasting over the original lyrics.

Isaacs' drug addiction had a major impact on his voice, with most of his teeth falling out as a result. Isaacs said of his addiction in 2007: "Drugs are a debasing weapon. It was the greatest college ever, but the most expensive school fee ever paid – the Cocaine High School. I learnt everything, and now I've put it on the side."

He also performed at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inauguration at Jamaica.

In 2007 he collaborated with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos / Rafael Lechowski album Donde Duele Inspira.

In 2008, after some 40 years as a recording artist, Isaacs released a new studio album ''Brand New Me,'' which was nominated for the Grammy Awards for 2010. The album received positive reviews from critics, such as this review from Reggae Vibes: "Gregory is back, and how! 'Brand New Me' is a very suitable album title for the cool ruler's new album. He is back in a different style, more or less like we were used to from this great 'lovers & roots' artist" This was followed in 2009 by the album ''My Kind Of Lady''.

In 2010, Gregory Isaacs put out the last of his albums to be released while he was still living; ''Isaacs Meets Isaac,'' with Zimbabwean reggae singer, King Isaac. In November 2010, ''Isaacs Meets Isaac'' was nominated for Best Reggae Album for the 2011 Grammy Awards, giving Gregory Isaacs his fourth Grammy Nomination, and Zimbabwe's King Isaac, his first.

Death

After a long battle with lung cancer, Isaacs died on 25 October 2010 at his home in south London. A memorial service was held on 20 November at Kingston's National Indoor Sports Centre, including a musical tribute from artists including Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Shaggy, Judy Mowatt, Mavado, The Tamlins and Bongo Herman, before his remains were interred at the Dovecot Cemetery.

Discography

More than 500 Gregory Isaacs albums have been released during his career, many being compilations. Studio albums of original material are listed below:

''In Person'' (1975) Trojan

''All I Have Is Love'' (1976) Trojan

''The Best Of Vol. 1'' (1977) GG's

''Extra Classic'' (1977) African Museum

''Mr Isaacs'' (1977) DEB

''Cool Ruler'' (1978) Front Line

''Soon Forward'' (1979) Front Line

''Slum (Gregory Isaacs in Dub)'' (1978) Burning Sounds

''Gregory Isaacs Meets Ronnie Davis'' (1979) Plant (with Ronnie Davis)

''Showcase'' (1980) Taxi

''Lonely Lover'' (1980) Pre

''More Gregory'' (1981) Pre

''The Best Of Vol. 2'' (1981) GG's

''Night Nurse'' (1982) Island/Mango

''Out Deh!'' (1983) Island/Mango

''Let's Go Dancing'' (1984)

''Judge Not'' (1985) Greensleeves (with Dennis Brown)

''Private Beach Party'' (1985) Greensleeves & RAS

''Easy'' (1985) Tad's

''Double Dose'' (1986) Blue Trac (with Sugar Minott)

''All I Have is Love Love Love'' (1987) Tad's

''Victim'' (1987) VP

''Watchman of the City'' (1987) Rohit

''Come Along'' (1988), Live & Love

''Red Rose for Gregory'' (1988) Greensleeves & RAS

''Warning'' (1989) Firehouse

''Feature Attraction'' (1989) VP for Mixing Lab records

''No Contest'' (1989) Greensleeves & VP (with Dennis Brown)

''I.O.U.'' (1989) Greensleeves & RAS

''On The Dance Floor'' (1990) Heartbeat

''Call Me Collect'' (1990) RAS

''Set Me Free'' (1991) VP, Digital B & Vine Yard

''No Intention'' (1991) VP

''Boom Shot'' (1991) Shanachie

''State of Shock'' (1991) RAS

''Past and Future'' (1991) VP

''Pardon Me!'' (1992) RAS

''Cooyah!'' (1992) Label Unknown...

''Can't Stay Away'' (1992) VP & Xterminator

''Rudie Boo'' (1992) Star Trail

''Unattended // Absent'' (1993) Pow Wow & Greensleeves

''Unlocked'' (1993) RAS

''Midnight Confidential'' (1994) Greensleeves for Xterminator records

''Dreaming'' (1995) Heartbeat

''Not a One Man Thing'' (1995) RAS

''Private Lesson'' (1996) Heartbeat

''Mr. Cool'' (1996) VP

''Maximum Respect'' (1996) House of Reggae

''Hold Tight'' (1997) Heartbeat

''Hardcore Hits'' (1997) Ikus

''Dance Curfew'' (1997), Acid Jazz – with Dread Flimstone

''Kingston 14 Denham Town'' (1998) Jamaican Vibes

''Do Lord'' (1998) Xterminator

''New Dance'' (1999) Prestige

''Turn Down The Lights'' (1999) Artists Only

''So Much Love'' (2000) Joe Gibbs Music

''Future Attraction'' (2000) VP

''Father & Son'' (2000), 2B1 – Gregory Isaacs & Son

''It Go Now'' (2002), 2B1

''Life's Lonely Road'' (2004)

''Give It All Up'' (2004) Heartbeat

''Rat Patrol'' (2004) African Museum

''Masterclass'' (2004) Greensleeves for Blacker Dread records

''Revenge'' (2005) P.O.T.

''Substance Free'' (2005) Vizion Sounds

''Come take my hand'' (2006) Mun Mun

''Hold Tight'' (2008) Mafia & Fluxy

''Brand New Me'' (2008) African Museum

''My Kind Of Lady'' (2009) Rude Productions

''Isaacs Meets Isaac'' with King Isaac (2010) King Isaac Music

Notes

References

Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) ''The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn.'', Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-329-4

Kiviat, Steve (1996) "Gregory Isaacs", ''Washington City Paper'', December 6 – 12, 1996 (Vol. 16, #49)

Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9

Miles, Milo (1992) "RECORDINGS VIEW; Gregory Isaacs, the Ruler of Reggae", ''New York Times'', 2 February 1992

Perry, Andrew (2007) "The cool ruler of reggae makes a comeback", ''The Daily Telegraph'', 11 January 2007

Thomspon, Dave (2003) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6

External links

Profile @ Reggaeville.com

Biography: Reggae Vibes

Biography: Greensleeves Records

RAS Records discography

Gregory Isaacs Vinyl Page Some of Isaacs' vinyl releases

Free Downloads @ JahSmoke.com Isaacs' albums and vinyls

Category:2010 deaths Category:Lovers rock musicians Category:Jamaican reggae musicians Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Deaths from lung cancer Category:Cancer deaths in England Category:Trojan Records artists Category:1951 births

ca:Gregory Isaacs cs:Gregory Isaacs de:Gregory Isaacs es:Gregory Isaacs fr:Gregory Isaacs it:Gregory Isaacs ht:Gregory Isaacs hu:Gregory Isaacs nl:Gregory Isaacs ja:グレゴリー・アイザックス no:Gregory Isaacs pl:Gregory Isaacs pt:Gregory Isaacs fi:Gregory Isaacs sv:Gregory Isaacs

name	Junior Murvin
background	solo_singer
birth name	Murvin Junior Smith
born	c. 1949
origin	Port Antonio, Jamaica
genre	Reggae
years active	1965–present
notable instruments	}}

Junior Murvin (born Murvin Junior Smith, circa 1949, Port Antonio, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is best known for the single "Police and Thieves", produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry in 1976. Murvin's soaring voice and the infectious rhythm made "Police and Thieves" into an international hit during the summer of that year. It peaked at #23 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. The song was influential and it was recorded by the punk rock pioneers The Clash on their debut album, released in 1977. Australian musician Paul Kelly makes a reference to Murvin in his Christmas song, "How To Make Gravy".

Murvin's most recent recording was a single entitled "Wise Man", released on the London-based Dubwise record label in 1998.

Album discography

''Police and Thieves'' (Island) (1977)

''Tedious'' (Mango) (1978)

''Bad Man Posse'' (Dread At The Controls) (1982)

''Muggers in the Street'' (Greensleeves) (1984)

''Apartheid'' (Jammys) (1986)

''Signs and Wonders'' (Live & Love) (1989)

''World Cry'' (Sunvibes) (1995)

''Inna de Yard'' (Believe) (2007) - compilation album

See also

List of reggae musicians

List of roots reggae artists

Caribbean music in the United Kingdom

Island Records discography

References

External links

Junior Murvin biography

[ Junior Murvin biography] at Allmusic website

Category:Living people Category:People from Portland Parish Category:Jamaican reggae musicians Category:Jamaican male singers Category:Jamaican songwriters Category:Year of birth uncertain

fr:Junior Murvin it:Junior Murvin ht:Junior Murvin hu:Junior Murvin pt:Junior Murvin

name	Papa San
background	solo_singer
birth name	Tyrone Thompson
born	1966
origin	Spanish Town, Jamaica
genre	Reggae, dancehall, hip hop, gospel
years active	1978 – present
website
notable instruments	}}

Tyrone Thompson, better known as Papa San, is a Jamaican reggae, dancehall and gospel singer.

Biography

Born in 1966, he was raised by his Rastafarian grandmother and turned to Christianity in 1997. This is also reflected in his style, as he started off as a true dancehall deejay, later adopting traits of Gospel and Christian music.

He is the brother of Dirtsman, who was murdered in 1993. He has six children and lives in Weston, Florida with five of them and his wife, Debbie Thompson.

Papa San sponsors a concert known as Papa San and friends, to raise funds for orphanages in rural Jamaica. Since becoming a Christian over ten years ago, he has continued to produce his roots reggae sound, but with the message of Christ to the beat instead of his previously popular secular music.

In 2011, Papa San and his wife, having been ordained ministers of the Gospel, were launched into pastoral ministry and started "Our Fathers Kingdom International Ministries." O.F.K. is dedicated to the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

Discography

1986 ''Party Animal'' (Scar Face Music)

1986 ''Papa San Meets Anthony Redrose'' (Weed Beat)

1989 ''Style & Fashion'' (Pow Wow)

1989 ''System'' (Pow Wow)

1990 ''Reggae Dance Hall'' (Rohit)

1991 ''Strange'' (Pow Wow)

1992 ''Pray for Them'' (Sonic Sounds)

1992 ''Rough Cut'' (Pow Wow)

1993 ''In Action'' (Pow Wow)

1993 ''Pray Fi Dem'' (RAS)

1995 ''No Place Like Home'' (VP)

1996 ''Gi Mi Di Loving'' (Melodie)

1999 ''Victory'' (Interscope)

2003 ''God & I'' (Gospo Centric)

2005 ''Real and Personal'' (Gospocentric)

2008 ''Higher Heights'' (Beloved Records)

unknown ''Three The Hard Way'' (World Enterprise)

unknown ''Fire Inna Dancehall'' (King Dragon)

References

External links

[ Papa San] at Allmusic

http://www.papasanmusic.com/

Category:Converts to Christianity Category:Living people Category:1966 births Category:Jamaican male singers

de:Papa San