Pioneers of world reggae, and considered one of Bob Marley's favorite vocal groups, the Wailing Souls began as the Renegades, with Lloyd "Bread" McDonald, George "Buddy" Haye and Winston "Pipe" Matthews as vocalist forming the lineup.
In this lineup they recorded backing vocals for an Ernest Ranglin album, and soon after — in 1968 — they split up. Matthews and McDonald then teamed up with Oswald Downer and Norman Davis, recording "Gold Digger" for Lloyd Daley. The next step would be Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, owner of the best catalog of important artists and albums of the era.
Using the name Pipe and The Pipers, they recorded two singles for Tuff Gong (Bob Marley's label in the 70s). They were "Harbour Shark" and "Back Biter". The vocals had a raw edge, clearly marked by harmonies, thus establishing a musical pattern for the group, which was already composing songs with immortal status.
In 1974 Davis and Downes left, and Hill returned. Joe Higgs even spent some time with the group. The next producer, Joseph "Joe Joe" Hookim, firmly placed them on the charts with a sequence of local hits for Channel One, with "Things And Time", "Joy Within Your Heart" and "Very Well".
In 1976 Garth Dennis (from Black Uhuru) joined the group. The next step involved greater artistic and financial independence with the formation of their own label — Massive, and their first two releases, "Bredda Gravalicious" and "Feel The Spirit", Massive hits in 1977 and 1978.
In the 80s, they moved to Sly And Robbie's Taxi Label, and recorded two more hits, "Old Broom" and "Sugar Plum Plum". The next release was with producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes. "Firehouse Rock" was one of the group's most popular recordings.
Somehow, they also found time (and energy) to record beautiful work for Linval Thompson during their artistically and commercially prosperous period. Throughout the 80s, they continued innovating, releasing conscious and quality songs that, even when bordering on excess in some ideologies, sold very well thanks to many demanding and experienced ears around the world.
They also proved they could do well in dancehall, and recorded with the renowned King Jammy at the end of the decade. In the nineties they signed with Sony. Currently, it can be said that they have returned to their roots with the album "Equality". Recorded in Jamaica with the best local musicians, including the duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, the album (Grammy nominated) consists of original and provocative songs that conquered the American market.