Delroy Wilson was raised in Jamaica’s most renowned slum: Trench Town. Music quickly became Wilson’s ticket out of the ghetto, and by the age of 12 he was already turning heads at local talent competitions. But Wilson wasn’t just a talented kid, he was a child prodigy. Within a year Wilson was already working with one of the biggest names in Jamaica’s musical history (a producer by the name of Coxsone Dodd who was also behind Bob Marley’s early success). Under Dodd’s guidance, Wilson would become Jamaica’s first child star with a hit single released at the age of 13. Wilson was only 46 years old when he passed away in 1996, but his 33 years of recording included over 350 released singles – a production rate that places him as one of Jamaica’s most prolific artists of all time. Wilson’s soulful voice, musical versatility, and impassioned performances also made him one of the most beloved and influential Jamaican artists of his era.
“Better Must Come” was released back in 1972 with the help of another legendary producer, Bunny Lee. The track became the rallying cry of Michael Manley’s successful 1972 campaign for prime minister. If it is good enough to win a national election, I promise you it is good enough for a Wednesday afternoon listen.
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