Bim Sherman, b. Jarrett Tomlison, 1952, JA. Sherman's earliest recordings
include "Mighty Ruler" and "Ever Firm", which appeared on the Love and
Ja-Man labels in late 1976/early 1977. Around the same time a series of
singles began appearing on his own Scorpio label. Because of restricted
finances, he often used each rhythm track for two different songs, but
his writing skills and plaintive vocals ensured that every release
sounded fresh. Several Jah Stone DJ versions of his songs were also
issued at this time. In 1978, eight of his Scorpio singles, together with
"Mighty Ruler" and "Ever Firm", were compiled for "Love Forever", which
was released in the UK on the Tribesman label, a classic set that many
argue he never equalled. In 1979 he issued "Lovers Leap" which, while not
hitting the heights of its predecessor, proved another consistently
strong collection. A year later he was featured on one side of "Bim
Sherman Meets Horace Andy And U Black", a minor but robust and enjoyable
set. Shortly after his he settled in the UK, where he met producer Adrian
Sherwood. Sherwood subsequently produced "Across The Red Sea" (1982) but
it was not the sensation for which followers of both had hoped. Despite
the inclusion of several excellent songs, the record lost many of its
nuances as Sherman's words were submerged in the mix. In 1984 "Love
Forever" was rereleased as "Danger", and he issued the self-produced "Bim
Sherman And The Voluntary", a disappointing work that met with tepid
reviews. This was followed by "Haunting Ground", an uneven set that did
boast an excellent Sherwood-produced title track. Even though his voice
could be haunting, he was let down by slight songs and uninspired
accompaniments, a trend that continued on "Exploitation" and "Too Hot".
Throughout the 80s and early 90s he was a featured vocalist on the highly
acclaimed, Sherwood-produced "Singers And Players" series of albums.
Fragments of his vocals, together with complete songs, also appeared in
works by Fats Comet, Keith LeBlan and Gary Clail. Although remaining one
of reggae's pre-eminent roots singers of the 80s and 90s, Bim Sherman was
two decades into his recording career before he made a commercial
breakthrough in the UK charts. That he did so was largely due to the
continued sponsorship of Sherwood, who has always viewed Bim Sherman as a
major talent. "Solid As A Rock" was taken from "Miracle", an album
Sherwood had passed over to Beggars Banquet Records subsidiary Mantra to
secure better distribution and promotion for the artist. With a remix by
dance producer Steve Osbourne, the single scaled the UK charts and helped
to re-energize Sherman's career.

Albums:
"Love Forever" reissued as "Danger" (Tribesman 1978) ****, "Lovers Leap"
(1979) ***, with Horace Andy "Bim Sherman Meets Horace Andy And U Black"
(Yard International 1982) ***, "Across The Red Sea" (On-U-Sound 1982)
***, "Bim Sherman And The Voluntary" (Century 1984) **, as Bim Sherman
And The Allstars "African Rubber Dub" (RDL 1987) ***, "Haunting Ground"
(RDL/Revolver 1989) ***, "Exploitation" (RDL/Revolver 1989) ***, "Too
Hot" (Century 1990) **, "Crazy World" (Century 1992) ***, with Dub
Syndicate "Reality" (Century 1992) ***, with Dub Syndicate "Lion Heart
Dub" (Century 1993) ****, with the Discoverers "The Justice League Of
Zion" (1994) ****, "Miracle" (Mantra 1996) ***, "It Must Be A Dream"
(Mantra 1997) ****.

In addition the info coming from "our bible" The Rough Guide To Reggae"
Bim Sherman. Several more dreadlocked singers expressed the Rasta vision
of Babylon's fall and corresponding redemption for the righteous in a
seemingly artless - but nevertheless effective - way. These included  the
frail-voiced Bim Sherman, who scraped enough money together to record
almost an entire oeuvre on sekf-financed labels like Scorpio, Red Sea and
Sun Dew, impressing most with the late-1970s titles, "Tribulation",
"World Go Round" and "Danger" as well as "Mighty Ruler", which appeared
on Dudley Swabey's Ja-Man imprint.

Albums:
Danger (Century, UK) Bim Sherman has always favoured an understated
approach when producing himself. "Danger" based on the earlier "Love
Forever" set, brings together the best 45s that appeared on his own
Scorpio and Sun Dew labels (as well, in the case of "Danger" and "Mighty
Ruler" as the Santic and Ja-Man imprints). Not a weak moment, and
unmissable late-1970 roots
Crucial Cuts Volume 2 (Century, UK) This CD collects most of the above
set and all of the subsequent "Lovers Leap" set, and its eighteen tracks
represent the best value-for-money package (the sound is pristine, as
well). Yes there is a first volume, perversely comprising later and less
essential track.
(Souljah: but still more than worth buying of you are into the
Sherwood-produced sounds of Bim Sherman)
Miracle (Mantra/Beggars Banquet, UK) Disparate elements - 'playback'
strings orchestrated by Suraj Sathe, Talvin Singh's tabla's, former
Sugarhill sessioneers (guitarist Skip McDonald and bassist Doug Wimbish)
and Sherman's meditative lovers and cultural songs - are brought together
beautifully on ""Miracle". The lack of a conventional drum kit is barely
noticed, and yet this is still recognizably reggae, albeit of a uniquely
mutated kind.