Raised in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Vision grew up amidst what would later become internationally known as the birthplace of reggae music. At age 13 his cousin, Rita Marley, encouraged him to start signing. As a result, he made his first professional appearance with the Soulettes, which consisted of Rita Marley, Marlene “Precious” Gifford and himself. Within their first year together they received a contract from Coxson’s Studio One record label. A self-taught musician, Vision learned his skills studying other musicians during sessions, particularly Peter Tosh and listening to Jackie Mittoo, of the Skattlites. Although many African American singers influenced his signing, the Impressions, Clyde McPhatter and Wes Montgomery were the ones that affected him the most. Reggae On Broadway. Which starred Philip Michael Thomas, Ras Karbi, Calvin Lockhart and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Produced by Michael Butler (Producer of the ‘60’s hit musical Hair).
Throughout the ‘80’s and ‘90’s Vision worked steadily doing either studio session work with artist like the late Michael Kamen, one of the recording and film industry’s best musical composers/arrangers; or session and touring with Peter Tosh (from 1981 thru 1987). During one recording session with Peter Tosh, Vision played the bass line on No More Nuclear War – the title track of the album. He can also be heard playing percussion’s on the same album.
From 1984 thru 1986, Vision worked with Bunny Wailer on his album Market Place. On that album, Vision plays the lead and rhythm guitar. It was also during these sessions – in 1985 - that Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Junior Braithwaite and Vision in collaboration, recorded their Never Ending Wailers album.
From 1989 thru 1993 Vision worked once again with his cousins - Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers. Vision is directly responsible for writing and collaborating on the Play The Game Right album, with the song “Unoo No Listen Yet and on the album “Cosmic”.
While the story of Vision Walker is one of the best kept secrets in the Reggae industry –it is not by choice – yet he is the last of the originals to embark on his own musical path. Vision Walker’s opulent musical talents are no secret to fans of reggae music. Roger Stefan said, “the world awaits the first solo release of the last of the Original Wailers.”
What does Vision say, “I see myself as an instrument of the Father. I came here to do his work. Because I’ve tried other things and it all comes right back to music. I feel I have a message to carry to the people, whether it is to unify – which is the main thing – the nation, not just black people, but people, planet Earth. It boils down to we are all one. And although they say we are the original people, our people have suffered too hard – I see myself coming from that point. I never used to acknowledge that, but I realized from visions I have had and the talent that I have. I know I have to do something with my music because until I do, I won’t achieve what I really came here to do.”
A Rastafarian since he first started singing professionally Vision says of the musical world he’s lived in most of his life: “I just love music. Basically that. Plus my culture, Jamaican and Rasta and what we stand for truth, loyalty, oneness, that’s what I want to see rise again – that unity amongst people.”
Formation of the Soulettes
After the passing of his Mother, Vesta, “Dream” (Vision) went to live with her sister Viola in Trench Town. When he got there Rita and her brother, Wesley, were living there. One-day Rita said to Dream could he harmonize this song she had written. And he started to sing perfect pitch harmony. It sounded so good people would gather around to hear them sing.
They started to do talent shows like the Vere Johns Opportunity Knocks radio show. They would sing on school holidays at Rita’s school. That’s where Rita met Marlene Gifford (aka: “Precious”) and she became a member of the group. It was around that time that Rita named the group “The Soulettes.
Aunt Viola was very proud of them. She told, Andy Anderson, about them and he told her he knew Coxon the owner of Studio One record label. Andy Anderson then introduced “The Soulettes” to Coxon and he gave them an audition. After Coxon heard them sing, he gave them a record deal.
While the story of Vision Walker is one of the best kept secrets in the Reggae industry –it is not by choice – yet he is the last of the originals to embark on his own musical path. Vision Walker’s opulent musical talents are no secret to fans of reggae music. Roger Stefan said, “the world awaits the first solo release of the last of the Original Wailers.”
THE BEGINNING
JOINING THE WAILERS
Wailers and Soulettes got close. They became a family. They would sing all day until late into the night. The Wailers and Soulettes both working under the Coxon Record Label, would collaborate on many of their own songs and sing back ground harmony for one another and other artist under the Coxon label.
It was during these times that it was getting harder to financially support themselves and their music. They were not getting enough financial support and marketing from Studio One. Then Bob had an opportunity to travel to America with his mother who was living in Delaware. So, in February 1966 Bob left and went to Delaware.
At this time, Bunny Wailer officially asked Dream/Vision to join The Wailers.
Vision began to be recognized as an excellent harmony singer. He replaced Bob Marley in the Wailers in February 1966. Vision can be heard on The Birth of a Legend album which includes such Wailers hits as: “Who feels It Knows It,” “Let him Go (Rude Boy Get Bail),” “What Am I To Do”, “Sunday Morning,” “Jerk in Time”, “Dancing Shoes,” “Dream Land,” “Rolling Stone” and “Can’t You See”, Little Boy Blue, just to name a few.
When Bob returned to Jamaica, Vision collaborated with his friend and cousin Bob Marley on a number of Wailers hits such as “Bend Down Low,” “Hypocrites,” “Nice Time,” “and “Thank you Lord.” Vision also contributed to a number of other well-known Wailers super jammers (also written by Marley) such as “Sun Is Shinning,”, “Concrete Jungle,” and “Misty Morning.” All of the aforementioned songs were inspired, by Vision, using chord progressions from the Beatle’s classic “Eleanor Rigby.”
At this time The Wailers worked to create their own recording label. And after leaving Studio One - Coxon Record label, The Wailers established Wail N Soul M record label. Having to handle much of their own marketing – Vision and Bob would ride their bicycles around town distributing their records under this new label. Wail N Soul M record label would later become Tuff Gong.
At this time, Vision left Jamaica.
Reggar on Broadway, “jah Malla”
&
The Rastafarians
Jah Malla
In 1980 Vision met Michael Kamen, the music conductor for Reggae on Broadway during his performance with the house orchestra. When Michael Kamen produced an album for Jah Malla he asked Vision to join them in the recording session of their album. The band constituted of keyboardist Michael Ranglin , drummer Noel Alphonso. The sons of legendary Skatalites Ernest Ranglin and sax man Roland Alphonso.
Rastafarians
The Rastafarians was a California-based reggae group founded by Jamaican natives Ras Binghi, Big Dread, Michael Ashley aka Haile Maskel (bass and lead vocals), Patrick Houchen aka Shaka (drums and lead vocals) and Californian Herb Daly (guitar) in Santa Cruz, California in 1980. Other members included Constantine "Vision" Walker who had previously worked with both Bob Marley and Rita Marley and noted MC Tony "Moses" Wright, who performed and toured with Spearhead. Some members of the band had also worked with Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus. The ensemble released the critically acclaimed album "Orthodox" in 1981.[1]
