Pato Banton

Born Patrick Murray in Birmingham, England on October 5, 1961, the reggae vocalist and toaster is better known by his stage name Pato Banton. He first came to prominence in 1982 when he guested on song on Special Beat Service, the third album by Birmingham-based ska and pop band The Beat (aka the English Beat in the U.S.). The track’s title, “Pato and Roger a Go Talk”, namechecks both Banton and Beat toaster/singer Ranking Roger. Banton then recorded several singles before issuing the collaboration album Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton in 1985. That same year, he guested on UB40’s Baggariddim album. His first solo album, Never Give In, was issued in 1987. The album featured the single “Absolute Perfection”, which was originally released by the band Private Domain (featuring Pato Banton). Never Give In also featured Pato reuniting with Ranking Roger for the song “Pato & Roger Come Again”. Other albums by Banton include Visions of the World(1989), Stay Positive (1996), Go Pato (Live/2002), and Destination Paradise (2008). Some of his most popular tracks include a cover of The Police’s “Spirits In the Material World” and “Baby Come Back”, a cover of The Equals’ best-known singles. Banton’s Life Is a Miracle album was nominated for a Grammy Award - for Best Reggae Album - in 2001.

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