Lee's Unlimited 

Lee’s Unlimited sound system originated in Springfield, St. Thomas, Jamaica, in the late 1960s. It was a masterpiece assembled by Trevor Lee, hence the name Lee’s Unlimited. By the early 1980s, Lee's Unlimited was filling dancehalls throughout Jamaica. With top selector President Bugs and his great crew of entertainers, they easily defeated any other big-name sound system worldwide. President Bugs played great rub-a-dub selections, drawing from the superior Studio-l catalogue. The sound system was anchored by many reputable deejays, including the legendary Johnny Ringo, the great Papa San, Beenie Man, Michael Irie, and the outstanding deejay duo Tippa Lee & Rappa Robert.

Lee’s Unlimited’s popularity soared even more when top radio disc-jockey Don Henry, better known as Super Don, began making live appearances on the sound system. Super Don, an award-winning radio personality on Radio Jamaica (RJR) at the time, was one of the finest MCs Jamaicans had ever known. His large radio audience followed him to the dancehall scene on weekends whenever he graced Lee’s Unlimited sound system. For radio fans unable to attend the sessions in person, they sometimes tuned in to live broadcasts on RJR.

As a side note, there were two major radio stations in Jamaica during the '70s to late '80s: Radio Jamaica Rediffusion (RJR) and the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). Both stations had disc jockeys who played exclusive and authentic reggae music. Additionally, both media houses featured radio personalities at dancehalls on sound systems. MCs from both radio stations had to do it all to garner listener support. Super Don, a key disc jockey on RJR was responsible for attracting both evening and weekend audiences. For the disc jockeys, the dancehall was their grand opportunity to get up close and personal with their fans. To accomplish this goal, they made appearances on reputable sound systems. Lee’s Unlimited Hi Power was the sound system of choice for Super Don when he took his radio show into the streets. Dancehall fans from all over would flock to Lee’s Unlimited dancehall to see the man they constantly heard on the radio. In addition to spinning records from his large collection of music, Super Don hosted deejay competitions that were broadcasted live on the airwaves. As an even further boost, special guest entertainers would accompany him into the dancehall as a complement to Lee’s Unlimited’s resident deejays.

As the famous words of wisdom state, ‘Children learn what they live, and children live what they learn.’ If a child grows up among entertainers, they are more inclined to become an entertainer from a very early age. This phenomenon is often manifested in the Jamaican music industry, especially in the dancehall. Many of the earlier deejays began their careers as teens following sound systems, and there were a few who got their break when they were ten years old or younger."

Lee Tafari: A Musical Journey

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Lee Tafari is the son of Daddy Lees, the owner of Lee’s Unlimited Sound (established in 1968). From an early age, Lee was surrounded by music, and it was clear that he was destined to be a part of it. His first venture into the music world was through dancing.

“Being part of a festive family like mine, it was hard not to love music. Whether we were hosting parties or attending them, people would always want me to dance and liven up the place.” Lee’s talent as a selector (DJ) soon became apparent. After high school, he began working with Riddim Force before taking on a role at Lee’s Unlimited in the United States. His reputation grew, and he was approached by Black Chiney to perform at their international dates, taking him to places like Canada and various Caribbean islands. He became well-known as ‘Chip Lee the Performa’ and gained popularity.

Despite playing for large crowds, Lee felt unfulfilled. He realized that there was a higher purpose for his music. He started a radio program called ‘JAH Guide’ on a local Miami radio station during a spiritually transformative time. Seeking innovation, he teamed up with ‘Karib Link TV’ to create a production called ‘Sight and Sound.’ This unique approach combined music with visuals, earning widespread recognition.

However, Lee yearned for more change and growth. He returned to Jamaica, settling in Portland. It was during this time that he discovered his love for songwriting and the guitar, carrying it with him everywhere he went. In 2013, Lee Tafari united with Haile Conscious, leading him to tour the West Coast of the United States acoustically and with The Upliftment Band.

On November 1, 2014, they released his debut acoustic album,'UP & UP' Lee Tafari Unplugged. 2017 saw the release of two songs ~ PEACE MAKERS and EARTH ANTHEM feat. Prezident Brown. Both were recorded with master musician Tuff Lion.  In 2018 he put out two singles 'AS ONE' and 'I-N-I UPLIFTMENT' with I-Sight Records. In 2019 Lee released 'NAH WAR WITH YOU' a remix of Peace Makers with dub poet Wise Wurdz. Lee's latest single 'VISIONARY' is produced by Jamaican popular label Cash Flow Records.

The journey continues in 2024 and beyond with his focus fully turned towards sharing purely positive vibrations. Steadfast on the mission, he brings something rich and refreshing to the music. A truly humble and peaceful servant, a bright light sent from
THE MOST HIGH - Lee Tafari the 'VISIONARY'

The Gleaner, Jamaica

As owner, Lee Tafari is behind the music, charting Lee's Unlimited's renewed direction. However, as a selector from when he was 14 years old and fusing action with the music as Chip Lee the Performer seven years later, Lee Tafari is also very much front and center. 

In addition, he also plays the guitar and sings; his Love Party is the theme song of the recently launched Conscious Reggae Party One Love series, and Lee Tafari envisions a seamless blend of live performance and sound system selections. 

"Lee's Unlimited is like a sentence - Lee is unlimited," he points out. 

However, being behind the music comes before the performance, and Lee Tafari said when he returned to Jamaica in 2008 to take over Lee's Unlimited he had to literally wash off a large number of records and get them back to a condition in which they could be played. 

He also charted a different course for Lee's Unlimited, pointing out that many people lack a vision of how far they can take their musical package. "Me a 35 now. Me gone past that. Me go pon nuff plane, woman a run me dung. You realise a no that you a do it fa," Tafari said. 

"The reason why me a make the sacrifice deh is because we have the music to heal the world," he said. 

There was a point when he was in denial about the negative effect music about violence has on people, but Lee Tafari tells The Gleaner that he has seen it at first hand. Now, he says he does not play most of the specials in Lee's Unlimited's arsenal. And he is emphatic about the effect playing vinyl has on him. "Me play MP3, me no too like the computer, me play CD and that is nothing to when you play vinyl and put needle on record and hear the feel and the groove," he said. 

"That is how I like to explain vinyl to everybody - in the valley of music. You hear everything," he said. 

With Sights and Sounds, Lee Tafari has also fused the music with videos, presenting images of the performers even as he spins their music. Now, as a singer who also plays the guitar, he says, "My ultimate aim is to merge live with sound system.  I'm going to plug in the guitar and start playing in the middle of spinning records.  I see a thing that can turn into the highest level of production."

This includes the proper lighting. And he will have material, as Tafari says he is recording tracks in studio.

Favourite spots

The Bahamas, where Lee Tafari played over 60 times, and Canada were favorite spots, Lee's Unlimited having a connection with Black Chiney sound system. He also did the radio program 'Jah Guide'. However, he laughs at the memory of one particular date with Stone Love in Miami, where he was thrown into the fray after the designated selector did not come from Jamaica.

The then 17-year-old had less then an hour to familiarize himself with the music. "That time me in high school. Me never expect that crowd in front of me," he said. He played, then Stone Love, but when he started off again there was a humming from the sound system. The crowd started booing and Rory on Stone Love immediately came in with the Buju Banton dub plate announcing "dem cyaa play like a you".

"Me cry eyewater," Tafari reminisces, laughing.

Now, he concentrates on getting the feel of the music and artiste across to the audience. "Is not an imitation. You feel what the artist a say and bring it to the people in a more simple way. You use words and body language and vibration," Tafari said, clenching his fists.

He has come a long way from wanting to touch the Lee's Unlimited microphone but being told by his father that he was not ready. Now, Lee Tafari points to sound systems like Stur-Gav and Merritone as examples of the longevity he aims for and laments that "the culture is packaged and sent to Europe on tour".

"If you follow people you get discouraged and stop. It no easy, so we take it easy," he said.

"Right now what I have of Lee's Unlimited I would say is the finest of the wheat. The chaff and the tares have been burnt out," Lee Tafari said.

Lee's Unlimited next plays at 'Vibes is Right' at Wickie Wackie, Bull Bay, on Saturday, July 16.