Bitty McLean
United Kingdom
about1
Born in 1972, Bitty’s earliest memories were punctuated by the music he would hear courtesy of his Father’s sound system, where at the tender age of ten he started singing over Jamaican Dub and Instrumental riddims.
In 1992, he not only co-produced but played, sang, and engineered UB40’s hugely successful album "Promises And Lies" selling in excess of 10 million copies.
In 1993, Bitty’s own first album, "Just To Let You Know", included the Top 10 singles
It Keeps Rainin’, Dedicated To The One I Love and Here I Stand, selling over
1 million records.
The subsequent years saw Bitty accrue an awesome catalog of Top 30 singles,
as well as play UK arena tours with UB40, Wet Wet Wet, and Simply Red..
In 2004, he recorded, produced, and released the superb "On Bond Street",
in which Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle instrumentals by the legendary Tommy McCook and The Supersonics formed the basis of the album. Bitty complemented these Ska and Rocksteady tracks with such elegance it is hard to believe he was not there when the original riddims were put on tape.
2006 was the beginning of what has become a longstanding collaboration with the world's greatest rhythm section, drummer Sly Dunbar, and bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Recording and touring extensively, they have built a catalog that includes the critically acclaimed albums "Movin’ On", "The Taxi Sessions", "Heart Mind and Soul" and "Love Restart".
2023 saw the release of the brand new "Forward" LP. Sly and Robbie set a solid foundation of Rockers, Rub-a-Dub, and Roots Reggae for the compelling lyrics and melodies of Bitty McLean, whose trademark voice and penmanship skills continue and affirm his position as one of Reggae’s premier vocalists.
And now, Bitty McLean is releasing a new version of "Walk Away From Love", produced with Sly & Robbie and Guillaume Bougard, especially for TABOU1.