@reggaetimemachine: By 1982, Dennis Brown was already firmly established as one of Jamaica’s great singers, but this acoustic performance from Deep Roots Music offers a rare chance to hear his talent stripped back to its essentials. This footage comes from episode 5 of the six-part documentary series, aptly titled “Money in My Pocket,” produced by Howard Johnson for Britain’s Channel 4 and narrated by Mikey Dread. The series documented Jamaican music and its culture through performances and interviews with the artists and figures shaping the music at the time. “Have You Ever Been In Love” was first released in 1981 as a 12” single, issued simultaneously on Joe Gibbs Music (JGM) in the US and Power House in Jamaica and the UK, with production from Sly and Robbie. Here, accompanied only by his own acoustic guitar, Brown delivers the song without the full reggae arrangement or studio production, putting the focus entirely on his voice. It’s a direct showcase for his natural raw singing talent, with his distinctive tone, phrasing and emotional control carrying the song completely on their own. This intimate performance captures a different side of Dennis Brown and demonstrates just how much power he possessed as a singer without the need for a full band or elaborate production. Deep Roots Music preserved moments like this that allow us to hear one of reggae’s greatest singers in a rare stripped-back setting. #reggae #reggaemusic #dennisbrown #reggaehistory #reggaetimemachine

reggaetimemachine

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Wednesday 12 August 2026 23:39:45 GMT