Legendary Jamaican singer David Isaacs, former The Itals member, dies! More at Surforeggae!

Jamaican singer David Isaacs, also known as Bruce Bennett, passed away on the night of December 21, 2009, in Kingston, Jamaica's capital. He is best remembered as a member of one of the most important vocal harmony groups in reggae history, The Itals. David was sleeping on the floor because his bed was occupied by a guest. In the morning, his sister came to ask him about some clothes to wash and immediately noticed that he was dead, allegedly from a heart attack. David Isaacs was practically a sure presence at Rebel Salute in January 2010. In 1968, Isaacs recorded a version of "A Place in the Sun", originally by Stevie Wonder, produced by the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry — one of the recordings that helped make Trojan Records one of reggae's major powers. The song was re-recorded on Isaacs' debut album entitled "A Place in the Sun", released in 1976. In 1979, Isaacs recorded "Just Like the Sea" in partnership with DJ Jah Thomas, and released his second album, "More Love", produced by Witty Reid. In 1982, he teamed up with Winston "Niney" Holness to record the album "Happy Ending" — released by Dynamic Sounds — which preceded "Love & Devotion", a beautiful album amid the style's struggles in the 1980s. Around the same time, David joined The Itals, with whom he visited Brazil in 2001. It is worth remembering the lineup of musicians on "Love & Devotion": Robbie Shakespeare, Errol "Flabba" Holt, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Winston Wright, Bobby Ellis, among others. Utmost respect to the great David Isaacs, further depleting the ranks of living legends of world reggae.

IN MEMORIAM

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